What kind of mileage can I expect from my 2012 Chevy Silverado?

Chevrolet Models Chevrolet Silverado
1

I’m thinking about getting a 2012 Chevy Silverado and I have some questions about its mileage.

Official Fuel Economy Ratings

From what I’ve found, the official fuel economy ratings for the 2012 Chevy Silverado vary based on the engine and drivetrain configuration:

  • 4.3L V6 engine: Approximately 15 MPG city / 20 MPG highway
  • 5.3L V8 engine: Approximately 15 MPG city / 21 MPG highway
  • 6.2L V8 engine: About 13 MPG city / 18 MPG highway

Real-World Experiences

I’d love to hear from actual owners about their experiences. For those of you with a 2012 Silverado:

  • What’s your average gas mileage?
  • Do you find that it differs much from the official ratings?
  • Have you made any modifications to improve fuel economy?

Factors Influencing Mileage

I’ve read that several factors can impact mileage:

  • Driving conditions (city vs. highway)
  • Load weight (towing or heavy cargo)
  • Maintenance practices (regular oil changes, tire inflation, etc.)
  • Driving habits (aggressive acceleration, speeding)

Tips for Optimizing Fuel Efficiency

If you have any tips on how to improve fuel efficiency for the Silverado, please share! From the types of fuel used to specific maintenance tasks, I’m keen to learn what works best.

Overall Reliability

Lastly, how reliable do you find the 2012 Silverado in terms of performance and fuel efficiency? Any long-term ownership insights would be appreciated!

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Thanks!

2

I own a 2012 Silverado with the 5.3L V8 engine, and I typically get around 15-17 MPG in the city and up to 21 MPG on the highway. It really depends on how you drive it though!

3

Wow, that’s similar to my experience! I have the 6.2L V8 and average 14 MPG in town but can hit 20 on the highway if I’m careful with the gas pedal.

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4

I have a 2012 Silverado with the 4.3L V6 engine and average about 18 MPG city and 24 MPG highway. If you want better mileage, I recommend keeping the tires properly inflated and avoiding heavy loads.

5

Those numbers are interesting! I’ve been considering the V6 for better gas mileage, but how does it perform when towing? Anyone tried towing with it?

6

Actually, I found towing with the V6 to be underwhelming. It’s fine for small trailers but takes a toll on the fuel economy.

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7

I have the 5.3L engine too! When I adjust my driving style (smooth acceleration), I can reach up to 22 MPG highway. Worth a try if you want to improve your numbers!

8

Good tips! I recently switched to synthetic oil and noticed a slight improvement in my fuel economy. Has anyone else experienced this?

9

That sounds promising! I might give that a shot. My MPG hasn’t changed much, hovering around 15-16 in the city.

10

I know a friend with the same model who swears by using premium fuel. He claims he gets better mileage. Could that be true?

11

Using premium can sometimes improve performance but not always fuel economy. I tried it and didn’t notice much difference in my MPG, just a lighter wallet!

12

What about the 2012 Silverado’s weight? It’s pretty hefty; I wonder if that affects MPG significantly compared to lighter trucks.

13

That’s a good point. Heavier vehicles do tend to have lower MPG. It’s essential to account for that when comparing ratings.

14

I usually get about 19 MPG on the highway when I keep it under 70 mph and turn off the AC. Little things can make a big difference!

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15

Those are great tips! Also, I’ve noticed that removing unnecessary weight in the bed can help too!

16

I have a 2012 Chevy Silverado and it has around 150,000 miles on it. Regular oil changes every 5,000 miles and keeping up with the transmission fluid have really helped. I think proper maintenance is key to longevity!

17

I completely agree! I’ve noticed that sticking to a strict maintenance schedule has kept my truck running like new. What’s been your biggest challenge with high mileage?

18

I’ve had some electrical issues around 120k miles. It was mainly the wiring harness, but I think it’s a common problem. Still, the truck has been reliable overall!

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19

Yeah, that does seem common! I had a slight issue with my fuel pump at 140k, but it was a relatively cheap fix. I would recommend getting regular diagnostics to catch any issues early.

20

What kind of fuel are you all using? I’ve found using premium helps with performance, especially when towing.

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