I too am new to PSD. 99 F350CCLB. Love my truck and it has all the power that I will ever need but I would be willing to trade some hp for MPG. What are some things that I might do.

 

You can try an additive, Stanadyne or DieselKleen. I've always run one these. DieselKleen is easiest to find, at WalMart. I did my own mileage test between the two and noticed no real difference between the two. Both, on average, gave me an extra 1 1/2-2 MPG per tank. See Senor Chavez's analysis at the beginning of this forum called Diesel Fuel Additive road test results. He did a real nice job.

Keep up on oil changes every 3-5K and fuel filter changes.

Some say using a chip will increase mileage. I haven't found this to be true, with my Superchip tuner. Probably due to the biggest way I fail to increase MPG; wear the softest, lightest right shoe and keep the RPM below 2 grand. (As most of us find, this is impossible!)

If you're truly concerned about mileage, buy a Geo (sorry, had to throw that in). There's always the trade-off of size, safety and pure low-end torque power for fuel economy. Hope this helps.

 

Guess I asked for the GEO thing but anyway what I am tring to do is max the MPG's.I don't expect to get 30 or 40 but would like more than 10. My wife drives the truck daily(school buss for the kids) but we use it for pulling a camper. Been getting 15-17 around town but would like 20+ if there is a way.Don't know much about chips. Will try fuel additive. Also would like to know what kind of deal I got in truck. It's F350XLTCCLB SW,69000 MILES, PAID 21700.00

 

Looks like you are already getting decent fuel mileage, especially in town driving. 20+ will probably not be reached, if so not easily. First, you won't ever see that with in town driving. I'm assuming that's not your real question though. I have been working on the same issue of maxing the mpg on my 95 250. With no mods, the best is just the same as with any other vehicle. Increase exhaust outflow, I don't count that as a mod, tire pressure, cheap fuel additives, drive slower, accelerate slowly, go over entire fuel supply and return lines for leaks, check tank(s) & filler hoses for seepage or leaks, keep under or at 65ish for long drives for ~2k rpms, regular oil changes, keep lubed up, and change all filters when needed. It's kind of a balancing act between paying for more fuel vs. paying for oil, filters, etc. I was getting horrible mpg when I first got the pu, ~12ish mpg unless I calculated wrong. I changed oil, lubed, and changed fuel and air filters. The air filter had everything from bugs to pack rat crap in it. A rat had attempted to make a nest in it! Little sticks, pecon shells, etc was all over in air filter. Some mods claim higher mpg too, like the 10k resister. Just remember to factor in the cost of mod vs payback in increased mpg. Sometimes in would take years for me to see a benefit for some of the mod prices.

 

Tire pressure up to recommended is the first step to better milage that is cheap to do.
Next is drive slowly, take off slowly, coast to stops, keep the RPM's down, clean air filter is very important. Clean fuel filter is also important.
If it is 4x4 keep the front hubs turned out unless you need it locked in.

A 7000+ pound truck is not a fuel efficent vehicle.

 

The best way to increase mileage is to use an additive like the Standyne and Diesel Kleen already mentioned. Of course you will break even on the cost when you consider the increased cost at fill up, so you're not really saving $. I still recommend you use the additive anyway because it will help keep your fuel system clean.

If you don't gun it on starts and keep the RPM below 2000 you will notice a difference. Basically, the less turbo you hear the better MPG you will get. With a CC LB you're not likely going to get 20 MPG, but you could get close!