Power gain

[TPCDrafting]

Ok, I bought my '98 in y2k used. Best mileage I ever got was 17mpg. I pull many trailers including a 5 horse gn mostly during the warmer months. The last two tank-fulls I measured 20. 8 +/- mpg. A shear surprise to me. Thought I was doing the math wrong, but double checked. Then the real kicker was yesterday when pulling the 4 horses, all the tack and 4 people with the 5 horse on the back. We were coming from Laramie, east bound on I-80 going up towards the 'summit'. I'm not sure what the grade is, but it's pretty steap and somewhat curvy for about 5 miles. Anyway usually with that same load I end up going down to third gear for a short bit which means as slow as 40 mph. But yesterday I only had to go down to 4th gear and heald 65-70 all the way up the hill. I was totally amazed!! I can't pinpoint exactly what the change has been, because I haven't done anything to the truck. EXCEPT I changed from Valvoline over to Rotella at the last oil change and only because that's all that was on the shelf! REmember that I'm not affiliated with anyone but me. I think I'll stay with the Rotella from now on! The only other thing that's changed is I've been reading the TDR threads/hard copy issues all winter. Anyone else have a theory??

 

[JStordahl]

tpcdrafting: Better fuel?

 

[pwknapp]

I grew up in Wyo and if you were going eastbound that 50mph tailwind might of helped a tad.

 

[TPCDrafting]

better fuel and tailwind. All good possiblities but it's the same pull I've made at least 12 other times with this truck and trailer. I'm going to the same fuel stations as before. I'm not complaining that's for sure and not necessarily looking for a clear answer. Just expressing my recent increase in satisfaction in my truck. Tim

 

[pwknapp]

tpc, maybe you just lept over the break-in hump. I'm still waiting for mine to get green broke at 400k.

 

[LarryB]

Probably it finally hacked up that piece of crud out of the overflow valve. Now it's running like it's supposed to. Either that or finally blew out the clogged catastrofic converter.