2013 Chevy gas comparison

[mgreene]

I have a 13 crew cab, 4x4 short wheel base with the 6.0 and only get around 10mpg empty. I have gotten 11 or so a few times with 93 octane on trips. Drops to maybe 8 with TT in tow. Has anyone got a similar vehicle and what mpg do you get? Any upgrades that would help and actually be worth the cost? Thanks

[bobbecky]

Other than getting it tuned up and checked that everything is working properly, the only upgrade that might increase fuel mileage would be getting a diesel. Empty and cruising the interstate, we can easily get 20 mph or better, and towing our rig, most of the time we an get better than 12 mph, except when pulling hills or driving into a headwind.

[mgreene]

I completely understand the diesel setup is better but was not in my budget for a comparable vehicle. Question was posed to other gas owners as I know the stats for either manufacturers diesel is better then my gas set up. Thanks for your response anyway!

[chuckster57]

What gear ratio?

[mgreene]

It has the 3.73 axles

[chuckster57]

3:73 rear gears isn’t that bad. Do you run in 4WD a lot?

[mgreene]

No. I’ve had it in twice since I’ve owned it. 1st time was just checking it, 2nd was why I bought a 4x4. I pulled a guy out that got stuck at the scene of a house fire we were at. Also wanted it because of weather. We don’t get much snow around here but when we do people go crazy and the pulling power helps dragging trees out the road during hurricanes or trying to get to FD or work when situations aren’t ideal!

[chuckster57]

Over size tires?

[mgreene]

I also changed the plugs and wires with the best I could find that was suggested for my truck. I think it was iridium plugs. Got a transmission filter and fluid to change that but haven’t had time to get it done yet! Was looking at programmers but have had many mixed reviews on brands, tune to run, and if it really helps enough to justify prices??

[mgreene]

The tires are slightly taller, 1 size, than what is listed on the door as stock but they are new so I want to try and wear them out before considering going to a different size.

[chuckster57]

Something is off IMO. Previous owner do any mods?

[mgreene]

Only thing I’ve been able to tell is exhaust. Not been completely changed but does have a slight deeper/ louder than stock still with single tail pipe. Everything else is stock. That’s why I was hoping someone with a similar truck would get in on how theirs does??

[JimJan]

My 2009 Chevy 6.0 got 15 to 16 mpg empty and 9 mpg towing. The 6.0 is a gas hog, went to a diesel as soon as I could.

[sourdough]

I'm not familiar with the habits of a GM 6.0 so can't really help in that respect.

My 14 Ram 2500 6.4 is my comparison. The towing mpg is pretty close for a gas engine and that size trailer IMO - empty is off seems to me. I ran 8-10mpg loaded (depending on terrain and wind) and anywhere from 14-18 unloaded depending on same (and speed).

You have oversize tires and although they sometimes look neat, they serve no actual functional purpose and only serve to lower your rear axle ratio which drops your mpg on a modern tuned engine.

Chip/tuners etc. have never done much but cost me money and leave me unhappy. 3.73 ratio should be fine for towing if not reduced too much by the oversize tires. Has the exhaust or anything else been modified? 10mpg sounds too low to me but if 12mpg would be the norm for that engine any minor mods made to the truck may account for that.

[mgreene]

Hopefully that’s my plan at some point down the road. With my oldest starting college next year the gasser will have to do for a few years. The used diesel trucks are extremely overpriced to find one with less than 100k miles and seems they all start having major maintenance cost between 200-300k,,, which is why I bought the used gas truck in the first place!

[mgreene]

I know the tires are 1 size taller than stock and exhaust has definitely been slightly modified from stock due to the sound. Everything else I have found appears to be completely stock. Truck has just under 100k miles on it as well. I wouldn’t think the 1 size taller tire would affect the mileage quite that bad but that’s why I was looking for comparison!

[roadglide]

I bought 2003 6.0 new sold it to my son he has around 200 thousand on it now . Average 14 mpg 8 towing . I had pipes k@n air and tuner that I dumped. The pipes and air helped with the performance about same fuel used . Might change fuel filter or air cleaner. I think the k@n air is good for a gas engine.

[Sarge2]

Factory rating for that truck is only 12 city 16 hwy... with your rear gear.. so you are not far off from that depending on your driving characteristics...
But makes my old 04 Ford F150 with 3spd overdrive trans and 373 axle seem awfully good at 14 city and 19 hwy.. which it actually got... and it got 10mpg towing my Passport 2600...

[ewbldavis]

I had a 2015 Silverado 2500 and now own a 2019 Sierra 2500.

You're right on the money. Both my 6-slows had the 4:10 rear end. I average 13 in summer and 10 in winter.

Towing was around 9 with our 8000# TT. Haven't had a long enough drive with 5er - but I expect similar results. Last long trip a headwind for 200 miles dropped it to 7 MPG.

These 6.0L trucks are bulletproof, and unless you have something heavy or tow daily, a modern diesel I don't feel is as reliable nor worth the expense. Mine is a daily driver.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by mgreene

I know the tires are 1 size taller than stock and exhaust has definitely been slightly modified from stock due to the sound. Everything else I have found appears to be completely stock. Truck has just under 100k miles on it as well. I wouldn’t think the 1 size taller tire would affect the mileage quite that bad but that’s why I was looking for comparison!

There's a online program, sorry don't recall the name, that will give you the percentage of change of mileage when changing tire sizes.
If I recall you'll enter OEM tire size, gear ratio & new tire size & you'll get the % of change on your odometer to get actual mpg.
My son found this program for one of my trucks that I put taller tires on & that program indicated a 1.5% change which made & couple mpg difference when calculating.