Couldn't be happier with my 600's mpg

[klenger]

stevenknapp



I've heard that the Graphite trucks get 2 MPG better than the other colors.



Maybe I was thinking about graphite bicycles.

 

[RTuvell]

stevenknapp,



What's most important here is that you are going into your 600 purchase with your eyes open. You're an informed buyer who is aware of the issues others have reported about the 600.



Best of luck with your new truck, keep us informed.

 

[stevenknapp]

You're an informed buyer who is aware of the issues others have reported about the 600.



As well as aware of the lack of issues others have reported.



Sorry, I signed up for the TDR in '96. They sent me a booklet with FAQ's. Even back then the best guess they gave for MPG, unloaded highway, was in the 15-20MPG range. Depending on a lot of factors.



I don't quite understand why the 555 owners didn't ***** when they were getting <17MPG with their trucks (and many do if you believe the survey). Hoopla of the 600? Sold as something better and wasn't? General dislike for emissions (dang EPA makes my mileage poor)?



I don't know.



I do know that the DMAX and PSD guys must be loving this.



I do hope the surveys keep going. Tho it will be a few months, starting this Saturday(!), before I've got enough miles on my 600 to consider it broken in. I do plan on adding to the poll then.



And if the rumored MPG reflash turns out to be real, hey, all the better!

 

[TCordero]

I am quite pleased with my fuel economy so far. The first tank, mostly city, under 55 on the hiway I got 15. 7, the next tank had mostly hiway time pulling my tent trailer (2,000 lbs) still around 60-65, got 18. 7 on that tank! Oo.

These calculations are done by hand, they differed slightly from the overhead.



Love the truck!!



04, 4x4, 6sp, SLT, QC, LB

 

[HOCummins04]

Originally posted by RTuvell

If the 600 actually produces more power than the 555 it is not showing up at the wheels. There have been a number of reports from dyno runs of the 555 and the 600 back to back on the same dyno showing no meaningful difference in HP or torque.

Seems to me that there are so many variables that a real apples to apples comparison is very difficult if not impossible between a 305/555 and a 325/600. There is a reason that vehicles above half ton trucks do not post MPG numbers on the window sticker. There is a tremendous variation in the way these trucks can be configured and used. Someone with a 2wd that is easy on the throttle, drives 125 miles one way to work by himself and never tows is probably at one end. At the other end is the guy I remember reading about that drove off the lot with GVW of 50,000+ (I am going from memory here, but I know it was reported WAY OVER). If you never tow and just have a diesel because you want it and can afford it, it will take you far longer to break the engine in. If you tow heavy and constantly, you will break it in much sooner.



If you but two trucks (one 305, one 325) with the same mileage on them, with the same equipment/configuration, driven the same way, by the same driver, on a dyno - you might have a meaningful comparison.



I have almost 4000 miles on my 600, and it continues to loosen up and make more power. If you put it on a dyno with 1000 miles on it compared to an 03 with 25000 miles that would not tell you anything meaningful. My . 02

 

[klenger]

HOCummins04:



I agree. When I got my truck I was getting 16 - 17 MPG. With over 6000 on it now, I'm getting in the high 18's commuting to work, which is almost the same as my 245/505 01. 5 HO. I know I've mentioned this before, but one of the reasons I think that members with the 305/555 have gotten better milage is simply becasue they have had more opportunities to drive one or more trips under ideal conditions.



I also read about a lot of unrealistic expectations like complaints of 11 MPG towing 12,000 lbs up 7% grades at 75 MPH, or I'm only getting 20 MPG and was expecting 23 - 24 MPG.

 

[TCrawley]

My 0verhead seems to be quite a bit off. It has shown 16. 8 mpg with a hand calculation of 20. 8mpg. Roughly 810km per 110. 4l of fuel. Very pleased either way. After first click from shut off on pump I put in another $1. 00. On aside note there is a SRT 10 running around my town... . Sweet.

 

[gsbrockman]

22.7

... ... ... . 22. 7 miles per gallon, that is, (652 miles, 28. 722 gallons, 22. 7 mpg hand calculated) is what the good old Cummins got on one tank of fuel on the trip to Myrtle Beach, SC this past week. Not too bad considering I ran the A/C continuously, was in the mountains on I-75 to Knoxville, I-40 thru Asheville, NC, and I-26 & I-20 in the Carolinas, all while maintaining 80 mph (just 10 mph over the posted speed limit) 95% of the time while on the interstate and factoring in about 60 miles of "city" driving. I'm guessing the weight of everything was around 8,100 pounds. My truck only has 16,512 miles and I can't wait to see how it does around 20K or 25K. My 2001 Dodge Neon only gets around 30 mpg, and, needless to say, the RAM 2500 CTD was a lot more comfortable.

Greg

 

[jjames]

I have the 600 4x4 with the auto, 17 mpg ave unloaded with 6000 miles. My 01 4x4 5-spd averaged 17 mpg unloaded and 12-13 pulling my travel trailer. I have not towed with the 04 yet.



My point is that the 04 is better in almost if not all respects. To be able to get so much more power with the same mpg to me is remarkable.

 

[BGParks]

I have 9k+ on my truck now and my best mileage has been 19. 8. My average is about 17. 5. I always run about 5mph over the posted limit so highway speeds are usually 70 - 80 mph. The puzzling thing for me about the mileage is there seems to be no logic to it. Sometimes when I'm romping around and driving it hard I get better mileage that when I'm taking it easy. On a gas engine I knew AC = less mpg, lead foot = less mpg, etc. Not so with the 600, there seems to be no correlation between how I drive and mpg (always figured by hand calc). My lowest was 13. 2, highest 19. 8, and I average 17. 5. As for the comment in the earlier post about the 600 not being any more powerful than the 555 "dyno numbers the same" . . . . I think they better check their dyno. I bought my truck about 2 mo. ago. The first truck they let me drive was 04 2500 4x4 quad cab long bed. Truck rode great, comfortable, good looking, etc. But my uncle has the pstk (which I've driven several times) and it made more power than the dodge. I told my salesman this, that I liked the dodge better but it didn't have enough power for me. He said ok, let's drive another one. 04. 5 600, everything else the same - - - man what a difference! Needless to say I bought one. So how someone could say they are the same is beyond me. Love that 600!Oo.