2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission My mileage aint that great!!

[Tomscreek]

Just took a little 700 mile road trip, only got a little over 16 mpg. Granted it was 20 below zero for about half the trip but I only drove about 70 or less. Bone stock 01 HO 6 speed, babied with 100,000 miles. Does have a flatbed though. Any suggestions to improve mileage. I don't really care about increasing performance, it does fine for what I do with it. Thanks.

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

most tuner/boxes will improve mileage along with power. My mild Hypertech imprved mileage by 2-3 mpg's and really woke it up. I hate driving in stock tuning now as it feels like a great dig dinosaur lumberung around.

 

[HBarlow]

In almost 10 years and over 650,000 miles of experience with Cummins powered Ram trucks I am convinced that the secret to achieving really great fuel mileage is to learn to lie better. You have to learn to lie well enough to deceive not only the dummys who will believe you but yourself as well.

Early 12 valve and 24 valve engines were more fuel efficient than the new ISB6. 7s but no internal combustion engine can yet defy the laws of physics and nature. Running against the wind or in side winds, climbing grades, ULSD fuel, pulling trailers, or stop and go city driving consume fuel.

I hand calculated the fuel mileage two or three times on my old '01 when it was new. After that I decided what does it matter? It is what it is. I don't drive a heavy diesel truck for fuel economy. Since the earliest days of ownership I pay no attention to fuel mileage. I never checked it on my '06 and have never checked it on my current '08. Who cares?

 

[Tractorat]

I try to keep it under 65 in most conditions. When I do that, my mileage seems to go up quite a bit. The truck is like a big sail going against the wind.



So, you have to decide between getting there a little faster, or a little cheaper.

 

[MChrist]

-20* temps will have a multi-faceted effect on fuel consumption. I'll list a few. Cold air is much more dense and creates more drag, especially at 70. Your flat bed is not as aerodynamic as a standard bed. Your lubricants will be thicker, especially your front differential, creating more drag. It's possible you set your tire pressure when it was 70*, and now it's -20*.
With all that working against you, 16mpg doesn't seem all that bad.

 

[RProvost]

In almost 10 years and over 650,000 miles of experience with Cummins powered Ram trucks I am convinced that the secret to achieving really great fuel mileage is to learn to lie better. You have to learn to lie well enough to deceive not only the dummys who will believe you but yourself as well.

Bing Freaking Go



Couldn't agree more. There is so much BS on this and every other forum that has to do with diesel P/U's about MPG. If you really want some crap go to the truck camping section of RV.net.



Rich P

 

[bcbigfoot]

In almost 10 years and over 650,000 miles of experience with Cummins powered Ram trucks I am convinced that the secret to achieving really great fuel mileage is to learn to lie better. You have to learn to lie well enough to deceive not only the dummys who will believe you but yourself as well.



Early 12 valve and 24 valve engines were more fuel efficient than the new ISB6. 7s but no internal combustion engine can yet defy the laws of physics and nature. Running against the wind or in side winds, climbing grades, ULSD fuel, pulling trailers, or stop and go city driving consume fuel.



I hand calculated the fuel mileage two or three times on my old '01 when it was new. After that I decided what does it matter? It is what it is. I don't drive a heavy diesel truck for fuel economy. Since the earliest days of ownership I pay no attention to fuel mileage. I never checked it on my '06 and have never checked it on my current '08. Who cares?

Most people don't lie but they very often don't properly state the conditions on how they acheive thier mpg figures. I can get 20mpg+ driving at -55 mph or 16mpg at 70mph. I have also got 18mpg with my 4000lb truck camper, but that was at 55mph and had a 30+mph tail wind.



Monitoring fuel milage is important just as egt and boost gauge. It can let you know when something is wrong. It also helps to teach a person how to drive efficiently, as in not late braking, driving 80mph, or stop light to stop light ahole driving. I have tailored my driving to what best suites the vehicle's efficiency, we have a finite planet and a finite reserve of oil. I feel I need to at least respect those resorces as much as I can and still get the job done. I still marvel at driving 55mph across the entire contienant in few days when just a few generations ago it would have taken months, all because of oil. I have heard figures that 1 gallon of fuel is equal to 1 month of a mans labour. To me energy has my respect, without it, we wouldn't have much of a lifestyle.

 

[SeanM]

I get on average 16-18 on the highway at 65-70mph with my 02. If you are really that concerned with fuel mileage get a 1st gen. No BS, my old D250 would get 23-24 MPG at 65mph with the cruise control, on my way to Ocala Florida from Gulfport MS. But that was also with old diesel, not the ULSD crap we have now. I did use to get 20ish before '07 when ULSD became mandatory at all fuel stations.



I also gave up on tracking my fuel mileage. What harvey said is true, it what it is and there's nothing you or I can do about it.

 

[MARK JAQUITH]

Have 2001. 5 3500 HO QC 6sp 4x4 bought new- up to 50000 miles--best I could get was 18 mpg truck only---12 to 13 towing 32' Gulfstream 5th wheel.

at 50000 miles installed an Edge EZ and 275 injectors always running Edge on #2 setting not for more power but for better mpgs --from 50000 to current 224500 +- I average 20 to 22 mpgs truck only and 15 to 16 towing.

 

[Allnew2Me]

My 2001. 5 was stock when I bought it (used) and I drove it like that for almost a year before adding the things in my signature. I got a steady 18-19 driving empty at 65, which was well below 2000 RPM with the 3. 55 ratio. After the mods shown the best has been close to 22 empty, 65 freeway going to May Madness and back. On average I can easily achieve 17-19 with combined driving. Towing my small trailer (3000 lbs. ) I get 15 regularly.

A simple box such as an Edge EZ will give good results by advancing timing and slightly larger injectors will actually yield better mileage because of the ability to add fuel quicker and with better timing. Better exhaust, turbo and such will all contribute to better mileage but of course at a cost. There is lots of info to be had on the TDR.

I would suggest you do some reading and listen to those that have done so, as opposed to those that only sit in judgement of what they have never done. There is a difference in the quality of information given.

 

[CAPTPHIL]

Remember three rules for best performance with 24v, 2000 to 2250 rpm, 10lbs boost or less, exhaust temps. 600 degrees or less pre-turbo. Boost and egts the lower the better at that rpm range. One million miles plus with 2nd gen 24v, loaded and empty.
Good Luck Capt Phil

 

[Missouri Mule]

Tomscreek, your low mileage could of been caused by winterized fuel it gives you less horses for your money.

Doesn't get to cold down here and if does it's not for long. So my mileage stays around 18 to 19 mpg.

 

[AH64ID]

Granted it was 20 below zero for about half the trip

Bingo!



Cold air is horrible on mileage, and that's really cold air!



My normal 17 fwy drops into the low 14's at 0*, and lower as the temp drops. As a indication of how much more dense the air is at 80 I normally make 8-10 psi of boost on flat groud on a 70* day, and 16-20 psi on flat ground on a 0* day.



In addition to the wind resistance all your fluids and tires are colder, and take more energy to move. I am a firm beliver that its winter air/temps that make most of us see lower mileage in the winter, and only a very small portion is due to winter fuel.

 

[Tomscreek]

Yeah, I guess I'm not too worried about it. I only drive about 6000 -7000 miles a year now. I just thought this trip would be a good time to check and was hoping for 18 or 19. Also we hit warmer weather for a while and slushy wet roads with freezing temps. You would not even believe the amount of brown ice that was attached to the underside of my rig. $20 at the car wash and I didn't get it all, 5 5 gal. buckets of water and ice the next morning in my heated garage on the floor. Stopped for fuel once and truck would not turn, kicked off monster chunks of ice from wheel wells.

The ol girl runs good though, I think it's finally breaking in.

 

[MChrist]

I just returned from a trip to pick up a new trailer for work. Left Chicago at 2:30 am and headed into Indiana. No traffic there, kept speed at 65, got hand calculated 19. 3. Loaded trailer (+- 7500 lb, very unaerodynamic) and drove 60, and received 12. 0 mpg.
Temp for whole trip was around 30. So your numbers don't sound too bad.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Get a Smarty Programmer. That made a huge difference. I had a BD Plug n Power box in for a couple of years and switched to the Smarty when they became available. I run mine on #9 all the time and I have not dropped below 20mpg in about 4 years. This time of year it's sitting at 20. 8 and when it warms up it will be back between 22-23 mpg with a combined hywy and city. Even though the Smarty increses youe power I like it for the economy, look at the power increse as a bonus. Yes there are precautions you need to do for longevity. I've done the normal precautions such as EGT and Fuel Pressure guages, and beefed up the trans prior to any mods.

 

[WILLD420]

My mileage on my 02 4x4 with a 5" lift, 3. 55 gears and 255/85/16 Toyo's averages 15-17 on my trips around N. Nevada and to the bay area. Summer or winter doesn't matter any, same mpg. I have an Edge/attitude and drive it on 1, the MPG setting. Doesn't matter if I run it on 4 or 1, same mileage.



I have friends who get 20-21 with their trucks. I also know people who get 15, so it's very truck dependent. Mine has never gotten more than 10-11 towing, doesn't matter if I tow at 60 or 80 mph, it's 8-11 mpg depending on whether I'm hauling 20k or 8K lbs.

 

[Harlacher]

I get about 16 to 18 when I do a manual check using mileage and gallons added. If I use the electronic calculator I can get up to 30 plus. I think a lot of people like the idea of 30 plus so they just use the electronics that Dodge wants us all to use. That way we can all brag about the great mileage we get. Dodge is very proud and we have better trucks than those dumb Ford and Chevy owners. So my 99 Dodge at 70 MPH gets 30 MPG and I love it.

 

[JFought]

i got 32mpg with a pressure box down hill going about 20mph!!
yes yes i did reset it prior, so it was the instant mileage. but i got 32mpg! Better than our Acura tl !!!! lol i should go show the EPA huh? maybe they will stop picking on us diesel drivers... ... oh well...

 

[WestTN]

These trucks punch a large hole in the air. And that costs fuel mileage. Cold weather is also a factor. The best way to improve mileage is to slow down. Aerodynamics says that significant wind resistance begins at about 41 mph, and increases with the square of the speed increase.