MPG oddly low - 2019 Colorado Z71 3.6L

5939 Views 31 Replies 21 Participants Last post by Xcanuk, Apr 22, 2022

jdsr4c

Discussion Starter · Dec 15, 2019

Hey everyone. First post here. I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2019 Colorado crew cab, and I am very happy with the truck so far. One thing I noticed though, is that the MPG is really, really low. This truck is suppose to get 17 city / 24 highway. I drive both city and highway, but mostly city. Overall, I am not driving it in a gas hogging manner--no burnouts or donuts. I do give it a little extra gas sometimes to accelerate for fun, but again, it is nothing crazy at all. I have not towed anything. I have nothing extra in the truck bed, and I even have a hard tonneau cover (which supposedly helps improve mpg a little bit). I almost have 500 miles on the truck and it says I am averaging like 14.5 mpg. Is this normal? Why is it so low? Is there something I need to do or may be doing wrong? I figured the truck should at least get 17 mpg no matter how I drive it. Any helpful comments and insights are much appreciated. Thanks!

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

OldNorske

· #2 · Dec 16, 2019

Give it some time. Mileage will improve as things get broken in.
Plus we are into the Winter gasoline season, which always causes mpg to suffer. Plus, if you are located where it is cold, your fuel mixture will be richer as the engine warms up.

After the first oil change it should improve. Mine has 29K on it and I have dropped from a consistent 19 mpg around town, to 14 mpg around town. Happens every Winter.

Reactions: 2

Hunter62

· #3 · Dec 16, 2019

The winter formulas realy hurt the mpg

A friend says he gets around 13.5 around town, he might get up to 40mph now and then, goes to gym, then McDonalds, back to the gym, home and maybe grocery store, a little over a year old and has 3,000 miles on it..

Mike DZ

· #4 · Dec 16, 2019

If 14.5 highway mpg, then there is something wrong. If you are getting 14.5 on San Francisco hills, delivering newspapers, then you are doing great. I use the DIC display that shows average over the last 50 miles and an instant mpg readout - this combo provides both short and mid term feedback to see what is going on in terms of consumption.

jdsr4c

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 16, 2019

Thanks guys, that all makes sense. It must be all of the short trips/errands I'm making in the cold winter that is bringing it down. I did some research and found that automobiles are not as aerodynamic in cold weather either. This is due to cold air being more dense.

Hunter62

· #6 · Dec 16, 2019

at least post some pictures of your new truck

jdsr4c

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 16, 2019

Hunter62 said:
at least post some pictures of your new truck

You got it! I will have to take more.

See less See more

Reactions: 5

gherbert

· #8 · Dec 16, 2019

Well I have a 2017 V6 in a Extended Cad Z71. After putting on the my tonneau cover my mileage went from an average of 21.5 to 22.8. Lately due to the colder weather and all I am getting about 20.5.
Remember besides the winter blend being tougher on fuel mileage, so is the colder air(more horsepower).

Xcanuk

· #9 · Dec 16, 2019

I've got all my fill-ups marked and calculated.. winter gas always gives a good hit, in my case, the first 2 tank full really takes a dump, then it bounces back up a bit, still lower than summer. Guess the computer goes through some adjustment as well.

Reactions: 1

ZR2Thunder

· #10 · Dec 17, 2019

If you use auto start. Your mileage will drop significantly.

KMPrengerMO

· #11 · Dec 17, 2019

Hey...congrats on your awesome new Colorado.

About your MPG...don't worry about it too much right now. Give it time, and see how it changes over the seasons. I have a 2015 Colorado Crew cab V6 2x4...I average around 23 - 24 in the warmer months, but in the dead of winter the average is typically 20 - 22, or perhaps 19 if it is a really harshly cold driving period on that particular tank. So in my case, I'm actually happy with the mileage I'm getting.

My driving is mixed also, but part of my route to and from work includes some stretches of road when I can get some pretty good mpg so that helps bring my average up. Running errands can kill mpg. Running errands in cold weather can really kill mpg. Starting your vehicle to let it warm up kills mpg. Winter blend fuel kills mpg...(OK so the word "kills" may be a bit much, but you get the picture lol). All of that added up can reduce your mpg quite a bit, add to the fact that your truck may not even be fully broken in yet. It's too soon to throw up any red flags.

If you are really curious, I'd say to go out and find yourself a good stretch of road on the highway and just drive for several miles in each direction. Reset one of your trip/mileage indicators just before you get up to hwy speeds (not before you leave as any stop lights and other things before will drag your mpg down) and check it when you get back. If you can find a decent stretch without a lot of hills and run between the 65 - 70mph speed you should be able to crest the 20mpg mark easily. At the very least that will give you some indication of your hwy mpg, and that will only get better as your truck breaks in and temps climb.

See less See more

JBT

· #12 · Dec 17, 2019

I average about 14 mpg around town even with a couple trips on the highway. Also if it is a 4x4 it is gonna use more gas. I definitely use the remote start in the winter and that kills mpg too. On long trips for days on the highway I get about 19 to 21 mpg driving between 75 and 85 mph. If I keep it around 65 mph I get great gas mileage, but I'm not gonna do that on a long trip.

JBT

· #13 · Dec 17, 2019

Deleted

jackcantwell

· #14 · Dec 19, 2019

jdsr4c said:
Hey everyone. First post here. I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2019 Colorado crew cab, and I am very happy with the truck so far. One thing I noticed though, is that the MPG is really, really low. This truck is suppose to get 17 city / 24 highway. I drive both city and highway, but mostly city. Overall, I am not driving it in a gas hogging manner--no burnouts or donuts. I do give it a little extra gas sometimes to accelerate for fun, but again, it is nothing crazy at all. I have not towed anything. I have nothing extra in the truck bed, and I even have a hard tonneau cover (which supposedly helps improve mpg a little bit). I almost have 500 miles on the truck and it says I am averaging like 14.5 mpg. Is this normal? Why is it so low? Is there something I need to do or may be doing wrong? I figured the truck should at least get 17 mpg no matter how I drive it. Any helpful comments and insights are much appreciated. Thanks!

Nice ride! Get a set of ZR2 ‘Rock Rails’. You’ll love the way they look and how they hide the prominent body welds under the doors. I got mine for $250 on eBay.

gm4life08

· #15 · Dec 20, 2019

jdsr4c said:
Hey everyone. First post here. I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2019 Colorado crew cab, and I am very happy with the truck so far. One thing I noticed though, is that the MPG is really, really low. This truck is suppose to get 17 city / 24 highway. I drive both city and highway, but mostly city. Overall, I am not driving it in a gas hogging manner--no burnouts or donuts. I do give it a little extra gas sometimes to accelerate for fun, but again, it is nothing crazy at all. I have not towed anything. I have nothing extra in the truck bed, and I even have a hard tonneau cover (which supposedly helps improve mpg a little bit). I almost have 500 miles on the truck and it says I am averaging like 14.5 mpg. Is this normal? Why is it so low? Is there something I need to do or may be doing wrong? I figured the truck should at least get 17 mpg no matter how I drive it. Any helpful comments and insights are much appreciated. Thanks!

I have just over 3,800 miles on mine and the MPG will improve overtime no doubt. My drive home when new from the dealer netted me like 16 MPG at 70 on the highway when I got mine. Same road is now low 20’s, wish I did get 24. Granted mine is not that broken in yet either.

In my hilly town I get about 15-16 on short trips. With this cold Midwest weather I am getting 13-14. Again very short trips and hilly area for me.

Congrats on the new Z71, I hope you enjoy yours as much as I have enjoyed my Denali.

Reactions: 1

BettyColorado

· #16 · Dec 20, 2019

jdsr4c said:
Hey everyone. First post here. I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2019 Colorado crew cab, and I am very happy with the truck so far. One thing I noticed though, is that the MPG is really, really low. This truck is suppose to get 17 city / 24 highway. I drive both city and highway, but mostly city. Overall, I am not driving it in a gas hogging manner--no burnouts or donuts. I do give it a little extra gas sometimes to accelerate for fun, but again, it is nothing crazy at all. I have not towed anything. I have nothing extra in the truck bed, and I even have a hard tonneau cover (which supposedly helps improve mpg a little bit). I almost have 500 miles on the truck and it says I am averaging like 14.5 mpg. Is this normal? Why is it so low? Is there something I need to do or may be doing wrong? I figured the truck should at least get 17 mpg no matter how I drive it. Any helpful comments and insights are much appreciated. Thanks!

I own the same, and after I put my tonneau cover on it I average just under 22 mpg (city/hwy combined) I went from a Mitsubishi Lancer GT that I drove like a race car so I’m sure you can guess with a bigger engine and more torque I don’t baby the gas pedal ?? If it doesn’t get better I’d definitely get it checked.

Banginstien

· #17 · Dec 20, 2019

jdsr4c said:
Hey everyone. First post here. I just bought a brand new fully loaded 2019 Colorado crew cab, and I am very happy with the truck so far. One thing I noticed though, is that the MPG is really, really low. This truck is suppose to get 17 city / 24 highway. I drive both city and highway, but mostly city. Overall, I am not driving it in a gas hogging manner--no burnouts or donuts. I do give it a little extra gas sometimes to accelerate for fun, but again, it is nothing crazy at all. I have not towed anything. I have nothing extra in the truck bed, and I even have a hard tonneau cover (which supposedly helps improve mpg a little bit). I almost have 500 miles on the truck and it says I am averaging like 14.5 mpg. Is this normal? Why is it so low? Is there something I need to do or may be doing wrong? I figured the truck should at least get 17 mpg no matter how I drive it. Any helpful comments and insights are much appreciated. Thanks!

Winter gas is the issue. Find a place that sells ethinol free gas. You will see a much better increase in milage.

PieceKeepr

· #18 · Dec 20, 2019

ZR2Thunder said:
If you use auto start. Your mileage will drop significantly.

Really? I know it doesn't like to idle because you can watch the average mileage drop when sitting at a red light for the third time waiting to get through, but does using the remote start and then driving away with 30 seconds or so really matter that much? I haven't tracked it so I'm seriously curious.

Sent from my Nexus 9 using Tapatalk

rotaryenginepete

· #19 · Dec 20, 2019 (Edited)

Idk why but idle/park fuel consumption is included in the mpg avg. Didn't used to be that way in other GM trucks.

EDIT: probably a federal mandate...which, like other federal rules makes zero practical sense.

Reebus

· #20 · Dec 20, 2019

I wouldn't worry about it too much right now. I track all of my fill-ups with an app and the first few were the worst results I have ever gotten. I'll bet they will gradually increase.

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.