4X4 Fuel Mileage

[jwskrintney]

Hello all,



We made our road trip this weekend and this is the report. Drove approximately 900 interstate miles. We pulled a little 5'X8' U-Haul trailer with less than 1,000 pounds of cargo. We were on all flat land and never exceeded the speed limit by more than 5 mph and only got 13. 5 mpg. (My calculations... ... not the truck's computer). To add insult to injury, we crossed two fairly steep bridges, one over Lake Charles and one over the Mississippi River and the gassers were out accelerating me on the bridges... ... The Dodge is going to the shop the day after Christmas!!

 

[Wiredawg]

My best tank was 19. 1 MPG. I avg nearly 18 running empty. I drive 70 to 80 MPH most of time. I might could get 20 or better if I drove 60 or 65. Nahh, I'm happy w/ my mileage.



Wiredawg

 

[rickhans]

I thought I responded to this thread a week ago but must have been a similar one. I was getting 15-17 max for last 2 years, now getting 18. 5 to 20 since lift pump went out and was replaced under warranty. Thats 20mpg on highway driving 70 without trailer. Have not towed yet.

 

[jimnance]

mileage

I just installed a western diesel module in my truck. From it's appearence, the elbow for the turbo, connections, and horsepower rating I think it is the same, or essentially the same as the EZ box.



I hope only a few hundred miles on it so it's difficult to make an accurate report. What I see is about a one MPG improvement in normal driving. But It looks like about a 2 MPG improvement in towing mileage in part because of the transmission kit, in part because it will put mos hills in fourth at 2,000 RPM instead of third at 2,700 RPM, and last because it has the power to comfortably stay in OD for most non mountainous towing.



I was pulling my unladen trailer (8,500 lbs) up a big grade and saw a huge difference in the speed. Before it was only third gear and about 35 to 40 MPH. Today it was 47 MPH in fourth, or 50 MPH in third. Boost was running between 28 and 29 lbs in the climb, and EGT's were only 1,100 degrees.



I am very happy with the new set up. The exhaust system goes on Wednesday and I expect to see a little more improvement.



If I had any more power for pulling I'm afraid I'd tear up the auto transmission.



MPG looks like about 13 MPG towing, and 19 MPG not towing. Probably 2 MPG better with summer fuel.

 

[TBrown]

I average around 19 most every tank during the summer, in the winter it drops to 16 or so. Half of my driving in interstate, and the other half is hilly and curvy country roads. My best on a tank has been 23 and worst was 10. The worst was on a trip from WI to Rapid City, SD I grossed about 17k going out and 19k coming back and were running 70-80mph. This also included a little playing around on the hills.

 

[diesel DOG]

I just got mine a few days ago and went for 250 mile highway trip and got 17 @ 60-65 and accelerate slowly. I was happy.

 

[Lsfarm]

I finally did it.

Well I finally managed to drive a whole tank of fuel out without sticking my foot in it and spoiling the fuel milage. I drove 400 miles fighting a 15+ mph headwind and indicated 75-80 mph, when I returned I had a 20 mph crosswind that became a tailwind for the last 60 miles. The tank netted 17mpg calculated. For me and this truck this isn't bad, especially considering that I was running a 90+ mph airspeed for over 1/2 the tank.



Before the stage one injectors, but with the EZ, I had netted 19 mpg a couple of times but only by driving very cautiously and staying under 70 mph.



This truck still stock netted 15 mpg at 65-70 mph towing at 17,500#.



I think the wind drag starts to increase at a very fast rate over 65 mph airspeed. I just can't stand to drive this powerhouse at grandma speeds. Even if I cut out the coffee and Mountain Dew, I still can't stand it. So for a 400 mile trip I get 17 mpg instead of 19 mpg this equates to an extra 2. 5 gallons times the current price of $1. 20 = $3. 00. Three dollars is much cheaper than a prescription for valium.



I've had six CTD's, all 4x4LWB; autos, 5 speeds, 6speeds and I have never had a 20 mpg tankfull, even when I slept and a more sedate person drove.



Around town with mixed freeway driving I'm happy with the usual 15. 5-17 mpg. The gasoline Rams in the same configuation get 14. 5 mpg at best. And when towing get close to ten mpg



My hat is off to anyone who can drive sedately enough to average 18+ mpg over 50-80K miles!!!



Merry Christmas everyone!! Greg L

 

[rickhans]

Lsfarm, you sound like a pilot. What kind of plane do you fly. Did you know that a diesel engine has been designed is currently in flight test in a single engine plane. They finally figured a way to make it light enough for the hp needed. If I remember correctly, it has a geared prop, single lever controls with a computer controlling everything as in our Ram's. I wonder what the FAA is going to say the first time someone sticks an EZ on it to boost the power?

 

[jimnance]

Fuel Economy

He may be. My other vehicle cruises at 200 MPH, get 15 MPG, and seats six. Not bed huh... .



Too bad its not a diesel, it would get better fuel economy, and maybe I could Bomb it.



Cessna T210

 

[Lsfarm]

Re: Flying for a living

B'gate and Jimnance: Yes I'm a pilot



I currently fly the Airbus A320. My airline has 20+ all new A320's with Leather seats and free 24 channel satelite TV at every passenger seat. Pretty cool!!



I've flown a boatload of planes, the ones that require a type rating are: ce500 [Cessna Citation], LrJet [Lear 25 and 35], N265 [Sabreliner], HS125 [Hawker 800], G1159 [Gulfstream 11's and 111's] and the best of all the A320. I've also flown the A319CJ which is a corporate long range version of the A320. The A320 is an awesome airplane.



The new Diesel engines sound real interesting, I hope they are 2-3 times the TBO of the Lycomings and Continentals.



I had a Mooney years ago, it trued at 165 mph, and burnt 8 ghp, which is 20 mpg!! I had a lot of fun with that plane and got several ratings with it.



Email if you wish to 'talk airplanes'



Have a safe and happy Holiday!! Greg L

 

[Floor It]

my 24V gets no where near the mpg of my 96' 12ver. these new 24v engines are too sensetive to things,I know it's emissions but I dont care,I thought I was getting an engine that was better by all the advertising but ended up with junk instead. My mpg is 15 average,old truck was 19!

 

[Lsfarm]

12v vs 24v

Floor it, I got better fuel milage with my '96 12v too, but it was because no matter how hard I drove it it only had 180hp to use. And HP is fuel. My '96 was bone stock, and not very fast, slow in fact.

All the trucks I've had since have been 24v, and when pushed yes they do get poorer fuel milage, but they have a lot more power too. I used to tow flat out and loosing ground with the 12v, and now I can accelerate up hills that used to slow me down, so I do get poorer milage, but I'm going a lot faster.

We get used to having our 24v power, I wonder if I could stand a stock '96 12v now. I doubt it



Personally I like to brag about great fuel milage, but I'd rather have the power



I like your policy: Floor it

Greg L

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by Floor It

I thought I was getting an engine that was better by all the advertising but ended up with junk instead.

Mine runs pretty good



How ya doin?



Oh to keep this on topic... I get bout 15 mpg in town..... and I don't baby it.

 

[Floor It]

Lsfarms, my 12v had better lowend power too, I have the HO and it does not pull better than my 96. After adding the EZ Edge its better but stock to stock its not. Hey eric how's it going hope you have a merry X-mas,I'll be on the boards more now that I'm caught up with work, oh and you gettin 15 mpg is saying sumpin cause I know how you drive Hey dan I hope you have a merry X-mas too and a safe new-years,well talk to you guys later

 

[vross]

Winter fuel #1, and four wheel drive we are now down to a calcualated 13 mpg. Summer fuel and two wheel drive we have gotten a calculated 18 mpg. There are no "freeways". Winds, fuel quality, and driving habits change the mpg the most. Weather is a real factor in how you drive the CTD. 6 speed 3. 5 rear end.

 

[redneckdr]

mileage

trip to the mountains yesterday--21 MPG first time over 20. truck now has 11K miles... ..... guess that 10K mark is important.

 

[Tulsa618]

Not Getting Any Better...

I've kept careful and detailed track of my actuals since I picked up my Ram in October of '99. Over about 32K miles, I've been getting a running MPG of 16. 1, and that's not changed more than about . 1 MPG for the last 20,000 miles.



Best ever was open road miles at 65MPH (or less - danged slow drivers!) when I hit 20. 3. Worst was 12. 6. I don't tow, but keep about 750-850 lbs. sand in the bed from mid-November to mid-March. I do [too many] short trips (five miles to work), and typically drive only a few MPH, if that, over the speed limit no matter what roads I'm on.



Almost all the goodies I've added (see sig) have been installed for 1-1/2 years - the VA and injectors since about 1,300 miles.



I tried to attach a chart of my mileage, but I can't get it under the 400X400 limit. My mileage varies a lot from tank to tank, but over time it just hasn't improved. I still have high hopes that it'll get better after it gets broken in...

 

[Big MAK]

Despite early claims to the contrary the 24v doesn't get nearly as good as mileage as the 12v. Still the best mileage in it's class; just not as good as the 12v'ers. I average a bit over 14 around town. Jacked up a bit and bombed so not the best configuration for mileage. I suspect I'd see high teens (18 or so) running empty on the interstate but I don't do that much... and when I do it's usually 75mph plus.