[phoebeisis]

Anyone have any idea why the 2001 Suburban 2wd 1500 5.3 has EPA numbers of 13/16, but the 2004 has 14/18 mpg.
I'm thinking about selling my 1998 Suburban,and buying a 2001.The prices on the 2001,2002 etc have been dropping lately,and it looks like I could get an under 100,000 miles LT Suburban for ~$8500.

Obviously,I would love to get the 2004 mpg with a 2002.

What magic did GM do to get the better mpg?Maybe just something with the electronic control? I expect the motor is unchanged, but who knows?
Thanks,
Charlie

 

[Pete95Sierra]

probobly electrical stuff is my guess. but if you get an 02 instead of an 04 and throw an intake, exhaust, and programmer on it for maybe a grand it will probably cost less and get better fuel mileage

 

[travisn]

it could also be to how the epa is/was rating vehicles and the different testing standards that may have changed over time...

 

[ChevyFan]

The EPA ratings didn't change until 2008. In the face of growing demand for more fuel efficiency, a lot of advances were made. Everthing from skirtless pistons to better aerodynamic tires to lighter vehicles overall ... anything that could be done was done and we're getting much better vehicles each year becuase of it.

 

[phoebeisis]

Steve,
I just looked up the EPA ratings-they now give the revised,lower,ratings. For some reason the 2001-2003 2wd are rated 13/16, but the 2004 is 14/18.The 2007 or 2008 jump to 14/20.

The numbers kinda jump around depending on flex fuel rating(sometimes the flex fuel Suburban will be rated differently-with gasoline-than the non flex fuel one).

I would love to know if the jump in 2004 is a true jump in mpg or whether it has something to do with what differential they tested or whatever.The EPA doesn't say which rear end they test,and the 1500 2WD Suburban usually comes with 2 or three different ones,I think-3.4,3.7,4.1 more or less.

Thanks,
Charlie
PS Since I'm more or less broke, probably doesn't matter.I have to stick with the 1998(which is running just fine)

 

[collinsperformance]

i am so glade my 93 350-K1500 gets 20/25MPG i done only a K/N air filter swap (stock airbox) and i run seafoam every 3 tanks in the fuel and once every 90 days in the vaccum system.....mike