fuel questions

[DAdler]

I am a new TDR member and I am extremely impresssed with you

web site. I am a builder/gen'l contractor. Thank You

I just bought a 92 W-250 LE auto, I also own a 98 V10 5 speed and I am in the process of ordering a new Dodge diesel. Ive read on this web site conflicting reports on the fuel economy of the new Dodge/cummins some are good and some very negative so much so that some of your members are thinking about boycotting Dodge? Which is it? Is it worth getting rid of my 98 and replacing it with a new one or is the fuel economy on the new one so bad that it's not worth the trouble and/or money. Also manual or automatic transmission w/ 3. 73 gears for fuel economy which would be better?

Also, what about using home heating oil for fuel, other than the warrenty on the engine what problems may I have over using diesel fuel?

 

[PHX ATC]

I would think the diesel would outdo the V10 despite how poor some say they are. Towing, it would definitely be better mpg with the diesel.



My 01 gets 20 mpg straight up, to work and back (90% highway) and the little putzing around town it does. My wife's 04 gets 16 in town and that's stoplight to grocery store and to see the the horses. I took her 04 to work and it averaged 20. 1 on that trip and back of 50 miles.



You'll outtow your V10 that's for sure... ... .....



Good luck.



Oh, my 01 has 3. 54 gears and her 04 has 3. 73 gears too.



Edit: I would get the 6 speed and 3. 73 gears for the best mpg. My humble choice.

 

[EEngel]

Trade-up

DAdler,



I think you will be very happy with the CTD. The mileage in the v-10 blows empty or towing. I have the 600 and I am very happy with the mpg. There are a few people on the site that have been reporing low mpg, but for the most part, as the trucks break-in the milage is getting better.



The 6-speed will get you better mileage, and is more fun to drive (IMO). Make sure that if you plan on getting bigger tires you look into the 4:10 rear end. If you do a lot of towing, your gearing will be higher with the larger tires.

 

[RobbieH]

The owner's manual goes into detail about using fuels other than Diesel, and explains what must be done to run each of the alternatives.

 

[doldenburg]

don't get caught with red fuel

 

[Jengle]

Get an 04 with the HO motor, 6spd, and 3. 73s for the best mileage. Mine is averaging 18 on short trips to 7-11 for a paper and goes to 22 in the mountains on the highway. This is hand calculated. I hauled 4k# in the bed over 500miles of highway and averaged 19. 6 with it.

 

[boonsur]

Good or bad depends a lot on your expectations. A 2WD-SRW-3. 73-manual will do much better than a 4WD-DRW-4. 10-auto. My configuration gives me ~16mpg overall, based on my driving. I get ~21mpg while highway cruising around 60-65 mph. Drops to 15-16 mpg when pushing 75-80mph (city, start-stop driving brings the overall average down). Towing my 5th wheel (high profile, #11K) at 68 mph is about 9. 5mpg. Some 04. 5's were doing prety bad, but there is a flash that is helping most (should be done from the factory by now). Also, the Cummins is "choked" by the factory for emission purposes, etc. Aftermarket, power enhancements should yield better mpg. (And break-in will also help).



Other than economy arguments, the new trucks are improved in every area. You'll be quite pleased. BTW, I'd recommend the manual, if it's an option for you.