"John H" wrote in message
...

On Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:08:23 -0700, "Califbill"
wrote:

"Wayne B" wrote in message
.. .

On Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:24:32 -0400, John H
wrote:

On Fri, 17 Jun 2011 20:44:40 -0400, L G
wrote:

John H wrote:
Some folks were interested in the mileage I got in the Silverado with
the Duramax diesel engine.
This past week I drove it to Winston-Salem, NC, and back, a distance of
about 650 miles. This time I
wasn't towing anything. The truck got 21.6 mpg for the whole trip. Not
bad. I was surprised. Shoot,
that's as good as I was getting in the 4Runner.


Not bad at all.

What ever happened to diesel costing less than regular unleaded? From
what I've read, there is less money spent to refine it so it must be a
political thing.

From what I've read it's due to demand...and higher taxes on diesel.

There has also been a great deal of political pressure on the refinery
operators to ensure that they are producing sufficient quantities of
home heating oil and gasoline. The new environmental regs requiring
low sulfur diesel have also had an impact.


Reply:
About 20 cents more tax on a gallon and cost to produce is probably equal.
Years ago, they distilled the crude and diesel was more of a byproduct.
Now
with catalytic cracking, they make more gasoline and other products as
required. My 2004 Duramax gets about 19.5 mpg driving 70, but the newer
years have one more gear in the tranny so get a mile or two.

I had the cruise control at 65 the whole way, and I've got the Allison 6
speed.


Reply:
Have a hard time driving 65. Try to stay about a mile slower than the
fastest cars. Towing is 55 in California, but 65 on the 70 mph interstates
seems to be allowed. Most of the semi's do about 62-63. When I tow to
Canada, is nice to get in the higher tow speed states. Going to the
grandkids in SoCal, I leave the cruise control at about 80. 19.5 going
south, 18.5 north. I get about 13.5 towing the boat with the popup slide in
camper and doing about 65. Boat and trailer are about 4300# Both aluminum.