Researching Chevy Silverado 1500 - basic questions

[Angry Ram]

I'm still in the car market, I have the Blazer RS reserved but the stupid microchip shortage and the manufacturer not releasing it has me waiting. It's been almost 2 months now. Hoping before Thanksgiving b/c the car itself has been built. Having said that, I'm needing a backup plan in case my need becomes an emergency (which is possible) and trucks are the one type that are readily available. Has to be Chevy (we have Chevy discounts).

I'm not a truck guy, and the one thing I'm concerned is the money for basic maintenance on the damn thing. So if someone can answer these questions, might put my mind at ease:

Oil changes: Currently I spend about $50 - $60 on oil changes and tire rotations, depending on coupons. My car takes 6 quarts. Is the Silverado a 8 quart change? How much are average oil changes?

Tires: Recently spent ~$500.00 on new tires @ Sams. Are truck tires more? 18" - 20" wheels.

Gas: how often do you fill up? can I use regular 87 fuel on a 5.3 L V8 (most common on dealership lots). I don't have any towing needs. I use it for my work commutes and basic city/highway driving, with an occasional road trip. I currently fill up once a week, drive ~50 miles M-F.

Dynamic fuel manager: apparently there is a feature where the engine will automatically use 2 - 8 cylinder depending on driving habits. Is there any truth to that? Gimmick?? I'm not doing off roading or anything crazy that involves AWD.

Silverados look cool, super roomy, and comfy. Backup plan that could be real.

 

[Faceplant]

I have been looking at these as well. I can tell you that tires will be more than $500 (assuming you meant for all 4).

I had a Tahoe with the 5.3 and it takes 6 qts, so no worries there. Fuel management systems are not currently available on the 5.3 due to.....the chip shortage.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/03/chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-drop-fuel-management-due-to-chip-shortage/

Those systems are BS anyway and are only used to bring CAFE ratings down. There is no real benefit in real world driving from what I have seen.

You can use 87 octane with no issue, it will just pull timing and drop a bit of power.

I would count on about 17-19 MPG on the highway, maybe as much as 22 if you use ACC and keep that puppy around 60mph.

 

[RamFan503]

My 2007 has 250k on it and still going strong. The 5.3 is a great engine (essentially the 327, IMO the best engine Chevy ever made), gets about 18mpg and takes 6 quarts of oil per change. Oh... Tires about $1000 for Bridgestones.

 

[VegasRam]

My 2007 has 250k on it and still going strong. The 5.3 is a great engine (essentially the 327, IMO the best engine Chevy ever made), gets about 18mpg and takes 6 quarts of oil per change. Oh... Tires about $1000 for Bridgestones.

And I'll bet you're only on your second set of brakes.
Have an '04 with the 6.0 liter. Great motor - shit mileage.

 

[Angry Ram]

My 2007 has 250k on it and still going strong. The 5.3 is a great engine (essentially the 327, IMO the best engine Chevy ever made), gets about 18mpg and takes 6 quarts of oil per change. Oh... Tires about $1000 for Bridgestones.

Shit a grand? Hopefully you won't have too change them too often.

And I'll bet you're only on your second set of brakes.
Have an '04 with the 6.0 liter. Great motor - shit mileage.

I had to get my second set a month ago. Another $300 right there, after about 11 years.

I have been looking at these as well. I can tell you that tires will be more than $500 (assuming you meant for all 4).

I had a Tahoe with the 5.3 and it takes 6 qts, so no worries there. Fuel management systems are not currently available on the 5.3 due to.....the chip shortage.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/2021/03/chevy-silverado-gmc-sierra-drop-fuel-management-due-to-chip-shortage/

Those systems are BS anyway and are only used to bring CAFE ratings down. There is no real benefit in real world driving from what I have seen.

You can use 87 octane with no issue, it will just pull timing and drop a bit of power.

I would count on about 17-19 MPG on the highway, maybe as much as 22 if you use ACC and keep that puppy around 60mph.

OK, thanks. I figured as much as the dynamic fuel whatever. I tend to gun it on highways on cruise, and my car gets me about 26-27. Its V6. These things do have bigger tanks so I guess it all evens out?

 

[RamFan503]

And I'll bet you're only on your second set of brakes.
Have an '04 with the 6.0 liter. Great motor - shit mileage.

Just actually put my third set on the front - rear 2 years ago. I used to tow my boat so....

 

[VegasRam]

That may be normal, dunno.
I DO know I had to replace front AND rear brakes on my '98 Dodge Ram at 20,000K miles.
STILL pisses me off.

BTW, my "04 ext just turned 80K miles - working at home rocks.
Get bad mileage? - don't drive much. Easy peasy!

 

[snackdaddy]

I used to have a 2004 Silverado with the V-8. It was listed at 20 miles per gallon on the highway. The longer trips I took with it, like to Arizona I got more like 22 or 23 miles per gallon. And I was going 70 or more most the way. Before that truck I had a 4 cylinder S-10 that got 24 miles per gallon on the freeway. Not much better than the V-8 and I felt like I needed a good running start for the uphill freeway on ramps.

I loved that truck. Hardly any repairs for ten years. I used to pull a fifth wheel camper trailer with it. No problems. Factory tires were 16" but I put 17's with new rims on it the first time I needed new tires. Of all the vehicles I've owned the Silverado has been the best when it comes to performance and durability. Very dependable.

 

[Ramlock]

Had a 2002 Tahoe bought it new. 5.3.

Chevy SUV on truck frame, same thing.

Put high miles on it…extensive sales territory. Gave it to my son and he put another 100k miles on it.

Had to replace the fuel pump, which required replacing fuel tank. Pump’s inside it.

Otherwise, great truck.

I always bought P rated tires because of all the highway miles and the ride was better and quieter. Cost around $700 for set of 4 Goodyear’s or Michelin bought at Sam’s.


Owned a Silverado 40 years ago, too.

Don‘t give it a second thought, buy it.

 

[Angry Ram]

That may be normal, dunno.
I DO know I had to replace front AND rear brakes on my '98 Dodge Ram at 20,000K miles.
STILL pisses me off.

BTW, my "04 ext just turned 80K miles - working at home rocks.
Get bad mileage? - don't drive much. Easy peasy!

t got 24 miles per gallon on the freeway. Not much better than the V-8 and I felt like I needed a good running start for the uphill freeway on ramps.

I loved that truck. Hardly any repairs for ten years. I used to pull a fifth wheel camper trailer with it. No problems. Factory tires were 16" but I put 17's with new rims on it the first time I needed new tires. Of all the vehicles I've owned the Silverado has been the best when it comes to performance and durability. Very dependable.

Had a 2002 Tahoe bought it new. 5.3.

Chevy SUV on truck frame, same thing.

Put high miles on it…extensive sales territory. Gave it to my son and he put another 100k miles on it.

Had to replace the fuel pump, which required replacing fuel tank. Pump’s inside it.

Otherwise, great truck.

I always bought P rated tires because of all the highway miles and the ride was better and quieter. Cost around $700 for set of 4 Goodyear’s or Michelin bought at Sam’s.


Owned a Silverado 40 years ago, too.

Don‘t give it a second thought, buy it.

All yall are convincing me the hell out. Sounds like its a super reliable, long last vehicle. Especially for my lifestyle of 99.99999% flat highway driving.

It's for sure locked in as my backup choice.

 

[Psycho_X]

Had a new 2015 Silverado 1500 and when I traded to new 2019 a couple years ago I had original tires on it at 75k miles. Probably would have had to replace in 10k. Price depends on timing a little as I quoted them at one point and they were $1200 and a year later had dropped to $900. Oil prices dictate it a little and obviously tire size.

My 2019 v8 takes 8 quarts synthetic and runs $90 with tire rotation. I change it about every 7k and all though they say it can go longer than that I get nervous lol.

Love the truck though, family has been a GM family my whole life so am biased. Only thing I don’t like about current version is brakes feel a bit soft for my taste compared to 15 I had. But I got used to it.

Edit: oh, I average about 18mpg which is mostly a 30 minute commute of half interstate, half city driving. Current dumb gas prices costs about $70 for full tank.

 

[Mister Sin]

And I'll bet you're only on your second set of brakes.
Have an '04 with the 6.0 liter. Great motor - shit mileage.

I have 04 2500 with the 6.0. 300,000 miles and motor still strong as hell. But, my transfer case wore a hole and drained itself and went out. So it sits now. Lol

 

[Mister Sin]

I've driven all of the big three 1/2 and 3/4 ton.

Dodge was always best price to product imo. Also have the best stock sound with that rumble.

Chevy wanted more for less in my experience. But is the nicest overall design.

Ford is right in the middle for me.

Currently I drive a Ford EcoBeast!!! It's got by far the most pep. I only average about 16mpg. But it's because I like to hear my turbos wind.

 

[RhodyRams]

I had a 2009 Silverado..drove it for 11 years with nothing but basic maintenance..oil changes brakes tires etc.

Traded it in for a 2019 Ford 150...spent more money on repairs in the first 9 months with that POS... went back to the bowtie ...2020 Silverado 1500 right before Covid

 

[Angry Ram]

I bought one! 2021 RST Shadow Gray metallic! What a monstrosity lol

 

[Mister Sin]

I bought one! 2021 RST Shadow Gray metallic! What a monstrosity lol

Congrats. Where are the pics?

 

[Angry Ram]

Congrats. Where are the pics?

 

[bluecoconuts]

 

[RamFan503]

View attachment 49685

Nice rig. I want one. My 07 still runs great but nothing like a new truck.

 

[Angry Ram]

Hell yeah I interact with those types almost on a daily basis lol. Now I'm part of their world.

Nice rig. I want one. My 07 still runs great but nothing like a new truck.

Thanks bro. It's so comfortable, can't wait to really drive it.