TSB and Dealer Service

[RMenendez]

Took my 04. 5 in for the TSB 18-037-04reprogramming of ecm. Got the truck back with an invoice that states: "checked for TSB does not apply".



My engine # and date of manufacture clearly are in the range that the bulletin says should have the reprogramming done. So, what to do next?

 

[DJennings]

That TSB addresses 3 specific problems: Poor mileage, White smoke on start, and inaccurate overhead display. You need to make sure that they are clear that you are bringing your truck in to address these problem(s).



When I brought my truck in, I told them I wanted the TSB done. The service writer asked me why. I told him my mileage was subpar based on the averages I had heard. He said "is it better than 4?" You get the idea (That guy was fired the next week). I ended up writing down the TSB # on the service invoice, then called the Service Manager who was very cordial about it. I told him my mileage was 11-12 in city and 14-15 on highway. He took care of it. They even readjusted pinion factor for the larger tires I installed.



I would tell you to call and talk to the service manager. Explain that your truck is having the above issues, and that you are "aware" of a TSB that is supposed to address these issue(s). Make sure he understands that you have verified that the truck does fall within the build date/serial #'s for the TSB.



If that doesn't work, go to another dealer.



FYI, I drove ~1000 miles last week. Got 17. 9 mpg's on one tank and 16. 3 on the second tank (300 miles of 30mph+ headwinds/crosswinds) hand calculated.

 

[RMenendez]

I just did what you suggested and fax the invoice with the engine # and TSB number on it back to the service manager. I have been getting the white smoke on cold am but my milage around town (90% freeway) is 15. 5-16, does that mean I shouldn't expect better? I only have 5300 miles on it.

 

[DJennings]

In theory, you should expect better. There have been a few people that have posted loss in mileage, but for the most part almost everyone that posted about it here, has seen an improvement. Mine went up significantly (2+mpg's). I am expecting it to get a little better as everything breaks in over the next 6 months/25000miles I will drive.



According to the TSB, you should expect about a 1mpg improvement in mileage. I'm sure others will chime in with their opinion of the TSB. Mine is only an opinion, but I say get it done. My CTD is getting better mpg's, running smoother at idle, more responsive. The overhead has been within . 3mpg's since I had it done. I haven't had any issues with white smoke, before or after TSB.



Good Luck. I have called my dealer's service manager twice with mileage updates and thanked him for taking care of me. I figure you get more flys with honey...