Give me some cheap, easy mpg increasing ideas

[DenaliAK]

I just bought an '03 Denali. It's an awesome truck, very nice, but sucks gas. I don't expect to ever get great mileage, but I'm sure there are some easy and fairly cheap ways to improve on the stock setup.

From my other car experience, I'm guessing high-flow exhaust will help, but I don't want anything crazy loud. I don't mind a little rumble on acceleration, but at cruising speeds I'd like to keep cabin noise to a minimum. Any ideas, suggestions (better intake?), etc. would be appreciated.

Sorry if this is a repeat question.

 

[coopiesb]

exhaust and intake are the first things you can do to start seeing improvments

 

[DenaliAK]

It's my first truck, though, so I have no idea where to start with the exhaust. I've had both Magnaflow and Flowmaster on my other cars, and both have helped gain a mpg or two. Both were also significantly louder then stock, and that was just on a four-cylinder. I don't want to rock the neighbors with this behemoth 6.0L engine....lol.

Also don't want to annoy my wife. Motivation right there to keep it as quiet as possible while still gaining some efficiency. Anyone have specific muffler/exhaust suggestions that isn't too loud?

 

[Anthony]

Pick up a eBay CAI (Cold air Intake) and you will get an easy 1-1.5MPG increase as well as power increase

 

[jomulk56]

What MPG are you getting? My 05 Denali gets around 15-16 MPG city/hwy. I've got 20 MPG before on a road trip doing about 65, and it's bone stock. I agree with the ebay intake. The cheapest one is sold by speeddaddy or something like that. I would also look into a tune. You'll here great things about black bear performance here, and I've heard pretty good things about wait4me performance on FSC. As far as exhaust I would wonder if you just put on a better flowing muffler and kept the stock pipe, to save money, if you would see gains.

 

[matt14]

I would spend the money on a custom pcm tune from blackbear. I've heard some great things about this and wish i had the money to get it done. Hit up jennabear and she can get you a price. They are a perferd vendor here. This would be the best bang for the buck.

 

[DenaliAK]

Thanks for the ideas. I'll definitely take a look at the CAI. Not sure about the tune. If it can be done remotely, then maybe, but I live in Alaska.....lol. On my old car you could get an access port and tune it yourself, but that was way pricey. Not looking to put that much into it.

Right now we're getting about 14mpg in the city. Haven't really taken it on any road trips to get the highway. I know it needs a bit of a tune up, though. I think it's running a bit rich, you can smell and see it on startup.

Would premium gas help?

 

[Grocery Getter]

CAI
Cat Back-I went with magnaflow it is not loud at all
upgrade to Electric Fans(is the 03' Denali has a clutch fan)
BB Tune
Switch all fluids to Royal Purple: oil, transmission, rear differential (RP is a full synthetic oil)
Your driving habits are the best way to improve MPG's
Keep the RPMs under 2K whenever possible
Coast to stops whenever possible

Premium gas will probably only help if your engine is tuned for it

 

[Anthony]

Also make sure your tires are inflated to the correct PSI, this can cause a 1-2MPG difference (from experience).

 

[J-Will]

dont get your hopes up tho. intake gives a lot of ppl up to like 2 or 3 mpg. on these awd denalis youre lucky to get 1. i got 1/2mpg lol. thats with exhaust and intake combined. the all time awd is bs. and gets terrible gas mileage. good luck with it! just dont get too excited when you hear somebody say they got 3mpg better in their 2wd tahoe. cuz its not the same with you. hey... at least you have the denali! lol