04 Mpg Facts

[EXSTROKER]

OK. . lets do some comparing. . I am 4x4 auto 3. 55 600p. o. s

is their a relation on gears ,tranie 2 or 4by lets figure

this out . . im about to start a new pull that is about 5k a month

my bad milage is going to cost me bunches...

 

[EXSTROKER]

I pushed some numbers around 4 mpg difference in a year

to me is going to be 4500$$$ that sucks bad my 7-9

pulling has to change... . any ideas ... . HELP

 

[barbwire]

Originally posted by EXSTROKER

I pushed some numbers around 4 mpg difference in a year

to me is going to be 4500$$$ that sucks bad my 7-9

pulling has to change... . any ideas ... . HELP

I do not know how to help, but I am glad that I bought the 04, 305-555 instead. I get 14 pulling, and 17-18 mpg empty.

I have, however heard on this here TDR site, of some folks getting a reflash done , and improving their mileage. That is with the same rig as yours. Good luck, I hope you find the fix.

 

[jwilliams3]

Exstroker,

I am sorry to hear about your complaints with mileage.



My 600 is getting similar mileage to your truck, yes it is bad.

But, I wouldnt blame Cummins so much.



It is the EPA that regulates emissions, and that is most likely the major player in making a 325hp/600tq diesel engine street legal.

Cummins is not fudging on power numbers either (like some other brands!)



Probably the best mileage you will see is from an 03/04 common rail from the new style trucks.

If you want even better mileage a 2001 or 2002 Cummins ISB come to mind.



Your signature says P. O. S. , I think your wrong in that statement.

These trucks run great, and the average engine will probably see the better part of 400,000 miles.

400k is a dream for a powerstroke, hell the new strokes dont even run brand new off the lot.



If I had the chance to buy my 600 again over a regular 04, I would do it in a heart beat.

Cummins ISB's just keep getting better every year!

Cummins also does not have to dream up a new engine every 2 years to keep up with competition.

Just make small refinements to their legendary B series 5. 9L.



--Justin

 

[RJOL]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I was seriously considering selling my 2001 and getting the new 600. If these problems with poor mileage are true, and not just a few people complaining, or driving their rigs too hard, <font color=red><b>it is a problem</font></b>, and Dodge should have owned up to it when they produced the new 600. The kind of numbers quoted here are just about as bad as a regular gasser. I don't think those of us who paid up to $5K more for a diesel engine would be happy with the same mileage we could get in a gasser, even if the engine will last 3-400K. It will be interesting to see how this problem progresses over the next year or so. Could make a lot of us think twice before spending thousands more for a new diesel!!!

 

[dan54s]

exstroker Im right there with ya I have a 04. 5 with the 600 and If I drive with an egg under my foot I get 14 mpg if I drive like a normal person I get 12. 5 mpg I had a 99 ford psd with the same 4:10 rear gear as my dodge and I got 14 driving normal 15. 5 if I drove with an egg under my foot and I thought that was bad. I get 6. 5mpg pulling my trailer 70 mph [now it a big trailer 46' long and 12. 5' high and weighs 22000 lbs] but my ford got 7mpg doing the same I have got 5000 miles on my dodge I sure hope it starts geting a lot better milage but I really don't think it will. I am kinda dissapointed with it so far I wish I would of kept my ford.

 

[thames1948]

Have you tried to get the reflash done yet or complained to the dealer? I called my dealer and told them about my lousy mpg's and they said bring it in and they will ck it out and do the reflash. Also they said that I was the first one to complain about it to them. Maybe everyone with bad mpg's should let your dealer know so in turn DC will hear about it too. If it don't get any better, it can't be good for DC sales when the word gets out!

 

[klenger]

I am currently getting 17 - 18 MPG driving local roads if I can catch the lights green. Haven't taken a road trip since I took delivery of it 2 months ago, so I don't know how it does on the freeway. Many other members are reporting failrly good numbers also, which leads me the believe that the 600 is not inherently thirsty. If you are only getting around 14 empty (not in stop an go traffic), something is wrong with the truck. There have been reports where a new set of injectors were needed to get a 600 running correctly. Take it to the dealer. Call the zone office and complain.

 

[doldenburg]

this mileage does suck! I stay 55-60 mph, about 14. 5. All around stop and go about 13. 2. hi speed freeway- 75-85 mph-11. 5 all empty. all i have towed so far was a pickup on a car hauler, under 8000 lbs-9. 7mpg. Its a 04. 5 drw fwd 6speed 3. 73 gear also a box cover. my 02 work truck loaded and towing 15,000+all the time does as good or better. my 98 does 16-17 average. my 93 i just sold to my son,17-19. The truck is otherwise great they need to address this problem. its no better than a big gasser.

 

[EMD-Run8]

I don't want to step on any toes but I'm gettin' dang near 20 with mine with less than 4000 miles on it. I do give it some peddle regularly but I pretty much shift at around 2000 or so in light driving, take off in 3rd usually, take corners in 4th and just let the torque do all the work. Maybe some of us are peddlin' a little too much? I'm not tryin to down people's drivin' habits but diesel's are a different animal. Torque is the word. These things only rev to about 3200 ya know? Sorry again, just trying to help.

 

[cpizz]

Don't feel bad. I have had a '03 and now an '04. Both trucks only get about 13. 5 to 14. 5 on the highway running 70 to 80 with some short bursts up to 90. I had a '01 3500 DRW 4x4 6spd. w/3. 54's that got around 15. 5. ANYBODY claiming they are getting more than this with same set up and driving habits is full of s___. I guess it is still a few mpg's better than a gasser.

 

[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.

 

[EXSTROKER]

well at least i know im not the only one with the prolb

thanks...

 

[Bertram65]

Couple things to keep in mind, the new trucks are very heavy, and the 4X4s no longer have a front axle that disconnects so there is additional drag and weight. My truck has a average of about 15. 5 over 12K miles, it's not a 600 but based on weight 4. 10 axles and a lot of city driving through hilly areas, I'm not complaining.

 

[thames1948]

I couldn't tell you if the overhead goes past 13 because I have never ever,ever seen it. I can understand the 12's around town,but 13. 1 on the freeway at 65 and empty just plain stinks! I sure hope the reflash will work. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if fuel prices weren't going crazy. I got the double whamy. Fuel cost up and mpg's down

 

[gsbrockman]

The more I read about the "600" fuel economy numbers, the happier I am with the "555" under my hood. 13k miles and getting 21. 1 mpg now that I've used up all the winter fuel and back to regular fuel.

Greg

 

[SamPap]

I just wanted to chime in and report that my MPG' s are right around 16. 5. This is with 2200 miles on the clock. So far, I have seen an improvement with every fill up and I am expecting things only to get better.



BTW my driving is 50/50 and usually average about 65 on the highway.

 

[swexlin]

I'll throw mine in. I picked up my truck last Wednesday, and hae around 250 miles on it. I'm one of these people who are anal about letting the tank get below 3/4 Full. Full tanks of diesel lessens the amount of condensation, i. e. water, getting in your fuel.



Anyway, when I topped off the other day, and squezze every last drop in before overflowing, I hand calculated at 9. 5. I figured that CAN'T be right - I bet the dealer only filled it to the first click off. Today, I filled again, and again squeezed every last drop in - 13 mpg. On a new engine, with 90% of that stop and ... . stop commuter driving, and me getting on it a bit on the highway yesterday.



Oh, by the way - overhead console says 10. 8 - so I wouldn't put too much faith in that.

 

[mattymac]

just got back from a 400 mile round trip on I-80 over the sierras. filled up and drove to Nevada 90% highway with lots of 95 mph bursts, and some stop and go. filled up to come home (fuel is cheaper there) drove 185 miles and took 11. 00 galons = 16. 81, overhead says 17. 5 (and thats filling fuel to neck both times). truck has 4. 10s, 6spd, and just turned 2000 miles.

 

[DocDetonancour]

EMD. I read where a lot of us are getting good mpg with the 04. It seems that the 4. 5 is the ? I love my mileage. Doc

Originally posted by EMD-Run8

I don't want to step on any toes but I'm gettin' dang near 20 with mine with less than 4000 miles on it. I do give it some peddle regularly but I pretty much shift at around 2000 or so in light driving, take off in 3rd usually, take corners in 4th and just let the torque do all the work. Maybe some of us are peddlin' a little too much? I'm not tryin to down people's drivin' habits but diesel's are a different animal. Torque is the word. These things only rev to about 3200 ya know? Sorry again, just trying to help.