Question about tune
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 808
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From: P.G. VA
Question about tune
I have a stock 2003 6.0 with 192k miles. Recently
inherited this truck and have no prior experience with diesels. When I brought it home I was towing a 20’ enclosed trailer with less than 1,000lbs cargo inside. MPG average was just over 9 which to me sucks. I also have a 7000lb camper I am going to start towing. My question is if a towing tune will help with MPG without risking damage to the motor? I have heard that aftermarket tuners contributed to many of the failures on this engine. Not looking for more power just better MPG.
inherited this truck and have no prior experience with diesels. When I brought it home I was towing a 20’ enclosed trailer with less than 1,000lbs cargo inside. MPG average was just over 9 which to me sucks. I also have a 7000lb camper I am going to start towing. My question is if a towing tune will help with MPG without risking damage to the motor? I have heard that aftermarket tuners contributed to many of the failures on this engine. Not looking for more power just better MPG.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 18
From: NW IA
The kids 03 gets 16 towing a 24' enclosed with 9k lbs worth of snowmobiles, so yes that is pretty low.
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
Still stock exhaust with cats as well?
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
Still stock exhaust with cats as well?
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
The kids 03 gets 16 towing a 24' enclosed with 9k lbs worth of snowmobiles, so yes that is pretty low.
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: P.G. VA
The kids 03 gets 16 towing a 24' enclosed with 9k lbs worth of snowmobiles, so yes that is pretty low.
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
Still stock exhaust with cats as well?
He has larger tires as well.
You should just start with the basics.
What is the maint history?
There are some basic maintenance things that might get you another 2 mpg right there.
After that perhaps start with a FICM tune. Several here, myself included, like the Atlas 40. It won't stretch the head bolts like other hot tunes will and many here, myself also lumped in, saw 2 mpg right off the bat.
Still stock exhaust with cats as well?
I’m not experienced with diesels. What could be causing the low mpg while towing? Granted I was running about 65-70 the whole way from FL but yeah I would think it should do better than 9 mpg.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 18
From: NW IA
No, lol it's 4x4 with big Nitto Graplers.
It honestly gets that mpg, pushes 21 unloaded. It's always been a good mpg truck.
This is hand fill checks, not the lie o meter
It honestly gets that mpg, pushes 21 unloaded. It's always been a good mpg truck.
This is hand fill checks, not the lie o meter
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 199
Likes: 2
thats incredible. i have 34” terra grapplers on my 4x4 and i can maybe get 17 if im not driving fast.. what tune are you running?
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 18
From: NW IA
It's custom for TTY's as he is not studded, he was on the phone with them some time ago getting it figured out.
It will get up and scoot, but it's not a towing tune and he does not see quite those numbers unloaded with the tune.
The Atlas 40 helped as well.
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