Fuel Mileage Improving

[John Berger]

I just filled up yesterday. Best fuel mileage driving around town since I've owned the truck. I've been averaging 15. 3 to 16. 3 for the past 15-20K miles. Some things I've done in the past 4-5 weeks:

- Started using cetane boost when towing
- Used injector cleaner every other
tankful starting in late January
- Had a strong pull from Darlington SC to
Kingsland (283 miles running 70-72 mph all
the way.
- Went to synthetic 15W40 oil in the motor
at 45K miles

My fuel mileage at fill-up was 17 mpg. And that was just lugging around town, sometimes running 55-60 mph, moderate amount of stop and go. I'm hoping this is the start of something good. I've got 47,802 miles on the truck. I'll keep you all posted on my mileage. For those who may ask, my truck has had plenty of hard towing. Last spring the wife and I took a vacation that totaled out at 4230 miles, of which 98% was spent dragging our 10K travel trailer around. Personally, I think the cleaner injectors and the synthetic oil was the difference. I didn't drive around town any differently. Here's hoping the trend continues.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 03-18-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by John Berger (edited 03-28-2001). ]

 

[HC]

My mileage going up too.
I think the warmer weather has a lot to do with it, because I've noticed my mpg is extremely temperature dependent even when I set the cruise at the same speed. Stations are probably switching away from Winter Blend fuels, too.

 

[John Berger]

That would have been my first thought to, if I had noticed it the previous two years I've owned the truck. Like I said, I've never averaged 16. 5 mpg around town, let alone 17.
I'm not sure No. 1 diesel is used down here. We're pretty far south, almost Florida. I'm going to call the truck stop tomorrow to find out.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[DavidTD]

Way to go John. We have almost the same truck. Your mileage is about what mine is. I added 275's a few thousand miles ago and agained another 2mpg. My last tank coming home from Florida in some serious traffic netted me just under 20 mpg.

If I remember, you are in south georgia. Check out www.setdr.org. We have a good time and are growing. Have a campout planned with GLTDR in April in Pigeon Forge TN. Come join us.



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David
1998 3500 QC 4x4 5 speed 4:10, 235-85-16, VA CPC via JRE, PS Boost Module, K&N air filter. Emerald Green w/tan leather. B&W turnover ball.
1/4 mile 18. 2 @ 74. 75mph
1999 Exiss 3 horse slant, 4ft midtack, 6ft shortwall dressing.
70k miles as of 6/21/00

 

[K_Arts]

I find that interesting cause the more I drive my truck the worse my mileage gets. I used to get around 16 - 18 with summer fuel. Then in went the Winter fuel and I went down to about 15 - 16. . now I am at the low 14's. I have been driving more conservative lately... but no improvement. Hopefully the cetane boost in the Stanadyne helps out...

Kev

 

[John Berger]

My mileage is still increasing.

Running 73 mph I got 16. 8 mpg. Keep in mind I never got over 16. 3 driving around town where the tach usually stayed in the "sweet spot" (2000-2300 rpm)

Fill up before trip - 179 miles/10 gals.
17. 9 mpg - around town driving.

This was an 8/10th's mpg improvement over the previous fill up.

Until I started hitting the rolling hills on I-26 in SC, I was averaging a bit over 20 mpg running 63-64 mph. Previous best was 20. 4 running at 58-60 mph. #ad
The trend continues. This truck is stock other than the gauges and the air filter. I went to synthetic at 45K. Present mileage is 49,278 miles.

 

[Alan Reagan]

DavidTD, Glad to hear the 275s are working good. Remember me????? I guess the washers didn't give you a problem after all. Not with mileage like that. Way to go.

Good on you too, John B. I think this warmer weather has a lot to do with mileage. I've seen my computer climbing by . 1 mpg to where I'm showing 19. 8 running around middle Georgia. Towed an 8. 5 wide 22 long boat last week and after I dropped it off, the truck ran great. If I don't tow about every two weeks or so, my truck gets kinda humdrum. She needs to stretch her legs every once in a while and work.

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

 

[jponder]

David> You got 2 MPG?? Out of the 275s? Thats awesome I will put them back on my list.

Alan> Maybe thats why my mileage dropped because I havent pulled anything in awhile.


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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE