Tips To Increase Gas Mileage

**ippielb** · 02-10-2009, 10:31 PM

Hello everyone. I just got a 2002 Silverado z71 5.3l a little while ago, and I'm going to be owning this truck for a very long time. And I'm looking to get the most bang for my buck, gas whise. So i was just wondering how i could improve my gas mileage. I know already that being a smart driver increases the mileage alot, and I'm trying to get into the habit, by coasting down hills, slower accelerations, going the speed limit

.... I'm just looking to get a few performance parts to help with this. I know of a few things that you can do to increase the mileage, just wondering what one saves the most amount of gas for the amount you pay for it. Right now, I'm looking to get 3 things, AirRaid throttlebody spacer, AirRaid Cold Air intake, and dual exhaust. If anyone has any other suggestions that would save me money, for maybe a couple hours of work under the hood. I'll definately look into it. As I'm looking to learn everything there is about my new truck's engine. With my last truck, 1991 Ford F-150, i didn't give a hoot about what that thing was doing, all i cared that it got me from point A to point B.

Thanks for your effort in advance!

**Springthing** · 02-10-2009, 10:36 PM

programmer.....

**ippielb** · 02-10-2009, 10:38 PM

What do programmer's actually do? One of my friends has one, and he hasn't really told me anything except you can program it to shift at different RPM's? Is that true?

Thanks

**crane3447** · 02-11-2009, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by ippielb

What do programmer's actually do? One of my friends has one, and he hasn't really told me anything except you can program it to shift at different RPM's? Is that true?

Thanks

Yea they work. Go best with a cold air intake and an aftermarket exhaust though. All 3 together got me 2 - 3 mpg better. Extra horses don't hurt either.

**MWright936** · 02-11-2009, 06:18 AM

Check out this thread started some time back. It has lots of tips and advice on maximizing fuel mileage: http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13433

**ippielb** · 02-11-2009, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by crane3447

Yea they work. Go best with a cold air intake and an aftermarket exhaust though. All 3 together got me 2 - 3 mpg better. Extra horses don't hurt either.

For the dual exhaust, is there a specific brand or model that increases the gas mileage the best? Oh it has to sound great too, a low deep rumble, and no rice crispys(snap crackle pop'ing).

Originally Posted by MWright936

Check out this thread started some time back. It has lots of tips and advice on maximizing fuel mileage: http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13433

Thanks. I'll be reading that thread when i get home.

**Steve** · 05-17-2009, 11:42 AM

bumping this important topic.

**520operator** · 05-27-2009, 10:23 PM

i had a 2000 5.3 reg cab 2wd that when i bought it was gettin about 18 mpg. i put one of hte drop in k and n filters on it and put dual exhaust on it and it jumped up to 21 mpg on the highway. even saw 22 once or twice.

**rackchaser71** · 05-27-2009, 10:32 PM

i had a 2000 5.3 i flipped the air box and put in a k&n, diablo predator tuner, dual exhaust, intake spacer, on 93octane i was getting 25mpg on the highway and 20 in town, and that was driving it hard, them things get awesome mileage, i would love to put a 5.3 in my 94 chevy oh and that was a 4wheel drive extended cab

**yotchie** · 05-27-2009, 11:35 PM

throttle body spacers for new trucks are a joke. you have direct port injection. they wont really do anything cept look cool if you can see it. but doing stuff like keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned. and keeping up on regular maintenance can make a big difference.