How to Improve Chevy 6.0 Vortec Gas Mileage
by Mark Robinson
With higher gas prices here to stay, people are looking for ways to improve the gas mileage of their vehicles. This is especially true of those who own vehicles fitted with large-displacement engines intended for work-oriented applications such as the Chevy 6.0 Vortec, currently used in a number of trucks and SUVs made by General Motors. Gas-saving tips can help owners of this large 8-cylinder engine improve their gas mileage and save money on fuel costs.
Step 1
Change your driving habits. Abrupt starts, constant hard acceleration and speeding can cause the Vortec 6.0 to consume more fuel than necessary. Smooth starts from a standstill, gentle acceleration and staying within the speed limits can help you save fuel.
Step 2
Change your vehicle's spark plugs, spark plug wires, fluids and filters when recommended by the manufacturer. Replacing these components helps the Vortec 6.0 perform better while using less fuel. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a regularly scheduled tune-up can net a 4 percent gain in fuel economy.
Step 3
Consolidate the number of stops to make and choose shorter, less congested routes. Doing so can keep you from wasting fuel on multiple stops, especially in vehicles equipped with an engine as large as the Vortec 6.0.
Step 4
Eliminate any excess weight you're carrying around. If you have heavy equipment or objects in your vehicle that you don't need to carry around, remove them. While most vehicles that have the Vortec 6.0 are work-oriented, removing heavy equipment and other objects when they're not needed still makes sense.
Step 5
Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Tires that are under-inflated create excess drag that can not only bring your gas mileage down, but also lead to premature tire failure and unsafe handling. Locate the recommended psi rating on the sidewall of your tire and check the tire's current air pressure with a tire-pressure gauge.
Step 6
Turn off your engine when idling for extended periods of time. Idling does nothing but waste fuel and produce unnecessary pollution, especially with an engine as large as the Vortec 6.0.
References
Writer Bio
Mark Robinson is a freelance graphic designer and writer. Since 2008 he has contributed to various online publications, specializing in topics concerning automotive repair, graphic design and computer technology. Robinson holds a Bachelor of Science in graphic design from Alabama A&M University.
