Flash for mpg problems?
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Flash for mpg problems?
I posted before the trouble I'm having with fuel mileage. I want to say first of all that I love my truck so I'm not bashing, just looking for answers.
I started with 18mpg, up to 20 and then suddenly a drop to 13. Took it to the dealer, they said they "had to reset a couple of computer settings", back to 18 for 2 tanks then down to 11. Took to dealer they said it was 16 after hooking it up and running for 15 minutes(felt the blow off on that one as they were very busy). I have 7000 miles on it now and it started this at around 3000. Anyway I am brand new to psd's and need some help.
What is flash? I see some references to it helping?
Would a chip or preditor help? How much?
Any other suggestions?
It wouldn't be a huge issue if I really were getting 16 instead of 11, except that I have gotten 20 and see many others getting at least that.
I started with 18mpg, up to 20 and then suddenly a drop to 13. Took it to the dealer, they said they "had to reset a couple of computer settings", back to 18 for 2 tanks then down to 11. Took to dealer they said it was 16 after hooking it up and running for 15 minutes(felt the blow off on that one as they were very busy). I have 7000 miles on it now and it started this at around 3000. Anyway I am brand new to psd's and need some help.
What is flash? I see some references to it helping?
Would a chip or preditor help? How much?
Any other suggestions?
It wouldn't be a huge issue if I really were getting 16 instead of 11, except that I have gotten 20 and see many others getting at least that.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Northern Utah
I am not a tech, therefore my response is based on my own experience. My 03 6.0 has 34,260 miles and I have seen the mileage vary with the different flashes (re-programs)over the past 17 months of ownership. I too really like my truck. With that said, I had the most recent flash three weeks ago and have put on over 1,500 miles since with great mpg. Right now I'm at over 19 mpg with mostly highway driving. Towing is certainly lower, around 12mpg with 7,400 lb boat. The truck runs better than ever with this flash! I do keep higher tire pressures than some people which I believe also helps mpg. I have 68lbs in the front and 72lbs in the rear (my tires have 80lb max pressure ratings).
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Great State of Texas
IMO, 20 MPG in town is unusual but doable by some. 15-17 would be avg. from what I have seen in other threads.
In theory a Predator should provide 1.5-2.5 MPG increase. However, my practical experience says that is hog wash because most people, such as I, feel the need to demonstrate their new found POWER all to often.
Therefore, henceforth, and forever...I have negated any potential MPG increase.
FYI: IMO, some MPG figures we have read are somewhat suspect as to how they may have been calculated.
In addition, most service dept's tell us to bad...there is no MPG fix. I find it interesting that your service dept thinks they have one.
I would be very interested in more info. on this "reset of a couple of computer settings"
Thanks and good luck.
In theory a Predator should provide 1.5-2.5 MPG increase. However, my practical experience says that is hog wash because most people, such as I, feel the need to demonstrate their new found POWER all to often.
Therefore, henceforth, and forever...I have negated any potential MPG increase.
FYI: IMO, some MPG figures we have read are somewhat suspect as to how they may have been calculated.
In addition, most service dept's tell us to bad...there is no MPG fix. I find it interesting that your service dept thinks they have one.
I would be very interested in more info. on this "reset of a couple of computer settings"
Thanks and good luck.
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I am refering to hwy miles. I really don't care what the city is for various reasons. (The huge decrease with towing concerns me a bunch!)
I'm just saying what they told me at the dealer. Maybe they "re-flashed" it but didn't want to get into details??? All I know is it did help temporarily.
I'm just saying what they told me at the dealer. Maybe they "re-flashed" it but didn't want to get into details??? All I know is it did help temporarily.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 19,098
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From: Great State of Texas
Well, I don't understand why it would be temporary. It seems to me that a flash either do...or it don't.
FYI: My Hywy MPG @ 78 MPH with cruise, steady 2,250 RPM's, pump to pump was 16.3
Please keep us informed.
Where are you @ in OK?
FYI: My Hywy MPG @ 78 MPH with cruise, steady 2,250 RPM's, pump to pump was 16.3
Please keep us informed.
Where are you @ in OK?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
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From: Central Texas
achiro, there are many factors that influence fuel economy. How do you measure your economy? Manually calculating is the best way. You need to refill the tank to the same level. Fill it to some spot in the fill tube after the foam dies down is the most accurate. Sometimes that requires a flashlight. Looks strange but who cares? If you don't and go by when the pump shuts off, that alone could explain a lot on mileage. Then there is tire pressure, wind, weather, geography, etc.
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Originally Posted by SBV45
achiro, there are many factors that influence fuel economy. How do you measure your economy? Manually calculating is the best way. You need to refill the tank to the same level. Fill it to some spot in the fill tube after the foam dies down is the most accurate. Sometimes that requires a flashlight. Looks strange but who cares? If you don't and go by when the pump shuts off, that alone could explain a lot on mileage. Then there is tire pressure, wind, weather, geography, etc.
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On average it seems that the lie-o-meter (computor) is generally off on the optomystic side 1 to 1.5 mpg as to what is calculated, which is actually a small amount considering. Is computed mileage traveled actually correct on these beasts due to the variance of tire sizes and pressures and how accurate can the fuel consumption be with acelerating take-offs from a stop. As said, many factors can influence the fuel economy as well as the accuracy of the calculations.
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Originally Posted by achiro
I am refering to hwy miles. I really don't care what the city is for various reasons. (The huge decrease with towing concerns me a bunch!)
I'm just saying what they told me at the dealer. Maybe they "re-flashed" it but didn't want to get into details??? All I know is it did help temporarily.
I'm just saying what they told me at the dealer. Maybe they "re-flashed" it but didn't want to get into details??? All I know is it did help temporarily.
Reflashing is mordern day "Mid evil Mechanics"
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Joined: Jun 2004
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I did notice a difference in the ratio of the lie-o-meter on our Excursion before and after our flash. Before the flash the lie-o-meter was low. Meaning I would calculate 16 mpg mostly city and the lie-o-meter would say 14. Now after flash the lie-o-meter will read 14.9-15 mpg and hand calcualted shows 13.4-14.8 mostly city. Our fuel and driving habbits haven't changed. Just the flash.
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Took a trip today, I'm in western Oklahoma, very flat, no wind, no load. Filled up before I left, filled up to the same spot after 200 miles when I got back. All highway miles(except a couple of small towns) top speed 70 but most of it at 65. Tire pressure is fine.
I got 11.9 miles per gallon!
I need some suggestions because this AIN'T right!
And although choctaw may think I'm "whining" I really like this truck, its just not running right and I want to fix it, not sell it or get my money back or anything like that.
I got 11.9 miles per gallon!
I need some suggestions because this AIN'T right!
And although choctaw may think I'm "whining" I really like this truck, its just not running right and I want to fix it, not sell it or get my money back or anything like that.
Posting Guru
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good luck on fixing it mine is the same and ford has no answer, they tell me if there are no codes there is nothing that they can do, I have taken mine to 3 dealerships with very little improvment. I did all the things that are suposed to help not much luck switched to synethic oil and didnt fill all the way, stsrted running fuel additive no change to speak of it seems some just dont get the mpgs and ford will tell you that there are no posted mpg numbers for 250/350 trucks. you want the same thing I want my truck fixed but ford has been unable to do so. wish you the best, and hope ford will start taking the poor fuel mpgs serious but as of yet they are not. the factory rep. offered me a one time cash offer of 700.00 dollars but I told him I want the truck fixed and he said there are no mpg ratings for my truck. Or basically we dont care.
