Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Gained 1mpg and hated every minute of it

[TPlasek]

I hear all this stuff about how you use that pedal over there on the right side has a lot to do with the fuel mileage you get. I drive pretty aggressive and I usually get high 15's low 16's on a routine basis (See sig for mods). I decided to try a little experiment.



I moved the jumper on my EZ to the middle setting. I then filled up my truck at the usual fuel depot and babied my truck for the next 480 miles. I never went over 70 (I drive 85 routine) and I treated the go pedal like I had an egg under it. I don't think I ever puffed a single hint of smoke on that tank (might as well drive a gasser). Well the results are in.



I went 30 miles further then I normally do on a tank of fuel. I did the math on and it came out to be 17. 2mpg.



So what did I learn from this... I saved 2 gallons of gas during that week. At $1. 50 a gallon, I saved $3. THAT WAS THE WORSTE 3 DOLLARS I EVER SAVED!!! I will NEVER do that again. I hate driving that slow (watching the Fords go by) and I will gladly pay double that per tank to never have to do it again.



Hope you guys can learn from my mistake...

 

[jrandol]

Hey TPLasek, how those DD2's treatin ya. I hear what you are saying. I do see some good gains from the 275's I bought from you, I really think I could get 3 mpg. better if could keep my foot out of it Yea, that'll happen. Seriously though, I hear what you are saying about gettin passed by powerjokes and maxipads. In your case that $3. 00 a week would be money well invested for your psyche!

 

[TPlasek]

I sure wished I got the same mileage out of those 275's as you do. I don't see where I went wrong. I may not have sold them if I could that kind of mileage. I like the DD2's, I get about the same mileage except when I have the jeep in tow. I used to get solid 12's, now I am in low 11's.



I don't see how you do it, but I love every second behind the wheel of my truck (except for that one tank) and even if it only got 8mpg, I'd still drive it looking like this...

 

[jrandol]

Who knows how I get the mileage, I dont very often keep my foot out of it. Im sure my upcoming bomb wont do anything wonderful for my mileage (see sig. ) Well shoot when youre ready to sell those stage 2's for some supermentals give me a shout.

 

[Mad Bomber]

MPG'S

TP, one thing you might want to check is the intercooler clamps. You should have them torqued up to 95inch LBS. Eric

 

[Sticks]

Originally posted by jrandol

Who knows how I get the mileage, I dont very often keep my foot out of it. Im sure my upcoming bomb wont do anything wonderful for my mileage (see sig. ) Well shoot when youre ready to sell those stage 2's for some supermentals give me a shout.

I call dibs on your 275sOo. Oo. Oo.

 

[John Berger]

I know what you mean. I can get 16. 5 - 16. 9 mpg running a steady 70 mph with my rig. Slowing down to 58-62 I have seen mpg's go to almost 19. That's cool, but I couldn't do it all the time.

 

[jrandol]

I say the heck with it. I didnt buy the pickup to dog it around town all the time. I filled up today and I got 18. 51 (manually calculated) driving pretty hard @ 80-85mph on the Interstate, thats plenty good for me. Back when I first got it before it was broke in and running Summer Fuel I could get 21 mpg if I drove REALLY nice on the interstate @ 65-68 mph and practically idled it up to that speed. I am sure when Summer fuel hits the pumps I could get 22 but thats no fun! Its more fun blowing smoke on the rice grinders

 

[Chief USA]

Try this again.............

You are encountering what is called the coefficient of drag. In short, as you double your speed the drag is squared. Not a very fuel efficient envelope ehh?



Try driving your truck with the cruise control set on 50 - 60 mph an no higher. Much faster than 50 mph and the engine is expending much more energy to overcome parasite and some profile drag. Since your truck does not fly it does not deal with induced drag.



I drive mine with the cruise control set on 50 on the back roads and 60 on main roads. My last tank fill up I got 23 mpg. When I drive 70 - 80 mph, my fuel mileage falls to around 14 - 17 mpg. my truck is bone stock. I know... ... ... ... ... . it took me a loooooong time to learn to slow down like that, but I arrive in a much better mood and get great fuel mileage to boot.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Re: Try this again.............

Originally posted by rfrazier

You are encountering what is called the coefficient of drag. In short, as you double your speed the drag is squared. Not a very fuel efficient envelope ehh?



Try driving your truck with the cruise control set on 50 - 60 mph an no higher. Much faster than 50 mph and the engine is expending much more energy to overcome parasite and some profile drag. Since your truck does not fly it does not deal with induced drag.



I drive mine with the cruise control set on 50 on the back roads and 60 on main roads. My last tank fill up I got 23 mpg. When I drive 70 - 80 mph, my fuel mileage falls to around 14 - 17 mpg. my truck is bone stock. I know... ... ... ... ... . it took me a loooooong time to learn to slow down like that, but I arrive in a much better mood and get great fuel mileage to boot.

I am getting in the low 20's now. driving to work 65 miles rather than 5 miles one way. I am driving paved back roads with several stops and teh cruise is at 58 mph

 

[johnjackson]

Well that's both ends of the spectrum if I ever saw it. Maybe, when I grow up, I'll Have to try driving slower. I'm only 59 so that might be a while. On the serious side, I do wounder about the poor mileage. I drive 72-75 on the highway. Pedal to the metal around town much of the time. Some four-wheeling on allmost every tank and my average is 18 mpg. Oh, and the truck is allways carying 12 to 15 hundred pounds in the bed. Second fuel tank, tools etc. The worst tank I ever got was high 16's. I'm not real high hp but I can sure make smoke if I want to.



my 2 cents

John