MPG's

[ndennis]

KFette: I am a firm believer in filling the tank to filler neck rim with clear non-foamed diesel as to be the only way to be sure of a consistent full tank. It requires patience and persistance and maybe some sweettalking. I have been doing this for 20 years to my diesel powered vehicles and about 500,000 miles. The first time you do that, your mileage will probably be low but if you do it that way all the time then you should be satisfied that the mileage readings will be as accurate as can be. When filling up my 04. 5, the pump shut off and then I nursed another 7. 5 gallons in and I now know that my tank holds at least 36. 5 gallons and the mileage was within 0. 2 mpg with the overhead readout.

N Dennis

 

[sfr1047]

After driving for 100 miles after the fuel light came on I put in 40. 4 gallons filling to the neck with fluid. Overheaed always reads a few tenths low on MPG.

 

[CAgnoli]

My truck just passed 4000 miles, and at my last fill up, I calculated the mileage at 19. 2!!! Very Happy with that. So far, my mileage has gotten better with each passing fill.



In the City the trip computer says I'm getting 16. 2. It seems to be pretty accurate, as when I hand calced the mileage from my three trips to Buffalo this week, the computer sais 18. 6, and I figured 19. 2. Not too shabby for a 7000 epa strangled monster.



About the truck: 2004. 5 3500 QC 4x4 Auto 3:73 Gears, & Recently Installed Tonnaue Masters Soft cover. (Build Date Feb 04, 2004) The only issue I've consistenly had with the truck, is during hard acceleration, such as a highway on ramp, it seems to skip a gear, or undershift. Hard to explain, but it doesn't effect drivability, so I've just chalked it up to break in pains. (Please let me know if this is truly a problem)



About the trips 97 Mile commute to work(each way), 26 miles 65MPH on 2 lane road, the balance at 70MPH on Route 90. I use the Cruise control EVERYWHERE, even in the city. When I'm not driving to Buffalo, I'm driving to Erie, on RT. 86 with the cruise set to 70



About the Fuel Standard #2 Diesel with 1/3 bottle of Power Service Diesel Kleen at each fill up. ( I also painstakingly fill the truck, until diesel fuel, not foam is even with the fuel fill lid)



It takes me about ten minutes to gas up the truck, but when I fill the truck all the way to the top of the fill neck, I can travel an extra sixty miles, than if I just stop when the pump shuts off by itself)



About the Driver: Insanely happy nutjob with a thing for that turbo whine. I too drive with the radio off, so I can hear the turbo. Seriously, I drive very conservatively, with the cruise almost all the time, but I have been prone to a few 90 to 100MPH jaunts, just to see how hard it pulls in top gear.



Now, my best friend has a new 2500 QC 4x4 Auto 3:73 Build Date 1/27/04, and the truck is complete junk. 2200 miles on it, white smokey starts, reflashed at least once, master cylinder leaks all of the brake fluid out of the truck in less than 100 miles, paint was blemmed, and the dealer told him that "He can't compare his truck to my truck, because My truck is a 1 Ton!' DUH!

:-{}



At this point, he instructed the dealer that they had one week to fix the truck, or it was coming back. Oh yeah, and He has towed his escavator to cleveland and back, so the motor's been worked. I on the other hand, haven't towed anything at all. I hope to tow my Tractor next weekend about sixty miles, just to see if I can accelerate the engine break in, seems like you guys all recommend some type of towing during break in.



C-ya!

 

[KFette]

ndennis:

I always, ALWAYS, milk the fuel in whether gasser or the diesel. If you are like me, it's kind of a sick game to see how much I can put in after the "kick off"!!



Took a trip today for my work(unloaded). 90 miles, all 70MPH highway, and struggled to finally get 15. 2MPG on the computer. I got on the road and reset the computer, that was the results. Hey, I've said before that I don't expect to get Honda Hybrid mileage, but I sure thought I could squeeze 17-18 on the road... unloaded!!! I am pretty bummed. The only bright spot was feeling like I belonged to a "club" everytime I passed a 2500 or 3500 Dodge and we would exchange the proverbial "wave". PowerPuffs and DuraMax's seem to have a chip on their shoulder!!LOL I have finally turned the computer to compass reading with temperature, I tired of watching that thing!!



KFette

Originally posted by ndennis

KFette: I am a firm believer in filling the tank to filler neck rim with clear non-foamed diesel as to be the only way to be sure of a consistent full tank. It requires patience and persistance and maybe some sweettalking. I have been doing this for 20 years to my diesel powered vehicles and about 500,000 miles. The first time you do that, your mileage will probably be low but if you do it that way all the time then you should be satisfied that the mileage readings will be as accurate as can be. When filling up my 04. 5, the pump shut off and then I nursed another 7. 5 gallons in and I now know that my tank holds at least 36. 5 gallons and the mileage was within 0. 2 mpg with the overhead readout.

N Dennis

 

[KFette]

Lonestar: I just moved into my new home (I GC'ed it myself) and I made sure I had a 7'6" garage door to allow for "future considerations". I guess a lift would still fit... You may have talked me into it! HaHa Going to install the Banks Six-Gun w/ Speed Loader this weekend, looking forward to it...

Originally posted by Lonestar

I love the ride, only problem I have right now is Axle or spring wrap. Sounds terrible. On a truck with stock power it shouldn't be a problem, but with my setup I can really move the axle around back there. A good set of traction bars should fix it, but I'm going to install the Kelderman Airride rear lift so that it rides better while towing, no axle wrap, and load levelling.



Bye the way, I had a 7ft garage door, and there was no chance of getting the truck in there. I have since totally remodeled my home (ground up complete demolition) so I built a BIGGER garage with 9ft doors



Now it fits



KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

Lonestar

 

[ndennis]

KFette: I totally understand your disappointment with the mileage thing. From what I have read during my surfing stints, it seems almost all of the complaints are from the 4WD crowd.

N Dennis

 

[KFette]

Just got off the phone with the dealership service dept.



Said 10-11 MPG's is normal for city driving...



I think they are full of &*%$



KFette

 

[JRG]

The thing needs to break in!!



Mine has gone up consistantly as the miles have been put on. I can see 24mpg on the highway via the overhead. Mostly 16-19 with 20% city.



JRG

 

[KFette]

JRG: Do you recall what your MPG's were new? People keep telling me to be patient, but with these fuel prices...



Thanks, KFette

Originally posted by JRG

The thing needs to break in!!



Mine has gone up consistantly as the miles have been put on. I can see 24mpg on the highway via the overhead. Mostly 16-19 with 20% city.



JRG

 

[JRG]

If I got 15-17 off the lot it was babing it. My freind was seeing 15eens consistantly.



No offence, but 2200 miles is not even enough time to get into a habit of driving a new truck. I'm sure you have put your foot in it a few times just to make sure it is still there and you're not dreeming. Although I could be wrong.....



I have no dout your milage will go up after you get some miles on it and you calm down. One thing I noticed that helps the milage the most is to stay above 45 with an easy foot.



JRG

 

[thames1948]

The bad mpg's are from the 600's not the 03's and early 04's. I don't think we are going to find the missing 5 mpg's any time soon

 

[RollOver_Pete]

In august my 2500 4x4 had 300 miles showing. As of today, im pushing 18,000 miles. My m. p. g. 's have come up as time goes on. 15ish in town and 25+ out on the super slab. I run taller rubber which means my speedo is off. I also haul 1500 lbs of fuel and work stuff all the time . I simply do the math. You might try airing up your tires a bit... . I bet they're low. Oh, and those who seem to cry the loudest about poor mileage seem to enjoy running 10-15 miles over the limit in the hammer lane and racing from light to light It amazes me how some whine about a dollar or two after spending 40k on their ride

 

[PRush]

My average for the last 5,000 miles, Quad 3500 HO, 3. 73 auto, 4x4, has been 17. 8 mpg. this is a combination of city 15%, 2 lane hwy 60% (55-65mph), 25% freeway(75-90mph). 27,000 on the odo and I am happy as a pig in poo-poo.

 

[thames1948]

Trade it in on a 600 and see if you get 15 and 25+. If I was getting that or even close to that I wouldn't whine and I don't know what you pay for fuel but it adds up to way more then a few dollars a tank full for me. It's funny that you that get the big mpg's say we that don't are whiners, but pay my fuel bill for driving the same distance and I will bet that you wouldn't like it much either.

 

[RollOver_Pete]

I see that your truck is much like mine 1948. I just could'nt wait till 04 even though I kinda wish I would have. But I'm really glad that I didn't. As you put the miles on your truck, I'm sure the mpg's will get better. They did on mine. Its too bad that you get mpg's of a gasser. I hope it isn't a 600 thing. Don't they have cats installed now . Fuel prices are close to being the same... . we both get robbed here in $o. Kalifornia. I'm not whining... . I deal with it. Besides, I almost never use language like that..... I don't think I called anybody a whiner:-{} . If I did, I'm truly sorry. IMHO, me getting big mpg's isn't due to me being funny. It's a skill thing . I average 6-7 in my 93 Pete with a 500hp. 3406E. When you buy the amount of fuel that I do, you learn how to get the most for your buck. Or you starve... It's what it takes to survive in this rip-off cut throat business called "Trucking".

 

[cpizz]

I don't think people are whining. They are just disappointed in the mileage. They are probably former owners of older Dodge's that got better mileage. You would think with a more advanced engine. You would at least get the same mileage, if not better!