Bad Gas Mileage? Tips or Improvments?

[sledneck047]

Im getting kinda bad gas milage, Ive been getting 10-11.8 mpg around town (i have ran 7-8 tanks). I have a 97 K1500 5.7 Vortec. It indeed has a 6 inch lift but i only have 31 inch tires (I was going to be putting 35's but then saw my mpg). I was expecting 13-14 mpg around town and 15-16 on highway. I have noticed it does idol kinda high. Could this be a problem? I may be fretting over nothing but i thought it would get better...any tips
Thanks for your help!

 

[88GMC]

Buy a Honda...

In all seriousness though, my 88 (mildly built 350, 33x12.5, 3.73s) doesn't get any better mpg than what you're getting. You could try a tune up. IE replacing the cap, rotor, plugs, plug wires, air filter, etc. Run some injector cleaner through it. Pretty much the only way you are going to see a change in fuel consumption is to make sure the truck runs better and even then it may not be enough for you to notice a difference. Face it, you drive pickup with all the aerodynamic properties of a brick from a time when fuel economy wasn't a staple in automotive design. Sad truth is you're gonna have to suffer a bit at the pump to drive one of these pigs. For most of us its a love hate kinda relationship. We love the GMT-400s therefore we pay the price.

 

[BOTMAN]

regear, tune up, and lighter foot

 

[Butch]

Also replace your O2 sensors in that tune up, check your tire pressure, all of that can be contributing factors that add up and take it from there.

 

[BeefStew42791]

if you ever smell fuel after you come to a stop at a mcd's or a garage or something I'd check for leaks up and down your lines.. other then that it's tune up time and better gearing.

 

[ald94]

Get a tonneau cover for the bed. Sounds crazy but the air going over the cab gets caught at the tail gate and creates a slight drag on the truck. Not sure the exact amount of MPGs you'll get outa it but I have heard 1-3MPG extra from adding this.

 

[miles5241]

man i feel like i don't get ****...lol i average about 8-9 around town with factory suspension little bigger tires. pretty mild cam ect i just don't get why mines so ******...

 

[BOTMAN]

man i feel like i don't get ****...lol i average about 8-9 around town with factory suspension little bigger tires. pretty mild cam ect i just don't get why mines so ******...

:dunno: my last tank was 21.3mpg mixed driving..

 

[Tinbender59]

:dunno: my last tank was 21.3mpg mixed driving..

2wd VS 4wd makes a world of difference!!! I would check the front axle engage motor to see if it is working correctly, personally I have had two that were lazy to the point that I had to back up to get them to disengage if they were warm enough. the engage motors are the most neglected item in our 4X4's, at least the ones that I have owned. I'm busted LOL get under there, grab the front drive shaft and try to turn it. if it don't turn you need to dig into it deeper!!!

 

[FastOrange]

man i feel like i don't get ****...lol i average about 8-9 around town with factory suspension little bigger tires. pretty mild cam ect i just don't get why mines so ******...

did u get a tune?