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poor fuel mileage, what to do ?
- Thread starter CEnzien
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Welcome to the TDR. You might want to fill in your signature with a few more details about your truck. Transmission type, axle ratio, etc. It would help others with their answers. You might also want to add some information about your driving speeds, % city and highway driving, and details about towing. Speeds above 65 MPH definitely bring down the milage.
Mileage
15 mpg sounds right on average for combined freeway and around town driving. I suggest that you get to know your truck. Watch the trip computer (Pyrometer and boost too if you have these gauges. ) I find that the trip computer registers the highest mpg when the pyrometer is 500 or below and there is little or no boost. I found that by removing around a pound of lead from my right shoe, I was able to bring my average mileage up to 17 and some 10ths around town. I now have around 20K miles on my truck and I believe that it is starting to break in which also helps mileage. Hope you find a solution to your problem.
PS: I use the trip computer exclusively to check my mileage. I have double checked it using good old fasioned math and have found it to be correct.
15 mpg sounds right on average for combined freeway and around town driving. I suggest that you get to know your truck. Watch the trip computer (Pyrometer and boost too if you have these gauges. ) I find that the trip computer registers the highest mpg when the pyrometer is 500 or below and there is little or no boost. I found that by removing around a pound of lead from my right shoe, I was able to bring my average mileage up to 17 and some 10ths around town. I now have around 20K miles on my truck and I believe that it is starting to break in which also helps mileage. Hope you find a solution to your problem.
PS: I use the trip computer exclusively to check my mileage. I have double checked it using good old fasioned math and have found it to be correct.
lschultz
TDR MEMBER
When mine was new it started out with 16+. As you get more miles on it should increase. Mine has around 45000 and it has been improving since I got it. A little hear and a little there. Sometimes it would drop down and then it would come back up. Last tank I went 620. 4 miles and got 21. 38 mpg. It will make a difference what transmission and axle ratio you have.
dont feel bad,
i got the same truck and about the same milage,same mpg.
the highest i got is 16. 5 on a long trip. i think those 20 mpg figures belong on the 99 & older. bothered me too when i first got it,however got used to it,its the price of progress,i guess.
ps: if you ever find the cure be shur to let me know,im out of ideas.
i got the same truck and about the same milage,same mpg.
the highest i got is 16. 5 on a long trip. i think those 20 mpg figures belong on the 99 & older. bothered me too when i first got it,however got used to it,its the price of progress,i guess.
ps: if you ever find the cure be shur to let me know,im out of ideas.
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10.5 for me..............
That's before Bombing. Got it up to 12. 5 steady now and I don't drive for mileage. I honestly cannot understand how anyone can drive 65 on a freeway. And with quick starts around town and my weight I can't complain, But still do.
Only 15K on her now so I hope it creeps up a little bit more as she breaks fully in.
I talked to someone with a similar rig only a gasser and they get 6 MPG so I'm ahead of the game anyway. That and I can blow their doors off... ... ... ...
Garrett
That's before Bombing. Got it up to 12. 5 steady now and I don't drive for mileage. I honestly cannot understand how anyone can drive 65 on a freeway. And with quick starts around town and my weight I can't complain, But still do.
Only 15K on her now so I hope it creeps up a little bit more as she breaks fully in.
I talked to someone with a similar rig only a gasser and they get 6 MPG so I'm ahead of the game anyway. That and I can blow their doors off... ... ... ...
Garrett
rkressg
TDR MEMBER
Bad MPG
Don't feel bad, My 2500 only gets about 12 mpg empty on the highway at 70 mph. When I tow my race truck in a 24' box, weighing 10k, I only get 5. 5 MPG. This is after 26,000 mi on the truck. My milege started out at 18 empty and has progressively gotten worse. That is due to my increasingly heavy right foot.
Don't feel bad, My 2500 only gets about 12 mpg empty on the highway at 70 mph. When I tow my race truck in a 24' box, weighing 10k, I only get 5. 5 MPG. This is after 26,000 mi on the truck. My milege started out at 18 empty and has progressively gotten worse. That is due to my increasingly heavy right foot.
My '99 2500 with 38,000 miles gets about 15. 5 mpg. I have done several experiments with mileage and driving habits since I've had the truck.
My weekly commute consists of roughly 50% freeway driving at 75-80 mph. I've tried driving slower, but I just can't do it.
Originally, the truck got about 16 mpg when it was completely stock. I added an EZ and when the "thrill" wore off and I was able to keep my foot out of it, my mileage went DOWN to about 15. I tried driving 70 mph consistently on the freeway and my mileage went up to about 15. 75. Next, I went back to 75-80 on the freeway and started religiously keeping the O/D off when under 60 mph. That consistently gives me about 15. 5 mpg.
Now, a word about the mileage computer. When my truck was stock, the mpg calculated by the computer was correct. With the EZ, it always reads 2-3 mpg more than I actually get. So don't get excited when you add a box and your computer says your getting 18 mpg, because it will be wrong.
I have read many posts on this board about improving mpg by driving slower on the freeway and turning the O/D off when under 60 mph. I proved to myself that this is true. I think driving slower would show a bigger improvement than the overdrive method. If I were able to drive 60-65 on the freeway and keep overdirve off under 60 around town, I believe I could maybe get 17 mpg or better; but, 60-65 mph on the freeway is just too slow for me.
To sum up, I would just be happy with what your getting and be thankful you don't have a gasser.
My weekly commute consists of roughly 50% freeway driving at 75-80 mph. I've tried driving slower, but I just can't do it.
Originally, the truck got about 16 mpg when it was completely stock. I added an EZ and when the "thrill" wore off and I was able to keep my foot out of it, my mileage went DOWN to about 15. I tried driving 70 mph consistently on the freeway and my mileage went up to about 15. 75. Next, I went back to 75-80 on the freeway and started religiously keeping the O/D off when under 60 mph. That consistently gives me about 15. 5 mpg.
Now, a word about the mileage computer. When my truck was stock, the mpg calculated by the computer was correct. With the EZ, it always reads 2-3 mpg more than I actually get. So don't get excited when you add a box and your computer says your getting 18 mpg, because it will be wrong.
I have read many posts on this board about improving mpg by driving slower on the freeway and turning the O/D off when under 60 mph. I proved to myself that this is true. I think driving slower would show a bigger improvement than the overdrive method. If I were able to drive 60-65 on the freeway and keep overdirve off under 60 around town, I believe I could maybe get 17 mpg or better; but, 60-65 mph on the freeway is just too slow for me.
To sum up, I would just be happy with what your getting and be thankful you don't have a gasser.
great observations Buckdog, the trend seems to be the auto's get around 15-16 and the 5 and 6 speeds get between 16-20. also depending on the gears you have. obviously the 4. 10's are the death of mileage.
good to know about the trip odometer too. I always wondered about them things. my truck doesn’t have one so I have to do the math. I have a system that works good for me. when I fill up, I reset the trip meter and write down its mileage and the trucks overall mileage before I leave. then after I get about six receipts, I take them into the office and put them on a excel spreadsheet that I created, the day the truck was new. I keep track of total MPG's, per tank MPG's, total gals, total cost, average cost per gal, and the best and worst tanks are kept highlighted. I guess, you could call me retentive.
another tip I have is if you have a box that masks/changes the signal to the VP44, keep it on the highest setting when you are on the interstate. (I keep mine on level 9 all the time) with the increased pulses to the VP44 it inherently becomes more efficient
good to know about the trip odometer too. I always wondered about them things. my truck doesn’t have one so I have to do the math. I have a system that works good for me. when I fill up, I reset the trip meter and write down its mileage and the trucks overall mileage before I leave. then after I get about six receipts, I take them into the office and put them on a excel spreadsheet that I created, the day the truck was new. I keep track of total MPG's, per tank MPG's, total gals, total cost, average cost per gal, and the best and worst tanks are kept highlighted. I guess, you could call me retentive.
another tip I have is if you have a box that masks/changes the signal to the VP44, keep it on the highest setting when you are on the interstate. (I keep mine on level 9 all the time) with the increased pulses to the VP44 it inherently becomes more efficient
Mileage
Todd, I noticed in your post above that you thought that the 4. 10's were the death of mileage. I have 4. 10's and get about the same mileage as Lunch Bucket (Buckdog) does in his 2500. I do a lottle more around town driving, but can get 15 just in town and have gotten 17 just interstate mileage. All this was before the DTT stuff. Havent had it in long enough to know what the difference will be there. I expect the town mileage will improve though.
Todd, I noticed in your post above that you thought that the 4. 10's were the death of mileage. I have 4. 10's and get about the same mileage as Lunch Bucket (Buckdog) does in his 2500. I do a lottle more around town driving, but can get 15 just in town and have gotten 17 just interstate mileage. All this was before the DTT stuff. Havent had it in long enough to know what the difference will be there. I expect the town mileage will improve though.
I also have 4. 10's and I don't think that they affect milage all that much. On my last tank (2000 miles on truck) I got 18. 3 MPG combined city and highway. In city driving, the 4. 10's don't hurt at all; you just up shift sooner.
There's only a 15% difference in ratio, but that doesn't translate to a 15% reduction in milage. I think less than 10% is more like it, and that's only on the highway. I keep my highway speed between 65 and 70, and that helps a lot whether you have 3. 54 or 4. 10's.
The 4. 10's are great towing our 5er in the mountains or on the flats. Me be
There's only a 15% difference in ratio, but that doesn't translate to a 15% reduction in milage. I think less than 10% is more like it, and that's only on the highway. I keep my highway speed between 65 and 70, and that helps a lot whether you have 3. 54 or 4. 10's.
The 4. 10's are great towing our 5er in the mountains or on the flats. Me be
Ratio means nothing......
At least for me...
When the truck was new it came with 4:10's and that gave me 10. 5 MPG. I had them swapped to the 3:54's and I got 10. 5 MPG. When I added the EZ I gained 2 MPG and got 12. 5.
Hated the 3:54's so I swapped to a 3:73 gear set. Ahhhhh That's more like it. Still get 12. 5 MPG. I do a fair mix of freeway and town driving so I don't see any difference there.
My theory, and I could be way off here, is that once the trucks are up to speed it takes so much power to maintain it against the wind. These trucks are like bricks. Mine more so with the utility bed. My boost gauge pretty much showed that. At 75 I used about the same amount of boost regardless of ratio. RPM's changed but needed more fuel to maintain speed. Go uphill at 2000 RPM and watch your boost gauge then go downhill at same RPM and watch the boost.
Now, I would agree the stick VS Auto would make a difference.
Garrett
At least for me...
When the truck was new it came with 4:10's and that gave me 10. 5 MPG. I had them swapped to the 3:54's and I got 10. 5 MPG. When I added the EZ I gained 2 MPG and got 12. 5.
Hated the 3:54's so I swapped to a 3:73 gear set. Ahhhhh That's more like it. Still get 12. 5 MPG. I do a fair mix of freeway and town driving so I don't see any difference there.
My theory, and I could be way off here, is that once the trucks are up to speed it takes so much power to maintain it against the wind. These trucks are like bricks. Mine more so with the utility bed. My boost gauge pretty much showed that. At 75 I used about the same amount of boost regardless of ratio. RPM's changed but needed more fuel to maintain speed. Go uphill at 2000 RPM and watch your boost gauge then go downhill at same RPM and watch the boost.
Now, I would agree the stick VS Auto would make a difference.
Garrett
To improve mileage
If you want to get better fuel mileage, you probably have to change your driving habits.
I LOVE my Cummins because I can drive like an idiot teenager and still get 15+ mpg.
The 5. 9L gasser Dodge trucks in identical model and options will only get 14. 5 mpg when you drive like there is a rotten egg between your right foot and the accelerator pedal. NO FUN!!
So to improve your mileage, first, air up your tires to the max rating, this will make the ride very harsh, but reduce the rolling resistance.
Then when you are driving, try to use your brakes as little as possible. This may sound strange, but the fuel you burn is converted to heat to run your engine to propell the truck, using the brakes converts the motion of the truck [kinetic energy] back into heat which is given up to the brake discs and the surrounding air [when the discs cool]. This energy is wasted. [we can't store the heat]
So if you drive with the next stoplight and stop sign in mind, you will be able to plan ahead, use a lot less fuel.
When on the freeway keep it under 65 mph, if there is a headwind, slower yet. If you are lucky to have a tailwind, add about half the wind veloctity to your 65mph, and speed up .
All of this is very booring, and it is soo hard to drive like this that I rarely try it anymore. The resulting pent-up frustration results in a leadfooted next tankfull anyway!
But when on the freeway, I have been able to get several tanks in the mid 19mpg range, and some mixed city/freeway tanks at 17mpg or so.
Another note, your truck is hardly broken in, if you have a load to tow, take it out and make that engine work!! This will help it loosen up faster. If you can't pull a load, expect the mileage to slowly improve up thru about 20K on your odometer.
I hope this helps, Greg L
If you want to get better fuel mileage, you probably have to change your driving habits.
I LOVE my Cummins because I can drive like an idiot teenager and still get 15+ mpg.
The 5. 9L gasser Dodge trucks in identical model and options will only get 14. 5 mpg when you drive like there is a rotten egg between your right foot and the accelerator pedal. NO FUN!!
So to improve your mileage, first, air up your tires to the max rating, this will make the ride very harsh, but reduce the rolling resistance.
Then when you are driving, try to use your brakes as little as possible. This may sound strange, but the fuel you burn is converted to heat to run your engine to propell the truck, using the brakes converts the motion of the truck [kinetic energy] back into heat which is given up to the brake discs and the surrounding air [when the discs cool]. This energy is wasted. [we can't store the heat]
So if you drive with the next stoplight and stop sign in mind, you will be able to plan ahead, use a lot less fuel.
When on the freeway keep it under 65 mph, if there is a headwind, slower yet. If you are lucky to have a tailwind, add about half the wind veloctity to your 65mph, and speed up .
All of this is very booring, and it is soo hard to drive like this that I rarely try it anymore. The resulting pent-up frustration results in a leadfooted next tankfull anyway!
But when on the freeway, I have been able to get several tanks in the mid 19mpg range, and some mixed city/freeway tanks at 17mpg or so.
Another note, your truck is hardly broken in, if you have a load to tow, take it out and make that engine work!! This will help it loosen up faster. If you can't pull a load, expect the mileage to slowly improve up thru about 20K on your odometer.
I hope this helps, Greg L
Lsfarm
Good advise. I might add that using your suggestions, the brakes will last longer too. I drive much more conservitavely than my wife does. She's either got her foot in the gas or on the brake. She never lets up on the accelerator and coasts to slow down. I think it's because women don't understand how brakes work.
Good advise. I might add that using your suggestions, the brakes will last longer too. I drive much more conservitavely than my wife does. She's either got her foot in the gas or on the brake. She never lets up on the accelerator and coasts to slow down. I think it's because women don't understand how brakes work.
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