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Hello folks, looking to improve my mpg on this beast., Should be easy to get above 18 ya think?

That depends. Which engine and transmission do you have? With the 2 wheel drive model engines, the average original epa rating was about 19 to 21 mpg hwy depending on engine and transmission. The average for city was around 15 to 16 city depending on engine and transmission. Also, what is your usual driving like? Is it majority city, majority highway, mix of both, flat roads, or hilly roads?

My brother has an 06 Silverado 2500HD WT - 2WD, 6.0 gas V8, 4L80E auto trans, and 4.11 rear end (trailer towing package). Cab and a half and an 8 foot bed, too, so that thing fills two parking spaces. It weighs almost 6000 pounds. He gets an average of 20mpg. I credit the HD's "Load Range E" tires that fill up to 60psi. His strategy is to use lots of DWL and DWB. Keep your foot off the brake pedal, keep the engine below 2000 rpm, and drive it very gently, as if you were trying to nurse your last gallon of gas to get to a station 20 miles away. Also, on the highway, keep the speed at 55 or less, depending on traffic. These full size pickups have some serious air drag, so the fuel economy takes a serious dive at higher speeds.

Earlier this month, he took advantage of the no-interest 6 year loan GM was offering and picked up a new HHR for daily commutes and running errands. He kept the truck, as he does construction side-work and so the HD gets used the way it's supposed to be used. He loves the truck and appreciates the fact that it can be driven in a way that can return 20mpg. If yours is a 1500 with a gas V8 and 2wd, I'd guess you can get to 20mpg or better. It all depends on the three "T"s - traffic, terrain, and your techniques.

Also look for posts by user phoebeisis. He has an older Suburban that's getting low 20s mpg on the open road.

There's lots to learn here, and you will find that you have a great support network of friends to advise and encourage you along the way. So welcome to CleanMPG and keep us posted on your progress.

If your truck has cruise control you should make serious use of it especially if your truck's engine has cylinder deactivation to go from 8 to 4 cylinders.

Hey Maxx, Chevy had a good deal with that HHR. Cobalt frame with an old Suburban designed body with lots of usable space for good mpg. The guy who designed that body was the one who designed the Chrysler PT Cruiser. It's styling is funky enough that a young couple could drive it to college and fit right in and it's storage in back is great for moving from one dorm to another.