Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) mileage?

[roxieandduke]

i have a 2001 clubcab, shortbed, auto, 354 gears 4 x 4. pillar gauges, edege pluse hooked up as a e-z. k & n filter. cap on the bed. running boards. bought it new. its a virgin, only 30,000 miles. i dont tow real heavy. transmission mods to come in the spring. im sick of hearing people bragging about 21-22 miles per gallon. i get about 15-16 combined. i am happy with that. what gives? do they? or are they full of it! be honest now. matt.

 

[JCyrbok]

Mileage

Minus the Edge pulse and I have a Scotty II we have pretty much the same truck. I get between 15-16 city and 17-20 highway. My combined numbers are usually around 15. 75, thats with winter fuel, and Stanadyne performance.



Heres a stupid no brainer, Make sure your tires are aired up right. I had a drop off in mileage once after a dealer oil change. Checked my tires and they were aired to 40PSI, which is about half of what they should have been. Aired them up and gained 3/4 MPG. Also check your fuel filter and if you are so inclined some guys have had success in cleaning/replaceing the Intake AIr Temp (IAT) sensor.



HOpe this helped, or atleast put your mind ay ease that your truck was running sub standard. I however am always looking for better mileage.



Happay holidays

J-

 

[Pit Bull]

My 2000 3500QC ETC automatic 4x4, got 15 mpg all of the time unless I was on a long trip on the highway doing 55-65 mph and then I could get 19-20 mpg. This was all unloaded driving. That truck weighed around 7500 lbs with me driving. I think it is a combination of the weight and the automatic that gets the MPG the most. My new truck with on 3000 miles on it (see sig) gets 16-17 MPG all of the time (winter fuel) and when I drove to Wichita KS. it got 20 MPG Hiway. Its a ETH/DEE and it only weighs around 7000 lbs with me in it. I expect I will get 18 around town after breakin and 22 hiway I hope.

 

[LSMITH]

If I am running shorter trips this time of year, as in under 25 miles each way and cooling off between runs 15-16 would be just fine. In fact it is pretty good.



I am one of the guys that gets 20+ on nearly every tank, but I will run 50-500 miles on one start, shut it off and then come back. Personal driving style has a LOT to do with it too. I am convinced I can get behind the wheel in a lot of guys trucks and pull a solid 2-4 MPG over their best.



The conditions the truck is driven under and the loose nut behind the wheel are HUGE factors in the fuel economy we get. Also some trucks will up to 15% better economy over the same road under exactly the same conditions when compared to another truck.

 

[rblomquist]

I'm in the same boat reference having expected that 20 mpg. Good thing the wife doesn't know cause that was part of the justification for getting rid of the gasser It's still good considering the weight of the truck but only 3mpg better than the 318 plus figuring in that diesel is 20-30 cents higher here than gas I guess my theory of it paying for itself didn't quite work out; good thing it's so much fun to hear and drive



Empty, running between a little town a little freeway (up to 70 mph), I get 16-17 (on #2). Planning on replacing the IAT sensor soon to see what that does.

 

[Piston Slapper]

It's controlled by the foot

After the motor is broke in the primary reason for getting or not getting good mileage is the right foot!



In my truck if you want to get 20+ mpg you can't drive faster than 65 and you can't drive very much in town(stop and go).



Want to get 18-20 MPG: can't drive over 75, minimal stop and go.



Want to get 16-18 MPG: whatever! I average 17. 9 - 18. 5 mpg. 3/4 of my tank is 40 mile one way interstate commutes running 75-80 mph, 1/4 tank cruising around town 35-55 mph.

What makes me average only 18 is MY right foot! The truck is too fun to drive. It's to hard for me to stay under 75! I am bad to race people and run 85-100 for intervals on the way to work. And what in town driving I do, I can't help but floor it on them 'rice burners'!



The above is honest numbers!



P. S. My dad's 99 3500 2wd QC averaged 16's mpg for 60,000 miles. When he hit about 65,000 it starting getting about 18 mpg and has now every since. I think it just took a while to get broke in! If it takes that many miles to break one it, it's hard to fathom wearing one out!

 

[CFAR]

I used to be ****** to, alot of people told me they were getting between 10-21 mpg, not me 16-17, then I changed my shift points, with a stick it different I know, but I started shifting between 1600-1800, of course depending on conditions, before I would shift at around 2000. Really helped my mpg. Even with the III's I still get between 20-21, and like the previous post said, thats below 65mph, but I seem to get 20-21 even in stop and go. With the III's I also noticed its much eaisier to get 16-18 if I use to much right foot.

With the Auto I don't know, all I can suggest is to light foot it for a full tank and see if that makes a difference, its hard to be nice for the whole tank but...





Woody

 

[Tom C]

roxieandduke, I think the 24V motors usually get 16-17 on everage. 12V usually get 19-20 on average.



I had a '01 and it got 14-16. did not matter whether I floored it or baby'd it. towing it would get 12-14.



my '97 and my current ride (see sig) got the same, 21 around town and hwy with 17 towing.



Tom

 

[diesel DOG]

Towing my race car and open trailer & gear 6000 lb. 14. 5

Around town 13-14

Truck 3,500 payload and trailer (10,000 lb) 11. 5

50 MPH cruise 20-21

60 18-19

70 17-18

the ones on cruise are the same road at sea level

even warm ups in the morning take there toll

Heavy foot will knock it down.

 

[WadePatton]

4x2, 3. 54, 265's with the DDUFM on 3x5 most of the time I can get into the high 19's on the road and practically ALWAYS in the 18's otherwise. I've had just a few tanks dip into the 17's.



This is since June when I bought the truck with 47k on it, now it has 64k.



Also running JD fuel additive and Rotella.



Mom's '99 4x4 auto doesn't do as good and she's real soft on the loud pedal.

Dad's '95 4x4 auto does just as good--but gawd is it powerless!

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by roxieandduke

are they full of it

No



You may need to adjust your valves AND re-torque your head bolts. It is a common problem on the VW TDI for a 20% MPG loss due to head bolts too loose. I plan on checking mine this spring. I have only had a few tanks at 20. 5 mpg... .

 

[Big John]

My '96 12 valve routinely got 20 plus on the highway, 18 or so around town. Highest was 21. 7 on a trip to Florida and back. Straight interstate at 65 mph with a 5 speed.



My '99 gets 16 to 18 depending on where I fill up and what time of year it is. My milage goes down every winter @2mpg. I also get better performance with certain diesels, for some reason.



Both trucks are 5 speeds, with the '99 being a dually.