New truck fuel mileage

[Bratton]

Pat,

I am actually running a blend (winter mix) right now. I'll be going on a 2000 mile trip towing about a 3000lb trailer next week so it'll be interesting to see what happens during and after that. I'll report the results.

I'll be happy if the truck can just settle in at 15MPG or better. The chevy gassers all seem to claim around 15 so it would be nice to at least equal them with mileage and have much greater working capacity. Of course I don't know how truthful they're being as a 2000 dodge that I had very briefly with a 5. 9L V8 and automatic was only getting about 10MPG on the highway.

As I said earlier though my 3 previous Cummins Turbodiesels all averaged around 17.

Bratton

 

[KD7GYJ]

Originally posted by Bratton



As I said earlier though my 3 previous Cummins Turbodiesels all averaged around 17.

Bratton [/B]

Bratton, I traded in a 98 24V CTD for the '02 6 speed and that truck with the automatic only got 14 MPG on a good day. Usually got around 13-14 in the winter months. I am really surprised you are getting such low mileage to begin with. Well, let me think, my first tanks were 16-17 because I was elated about the 3MPG increase in fuel, reducing my expenses for fuel. I was spending about $400. 00 per month on fuel for my truck, filling it every other day. Keep us posted about your mileage.



Blair

 

[Agades]

I dont mean to beat this mileage thing to death but

I had a 99 short box qc,5spd

which got 20. 5mpg right off the lot, first tank through the vehicle ( i ordered it so i was the first to drive)

now i just got my 02 dually ,identical vehicle only bigger, ran two tanks through so far and 13. 8 is all



why should these two vehicles be so different???



yes , the dually is a little heavier and bigger but not that much

all other factors being the same.

 

[Bratton]

Well guys,

I can already tell this 3rd tank of fuel is giving me a lot more miles! I just crossed the halfway point on the guage and have traveled 236 miles since fillup whereas the last 2 tanks I was around 186 at half tank. No difference at all in type of driving or terrain. I have noticed that the truck seems livelier over the last few days so something must be turning easier now. BD

 

[bfreel]

My first trip started with 200 mi. on it. Drove 6 hrs. mostly highway and avg. 17. 5 manually and trip meter.

 

[DMalone]

FUEL MILEAGE

Dont worry to much about it believe me the mileage will get better. If you know anybody that has a trailer and tractor, or backhoe anything heavy, see if you can borrow it for a day. Then fill the truck full and hit the road. On my truck i was acting the same way but i pulled a heavy load for 2300 miles and it really woke it up. I no you cant run 2300 miles in a day but you no what i mean. The motor need to get loosen up and it needs to get hot with a heavy load to seat the rings. Make sure to watch all guages ,oil pressure,water temp,etc. Now the time to get some guages pillar mount, boost and egt. The more miles that you can put a load on the motor the better. The secert is load the motor make it work. It will amaze you over time what this I-6 can do. At work i amazed my freinds when they see what these great motors will and can do. I have been a dodge fan for a long time and most of the guys i work with are chevy or ford fans, but they have seen the light. Two of them have purchased CTD after they have seen my milage and power and they are very happy now. Hang in there if the mileage does not improve over time check fuel filter,buy fuel at a different place, use a additive. I have used power service since new silver bottle and it works, Helps mileage ,helps lubes the pump. Also the edge ez will increase mpg if you can keep your foot out of it. These truck very alot on mpg some good some not so good. If all fails take to dealer for reflash what can it hurt. Good Luck

 

[grincon]

I drove my new 2001 truck from Ada, OK to Albuquerque, NM down I-40. Mpg 19-20. Within a couple of weeks I put on an 8 1/2 cabover camper and towed an 18' boat a few times. Camper stayed on approx 6 months. Now I can get 25 mpg(without any load)depending on my speed(not downhill or coasting, of course).

Sounds like the advice most given to you is to put some weight on that Ram, let it work and results should be much better.

8400 miles, stock engine.

 

[KD7GYJ]

Bratton,



Have you tried that stuff others have been using called Duralt. You can get a great discount if you tell them you are a TDR member. It has increased the mileage and increased the output of the engine. You should give it a try. You get 5 boxes containing 4-2oz bottles of duralt where you mix one ounce to 25 gallons of diesel. This helps lubricate your pump, clean your engine (inside of course), and increases fuel mileage. website is www.buyduralt.com



Check it out.



Blair

 

[Bratton]

Thanks for all the replies! I'm heading on a 2000 mile journey in 3 days pulling a light trailer (3000 lbs). Mileage is already looking a good bit better but won't know how the 3rd tank did until I fill up tomorrow. Will report back after the journey. Bratton

 

[Sregorb]

Agree with DMalone

Same thing here. I was running 12-15 off the lot unloaded and highway, I was appalled at mileage to say the least. Found a nearby place where they were building houses and asked the front-end loader operator for a couple buckets (free). Loaded up the bed with dirt and drove normally around town for 1. 5 months, emptied it out and it "woke up" the truck. Now it's around 15-17 town and 18-19 highway. I'm only at 5000 miles and 4 months so hoping it gets even better (also dropping from winter fuel should help too).



Brian

 

[shoveljunk]

2001. 5, 2500, HO 6 speed 4. 10 gears 4x4, QC with tender flares. Around town, I putt. 1250 rpm's max as much as possible. I mean barely crack the throttle = 16 mpg city. Highway speeds, 55=19,20,21. 60=19,20mpg 65=17,18. 75=15mpg. Head wind mpg go down. my computer is always within 1 or 2 tenths of my calculations. I almost never floor it until the big hills. Give it just enough throttle to accelerate. Oh and with the high 5er, 10 mpg 8,600 #. The more erratic the truck is driven, the farther the computer will be off. My wife only gets 12 to 13 mpg around town. 28,000 miles.

 

[Mick2500]

My 2001. 5 ethdee has 7,500 miles on it and so far I'm getting 17. 5 as an average. City driving I get

just over 17. 5 and highway (75+) just under. My

tires (315's) probably hurt my mileage a little

as well as it being a 4X4 but I'm really happy with that overall mileage. My last truck was a 4x4 ford and it ALWAYS got 10MPG.



Mick

 

[Bratton]

Just filled her up. I averaged 13. 24 MPG for the 3rd tank. This compares to 12. 3 for 2nd and 11. 69 for 1st. I was hoping to be close to 15 but I like the trend, the mileage is definitely improving!

BD

 

[SLightfoot]

WORK IT!!!!

Can't stress this enough... ...



WORK IT!!!!



Find a heavy trailer and put some HARD miles on it.



It indeed makes a big difference. Been there.



Shawn

 

[jjohn]

2002 auto 3.55 MPG

Second tank full at 19. 5 MPG, 7000+ miles. Out of no where it just started getting better? from 18. 3 avg. to 19. 5 The last of the winter fuel maybe... plus gaining miles? I don't know but glad to see it. I commute 80-90 miles a day at 70-80 MPH.

 

[kiwi bird]

Quite some differences in mpg here. I started out at about 17, slowly went up to 19 after 6000 miles, with quite a bit of towing, and then, with an EZ and DD2s my last tank was 22. 6. Heaps of power to tow with this combo.