milege of D600

[RGarza]

I went to the dealership today and just about talked myself into a new D600 4x4 that is molten red. question is, am I making a mistake trading in a perfectly good 03 4 door 4x2 diesel. I get about 17 to 18 mpg right now with 18k miles on her. I have heard different stories on the 4x4s with some ranging from 12-13mpg to about 18 at the most with the automatic. what is the general consensus of some of the members about fuel milege. The new one feels a little more powerful and sits up a little better, but I do have a concern about the milege with the cost of it rising and stuff. Can someone give me some feedback? Thanks RG

 

[phloop]

RG, I don't know if this is much help but the first tank I've ran through my 3500 DRW 4x4 I got 15. 5 corrected and this tank is doing better. As it get's broken in I expect it to come up a bit.

 

[klenger]

I've been getting about from 16 to 17. 5 driving locally.



Are you considering the trade to get the 4WD? Are you thinking auto or 6 speed?

 

[1bigmule]

I have about 5000 miles on mine I get about 13. 5 driving locally and I got 15. 5 on a recent 1000 mile trip. My first 2 three tanks were 11. 5 to 12. 5mpg hand calculated. Good Luck.

 

[Buzzer]

Well mine started out at about 11. 5 and as time went by it went up to about 13. 5. All local driving. Now with 2K on the odometer I'm back to 11. 5. Not a happy camper.

 

[WStoops]

Mine is new but I got 15. 8 on first tank Hand Calculated, 15. 4 on second tank, also hand calc'd. Incidentally the overhead was lower than actual, 15. 4 on first and 15. 1 on second. I did drive it a little harder on the second tank, pulling a couple of steep hills pretty hard but with no weight on. Haven't driven it through a measured mile yet but my 03 was off a full 10%. It only registered . 9 miles over a measured mile. My mileage was actually 10% better than indicated. Did blow away a couple of kids in a ricer who wanted to get ahead of me at a light. Left them in the dust like they were tied to a stump. Boy were they surprised. Later I saw the kids at Wendy's getting some burgers. They asked how much the truck weighed. When they heard that it is nearly 7,000 lbs, the driver described it as 3 1/2 tons of bad attitude. I liked that so much. Good luck.

 

[klenger]

the driver described it as 3 1/2 tons of bad attitude.

I'm impressed, at least they can do math.

 

[WStoops]

Just took my first highway trip yesterday. I couldn't be happier. The overhead said 17. 6 which would have made me really happy. Hand calculated it came to 19. 48. Not over 68 MPH as it vibrates like crazy at 70 (2,000 rpm). Even the overhead is reading higher today. I think I have a real keeper with respect to the mileage issue. As for the vibration issue, I'm concerned about that. As a former ASE Master with many years experience I would say this is a driveshaft vibration, most likely. We'll see.

3500 srw 48re, 3. 73 AS

 

[CAgnoli]

My truck just passed 8100 miles, and I'm seeing between 17. 8 and 18. 6 on the highway. I set the cruise for 70MPH on the open road, and 65 on the two lanes. (I ALWAYS use the cruise control, except in town, where I drive around 40)



Worst mileage I've seen is 15. 5, 100% in town driving, AND I was "abusing" it to try and accelerate the break in. I'm considering a set of manual locking hubs, if I can find a set. Otherwise truck is bone stock with the exception of the soft tonnaue on the back.



As for fuel types, I've ran fuel from the Indian Reservation, and lost about 1-2 mpg. Since I switched to Mobil (Only 6 cents more than the rez !!! REALLY UPSET ABOUT THAT, 26. 5 CENTS A GALLON IN TAX, AND THEY MAKE 20 CENTS IN PROFIT FOR IT... ... ..... ) the truck has been very consistent. The trip meter is getting better with age as well. Off by two tenths this last tank.



I'd say if you need the 4WD, go for it, otherwise, keep your 03, not much to gain getting the 600. (Can't you put the money you would save in a box of some sort, and get additional power and economy?)



Chris

 

[Takomax]

Fuel econ (@ 2500 miles)

I have a CTD, 04. 5, 3500, SRW,4WD, 6 sp manual. I got about 16. 5 with my first tank for mixed town and hwy driving unloaded. It is getting better. From the second to the third tank my average for mixed driving went up to 17. 5. I added a Tonneau (I don't know if this made any difference or not) and am now getting about 18. 5. I haven't done any pure highway runs yet. No runs under any significant load.



Where I live in Northeast Georgia, there are a good many hills. For the five miles from my house to Cornelia, GA there is a 1000 foot rise in elevation.



In town I drive conservatively most of the time. It is fun though to run the revs up and feel the boost... On the hwy I drive between 65 and 70 and use the cruise control.



I think part of my increase in milegae is due to my learning the truck. With time, I am developing a consistent, conservative shift sequence where I keep the revs somwhere between 1500 and 2200. As mentioned earlier, I haven't had a load on this truck yet so I haven't pushed it hard.