Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives 3.0 duramax

The 10 speed GM is using is the same as used in the F150. It was codeveloped, under Ford’s leadership, by resources at both GM & Ford.

Duckster how is your oil consumption heard some use oil

I have not had any unusual oil consumption. I get the oil changed about every 5k-6k miles, depending on the on board oil life monitor. Just did a recent trip out to the ranch, 220 miles at 65-68 mph and averaged 28.9 mpg. Trip home was over 30 mpg but there was a pretty good tailwind.

Talked to guy this week here in Alaska who has a 3.0 Diesel, GMC AT4 1500 2020 with 100K on it no issues at all averaging 23 to 27 MPG he loves the truck.

Man, the mileage folks get from these 3.0's is excellent. My little Duramax Colorado ZR2 doesn't do any better than those numbers.

I've had mine over a year now, and have averaged 23.7 over the 20k miles on the odometer. On flat ground with no wind I'll set the cruise on 75mph and get 28-30 mpg. I'm more than pleased with mine.

Just took a trip out to the ranch last weekend. 225 miles one way. Average for 450 miles was right at 28.9, average speed approx 65-68 mph

I know when/if I ever wear out my little Colorado I'd be all over one of them.

Duckster, did it start right off with great MPG or did it take some miles before it showed? I took a test drive in a 3.0 and was just ok for instant mpg so wondering if there's quite a range?

Generally they have started out with great mileage from the beginning. Current truck has 10k miles on it but it has been getting good mileage all along, as far as I can remember. This version is a Trail Boss which has a 2 inch lift and no front air dam so it should theoretically be worse but it is the best one yet in terms of mileage. I do have a tonneau cover on it, not sure how much that helps.

Looking to buy a 3.0 Duramax as soon as the 24 models come out. My question is about the gear ratio. Was planning on ordering the truck in the Trail Boss package and was thinking i might need the lower gears for towing. I see they have an option for 3:73 but was wondering if the motor had enough torque to get by with 3:42. Also can you get a goosneck hitch from factory?

My current Duramax has the 3.23 rear axle. The motor has lots of torque and I have never been wanting for power to pass or merge. Have not really towed anything heavier than a couple of SxS with it but that is not what I bought it for, my daily commute is 28 miles each way so I got it for the mileage. I recently towed a SxS on a single axle trailer out to a friends place, 200 miles, averaged 19.7 mpg

Talked to the dealership today and salesman said 3:23 is what all they get in has, didnt think they could get 3:73 with the 3.0, not sure he knew what he was talking about. He did say that with the 10 speed trans it would not make much difference the way the gearing in trans was setup. Maybe hes right on that. Would just rather have the lower gear ratio. I think the 3:73 might just come with trailor tow package.

That's the benefit of 10 gears and 3 OD's. The lower ratio lets it run easy empty and the 8-9-10 OD's lets it pick a place to keep it in the power.

This is the 3rd Duramax I have had, none of them have been lacking in power for their tow rating. About 9600 lbs if I remember correctly. Looking at the Chevrolet site, you might be able to get a 3.42 axle option with the diesel. I have just never felt the need for more power and I appreciate the better mileage.

So according to GM the '23 3.0 DuraMax got some major revisions ...

https://www.motorbiscuit.com/new-2023-gm-duramax-diesel-engine-improved/

I've been contemplating a new Trail Boss with the 3.0, but dayum, owning a GM product makes me nervous. Too many friends and coworkers having horrible luck with their GM cars/trucks, spending 1000's on repairs. I was real close back in June, but then started reading about all the oil consumption issues with the new LZ0. Ughh!! Additionally, I tend to keep my trucks for 10-12 years, so I'm not convinced at this point a new GM truck would make it to the finish line... without first costing me dearly. Reading the positive stories above give me hope, however.

If I was getting rid of my 17 Colorado Duramax today, I'd likely jump on the 1/2 ton Duramax. So far, I haven't seen much that I don't like about them, mileage and power seem to be great.

Regarding the oil consumption, do they know where the oil is going?

My Duramax trucks have had the LM2, no unusual oil consumption noted and I have put over 60,000 miles on them.