maybe a truck wasnt a good idea

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Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
And its only averaging 13-14 I expected more


This is where the manufacturers are blowing smoke up consumer's arses with the commercials touting "highway mpg" all the time. City/town mpg is what most folks earn with daily driving unless their commute is mostly highway. Stop and go city/town mpg on a full size truck or SUV is always going to suck, due to the laws of physics. 5500 lbs is a lot of iron to get moving from a stoplight every 1/2 mile.

Out of curiousity, if I missed it, what kind of truck do you have?
 
Originally Posted By: eljefino
Remember it's an indicated 3/4 tank. GM gauges sometimes give you 100 miles on "full" before they fall down. Some of that vintage even give you "5/4" when you totally top it off.

Even though OP has the 4.3 V6, he has an aerodynamic barn door to push around.

Start tracking MPG with the tripometer. I bet you get around 19, which other truck drivers will say, ain't so bad.


I agree with eljefino. I have one of these and it's $50 for a 1/4 tank, $85 to fill it empty. I consistently get 20-24 mpg (no a/c, 5-speed, and relaxed acceleration).

Sorry to hear the job didn't work out.
 
Not all trucks burn more than cars. My father-in-laws Ford Ranger burns less and holds less gas than my Cadillac. Actually, the Ranger is an economical little truck and its a reasonable size too.
 
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My dad has used his 4x8' trailer for all of his hauling needs since 1994, including hauling scrap and his tractor around. He towed it with a 91 Camry and now with his Outback. He complains constantly about the "horrible" mileage the Outback gets (24 mpg).

I learned from his parsimonious nature and I think many people would be better off if we thought about things a little more.

But why would would we bother trying to learn anything when we can just blame someone else?!
 
$50 is chump change, I put $110-$120 a week into my Silverado.

My truck has a 33.8 gallon tank and I burn about 30 gallons a week, do the math.

Still its the cheapest vehicle I have ever owned! Oil changes are only $30 and I beat on it and work it to death so I can't complain.
 
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http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...308#Post2553308

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Could I live without my truck yes I could have bought another car. But I have every right to drive a truck. The parts are generally cheaper and they are easier to work on. So I don't get 40mpg. I have every right to own a truck and intend on doing so. I as of right now spend about 150 a month on gas where as with just before it was about 90 bucks. I prefer a truck and its just that simple


Choices, choices.
 
I average about 14 MPG with my Ford (maybe 15+ in summer) so I use my wife's Maxx for work with about 28 MPG. That saves me over $150+ a month. My wife works about 5 miles away, so the truck only needs to be filled once in a blue moon or when we haul wood or tow.
 
So honestly would you guys keep the truck and just drive smart and just learn to not drive it all the time or would you sell it and buy a car that gets 30 mpg
 
Originally Posted By: friendly_jacek
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...308#Post2553308

Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
Could I live without my truck yes I could have bought another car. But I have every right to drive a truck. The parts are generally cheaper and they are easier to work on. So I don't get 40mpg. I have every right to own a truck and intend on doing so. I as of right now spend about 150 a month on gas where as with just before it was about 90 bucks. I prefer a truck and its just that simple


Choices, choices.


Like I said in another post, I hope OP pays attention to life lessons.
 
What life lessons? I'd like to make note that the thread has nothing to do with life lessons. I merely asked advice and opinions . Some of you need to get off your high horse!! We have all at one tine or another thought something g was going to work out and then at the last moment it didn't. So give me a break
 
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
We have all at one tine or another thought something g was going to work out and then at the last moment it didn't.


I did that with an airplane once. Single engine fixed gear but I lost my moonlighting job, not last moment, but still had to sell it.
 
Originally Posted By: chevyboy14
So honestly would you guys keep the truck and just drive smart and just learn to not drive it all the time or would you sell it and buy a car that gets 30 mpg


First, I would try to get centered. Only you know your own goals, likes, finances, etc. Personally, I have had trucks when I did landscaping work. Now I only work with people, so I need a people hauler and have a car I can work on that gets decent gas mileage. But, that is me. I would drive what is practical, functional, and affordable for you. You chose...
 
I'd really like to keep the truck. And I figure gas will eventually cone Down again. I just dont want to be in a situation where I have to sell it and no one wants a truck because of gas cost
 
Well if you need a truck keep it, if you don't its a toy and than you have to make a decision. Is the cost of gas worth it for a toy?

I use the 8ft bed of my truck every single day for work so for me I can't live without it.

Personally for me I'm waiting for Ford and GM to introduce the natural gas trucks they are promising. I'll buy a new one, cough up a few grand for my own refueling station and just run natural gas.
 
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Its more of a toy for now. But I'm going to keep trying to put it to work. I know I can just keep on trying ilk start trying to help people move for gas and a few bucks cash
 
I've never owned a truck. Where I live now EVERYONE drives a truck...whether they need it or not (and wears a baseball cap...all the time...indoors too...including church). It's a "macho" thing for most of them...they have never used the box to haul anything but all of their buddies drive trucks so they must too. I find trucks to be too big, ill-handling and gas guzzling...I have no need for one. If you haul stuff, plow snow or need to drive "off road" they're great...just not for me. I can't imagine trying to afford the payment or the gas for something that doesn't suit my needs.
 
When was the last tuneup? 13-14mpg seems low, unless if it's all city. Try to remove some weight, if possible, from the truck. You could try swapping rear gears; going slightly deeper so as to trade highway mpg's might actually boost around town mpg's--engine spends less time slipping the convertor.

How many miles per year are you driving? At 13mpg, I probably would find an econobox as a second (or first!) vehicle at probably 8kmiles/year. Unless if the truck is used for actual working, in which case, 13mpg isn't that bad.
 
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