04.5 M.p.g.

[Udaloy]

DS88, Thank you. I was beginning to think no one was going to answer my question.

 

[PNeuzil]

Just fueled up today. 18mpg done by hand. About 100miles pulling a 7x18 enclosed trailer at 75mph. The rest is unloaded and around town, some freeway some city streets. Suspect it would have been closer to 20mph without the hauling.



2500 4x2 quad 6spd. No reflash done yet and 3800 miles.

 

[SSage]

Originally posted by favord

Has anyone been in to a dealer complaining soley of their fuel economy?? If so, what response did you get?



I'm to the point I want to do that but I've been very unimpressed with the local dealer service dept. and have sworn off ever going there again. Will go out of town to another that seems more service oriented if it sounds like there is something they can offer regarding the poor fuel mileage. Everything else on the truck is spot on so far.

My dealer said I am doing good at 14 mpg. My service guy said there was no reflash he knew of for an 03. My best is 14. 8 mpg empty execpt for the aux. tank with 50 gallons cruising at 70 mph on flat ground. My average is 13. 33 mpg. Towing 6K, I think I'm getting 10 mpg though I've not checked on paper yet. I do have the worst set up, but, I was expecting 16 or so empty.

 

[klenger]

03 3500 Laramie Sport QC HO 48RE 4X4 4. 10 LS DRW Black

I'm sure it's the black paint that's killing your milage.

 

[jjames]

I just picked up my 600 on the 28th, drove it off the lot with 8 miles on it and immediately went on a 650 mile trip. Hand calculated mpg 12. 5 at approx 70 mph average, 80+ in Nevada.

I have the auto. My 01 averaged 17mpg empty and 12-13 pulling 6500# TT. That was with the 4500 5spd.



I really like the 600, it seems to be an improvement in almost everyway over my 01.

 

[KBertetto]

My old man just went on a 700 mile trip with his 600. His truck is identical to mine (see sig). His was built 15 January and has not had the re-flash. Averaged 16½ MPG calculated, mostly above 70mph. The truck doesn't even have a thousand miles on it yet, including the 700 mile trip. He's happy with it.

 

[DFeinauer]

I just fill the tank up tonight, Best MPG so far, 14. 54 MPG City/Hwy 50/50 I have 850 miles on truck. Its better then the last tank by 3 mpg both times hand calculated and filled to neck. I sure hope it keeps improving.

 

[MVaden]

Filled up today and mpg has improved a little. I calculated milage by hand at 13. 7 with 50/50 hwy. city miles. On the overhead it was 12. 6.



I have over 2000 miles on it now and this is really a great truck but the milage has to get better. At least I'm now getting what I got in my HEMI.



No flash yet but I'm not having any of the other problems that some of the guys are having with the 04. 5.

 

[thames1948]

I am getting about the same mpgs with about 1800 miles on mine. I gave in and called my dealer today and was waiting to get the run around , and was told come on in and they will have the tech look at it before they do the reflash and if needed they will do it. The service manager was very nice to talk to. I also asked if any one else has complained about lousy mpg's and he said no,that I am the first. I will run this tank out first and then have the flash done and compare.

 

[klenger]

I don't understand the dealer's reluctance to do the flash. The new software is standard on all new production engines. It doesn't seem like it can hurt anything and all you are doing is bringing the software up to current production. When I took mine in this week for the reflash, the tech asked if I was having the listed symptoms. I said "yes" and he said OK. I don't know if I was really having the symptoms or not, but how could he argue with me about it?

 

[swexlin]

The truck I just bought was a January build, but it only arrived at the dealer on 3/17. I completely forgot about the TSB reflash - I printed out the TSB yesterday. I highly doubt they did it though.



My truck has a little of the "pinging" that seems to be standard issue, but, so far, I have not experienced the "hesitation" or "flat spots". Of course, the weather has not been that cold, nor have I really romped on it yet, as I have only 85 miles of stop and... stop commuter driving since picking it up.



Maybe I won't notice anything until next winter. My question - should I have the reflash as a matter or course, or take a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" attitude. OR... ... when it goes in for a standard service, do the techs AUTOMATICALLY do it if the computer lists it for your truck?



So many questions.

 

[klenger]

I'd have it done the next time the truck is in for service. I had mine done when the did the 1st oil change.

 

[Udaloy]

To answer your question, swexlin, the techs will only do what is on the write-up sheet. They will not reflash the computer just because there's one available.

 

[swexlin]

They will not reflash the computer just because there's one available

Thanks, I will mention it when I go in for my first service. You see, FORD techs are notorious for reflashing anything.



SHOULD I have it done as a matter of course, or ONLY if my truck is exhibiting symptoms - which it is not?

 

[Udaloy]

Well, I debated that on my truck too. I wanted it reflashed for the high idle feature, but I was worried something bad would happen. Everything turned out fine.



Being in the computer industry, I think the newer code is probably better, but if you aren't having issues, why fool with it? I think I'd take the safe route, which is don't touch it. You evidently don't have anything to gain, and everything to lose if something goes awry. Later on, if you develop the symptoms, then get it fixed, IMO.

 

[Apence]

I have a question for those who have had the reflash 18-007-04 I had my 04. 5 600 done yesterday and the paperwork says the flash was done and the number of it but there is no sticker under the hood as i have heard they put when they reflash. I have looked everywhere and cant find one and the truch runs exactly the same as before i took it in. so have those of you that have had it done did you get a sticker under the hood stating it?

 

[swexlin]

Since I won't be due for a service until probably June or July, I'll have plenty of time to evaluate the performance. If I experience any symptoms, I'll have them do it - if not, then let sleeping dogs lie.

 

[Udaloy]

When my '02 was reflashed, it received the sticker under the hood. I know it's not the same flash you ask of, but it's there.

 

[thames1948]

I am only going to do the reflash beause of the bad mpg's. The way I look at it, how can it get any worse? Maybe DC hasn't heard enough about it yet, as my dealer said I was the first one to complain to them about lousy mpg.

 

[MVaden]

I emailed Cummins today to complain about the poor milage and invited them to read the post on the TDR website. I know it probably won't do any good but at least it makes me feel better.



Maybe if enough people complain directly to Cummins DC will be gettin it from both ends and handle this problem.



BTW I was told by my dealers service dept. that I was the 1st to complain about this to them also, this is not true. I know of two other guys that have gone to them with this problem. One of the guys purchased 2 trucks with the 600 (he owns a large landscape co. in Dallas) and he is getting rotten milage with both and he told me he has complained plenty to them because its costing him money every day.