Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel Mileage Skeptic

[EWalshak]

I have to admit that I was always somewhat skeptical about the MPG's people were claiming to get from their CTD's. After having my 98 12v for about a year and not taking much of a road trip that I wasnt towing anything. I took a recent trip to VA from NC. I wasnt towing anything but the cab was loaded with people and the bed was packed to the top with stuff. We did 70-75 mph most all of the trip. I got 24. 15 mpg. I am now a recovering skeptic. LOL!:-laf

 

[DonTX]

Sounds about right. Mine is more like 23. 5, but I am dragging a dually along on mine.

 

[hsmith]

They didn't all do that good. Mine has never gotten over 21, even when it was virgin to mods.

 

[Dieseldemon]

Mine is around 20 to 21 empty and 12 to 14 towing

 

[surfbeetle]

Mileage depends on your gear ratio and in my case, my lead foot. My best with the truck having 3. 54s is 24 on a trip from Northern Ca to Southern Ca at 70-75 mph. When the same truck had 4. 10s, 20-22 on the highway was average. Around town is usually 18.

 

[m1ashooter]

thats some really nice mileage figures. With my bone stock 1998 with 3. 54 gears, 265 tires, a recent 4500 mile cross country trip with the cruise set at 70 to 75 depending on the state speed limit, I averaged 18, and was happy.

 

[DonTX]

The fact of the matter is, that it makes little difference to me and most others, we don't drive around empty very much!.

One year I took the camper off just to have the truck to drive like a car.

thats some really nice mileage figures. With my bone stock 1998 with 3. 54 gears, 265 tires, a recent 4500 mile cross country trip with the cruise set at 70 to 75 depending on the state speed limit, I averaged 18, and was happy.

 

[KnightR]

Just made a trip trip from Southeast Missouri to Southern California (1870 miles) I never drive over 60 MPH and got 15 MPG towing a load on a 18ft. dove tail, and packed in the back. Of course mines 4X4, and I'm carrying 125 gal. of fuel in truck, and two 52 gal. tanks on the dove tail. Hate paying more than $2. 60 gal. I still think I only get 17 unloaded. But beats my chevy dually 9 MPG. up hill down hill, loaded, unloaded.

 

[gbrinlee]

My 1997 3500 4x4 is the worst one of my 12v trucks. It consistently turns out 10-11 in town unloaded. Still trying to figure it out.

 

[LVJUNIOR]

my 98 gets 12 empty on the highway wether I drive 65 or 85 and drops to 10-11 towing a #3900 fifth wheel. If I could get 17 on the highway I would do backflips and jump for joy

 

[darom]

21 mpg during the trip from WI to CA. Empty with a/c on.

 

[macdaddy]

This 05 never seems to amaze me. The big guy has continued to show improvements in MPG since 70K. Stock 325/610 motor with the kitty gutted its up to 16. 3 mpg average city/hwy (hand calculated), up from the low 14's.



Is it possible the dam thing is still seating?. The beast is now at 90K.



Mac

 

[champspa]

a recent trip to NC found my mileage at 19. 96 unloaded going down and loaded with a ton and a half of steel coming back . it's about a 450 mile round trip.

 

[HerbW]

I've pulled a 20 foot travel trailer over the hill to the Oregon coast and never got less than 17. 9 MPG on the trip with beach city running around while there. I've never gotten worse that 15. 6 MPG ever and that's when I'm stuck in Portland City traffic to work as part of the trip. I switched to Dodge 17" alloys with 265 tires which means I'm really am getting more miles per gallon than my stock 245s on 16" that my speedometer is set for.

 

[hsmith]

The best solution, though not a lot of fun, is to drive barefoot with a pine cone taped to the go pedal. :}

 

[guldam]

On my maiden road trip from Santa Barbara to the North San Francisco Bay I got an honest 18mpg unloaded with average speed somewhere between 65-75mph.

I have not gotten 18 mpg since, though I will admit that much of my driving is in town.

This weekend I took the family camping, and the truck was loaded to the hilt, from the bottom of the bed to the top of the camper shell, and all 8 feet of length was filled. Two extra large marine ice chests were maxed out. I had a 75lb tool chest, Iron dutch ovens, 60lbs of charcoal, giant heavy tent, extra large marine battery, etc. The truck felt like it had pillows on it's wheels and felt rather top heavy.

For a little over 400 miles loaded, and climbing some fairly steep hills I was rewarded with 15mpg. This was at speeds from 65-75. I did not baby the truck climbing the hills but didn't dog it either.

I had just installed a #10 plate and not yet installed the gauges sitting in the garage, so I was a little paranoid about running the truck hard.

I am still not sure the power increase is as much as the charts suggest, and so I will be looking for air leaks etc.

GulDam