Smashed the 20mpg mark!

[Old Account - 243]

I fueled up on the outskirts of Houston with 7 gallons regular unleaded and 20 gallons of good ole #2, wedged a stick between the throttle and seat pointed the beast towards College Station at 55mph. I fueled up after reaching town, this time with #2 and calculated mileage... 22. 35mpg #ad


jponder, your on to something with the speed/rpm/constant throttle... just don't try the unleaded gas because I don't think that was the trick.

Previous high mileage was 19. 89 on a trip from Houston to San Angelo with the cruise on 68.

243


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99 QC 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
Walker 21468, VDO, Bridgestone 285/75/16 MT's, RS9000's, Hella 500's

http://www.0hassleisp.com/dwilk/243'sRamPage.html

-- email address removed --

 

[RonaldLarson]

Unleaded gas in a diesel? I think we have sunk to the level of Duramaxipad drivers!
Ron

 

[KCJackson]

Best tank: 24. 3 mpg - cruise control set at 57 mph for 265 miles. Didn't even take 11 gallons to refill.

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1996 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT, unmodified 180/420 12-valve, 47RE automatic, 3. 54 limited slip

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by 243:
I fueled up on the outskirts of Houston with 7 gallons regular unleaded and 20 gallons of good ole #2, wedged a stick between the throttle and seat pointed the beast towards College Station at 55mph. I fueled up after reaching town, this time with #2 and calculated mileage... 22. 35mpg #ad


jponder, your on to something with the speed/rpm/constant throttle... just don't try the unleaded gas because I don't think that was the trick.

Previous high mileage was 19. 89 on a trip from Houston to San Angelo with the cruise on 68.

243

Its FUN aint it!!!!!!! Drag racings fun; Pulling heavy loads is fun and Great Mileage is fun to!!! #ad
Its simple to do to. Stick between the pedal and seat is CAVE MAN style. I like it.

Thats awesome; I hope more people try it and realize the difference it makes over reg cruise then maybe one Day someone will make us a constant throttle cruise with safety features. I think towing is where Constant throttle will shine especially if you had some propane to come in when boost started to climb going up a hill. I pulled my 1971 Dodge reg cab 3/4 ton with 318 and got 17. 1 using CT cable. I wish i knew how much that truck weighs.

KC> when did you do your mileage run?

Guys yall go post an affirmative in the we need a mileage forum in the TDR suggestions forum!

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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

[This message has been edited by jponder (edited 03-11-2001). ]

 

[Old Account - 243]

ol ron,

I never thought I would make that mistake. Grabbed the green handle which is normally diesel at Diamond Shamrock and started pumping away... smelled like gas and I turned around and saw the unleaded label. Makes me mad but it was my fault.

243

 

[KCJackson]

My run was the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, 1999. Temperature about 80 degrees, low humidity, door and rear windows open (I love the reverse breeze thrugh the slider). I run stock size tires, LT215/85R16E, inflated at 75 up front, and 40 on the four rears. About half the trip was superhighway, half mountain two-lane road, all with posted speed limits of 55 (except for a few small towns on the two lane that backed down to 35). Basically, the tach and speedo never moved except for those small towns and a couple of long mountain downhills that I back off to second gear. Had I closed the windows and used the vent position of the HVAC, I might have hit 25 even.

needless to say, it ws just me, the truck, and some cassettes to crank. I make that exact same drive at least twice a year, but that time, it was a concerted effort to get the most out of the fuel tank. I made that run when the truck was just 2 days old, and it got 20. 8 mpg.

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1996 3500 Club 4x4 Laramie SLT, unmodified 180/420 12-valve, 47RE automatic, 3. 54 limited slip

[This message has been edited by KCJackson (edited 03-11-2001). ]

[This message has been edited by KCJackson (edited 03-11-2001). ]

 

[Big_Bad_Dually]

Why not just go to the local autoparts store and buy a throttel cable that you push and pull to adjust position and turn to tighten and lock?

The only problem would be forgetting to release it when trying to hit brakes #ad
, but its not really different from the "STICK". #ad


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1995 Ext. Cab, 4x4, 5 speed manual; removed turbo silencer ring; 3" straight pipe w/Banks turndown tip; Adjustable Propane Injection; Autometer UltraLite Boost & SportComp Pyro; Custom 1400 watt stereo with 4-6"x9" Blapunkt mid/high ranges and 2-10" AudioBahn Subs; Cobra CB and Police scanner; Motorola UHF Two-Way radio; Lund winterfront; 312,500 miles and still adding 50+ a day.
The BOMBing will NEVER end!!!

 

[JGrady]

Wow, those are some great MPG numbers! But it makes me feel like I'm missing something... my '99 3500 Cummins with 30k miles does only 14. 5-15 mpg and 12. 5-14 mpg when towing my 24' tag along race car trailer. Got any secrets you can share?

 

[DocStressor]

When driving on anything but absolutely flat terrain, you can do better than a throttle cable with an educated foot. Many years ago most US auto manufacturers and Mobil Oil had this thing called the Mobilgas Economy Run. That was before EPA mileage ratings, so Ford, GM, etc, would use professional drivers and report mileage figures about 30% higher than anything anybody else could get with the same cars in the real world. Anyway, one year when I was in college somebody at Mobil got the bright idea to use college students as drivers in order to pander to the emerging baby boom generation. So they talked to my sports car club in order recruit potential drivers. They latter decided to continue using professionals, but I learned some interesting tips about driving for high economy:

1. Drive as slowly as is practical in the highest gear possible.
2. Keep the manifold vacuum pressure as low as possible under all conditions (all the test cars had gauges).
3. Use a constant pedal position when driving on level ground (this is what a throttle cable does).
4. Anticipate stops. Take your foot completely off the throttle and coast to the stop avoiding the use of the brake. There was something about when you were supposed to release the clutch that I can’t remember.
5. Lose speed when climbing a hill. A throttle cable will do this, but you can do it better. The idea is to use just enough throttle to keep your momentum up until you reach the top of the hill. Watch the vacuum gauge and try to keep the reading negative as long as possible. (This would translate to keeping the boost as low as possible in a turbo diesel).
6. Accelerate with as little throttle as possible as you go down a hill. Then take your foot completely off the throttle and use the brake to keep from overspeeding. Maintain maximum negative vacuum. This was supposed to be where you really picked up mpg. Don’t downshift for braking.

There were other things mentioned that have been lost from my memory after 35+ years. But I find that I can usually increase my mileage by 15% on long trips by doing this stuff. But it’s hard to drive like this most of the time.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

[hammersley]

I have noticed on my 2001 (2500 4X4 265's, Auto, 3. 54, VA Box) that I can consistently get 19-19. 5 if I keep the beast at 1800 - or right at 70. If I push say 78, which I usually run at - she sits at 18-19. Folks, It just simply is not worth the extra time to run at 55 to get say 21. That's a 10% increase in mileage at a 20% decrease in time. My truck is 8 months old and I have 34,000 on her - I travel a fair amount. On a typical 500 mile trip.....

500 Mile Trip
55 Mph 75 Mph
500
Time 9. 090909091 6. 666666667
Additional Time 2. 424242424
Minutes 145. 4545455
Fuel Savings
MPG 21 18. 5
Amount of Fuel 23. 80952381 27. 02702703
Additional Fuel 3. 217503218
Assume Fuel Cost $2. 00/gallon
Savings $6. 44
Cost per hour $2. 65

The cost is not worth it to me!

 

[Archive]

It would probably be easier and a faster commute if you drove a Geo or something smaller. Just Kidding. Great Job #ad
.

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2001 RAM H. O. 6Sp 2500 SLT 4x4 Quad Cab, 4Wheel Disc, 4. 10 Limited Slip, Fog Lights, Muffler removed, Silence Ring Gone,K&N RE-0880.
THIS IS NOT A HOBBY. THIS IS AN ADDICTION,OOOHYAA!!

 

[jponder]

Lee> I agree with you that using variable throttle will yield better than Constant throttle. Isnt it funny that the variable throttle you are talking about is EXACTLY the opposite of what Cruise Control does! It would give you much more dramatic speed changes though. The only part I disagree with is #6 Never never hit your brake. If you have to die you have to die. If you have to then the slight acceleration you used going down the hill is wasted and should not have been done. I would rank em like this
1. Worst: Reg Cruise. Advan>Constant speed disadvan> Worst mileage

2. Better; Constant throttle ADVAN> Improved Mileage Disadvan> Speed Varies

3. Best? Constant load. Advan> Maximum Mileage Disadvan> More Pronounced speed swings.

If I was the only one on the highway I say Constant load cruise all the way even when pulling big loads, Depending on terrain and traffic flow it is definately a viable option.






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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by H. O. RAM:
It would probably be easier and a faster commute if you drove a Geo or something smaller. Just Kidding. Great Job #ad
.

How about a KLR250 Dual Sport bike; I get 65 in town #ad
. The ultimate would be a TDI Volkswagen diesel on and streamlined bike. Can I hear 150 MPG!!!!!!!

 

[DocStressor]

jponder – you are indeed the HVAC of mileage! Anyone willing to die in order to get the absolute best mileage is has got to be the man!

I agree with your ranking of the various driving styles for max mpg. Regular cruise only improves mileage if the driver normally has a heavy foot. But it’s hard not to enjoy all that torque we paid for.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags

 

[jponder]

Originally posted by Lee Weber:
jponder – you are indeed the HVAC of mileage! Anyone willing to die in order to get the absolute best mileage is has got to be the man!

I agree with your ranking of the various driving styles for max mpg. Regular cruise only improves mileage if the driver normally has a heavy foot. But it’s hard not to enjoy all that torque we paid for.

Hey I agree on feeling the Torque. I like going to the strip and when I am not checking mileage I will get on it to pass people. The other side of the coin is on long trips its a kick to check mileage.



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2001 ETH/DEE ST 4X4 SPACE SHUTTLE

 

[Newf Limo]

Has anyone considered the throttle calpe fo a Cessna 172. It is a push pull throttle and you can twist it for fine adjust. Of course you would have to come up with a brake disengage thingamajiggy. Just a thought. For those that are interested but have never been in a Cessna, just go to your local Muni or small airfield. Walk up to any hanger with a Cessna sign (service) and ask the mechanic to show you how it works. They would be more than happy to show you, it only takes a second. If you use the Mixture lever instead, it will be black instead of red. Just my 2 cents worth.

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2001 ETH 6spd 4X4 SLT

• Dark Garnet Red Pearlcoat
• A. R. E. MX Topper & Walk-thru Door
• 3. 54 Anti-Slip Diff.
• Trailer & Camper pkg.
• Turbo Silencer Ring in Glove Box
• Snow Plow Prep aka Moving to Colorado Prep

Nothin' could be sweeter than "Rammin' With My Newfys!!"

 

[illflem]

Lee, my roommate in college was involved in the mileage tests you spoke of. Another thing they were told to do was to avoid using any electrical devices, including lights, turn signals and fan, so as to not put any extra load on the alternator. It's the sum of the little things that adds up to big fuel savings.

 

[ducman]

during the first 25000. miles of my truck i made 1000+mile round trip's every other weekend and finally found the secrect to mpg's 75 mph is the break point 75 and below is alway's 20 mpg or above and any over 80 she get's real thirsty and i don't bother checking any more but it is real fun blastintg by some kid in a tricked out honda at about 100 mph

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98 1/2 2500 4x4 standard cab long bed american eagle 16x8 no muffler roll pan was driftwood now 2000 galaxy blue after $12000. 00rear end job

 

[DocStressor]

Yeah Bill, all that stuff matters when you are trying to squeeze the mileage. The amazing thing about the run was that it was done on real roads with real traffic. They told us to do as much of the small stuff as possible without getting arrested. BTW, cars had generators in those days. #ad


I'm surprise that nobody has mentioned synthetic lubes (oil, trans, differentials) in this thread. You can pick up maybe 5% percent without having to drive funny.

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1999 Quad cab 2500, SB, SLT, 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 54, tow and camper package, Lance 820 camper, Lance cabover stabilizers, Rancho 9000s, Airlift airbags