What kind of mileage from a k3500?

On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 13:27:38 -0500, "nowonder" <none RemoveThis @nowhere.com>
wrote:

>I recently bought a used 98 k3500 extended cab dually with a 350 vortec and
>:|the 4L80 transmission. I am getting about 11 miles to the gallon. It seems
>:|pretty consistent whether pulling, towing, or town driving. Is 11 miles to
>:|the gallon good or should it be a little better? After driving and exiting
>:|the vehicle I always smell gas fumes but have detected no leaks.
>
>:|thank
>:|Danny
>

You're on the low end of OK, given it's a dually and probably has
4.10's.. We've got a '98 C6P C2500 at work w/ a 350, 4l80E and 3.73's
and it gets 14-15 around town and 17 on the highway empty.

-Bret
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 with the 350 vortec and 4L80E and getting 13
MPG around home and I am not happy with it either. Around home for me is a
rural area and I think it should do better. Haven't had it on a road trip
yet so don't know what to expect there.

Have to admit it runs good so I haven't even looked at the plugs or
anything. Could have original ones in it for all I know. It has 112000 on
it, and is also a crew cab, but wouldn't think the CC would make much
difference on gas milage.
Charles
"Bret Chase" <nunya.DeleteThis@business.net> wrote in message
news:fmiie15218d5tiub7gm77qvkd89eeav4mk@4ax.com...
> On Thu, 28 Jul 2005 13:27:38 -0500, "nowonder" <none.DeleteThis@nowhere.com>
> wrote:
>
> >I recently bought a used 98 k3500 extended cab dually with a 350 vortec
and
> >:|the 4L80 transmission. I am getting about 11 miles to the gallon. It
seems
> >:|pretty consistent whether pulling, towing, or town driving. Is 11
miles to
> >:|the gallon good or should it be a little better? After driving and
exiting
> >:|the vehicle I always smell gas fumes but have detected no leaks.
> >
> >:|thank
> >:|Danny
> >
>
> You're on the low end of OK, given it's a dually and probably has
> 4.10's.. We've got a '98 C6P C2500 at work w/ a 350, 4l80E and 3.73's
> and it gets 14-15 around town and 17 on the highway empty.
>
> -Bret
>
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

charles bridges wrote:

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 with the 350 vortec and 4L80E and getting 13MPG around home and I am not happy with it either. Around home for me is a rural area and I think it should do better. Haven't had it on a road trip yet so don't know what to expect there. Have to admit it runs good so I haven't even looked at the plugs or anything. Could have original ones in it for all I know. It has 112000 on it, and is also a crew cab, but wouldn't think the CC would make much difference on gas milage. Charles

If you wanted better town MPG you do not buy a 6000 lb truck to drive around town! I have a 2000 Chev K3500 SRW with a 350 and 4.10's and I get about 13 MPG around "town" with A/C (I never roll windows down) and on open road it does 16 to 17 MPG at 65 to 70 mph. It does have a Hypertech tune on it that raised the town MPG from 12 to about 13 and improved throttle response and allowed me to tweak speedo dead on. When towing I get between 11 and 14 MPG on the road, depending on the load. (I have hauled 9k with it when I was getting about 11mpg). Also, I never use 87 octane in it either and it does run better with 89 or better in the tank.
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

I have a 96' K3500 with single rear tires (no dualies), 454, automatic
4L80E and when I had my nice Goodrich tires on it for mud and snow, I
got 10.5 mpg. Now I have a set of Firestone all seasons and I get 12.5
mpg.

-Tim
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

mudmantim wrote:

I have a 96' K3500 with single rear tires (no dualies), 454, automatic 4L80E and when I had my nice Goodrich tires on it for mud and snow, I got 10.5 mpg. Now I have a set of Firestone all seasons and I get 12.5 mpg. -Tim

Yes tires can have a much bigger effect on MPG than some people think.
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

Ok, I started with Bridgestone dueler APT LT245/75R16's at 80 psi, and
got 10.5 mpg average.

Then I went to GoodYear Wrangler MT/R LT265/75R16's at 65 psi, and got
10.5 mpg average. I miss-spoke earlier when I said that I had Goodrich
tires, they were GoodYear.

Now, I have Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T LT245/75R16's at 80 psi, and
I get 12.5 mpg average.

Whatever the reason for the 2 mpg increase, it makes me feel better.

-Tim

And this is just about just what I get all the time, no matter where I
drive.
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

The first tires came with the truck.
The second set cost me $750.
The third set was free.

I was thinking about getting a smaller truck that would double my gas
mileage, but I like driving my big truck also. But, if gas prices keep
going up, I will have to consider a purchase.

-Tim
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

"mudmantim" <mudmantim.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1122995533.968157.134190@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
> Ok, I started with Bridgestone dueler APT LT245/75R16's at 80 psi, and
> got 10.5 mpg average.
>
> Then I went to GoodYear Wrangler MT/R LT265/75R16's at 65 psi, and got
> 10.5 mpg average. I miss-spoke earlier when I said that I had Goodrich
> tires, they were GoodYear.
>
> Now, I have Firestone Steeltex Radial A/T LT245/75R16's at 80 psi, and
> I get 12.5 mpg average.
>
> Whatever the reason for the 2 mpg increase, it makes me feel better.
>
> -Tim
>
> And this is just about just what I get all the time, no matter where I
> drive.


>I'll put that information in my little memory bank! Even if you have to
pay more for the tires 2 MPG will more than make up for the difference.
I have a 4 cyl Toyota for knocking about home and probably shouldn't be
driving the 3500 when I am not hauling anything, but I like it so good I
tend to get in it anyway.
charles
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500? 

mudmantim wrote:

The first tires came with the truck. The second set cost me $750. The third set was free. I was thinking about getting a smaller truck that would double my gas mileage, but I like driving my big truck also. But, if gas prices keep going up, I will have to consider a purchase. -Tim

I have a few 4 bangers around here for running around and plan to get another new one next year. I do not drive the K3500 much, I use it only when I need a truck, not when I need a ride. Because of this I do not rack the miles up quickly on my trucks and I can keep them a long time (usually 10 to 15 years or so)
 >> Stay informed about: What kind of mileage from a k3500?