Better mileage ?

[Kilby]

Thanks twice djbobo!



I fueled up today only to watch my overhead thingy peak at 9. 5 mpg while putting only a few miles on the truck. I don't have but maybe 40 miles on this tank full and I know this affects the overall readings but it's still kinda sucky to see this. Seems to me that excessive idling *really* affects the overall mileage rating.



Speaking of idling, I have an alarm with a remote start. I can start the truck by pushing a button on the remote. I let the truck warm up about 10 minutes a day before driving it but it's not warmed up. I can drive the truck 2 miles to the freeway before the needle starts to move into the "warmed up" area on the gauge. Anyone know if that's right? Yeah, I'm a newbie diesel owner.

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by Kilby

Speaking of idling, I have an alarm with a remote start. I can start the truck by pushing a button on the remote. I let the truck warm up about 10 minutes a day before driving it but it's not warmed up. I can drive the truck 2 miles to the freeway before the needle starts to move into the "warmed up" area on the gauge. Anyone know if that's right? Yeah, I'm a newbie diesel owner.

Your just wasting fuel idling if your trying to get heat out of the vents. A CTD even fully warmed up will only cool down while idling. I had the displeasure of sleeping in my truck one night and found out the hard way!



If your dealing with cold weather I suggest getting a nose cover or making a block off for the radiator. I made one out of 40 gauge tin and put it behind the intercooler but in front of the radiator. Even in sub zero temps this winter I had heat after 4 miles. I also plug the truck in at night when it's below 30.

 

[robobx]

yeah, idling is a total waste of fuel, for the purpose that you're trying. living up in PA this winter, I would let it idle until the high idle kicked in and then drive. colder mornings(20 deg or so) it would take 10 miles to get above 140.

 

[Ladders]

Pg 309 in the owners manual has the requirement for the opening in a winter front . I used (on the y2k) a 14" dia hole in the center of cardboard for city driving and when it got warm on a trip, just pulled it out, especially when towing. So the key here is NOT to use a FULL cover on the radiator. You also need to get airflow over the intercooler.



just another 0. 015$ opinion (which is all mine)



SOTSU!

\\BF//

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by Ben Stair

So the key here is NOT to use a FULL cover on the radiator. You also need to get airflow over the intercooler.

I bought one of the covers somebody here was making. It's basically four plastic cutouts that fit in the openings on the grill. It completely covers the grill although some air can sneak around the sides since the plastic pieces aren't molded to the curve of the grill. It works great in city driving but even in 7 degree temps it will get too warm driving 70 mph. I would remove the two bottom covers if towing or extended interstate driving.

 

[PFreeman]

I have a 2003 3500 srw short box 4wd quad cab with HO engine, 4. 10 and 6 speed. at 5k miles I average 18. 5 unloaded highway. I pull a 15k fiver and get about 11. 5. Love the truck! Thought about changing the stock tires to 35's, but the resultant rear end ratio might be to tall.

 

[BillGotthelf]

I have noticed that if I fill (extra 5 minutes) the tank up all the way the computer mpg is correct. If I only fill it up till the nozzle shuts off it is 2-2. 5 mpg low. Also the first 4 tanks I got 17. 7 to 18. 1 mostly suburban driving. Towing at 65 (2200 miles on truck) pulling 14000lb 5'er I got 10. 2 mpg. I had one run of 250 miles at 75 and got 17. 5 mpg.

 

[E7mack96]

an update on my truck

I filled up, and have religiously drove at 55 mph for the last few days. I reset trip odometer, avg fuel, and distance to empty thing. The avg fuel economy made it to 18. 4 mpg!!! Today, I went to driving at 70 instead of 55. The gauge dropped to 17. 5 within the 20 mile drive home.



The speed plays a big role in fuel economy, more than it did on the older trucks. Same for Idle time. It dropped 2/10 this AM while I was jumping one of my dump trucks (maybe 15 mins idle time)





I am almost to 5,000 miles. I hope it does get a little better yet. I need to put some weight on her and break it in right.

 

[Dean Upson]

I have noticed that if I fill (extra 5 minutes) the tank up all the way the computer mpg is correct.

I have made the same observation. I am especially careful to completely top off the tank when towing and the computer is right on the money.



Dean

 

[wanderson]

20.026 MPG Avg.

I just completed a trip from Wisconsin to Florida and back. Round trip was 2753 miles and an average of 20. 026 MPG. This was all interstate travel at 68-70 MPH with the cruse control on. About 200 miles were county+city travel, and 25% of the miles were with the AC on. This trip was with a stock truck. (No EZ or boost elbow). Truck was loaded with 3 people and baggage for a week of travel. I have 11,500 miles on the truck. The milage was hand calculated.

 

[CKruse]

Took delivery of mine last Thursday. Right now I have right at 500 miles. So far I couldn't be happier with the performance and mileage. I've been doing "break in driving"- lots of speed and rpm variations. Charging up some long grades, etc. Calculated mileage thus far is 17. 5. Overhead agrees with this figure. I top mine up well also. Next week the towing begins. First the boat, then the TT. I will have to be creative with my routes though, to keep it under 50mph for the first 500 of towing as recommended by DC. I really am enjoying this new truck!

 

[Blakers]

I've had mine for a week and two days and she's got a little over 1000 miles. Been getting 19. 2 mpg - both calculated and indicated on the computer. That's running empty - 75% interstate @ 70 mph, the remainder on state and county roads.



Very happy with that mileage - about 1 mpg more than my 95. Hopefully she'll improve with use.

 

[Hudsonhawk]

Just shy of 3K on my 3500 HO 6 speed. Average over all is 19. 7 MPG and it has been going up each tank. This is a combination of city and highway driving. So far the overhead is about . 2 MPG shy of the calculated milage.

 

[DocDetonancour]

Mileage 6 vs. auto??

Still undecided on trans for 04. Seems that the 6 rigs are doing better on mpg than the auto? If so, how much difference driving a steady speed unloaded? Thanks, Doc

 

[ShannonPhillips]

If I had it to do over, I would have bought the HO with the 6 speed manual. I have SO auto and my mileage is at best 15.

Shannon

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Kilby

I only have a couple of tanks worth on mine but I'm down to 11 mpg or less. I really do hope it gets better and you still remain the low number king.

I join this discussion at the risk of getting flamed out the u-kno-whut. My 1-ton single-wheel is still getting better than 20 mph solo at 9 thousand feet ASL. If I keep the turbo spinning and run it up to 2500 or so RPM all the time, it'll drop down to 19. 5 or so. Otherwise, it's a solid 20. I run 60 lbs in the front tires and 50 in the back. Current mileage is 15K.

 

[DocDetonancour]

I can see 20 with the 6 and the 373's. How about the auto's guys?

 

[CraigJones]

Love it !

My last tank went 600 miles on 30. 252 Gallons better

then I expected. I only have 1700 miles on it.

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

Re: Mileage 6 vs. auto??

Originally posted by Doc DeTon

Still undecided on trans for 04. Seems that the 6 rigs are doing better on mpg than the auto? If so, how much difference driving a steady speed unloaded? Thanks, Doc

I have two manuals. The 2wd get an average of 18 mpg. The new 4X4 get 12. 5 mpg.

 

[Jeremiah]

Re: Re: Mileage 6 vs. auto??

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

I have two manuals. The 2wd get an average of 18 mpg. The new 4X4 get 12. 5 mpg.

Doc, in every instance the 6-speed manual will give better fuel mileage. On the other hand, Dodge dealers will tell you the automatic "knows" when to shift, and while that might be true, it's also true the automatic costs more.



You won't have to drive many miles before you too will know when to shift. Ignore the speedometer, watch the tach, listen to the engine, and go by what you feel in the seat of your pants.



The decision of which transmission to buy will come down to what means more to you: the efficiency and economy of the 6-speed or the convenience of an automatic.