Planning on an 04 Avalanche 1500 Z71 4x4 soon. Trying to get a feel for what I can do with it.

I have been looking into some after market stuff for it and have found that they have some good basic bolt on stuff like K&N CAIs, full cat backs, etc. Now...I am curious...

HOW can the mileage be increased? I know the rule of thumb is to keep it tuned and it'll deliver the highest mileage it is capable of, but just wondering if there are any bolt ons that could yield some better mileage. I was thinking that a CAI could possibly help the city mileage because it is taking in cooler denser air and therefore allowing less fuel to be used to keep it running at a certain RPM (idle). That logic could be off, but I have heard that CAIs can increase city mileage.

I really don't want a big 5700lb gas truck, I'd like a Bonneville, but I have a job that sorta requires a truck, I'd LOVE a diesel to be that truck, but this is a situation where we can get this Av pretty cheap AND need to keep the whole truck thing low profile, yes, thats a perfect oxymoron I know.

Anyways, help me out here. I'm used to the mileage of an N/A bonneville, this is gonna be friggin painful for me, I am just hoping the pain won't be TOO bad.

does it have DOD?

if it does I know for a fact that Members on naioa.com have been getting better MPG with DOD disabled.

Nah, that was an 05+ feature IIRC. Maybe 06 and later. Certainly not 04

I'd say you'll need a few of those Turbonator devices for your intake tube.

Seriously though, not sure there really is a magic trick to getting better mileage. Maybe a drop-in K&N?

DOD? :?

Displacement on Demand


Doesnt make sense that they would be getting better mileage with it disabled. Unless perhaps the engine simply has to work twice as hard with 4 cylinders to keep that big ol thing moving down the road, using more fuel, downshifting even?

John...if you need a truck... how about a pickup with 6 foot bed and extended cab instead of the Avalanche. It should be a little lighter.

Which motor is in the Avalanche? From the options you listed, I'd think it'* the 5.3L. Overall it'* a strong runner with good MPG'*....for a truck motor. Highway and not bunny rabbiting will be the key to good mileage though.

short bed cummins extended cab FTW

no, but seriously.. you are getting an Avalanche? :?


$ :?:

Yep. Getting it for 7k under book. Thats why I'm doing this over a diesel or other truck, is because of the deal. Current deal is that dad and I are going into it together because honestly, I don't want a truck for my own, I hate gas trucks, they just seem like a monster waste.

Bill yeah, its the Vortec 5300. Great engine, I know that, but doesn't help that its pulling 3 tons with just me in it at any given time. Not exactly a gas saver.

So how about maintenance? This thing currently has 30,500 on it, don't think it needs much...maybe an oil change and a cabin filter. What else should I know about maintenance on these Vortecs?