Cant understand my milege

[mickeyblueyes]

I do have 4wd,truck has 40,000 miles auto,stock tires I see 17 highway @60-65 I see 19~20 if I keep it at 58 mph unloaded to be sure and no topper I have a slide in Lance and I see 12~14 with that. I hauled a giant Dresser bulldozer (dont know the weight) I saw 12 mpg, then hauled a smaller Komauo ? Bulldozer and saw 14. I would love to have my 3:54 s back. I may ... . may go for a overdrive unit,I know the payback will take more than one life time to be cost effective but I just like lower RPMs.

 

[RSlater]

I have a 2003 HO dually bone stock,except for bypass filters, 4:10 ls rears. Auto. Filter changes are up to date. I get 14. mpg around town driving like grandpa, yet I read in Diesel Power magazine, guys have 800 HP and 1200lbs of torque on average are getting 22 mpg..... whats the deal? My 94 got 24 mpg but it was a reg cab sw. Guys doing 9 second 8th miles are getting way better fuel economy. You thoughts for a new member.

I agree with many others' comments regarding exaggerated mileage claims; although different setups can impact mileage results overall. In my case, I recently believed I had a leaky injector due to my mileage dropping to 15-16 tops, during highway driving with a VERY gentle foot. When I first purchased the truck, I got 18-19 mpg in similar circumstances. However, my truck was diagnosed as having clogged injectors, not leaky ones. The dealer also strongly suggested that I "drive it HARDER!" Well, with a Smarty loaded, that's the fun part! Although I was skeptical of the dealer's claim, I paid for an injector cleaning and stringently monitored my fuel consumption. I also began adding Stanadyne to every tank. End result: after 2 months, my mileage is now back up, with my highest being 19. 3 under LIGHT highway use. Towing (7500 lbs) results in anywhere between 10-13 mpg. Although my truck is turning only 1400 rpm @ 55 mph due to the 3. 73 gears and oversize tires, it's also lifted and it's heavy. All things considered, it's hard to complain with 19 mpg, and I'm running with Smarty on level 3/5. Do I wish for better mileage? Sure, but I didn't buy a truck to get great mileage. Finally, I've only got 44K on the truck, so maybe I'll get 20 someday. Ahhh, it's good to dream... :O)

 

[KKaminski]

I can honestly tell you that I get 24mpg on the highway (sweet spot is at 67mph.



as for towing - I get 14mpg towing an 11,000# fiver at 65mph.



I'm going to try something new (for me) and tow the RV at 58mph today for approx. 100 miles and see what happens.

 

[RSlater]

I can honestly tell you that I get 24mpg on the highway (sweet spot is at 67mph.



as for towing - I get 14mpg towing an 11,000# fiver at 65mph.



I'm going to try something new (for me) and tow the RV at 58mph today for approx. 100 miles and see what happens.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to get 24 mpg, and I'm sincerely happy for anyone that can enjoy that level of efficiency with such a large truck. I just don't think my '06 will ever perform like that mileage-wise considering the way it's configured. On the other hand, I did get 24 mpg towing a smaller 19' travel trailer with my '01 HO 6-spd (now sold) :{ from Boise to Challis, ID. I'm still not sure how it happened, but it did. I usually got 15-16 mpg towing with the '01...

 

[KKaminski]

I did get a chance to check "low speed" mileage on 8-20, at 60mph, 2-lane for 40 miles and interstate for 60 miles I averaged 12. 8 pulling the fiver. There was a stiff wind from the southwest most of the time - I was going northwest.



I'll try that same route and speed while empty on Sunday and see what I get.



It kinda sucks that I get better mileage at 68mph but it would make sense because the engine is working only half as hard.

 

[DaveHess]

In get high 14's on a regular basis for in-town mileage. 10 to 12 towing at 65 MPH and 17,000 GCWR and 24 Highway (55 MPH) down to 17 highway (75 mph). These mileages are not exact in this post. They are best recollection BUT they are all hand calculated. I would like to go on record as NOT being a fan of Diesel Power Magazine. Too many "trick of the week" stuff and not enough tried and true things. Gotta love TDR!

 

[KKaminski]

I forgot to add a couple things:



1. TDR is the only reliable source for information regarding the dodge / CTD pairing, all others are trying to imitate - or get you to buy the overpriced merchandise they say they are unbiased about.



2. My truck is stock, none of those programers or controllers for me. The worst that I've done was burn filtered WVO.

 

[Matt400]

You have a dually and can get close to 20 on the hwy. . you are doing good, nothing to complain about there.

For in town driving you might start watching your tach more and be sure to shift before 2000 RPM cuz that seems to be the redline for mpg's.

Over 2K and it really starts to drop off.



I can squeeze 20. 5 on the hwy with my SRW but only if I keep the R's below 2K

Thats hand calc as the overhead average is over 22.

 

[BKWelliver]

My 2007 Dullie 4X4 Quad Cab gets 12 to 15 in town and 17 on the highway traveling at 65mph. I have been driving these things since 1998 and I have never seen these huge numbers I hear being claimed. I drive like a Grandma also. If I put my foot in it at all it drops down to 10 miles per gallon. Although I have a lot of hills in my area so that could be killing my average.

 

[FFeiller]

one factor that is never discussed is the altitude the vehicles were driven during the tests

 

[Turbo_Bob]

Stock, good pressure, hand calculated. This is why I am stumped I would expect to get 18 around town and 22 on the highway. I have to keep the spedo on 58 mph to even get close to 20 on the highway.

With your 4:10 ratio, what is your RPM at 58 mph ?



I get 23. 83 MPG on a consistant handcalculated basis. I have the 3. 73 ratio and keep the speed at 65 MPH, which is around 1,980 RPM.



If I was you I would just drive 62 mph, the same speed as the bigrigs. Any faster the mpg goes downhill from this point.

 

[steved]

There are too many little things that can add up to decrease mileage... just a couple sensors off a little (but still in spec) could drop mileage.



But you still have good days and bad days, something as simple as a bad batch of fuel will significantly drop your mileage...



I just did 440 miles on 21 gallons from around VA to FL...

 

[FFeiller]

i don't know where you folks can drive at 58mph and not get run over. pulling a trailer or truck with trailer speed limits in CA is 55mph, but you will get run over if you do 58mph and NM it's 75mph only an idiot would drive 58mph there.



driving what i call normal, flow of traffic empty in either the 03 4x2 with 4. 10 or the 05 4x4 with 3. 73 both dullies the best i ever saw was 18mpg on rare occassions and using cruise control; usually around 16mpg. pulling 10k or 14k trailers around 9-11mpg. ironically the 5500 with 4x4 4. 88 just got a little over 15 hand calculated on a 400 mile mostly flat highway treck at 70mph and 2300rpms, go figure.



unless you are retired and can take additional time going from place to place; time is more precious then mileage in my world.



none of my trucks have had or have any after market add-ons. i never abuse them and always service them around 3k miles. so it blows my mind at what some of you get.



it appears that the newer the truck the poorer the mileage, but the performace at least stock wise gets better which makes the truck more productive which to me in the end is more important.



with the new smog and equipment laws to many of us altering the vehicles in any way is suicide.

 

[AlaskanCummins]

I've gotten 20-21 MPG out of the last couple of tanks lately. I don't know why. I've ran either Sanadyne or Amsoil fuel treatment since new, Amsoil 15w40 HDD engine oil, 75/140 gear lube (rear) and 75/90 lube in front since 5K miles and drive most of the time on the highway at 65MPH.



I've got the Smarty on level 5 and moderate levels. Tires are 275's and I have the EMS Offroad free-spin front axle kit.



I used to always average 16 or so MPG and just thought that it wouldn't ever get any better. I'm very pleased that I've gotten 20 and can only attribute it to just going over 70K miles. Mind you, this is HAND CALCULATED, and not overhead (it's w/in 1 MPG anyway).



So, sorry I can't help on why mine is better. I can guarantee you though that it's possible and that I'm not exaggerating on the #'s.



Wayne

 

[Regcabguy]

With my popup I get 14. 5 mpg consistently w/ a 70/30 highway/city blend. I've had the camper off lately and am getting 18-19 mpg with the same use blend. I've got Smarty on sw#1 default and 285-75-17 tires.

 

[DaveHess]

i don't know where you folks can drive at 58mph and not get run over.



We can drive 58 MPH here in ND :-laf:-laf:-laf! Our speed limit is 75 on the Interstates and we have NO minimum speed limit. At least here in Bismarck, we don't even have a rush hour. Maybe a "rush 15 minutes".



FFeiller: I'm just poking fun at you! There are times when we can run down the Interstate and not see another vehicle for a mile or so. I run 65 MPH most of time on the Interstate since that nets me close to 20 MPG and I stay in the Granny Lane (right lane for you non-CB'ers). Lot less hectic here.



Let's save the weather jokes for another thread... . !

 

[ScottRoberts]

A lot has to do with the trucks configuration, 2wd/4wd, reg cab/quad cab, aftermarket bumpers/tires, and the gear ratio(mine are 3. 73). I don't doubt that the lighter trucks can get awesome mileage, but I'm skeptical of some of the other claims. I never really checked my mileage when my truck was stock, but I have always had a pretty consistent 15-16 city and 17-18 highway. My mileage has never varied much. I have had an Edge EZ on the truck for 6 and a half years and a Van Aaken C3. 2 on it for the last three and a half. My overhead console regularly reads 24-25mpg, I'm sure a lot of people go by this.



I'm agree that a lot of people with chips go by their overhead console, which is way off. A guy at the gas station with a "mileage box" asked me what kind of mileage I was getting, I told him. He said he was getting 24-25, similar to what my console reads, I'm pretty sure thats what he was going off of instead of hand calculating.



Basically, I don't think 14 around town with 4. 10's is too low for what these trucks weigh and your mileage is not out of line realistically.

 

[ray1933]

Fuel Mileage

When we first purchased the 03 new the mileage was a heart breaker. because

we we used to the 95 6 speed giving us over 21 empty and 17 to 18 loaded with the 10 foot camper and being as I am an older gentlemen I drive with a light right foot.



I added the edge chip to the 03 with it set on 1 and the new exhaust and those two items picked up the mileage about 2 per gallon,, 9 pulling the 5er and 17 to 18 empty.



I now use Amalgamated Fuel additive and I now run 19 to 20 empty and the last trip hauling the 5er I averaged 11. 693 and these figures are hand calculated, the overhead always reads about 3 over the actual mileage.



The mileage is now setting close to 70,000 so I figure the motor is well broke in.



When pulling the 5er a head wind really cuts the mileage down so I only go with the wind no matter where it takes me. :-laf



I set the cruise control at 62, or 65 and anyone that wants can pass me.



I have a damm site more time than I have money.

 

[KIKER]

I have 65000 miles on my '07 Dually now and got 14. 95 on one tank last week. That's the best I've ever gotten. Since new, it's been 11 to 13, all hand calculated. 3. 73 gears, auto, 4x4, and weighted down with enough welding tools to make it gross out at 11,760 lbs. and with very conservative driving. Smarty Jr. set on tow.

 

[Bochuck]

I get approximately 19. 4 for general around town driving which includes highway and side streets, but only when I drive it gentle. It drops to about 17. 0 when I use my lead foot. On straight highway keeping it at 65 I get 22. 2 average, but it drops to 21. 1 if I speed up to 70. Towing a 7900 lb boat and trailer I averaged 14. 2 on a 700 mile roundtrip to Table Rock Lake. All above is hand calculated and as an FYI, the numbers above are all about 1 mpg below what the display reads.