My 2012 GMC Sierra

[Gus350]

What package would get the best gas mileage then I'm about to buy a new truck 4 door GMC.

[Dalaigh]

If you can, wait to see what the MPG is estimated at for the new trucks. They are already saying better then the current models. Best you're going to get is 18-20mpg with the current model, but thats in a reg. cab short box, with a 5.3/6l90e and a grandpa foot. In a crew cab you're going to be around 15-17mpg avg.

[Dalaigh]

Also, what kind of driving do you do? In town, country, highway, a mix of two or all of those?

I bought the 4.8 with a 4 speed because it better suited my in town and country drives, I didn't need the 6 speed, and didn't care that the 4.8 is only 26hp less then the 5.3. I average 16-18mpg with stop and go, and 80km/h county driving. The 6 speed would spend most of the time changing gears needlessly in my case. Sure it would come in handy at 80-90km/h, but the 3.42's keep my rpms at about the same as what the 6 speed would be at, at those speeds.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

Also, what kind of driving do you do? In town, country, highway, a mix of two or all of those?

I bought the 4.8 with a 4 speed because it better suited my in town and country drives, I didn't need the 6 speed, and didn't care that the 4.8 is only 26hp less then the 5.3. I average 16-18mpg with stop and go, and 80km/h county driving. The 6 speed would spend most of the time changing gears needlessly in my case. Sure it would come in handy at 80-90km/h, but the 3.42's keep my rpms at about the same as what the 6 speed would be at, at those speeds.

I have a 2011GMC SWB, 5.3, 6 speed auto tranny, 3.42 gears in the rear end and there ain't no "Grampa foot" on the end of my leg. I average around 19 MPG with the truck at 75 to 80 MPH on 265/50/20" tires. I have a K&N FIPK along with a set of KOOKS long tube headers, and a EFI Live tune on the engine and tranny. The tune on the tranny closed up the shift points and made the transmission more useable for my driving. The engine as plenty of low end torque and the capability to push the speedo to well over 100+ MPH, since the fuel cutoff is now gone.

[nds1968]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

That Z71 package is killing you.

How is the Z71 package killing the gas millage?

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by nds1968

How is the Z71 package killing the gas millage?

Z71= 4 wheel drive= lower MPG. The average gas mileage on the new 4 Wheel Drive trucks appears to be around 15 to 17 MPG. Where the mileage for the 2WD trucks averages around 19-21. Unless you are going to the mountains, working in the country, or really driving in deep snow, the 4 wheel drive provides more pain than success. I have been driving 2 Wheel drive trucks for many years, now and I am very comfortable with my mileage and the fact that I get around as well as most 4WD trucks on the icey highways of Kansas. I am by no way knocking a 4WD, but in the long run, the mileage and wear on the extra drive components is costing the owner much more, unless he really has a need for the extra driveline.

[Dalaigh]

Not all Z71's are 4x4's

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by Dalaigh

Not all Z71's are 4x4's

I stand corrected, I was under the understanding that they were. I will say that the increased goodies and the heavy duty suspension and without a doubt, the gearing is an impact on the fuel.



General Motors released a slew of new images yesterday that show us what the Z71 off-road package looks like on two of the three GMT900 model SUVs. The Avalanche, Tahoe and Suburban are available with a Z71 package that adds, of course, the Z71 off-road suspension, new 18-inch aluminum wheels mounted on combination on-/off-road tires, an automatic locking rear diff, and high-pressure shocks. That's it for the hardcore mechanicals, though buyers who opt for the Z71 package are as much interested in the image these vehicles project as they are their capability. To that end, Chevy adds the Skid Plate Package, oversized wheel arch flares, tubular assist steps, extra bits of chrome trim, and rectangular fog lamps, along with the requisite Z71 badging so everyone knows you could go off road if you wanted to. The interiors benefit from a Z71-specific gauge cluster and brushed metal look for the dash. The Z71 package certainly adds some cajones to these GMT900 SUVs that will spend most of their lives on smooth pavement, and they also add some serious attitude, especially when ordered in all black.

[nds1968]

The Z71 package consists of skid plates, high capacity air cleaner and a decal. I would say that the on-off road tires that came on my truck contribute to the MPG. I plan on putting less aggressive tires on when I need to replace the original tires.

[nds1968]

Now why people buy 4wd and don't really utilize it to its full capabilities? As far as for myself, did I need 4wd? No, not really. Did I want 4wd? Yes

I drove a 1979 Nova 4 door for 5 years in the snow. I did get stuck a few times but managed always to make it home. It's all about how you drive for the most part.

I have a Honda Recon 250 quad that's 2wd. If I ride smart I can always keep up with the bigger 4wd quad's. But I will say that my next ATV will be 4wd

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by nds1968

The Z71 package consists of skid plates, high capacity air cleaner and a decal. I would say that the on-off road tires that came on my truck contribute to the MPG. I plan on putting less aggressive tires on when I need to replace the original tires.

The only thing a Z71 package has that the other trucks can't be optioned out for is Rancho shocks. The Z71 package comes with skid plates and a high capacity air cleaner, but you can get those options on any GM full-size truck. It's only the shocks that cannot be optioned out on there own.

The biggest difference now, is that when you order a Z71 you need to get an LT truck with a 5.3 or 6.2, which makes the package a $6-8k (cdn) upgrade. You use to be able to get the Z71 package on base model trucks, with a 4.8 and floor shift 4x4.

[Dalaigh]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

I stand corrected, I was under the understanding that they were. I will say that the increased goodies and the heavy duty suspension and without a doubt, the gearing is an impact on the fuel.

Actually you can option a 5.3 Z71 with 3.08's, so in some cases they should be better on fuel.

[nds1968]

I added a LEER cap last November but I never got a chance to change out the door handles to the painted white ones I have.

[redracer95]

so what is the advantage to having a 2wd Z71? I found 1 at a near by dealership. a 2011LT package. 2wd Z71 extended cab short bed 5.3 with 61k on it. I don't remember if it is a 6 speed or 4 speed automatic. they are asking $21,900 for it. I had a 2008 rcsb 4.8 4wd work truck and loved it for the three weeks that I had it. before I hit some ice on my way in to work one night and totaled it.

[Dalaigh]

If it's a 2011 it's a 6 speed… If you run in an area with ice I'd look for a 4x4 and get some Winter tires… Personally I don't think the Z71 package is even an Offroad package, shocks and stickers don't make it better off road… It's more of a different convenience package offered by GM… I think it can tow a little more then a base truck can, but that's about it…

[redracer95]

thanks for the info. I thought the Z71 package was a skid plate upgraded shocks stickers and more aggressive all terrain tires. but I could be wrong.

[Dalaigh]

The only thing you couldn't get as an option on regular 4x4's was the Z71 sticker and Shocks. The tires and skid plates were still options on regular 4x4, but standard with the Z71 package… And on the new 2014 trucks the Z71 comes with hill decent, which the other trucks can't get, but other then that every other option is available…