Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel and mileage

[BJesik]

Is it just me or has anyone else out there experienced a drop in fuel mileage with the new ULSD? Used to consistently get 19 mpg combined city and highway. During the past 2 months I have been averaging 16. 5. I don't notice any leaks and my driving has not changed. I currently have about 105K on my 2000 2500 CTD. I installed a FASS system several months ago and actually had a slight increase in mileage for a while. Is there something else I should look for or is this something I am just going to have to learn to live with. Would greatly appreciate any and all help from my TDR friends. Thanks. Bjesik.

 

[DBuchheit]

A drop of 2-3 MPG is very common this time of the year due to the changeover to winter blend fuel. You should see your fuel economy return in the spring.

 

[WestTN]

I haven't seen any mileage loss. Since I winter in the south, I never get winter grade fuel. The ULSD isn't to blame for low mileage.

 

[BILLYGEE]

I've experienced 10-15% drop in fuel mileage since they put this crap on the market. Just another government/big oil interest scam to increase fuel usage and drive up costs. My $. 02

 

[rjrkihap]

Hi;



I too have noticed a drop in mileage with ULSD (about 1. 5 mpg). I live in the Portland, Oregon area, so no winter blends here. It's amazing how much more we pay attention to mileage at $3. 50 per gallon. :{



Ron

 

[Crash&Burn]

YES... YES... YES

I saw a 2mpg drop, spring summer fall, and winter blend didn't have anything to do with it.....

 

[rkressg]

I noticed about a 2% drop in economy in my truck with ULSD. My brother also had a similar drop in his VW Diesel.

 

[jtwcummins]

My 97 12v didn't like ULS fuel at all. Ran a little rougher and power/economy went down a little. When gas in Calif went to MTBE all year, or ethanol in the winter, both of our cars had decreases in performance and mileage. Seems to be happening again in the diesel world. Who makes the emission rules? Guvment. Who makes the most per gallon on fuel sales? DUH

 

[obert]

Im not likin' the ULSD much myself, but its been around long enough to get used to... .

Just another government/big oil interest scam to increase fuel usage and drive up costs. My $. 02

It is odd, with all the cryin' about fuel milage, that every new EPA req. met by the diesel industry results in lower MPGs. But hey, ya spend more for your "clean engine", get fined if its not "clean", spend more at the pump because of the extra gallons, each of which (around here) have ~$. 45 of tax #@$%!

I cant oppose being less offensive to the environment, but the cost far outweighs the benefit. We, the end users, bear that cost, and it frustrates me that the fat cat bureaucrats that pushed for this crap havent dropped the first damn dime, and still live in wasteful mansions, ride in limos with thirsty V8 gasser's and fly 'round the world burning millions of gallons of jet fuel directly into the upper atmosphere. :-{}



Guess it's a good thing there's flowers and sunshine coming from the tailpipe on your new truck! :-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[DodgeWarlock]

We saw an increase of about 2mpg on a 3600 mile road trip this year when we found the old fuel. Every time we got ULSD it dropped again. The thing that gets me is, how much better is it really for the environment to have cleaner emissions, but burn more fuel to do it. It seems like between the new motors, emissions equipment, and ULSD, we are talking about a pretty significant increase in fuel consumption. Are the actual emissions differences enough to offset this? Is the solution worse than the problem?

 

[RJWEST]

My thoughts on ULSD, It ain't better... .

And it gives me a rash... . ????? Another EPA screw up, again ???
Like MTBE

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I did a thread on this subject almost a year ago with the same consensus- most everyone reported a MPG drop with ULSD.

 

[JVackiner]

Yup, about a 3mpg drop here also and less power to boot. I agree with Dodge Warlock: are the cleaner emissions enough to offset the extra gallons we are burning to get there. I don't think so.

 

[2broke2smoke]

2 cummins' running everyday and 0 change



wife gets right at 17. 8 and i get right at 16

 

[courierdog]

I changed over to winter tires the first weekend of October which is about the same time as the winter fuel change over here and there is about a 1. 5 - 2. 0 MPG difference (Summer 19MPG, Winter 17 MPG. I have been running ULSD since June of 2006 (Beginning of the Canadian Change over to ULSD) and it has not hurt the overall fuel economy in any of my vehicles. One note my injectors do not need as much cleaning with the ULSD as they did with the LSD. I still run some low ash 2 cycle oil in the fuel mix which does help as well. just my $0. 02

 

[Blue2002]

This summer I troubleshot why my mileage had dropped about 2-3 mpg below what I had been getting pre-ULSD. Changed out IAT Sensor, MAP Sensor, Air Filter, Fuel Filter. Winter mileage is even worse.

I've come to the same conclusion that many others have - ULSD is causing lower mileage.

With the price of fuel I am considering swapping out my EDM 1. 6s for my old 275injectors. George

 

[sfritts]

I also noticed the reduced mileage 1. 5-2 mpg and also now that it is winter again it takes longer for the engine to come up to temp. even with the radiator completely covered. I also think it hurt the power a little but don't have any proof of that other than seat-of-the -pants, but a couple of guys that got diesel trucks say the same for them too.