MPG WOES

[Red_Rattler]

I have a 99 3500 4x4 5 spd with 3:54 gears with 25,000 miles and I can't even get close to 20mpg which I hear is normal. LOL My best so far is 17. 5 and thats rare. #ad
Then pulling I get 12. 5 at best. Then I read guys with newer trucks with less miles can get 21 to 22 mpg. I'm about ready to cry LOL I just can't figure it out. Anybody else with milage like me? Is this the norm? I'm just lookin for ansewers...

 

[BLACKRAM]

Sorry to hear about that. I get 16-17 in the city, and 22-23 on the highway going 70-75mph. Because of my 285 size tires, my effective gearing is 3. 21.

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1999 2500 4x4, auto, 3. 54 LS, HD241, Quad cab SLT, Blk Sport Pkg, 285 Bridgestone AT, Amsoil, 80/100w lights, DTT TC/vb, DD2's, DD TTPM, Isspro gauges.
1992 SC400
1978 Mooney 201 IFR

 

[willyslover]

very few 1 Tons get better than 17 +/- a couple. . especially if they are 4x4. . your in the ball park. . the higher MPG trucks are mostly 4x2 2500's and a few 4x4's on the flatter ground

 

[pwr2tow]

your about at normal for your rig. Some of us are getting worse. 7 MPG GCW of 19,500 lbs towing and 15-16 MPG running empty. Do a search on this subject there are numerous threads. Ron

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner.

 

[SA Law]

Red_Rattler

My truck only has 1000 miles and so far the one time i pulled a trailer w/a vehicleon it i got 13. 5... In the city my last two tanks have been 16. 6 mpg. If it helps you any, I thought i read that your engine will continually get better mileage the longer you own your truck.

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Brian
2001. 5 2500 4x4 lwb, forest green, camper group, trailer tow group,travel convenience group, cass/cd/equal, 5spd,slt,LSD,3. 54,Shift-on-the-fly, Line-x bedliner, nerf bars

 

[JF]

Originally posted by 2000ney:
Sorry to hear about that. I get 16-17 in the city, and 22-23 on the highway going 70-75mph. Because of my 285 size tires, my effective gearing is 3. 21.

 

[JF]

Originally posted by 2000ney:
Sorry to hear about that. I get 16-17 in the city, and 22-23 on the highway going 70-75mph. Because of my 285 size tires, my effective gearing is 3. 21.

What brand/size tires are you running? Are you using stock wheels? Any fender clearance problems? Thanks in advance for info.
Jeff

 

[Texasdeere]

If it makes you feel any better...

At 9k miles flat, sea level, empty, but with an automatic, Mileage since new has been about 17. 5 hwy and 18. 5 city hwy mix.
Loaded about 4000lbs 30F hwy = 14. 5

This is a 2WD and I calculate at the pump figuring miles into gallons, not with a trip computer... .

I guess if it burns more fuel it must be more powerful

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Erik F.
2001. 5, Silver, Quadcab, Longbed, SLT, 24V, Auto, 3. 54 LSD, 2x4, Tow and camper packages,
(Add ons) Pioneer, Husky Liners, Tint, Diamond Plate Tool Box, and Rail Guards, OEM Bedlinner, OEM 4x4 Mud Flaps, K&N, Geno's Breather Vent Catch Can.
(Wish list) 4" Exhaust, Low stall converter, Built transmission, Banks Power Pak.

 

[Texasdeere]

Sorry, forgot to mention my MPH

My average is always 70mph hwy.

Also camper shells, tall tires(ride height),
and suspension lift kits greatly increase drag. Plus I know Wisconsin is a cold place this time of year... MH

 

[Evan A. Beck]

A major culprit of crappy mileage is boost leaks. I have seen more than a few with minor leaks that rob it of 1-2 mpg. Tighten all the clamps on the intake plenum and intercooler. Also, add a little more air pressure in your tires, you will get slightly better mileage. More tire pressure means a "rounder" tire, which in turn creates less rolling resistance.

 

[pointerhill]

I have the same truck with auto and 4:10, best I have gotten is 16. 9. Look at the signature of the guys getting 20+ there not 3500's.

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99 3500 QC 4x4 a/t 4. 10 SLT loaded except leather Driftwood/agate VA, PS, 18-11-99 reflash, Mag-Hytec diff. , 6 disc CD, Line-x, Geno's mud flaps/weights

 

[JTBMC]

Red, My mileage is similar to yours 16 running around and 8 to 12. 5 pullin. Depends on the country. Running bob-tail 200 plus miles cruise or constant throtle I can get 19
and thats at 2000 RPM and 72 MPH. But if we go by the on board milage computer were looking at 19 thru 27 that thing is never right sure wish it was.

 

[Oasis-3]

I get about 16. 5 mpg. empty and 14 mpg. with a 32' pull along camper. At 70-75 mph. If empty and only 55-60 mph. it whent up to 21 mpg. So I try to keep my foot out of it but with all that POWER #ad
it is not easy #ad


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2001. 5 Black Sport 4x4 Q-cab 6-Speed HO,3. 54 - No Stickers on Tailgate - Towing & Camper Packages - Real Backup Lights - Fog Lights - Phord 4 Door Nurf Bars - Leveling Kit - CB - Electric Brakes - Class 3 Hitch on front

 

[lawdog]

The best I have ever gotten is about 18 mpg at about 72 mph in the summer. winter same type of trip, 15-16 mpg. Pull a 2 place enclosed V-nose snowmobile trailer, 8 1/2 ft wide, about 6 inches over the top of the cab high cap gets about 10-11 mpg in the winter with premium diesel traile about 2500 lbs.

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2000 QC SHORT BED 4X4, 24 VALVE W/ 275 HP INJECTORS, 3. 54 GEARS W/ POSI, AUTO, BLACK WITH EVERYTHING EXCEPT LEATHER,285/75R16 KELLY SAFARI AWR, RAIDER NOMAD CAB HIGH CAP,FACTORY RAZ STEREO W/ STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, KENWOOD 848 AMP, KENWOOD EXCELON 6X9 IN DOORS AND KENWOOD EXCELON 6IN. ROUND DUAL-MAGS IN REAR DOORS, MTX FACTORY FIT BOX W/ 2-10"SUBS UNDER REAR SEAT

2001 ARCTIC CAT ZR800 TWIN LE BLACK...

 

[One Old Dog]

I have a 2000 3500 4x2 and i get 18. 5 tops on the road running 75-80 and when i pull the 5th wheel at 70 i get 15. 5 and when i pull the walleye boat behind the 5th wheel (65 feet ) i get 11. 5-12. 5 and i think that is getting good mpg with what i am pulling.

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Dirt Water Fox

 

[Mr.B]

2000 4x4 quad cab dooley. City 14-15mpg unloaded. Loaded with 24' enclosed and race car 10mpg with cruise on 75mph

 

[apkole]

The winter blend diesel here in the midwest can really screw up mileage. I've found my best numbers come with the summer blend. My '91 (12valve w/307 differential gears, auto w/no overdrive) has shown as high as 21 mpg. The best I've ever seen on the '99 (354 gears w/auto) was about 17mpg. I tow a 26' Sierra w/slideout -- about 7500 lbs. Got a consistent 12 mpg at around 65 mph. Ambient air temps, traffic conditions, idle time and tons of other variables can dramatically impact mileage. Best to track it over an extended period of time to get best picture.

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1999 2500 4wd std cab, Rhino liner, Boss 8' front & custom 7' rear blade for snow removal
1991 W250 4WD 155k mi same as above for plow set up

 

[TMc]

96 2500 12valve 3. 54, I average 16-18 mpg combined city/highway with 255/85 M/T
I've gotten as high as 30mpg all highway, summer tires 245/75(non-agressive tread no A/T or M/T )75psi, high cetane fuel,and no headwind driving at 62 miles an hour(hard to do). Your mileage is right on track for a 3500

 

[Ninearrow]

I have the same truck and get about the same mileage. Wish it were better, but I love the power.

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99 3500 QC 4X4 5sp 3. 54 K&N air filter, DiPricol gauges, 275 hp injectors, Pacbrake, Westin nerfs, GN hitch, Tekonsha Brake controller, Mopar seat covers, Husky mats, silencer ring removed, Draw-tite front receiver, Rancho 9000's

 

[Bug Out]

I have 4:10's in mine and tach 2K at 60MPH. I get if I'm lucky, 15 empty. Towing a 11,000 5th, it drops to about 10-12 if I'm lucky.

I did manage to get over 17 on one occasion in Nevada, flat ground holding RPM's to max 2K etc. Have not seen 17 MPH since.

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1997 3500 Dually CC, Emerald Green 5 speed, 4:10 , Reese 15K 5th hitch, K&N Air Filter re-installed, Jacob E-brake, gutted cat, running boards. 60 gallon Aux toolbox/tank combo. Maybe more,if I can keep it out of DC'$ hands. .