2010 Z71 Fuel Consumption

1840 Views 22 Replies 8 Participants Last post by RayVoy, Nov 23, 2017

Zak99b5

Discussion Starter · Nov 12, 2017

I just bought a 2010 Z71 Suburban with 123k miles. 3.08 rear end, six-speed tranny, and AFM.

We drove from Albany to Syracuse (150 miles each way) for my son's college visit.

We started out with a completely full tank from completely empty (it took just about 31 gallons), and I reset the trip odometer and average MPGs (was at 15.7).

There's a good upward elevation change going to Syracuse, we had an oblique headwind, and it was in the lower 20s. According to the computer, we got right around 15 MPGs on the way out.

I did not reset the computer, and when we got home the figure had risen to 16.2 mpg. We did hit about 5 miles of stop and go traffic. Gas gauge read half a tank when we got home.

I was expecting to get better mileage than this. My 01 with 205k, 4 speed, and no AFM gets the same.

The new truck has Firesrone Destination A/Ts; could this account for some of the difference? My old truck has Michelin x-radial LTs.

Anything else I need to look into? Thanks.

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RayVoy

· #2 · Nov 12, 2017 (Edited)

300 miles, 31 gals, that's less than 10 mpg!

You didn't say which engine you have,

Extra weight in the truck, extra rolling resistance, mechanical/electrical condition are all factors.

Smooth tires with extra air
New plugs (if originals)
New front O2 sensors
Top tier gas
Synthetic fluids

Not trying to run it in, we travel 90 from Boston to Buffalo (and return of course) quiet a bit and I get just under 20. I know it's a longer distance to average; but it's all up hill going west (that's why I include return). But point is, it's achievable if our engines are the same.

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RayVoy

· #7 · Nov 12, 2017

We always make that trip with 2, I know 3 extra people would hurt my mileage, how much, no idea. We

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RayVoy

· #14 · Nov 13, 2017

Zak99b5 said:
It's just the advertised 20ish highway MPGs that has me wondering.

I experimented with mine ('09) one time, it was a 90 mile drive and we were not in a hurry, combo of up and down hills and some flat country.
I drove with the intent of getting good mileage, no heavy foot, easy gas, easy braking (if there was any), never over 55 unless I was coasting downhill, etc.
Net result was 24 mpg, that's how they get the advertised mileage numbers.

I was a painful drive, I just don't drive at that speed; but, I proved something to myself.