First 55+ mpg tank for my '08 Cobalt XFE

[undrgnd]

I've read a lot of the guidance on how to drive the Prius, and I believe I'm doing everything one should under the prevailing conditions, but the best I get is around 52. I don't speed, I drive the same routes every day, and I anticipate half a mile ahead. After the car breaks in and the temperature gets out of the 30s, I should be around 60 MPG, but you're right, either way it is a cool car, although my son calls it 'a laptop strapped on top of a turtle'. I have no doubt that on a closed course where I could practice the proper driving profile, I could easily maintain 70 MPG, but that's not real world. The fact you can get 55 in every day driving, is impressive.

[5speed5]

Shucks even my previous 2005 MED-SIZE Colorado (Keep in mind this truck
is SMALLER than a SILVERADO) claimed an EPA of 20 MPG Highway, but in 2-wheel
drive mode my math showed it was getting around 17MPG, in 4-Wheel drive I
hesitate to even think about it. With their pickups there does not seem to be
much of a gap between full size and med-size in terms of MPG.

For the record, I've got an '05 4WD, ext-cab Colorado with the big engine
(3.5L 5-cyl) and I'm currently averaging 30.2 mpg. I don't think a
Silverado can do that. Even before I started hypermiling/ecomodding I got
~25 mpg.

[IsaacCarlson]

Originally Posted by 5speed5

For the record, I've got an '05 4WD, ext-cab Colorado with the big engine
(3.5L 5-cyl) and I'm currently averaging 30.2 mpg. I don't think a
Silverado can do that. Even before I started hypermiling/ecomodding I got
~25 mpg.

Part of that might be due to the inline 5.....inlines have more torque.
I have had two tanks over 30 mpg in my f-250. Hoping to get more.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by 5speed5

For the record, I've got an '05 4WD, ext-cab Colorado with the big engine
(3.5L 5-cyl) and I'm currently averaging 30.2 mpg. I don't think a
Silverado can do that. Even before I started hypermiling/ecomodding I got
~25 mpg.

I come from Chevy family and I have been around all kinds of Chevys because father and my uncle both worked for em in Flint Michigan and got (at that time) around 18% oof of sticker price (not now!). I owned a 1999 2-WD S--10 that got less than HALF of what you claim for your 2005 Colorado when it was drove very fast (late for work).

THERE IS NO WAY I BELIEVE YOU HAVE YOUR GAS MILEAGE FIGURED CORRECTLY. MY 99 S-10 and 2005 Colorado were smaller with vastly smaller engines yet I was pressed to get 25 out of my S-10 stick shift going down hill and rarely did I ever get the EPA (WHICH IS REVISED AND MORE correct NOW) of 20 MPG in 2WD mode ('05 Colorado)- normally it got less. I sold that S-10 to a friend and I believed I as getting 30MPG. - I was wrong his fancy calculation showed and city/highway number closer to 19 to 21 MPG! I felt so bad I almost bought back it back from him because I thought I was getting 30 on Highway!!- MYTH BUSTED.

If you expect over 30 MPG in a Med Size Colorado with a long wheel base(extra weight), first be advised they flip very easily!! #2 I would never I bought my SUB-COMPACT 2009 COBALT(NOW it s The Cruise- A kick ass MPG car) to get me into the into the 40 MPG-ball park range If a common Chevy pickup truck could get me close to 31 mpg. 2nd I firmly believe in the laws of physics, and SOMETHING has to change drastically in such a truck to get 30 plus MPG.

Not an attack: But I CRY BULL until you tell us the secrets behind your magic! I have been involved with debates about gas millage my entire life with Chevy cars/trucks, I am 45 now.

Were you driving downhill for all trips with your engine of? What are the tricks to get that extra long Colorado to run an engine that size and yet you get the millage many of us get in compact cars? My 09 Cobalt topped out at 45.07 I believe, but I had sat a goal and drove my share of miles in EOC when it was safe too do so.

I know dozens of drivers of stock trucks that own every model of Chevy pickup ever heard of, but your gas mileage has got all of us Chevy pickup truck owners beat. Most of them are happy to get 17 MPG/ or else they buy a CRUISE (not a hybrid) or a VOLT etc..

EOC uphill? Is that the trick?

[5speed5]

Believe what you want, but you can check my fuel log (click on my ecomodder signature). It's not magic, I have a tonneau cover, electric fans and smooth hubcaps, and I do indeed use EOC coming down all the hills on my route, but of course, I have to drive up those same hills in the reverse direction. I calculate my mpg by taking miles driven on a given tank and dividing by the number of gallons it required to refill the tank. In filling up, I always use the same station and pump till first click, count to 10, pump again till second click, count to 10 again and then pump till final click.

[autoteach]

I am sorry, you seem angry. I have an s10 blazer. It is rated 18 hwy with the new EPA numbers, I get 17-18mpg in 60/40 city/hwy. If I drive hwy, I get 20mpg (11% over EPA). I believe that if he were to be just straight locking the cruise at a reasonable speed, 28 mpg(11% over EPA) is not out of the question. In the right conditions/driving techniques, 32 would be easy. Maybe some 45 yr old needs to accept that they being a master debater is not the equivalent of a master ecomodder/driver.

[NHRABill]

Jammer was your truck equipped with the 4:11 rear or were did you have the 3:55, 3:73 or 3:90 option packages i looked into ordering a Colorado when they first came out but settled on a more family oriented car.
The fun thing with trucks are that you can get a lot of options that make 2 identical looking trucks perform tremendously different.

I used to have an 2002 S-10 for a while it was a 2wd 3:73 geared 5 speed manual with the 4.3L engine low to mid 20mpg when I was beating on it like I usually did i was always shocked on how well it did on highway trips 65mph and distance driving 30mpg was not out of the ? also had 235/75/16 tires n the truck that cuts the gearing a little more.

5speed5 if you are into trying something differe nt check out your Colorado lower air dam see if you can adjust or extend it lower blocking more wind from going under the front end. I am working on something for my Tahoe hope that the Freebie no cost mod will result in slight increase.

Now that we are completely off topic just wanted to say that it was nice to read that the cobalt is capable of such great #'s and this is a well written account of that. I am not out to break any records with my tank but even a slight increase in my driving skill and a few tips I pick up from everyone here will result in a positive gain. The world can't be saved in one day but you need to start somewhere.