What is your best (repeatable) MPG with an 04.5 600?

[smithinc]

i respectfully disagree, keep it under 2000 rpm and you will get good mileage. seems every diesel i have had starts to drop after 2000 rpm. keeping your foot out of it does help alot but if you have to run at 2300 rpm to do the speed limit you will use more fuel than someone who is running 1900 rpm to do the speed limit.



gary

 

[Sarge]

I know my truck is heavy (8400 pounds) but I can't get over 14 empty... ... . Unless all you guys live in "downhill" states... ... . :{

 

[stevenknapp]

i respectfully disagree, keep it under 2000 rpm and you will get good mileage. seems every diesel i have had starts to drop after 2000 rpm.



That's what I've heard. Issues like wind drag and the like would still be factors I'd think tho. You go 80 vs 55 and you're going to use a lot more energy pushing wind out of the way.

 

[NDanecker]

Originally posted by NJTackle

See below for hand calc since new which includes some towing, warm ups, going to Wawa for milk, etc.



Running on the highway empty on long trips at 65mph I can break 18 without a sweat. Its the around town and speeding (75mph+) that kills my mileage. I've never owned a truck before that had its mileage vary so much just by varyng its speed from 65 to 80mph.

I increased my tire pressure from 45 psi to 60 psi on all 4's for a run down to Atlanta GA from NJ. According to the digital MPG gauge my MPG seemed to increase by about 1 to 1. 5 MPG.



Calculated numbers to follow .....

 

[Old Man]

Ken, since you had TSB 18-007-04 done, have you noticed any difference in power or fuel mileage. My engine serial # calls for the TSB to be performed, just haven't go around to it. Got almost 3200 miles on truck and the best was 16. 2 but the average has been 15. 4 to 15. 7.

 

[klenger]

I didn't really notice any increase any milage increase from the TSB, but my milage has been getting better over time. Maybe 1 -2 MPG better than when I took delivery.

 

[CAgnoli]

Tonneau Cover Observations

I'm getting ready to install my tonneau cover this week. I wonder if it will help.



I installed a tonneau cover with 2500 miles on the clock, and didn't see any noticable difference in economy. As a matter of fact, I notice that the cover "billows" the last 8 or 9 inches. At highway speeds (which for me are 68 to 71) the part of the cover past the last bow gets to whippin pretty good.



But, when you're driving a billboard down the road, you can't expect putting a tail on it to help it run any better. Does dress up the truck quite a bit though.



My truck will turn 10,000 miles on my way to work tomorrow, and 17-18 it where I"m at running an average speed of 70MPH.



Do any of you think that servicable lock out hubs are a partial answer? As Torque says, 19 would be great, but hey, 22 would be smokin!

 

[klenger]

TTT

 

[favord]

I left the 04. 5 sitting for the last month and drove my old one when I needed a truck. I like the reliability of the new one for longer trips so this week after jump starting it with my Ford Focus I loaded the horses in the trailer and put on about 700 miles. Ended up averaging 8. 7 mpg. I kept it right at 2000rpm on the trip out and got 8. 9. Today on the trip home decided if it was gonna suck fuel it might as well suck fuel keeping up with traffic so cruised at 75mph. Pretty poor... parked it in the back forty again and remembered to unhook the trailer wire this time so I don't suck my batteries down. I've had the reflash for the stutter BTW even though I didn't have any troubles other than poor fuel economy.



Put me down for "under 11".

 

[TCrawley]

I am getting 16. 3mpg while driving to work. Alot better than the Hemi I had, its best was 12. 6.

 

[RTuvell]

To The Top



Anyone else who has input for this poll?

 

[jcarey]

Last 2 tankfuls we've averaged 19,01 and 19. 17 mpg (Excel spreadsheet)... about 35-40% city and 55-60% highway.



3500 miles, see sig.

 

[Po' Riggity]

I just calculated my second tank of diesel, and Im averaging 18. 7 mpg with a combination of mountain driving and freeway driving. Straight freeway, I can get 22 mpg, but I have a light foot, and don't go over 70 on the freeway.

Scott

 

[stevenknapp]

I'm looking forward to reporting MPG when it gets broken in a bit more. Initial rural MPG is in the 16-18 range depending on speed, and the number of stops.

 

[RJBussey]

My first tank I got 11 miles about 50-50 city-freeway. My second tank I got 16 miles to the gallon with 20% city 80% highway. On my third tank I put a 6" lift with 35" tires and just got 12. 5 miles to the gallon running 90% freeway. But I was averaging 75 mph.