Could fuel company be cause of poor mpg??

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Dropping my truck off to the dealer today to have some problems resolved before my warranty runs out. Since joining this site I realized how crappy my fuel mileage was. Been getting 10-12 mpg since new in 98(one of the last 12v bought in 12-97 right off the line- made in 12-97) I have been posting in the 12v site asking about timing issues etc and talked to Ted Jannety on the phone and he gave me some ideas also to increase mpg but to no avail For the record I have a 98 auto 4x4 with 3. 54 I do not tow and I do not drive hard on my vehicle. I use it as a daily driver everday but only put about 20 miles a day on in the city -I now have 26k. I read all the back posts concerning fuel mileage and see what other "realistic" people get. My question is ,if it doesnt sound stupid; I have been filling up with Texaco fuel since day one . I go to the same station because I feel that I wont have a water problem. Could there fuel quality be a cause of poor mpg. I used to have a Ford diesel 7. 3 with 410 gears and no overdrive and seem to get better mileage(went to Hess for all my fuel but they closed ). I used to feel with the truck weight that i would just expect crappy mpg but now feel I have been driving with some sort of timing issue or problem for 3 years. Ted Jannety said alot of 98 owners complain of mpg issues. Just looking for some feedback on this because I am running out of ideas and I would like the dealer to fix my problem before I start to add aftermarket things Thanks

[This message has been edited by RedNut (edited 10-09-2000). ]

 

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Fuel economy is indeed affected by poor fuel. When i first went diesel, I went to a few different diesel station in my area, but after a truly bad load of fuel at a nearby Exxon that not only klilled my mpg but my idle as well, I stick to just two stations now. A Sunoco truck stop with high turnover is my primary, and a Hess station with plenty of diesel pumps near my office with reasonable turnover is my backup - they are usually within 2-3 cents of each other, so price isn't an issue. Both quality fuel, no problems.

The key is turnover. Anybody can have a diesel pump, but unless semis and heavy trycks are pulling in and getting 150-200 gallons a shot regularly, that diesel could be in the underground tank for weeks gaining impurities. Even if it's an extra mile or two (or ten) out of your way, stick with a station where diesel is a priority.

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1996 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT, unmodified 180/420 12-valve, 47RE automatic, 3. 54 limited slip

 

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Look over in the General Diesel Topics. About a month ago I started a thread about changing stations and getting a two full mpg plus just by going from BP to Phillips 66. My 98 12V got 22 mpg empty. It was 2wd. One thing I had done was the internal pump timing set then timed back to the engine. That helped with acceleration and mileage.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Running Boards

 

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Unlike gasoline, diesel will dilute water within it... why we have water seperators! The REALLY bad part of this is that while the fuel/water sit in the dark, underground tank, algae grows! It clogs up everything in our fuel systems. The way to avoid stations with algae problems is to always buy from a busy one. With a high turn-over, the fuel wont sit in the tanks long enough to grow pond scum. I have also learned of the high air content in diesel fuel. Our P7100's want fuel, not air bubbles. I remember something about a Preporator... takes the tiny bubbles out of the fuel and the power and mileage goes up.

 

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I'm getting 20. 5mpg around town with my 98 12v 5spd/4. 10. Highway mpg suffers with the 4. 10s so it ain't all peaches.
One thing I haven't read that will cause loss of mpg is tire pressure. Soft tires will soak up a couple of mpg. Hard skinny tires will give the best mpg. I'm going to 235-85R16s pretty soon to lower my rpms alittle and I'll keep them aired up to 65psi and above.
The other thing is wind drag. I have removed and replaced my front spoiler several times trying to convince myself I'm not crazy. It costs me 1mpg to have it on. That and it makes a noisy wind tunnel roar in a crosswind. I check my mileage at every fillup.
One more thing is, if the gas station wasn't pumping a full gallon for every gallon the pump registered, it would appear that your mileage is low. I'd try a different station. I use Amoco with no problems but Texaco Premium seems to run better.

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

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REDNUTS, you might try and take it to a cummins repair shop. I work close to one, and have talked with the mechanics about their engines. These people seem to be very helpful, and take time out from their work to talk to customers with problems. If a shop isnt near you you might just call one and ask to speak with a mechanic.

 

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Ok, other than hanging out at the station, how do you tell if they turn their fuel fast enough to keep algae growth to a minimum? I guess you could ask, but I'm guessing the station attendant is working there for a reason (as opposed to working somewhere else more, well, mentally challenging!) and not likely to have the answer.
My concern is that a station close to my house (USA Gas) sells diesel for $1. 719 gallon, while most others (Texaco's, etc. ) are selling diesel for $1. 849 to $1. 979/gallon. There is a 76 station just down the street from the USA Gas with a price of $1. 769/gallon. I want the best deal on fuel, but I really don't want crap either! One TDR member indicated he didn't see a lot of rigs filling up at the USA Gas, which is next to where he works.
Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 Valve Cummins
Renton, WA


[This message has been edited by Scollins (edited 10-09-2000). ]

 

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Scott, I have always looked for the big trucks at the pumps. If you dont have a truck stop nearby, best bet would be go for cheap... they'll sell more just on price!

 

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Scollins,

We have USA Gas here in the midatlantic states as well. They are very competitive price wise. I honestly have not used their diesel as I they are out of my way. While living closer to them, I bought gas with no problems. The location I have in mind pumps a lot of fuel though.

Easiest way to tell what a stations pumping volumn is? Just sit there for a few minutes and watch what is going on.

I also believe in adding fuel additive. Kind of added insurance. Some owners believe in it and some don't bother.

 

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Rednut, I think that poor fuel can affect the mileage, but not to the point that you would consistantly get 10-12 mpg. I have the same truck as yours, and the only time I ever got 10mpg was pulling a 23. 5'travel trailer through Wyoming going 85-90 mph. #ad
#ad
I have never seen the mileage vary more than a couple miles per gallon. Empty on the highway 17-20mpg. Pulling above mentioned trailer 4,500 miles through Colorado, Utah, Arizona,and Wyoming averaged 13. 3mpg(going the speed limit plus). My truck was also built in December of '98.

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'98 4x4 12V QCab Auto (ready to BOMB)

 

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Thanks for the tips about fuel quality. I've now seen at least 2 OTR rigs in there fueling up (without trailers of course!) so it should be ok. So far, I've noticed I'm also getting crappy mileage, like around 15 mpg "unloaded. " I say "unloaded" but I do have a canopy on it. The engine should be broken in with 98,000 miles on it..... Maybe my auto transmission is going south... ... .
Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 valve Cummins
Renton, WA

 

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Originally posted by Scollins:
Thanks for the tips about fuel quality. I've now seen at least 2 OTR rigs in there fueling up (without trailers of course!) so it should be ok. So far, I've noticed I'm also getting crappy mileage, like around 15 mpg "unloaded. " I say "unloaded" but I do have a canopy on it. The engine should be broken in with 98,000 miles on it..... Maybe my auto transmission is going south... ... .
Scott Collins
'98 Ram 2500 4x4 12 valve Cummins
Renton, WA

See thats 2 98 12v 4x4 with crappy mileage we should form our own group. Do you guys know of any difference with our year truck compared to other years. I think they are basically the same but maybe they was some difference. I have 3. 54 gears and run empty except for about a 250lb tool box(tools included) Thanks

 

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Guys here is one for you to contemplate. The day I picked up my truck the service manager pulled me a side and told me which company to buy fuel from here in Alaska. He said that this company has a better "blend", especially in the winter when we have the winter fuel. Told me the milage would be about the same, but the additives in one fuel were better than the other and that they had seen pump problems with one brand.
I tend to agree about buying fuel at a station with high turnover, a good sign of a high turnover station is them having more than one diesel pump (the stations I frequent have 3-4 pumps) and at least one should be the high flow "big rig" style nozzles.

 

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Originally posted by RedNut:
See thats 2 98 12v 4x4 with crappy mileage we should form our own group. Do you guys know of any difference with our year truck compared to other years. I think they are basically the same but maybe they was some difference. I have 3. 54 gears and run empty except for about a 250lb tool box(tools included) Thanks

I've got the 4. 10's and I'm now running 285/75r16s. I bet my canopy and tools add about 300 lbs or so. I weigh in at 240 lbs. I should check my weight at the scale at work. My fuel light came on during my trip home tonight, with about 375 miles on the trip. I'll see how many gallons she takes and calculate the mileage. I'm guessing the mileage sucks... ... .
Scott Collins
'98 2500 4x4 12 valve Cummins
Renton, WA

 

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Rednut, I regularly get around 20. I think we have the same truck, except I have the 5 speed.

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. Uniden HR 2510, Texas Star 1200 amp. 55,000 Mi as of 8/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.