Fuel Mileage
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: La Grange, TX
Fuel Mileage
Man there is so much to read on mileage. I"m adding a fuel additive now and seems better but not enough testing to prove it yet. I dont' even recall the name but from Wally world.
Anyway sorting through all this is time consuming. I understand all about keeping the foot out of it. I"ve got 65K on an 01 F350 Turbo 4x4. When we bought it, 31K miles, it got 15-17 on the road. Now its more like 14-15. I've been running synthetic oil since I bought it.
Question is, what do I look at next for a few more MPG or do I settle for what I have? I see chips and tuners and think thats the next thing but want some short sweet advice. After all, if I invest 2-4K that would pay for a bunch of fuel if the difference is only gaining 1-2mpg.
Just wondering where the tradeoffs are and what I should look at for a first mod, if any.
Thanks, Jeff
Anyway sorting through all this is time consuming. I understand all about keeping the foot out of it. I"ve got 65K on an 01 F350 Turbo 4x4. When we bought it, 31K miles, it got 15-17 on the road. Now its more like 14-15. I've been running synthetic oil since I bought it.
Question is, what do I look at next for a few more MPG or do I settle for what I have? I see chips and tuners and think thats the next thing but want some short sweet advice. After all, if I invest 2-4K that would pay for a bunch of fuel if the difference is only gaining 1-2mpg.
Just wondering where the tradeoffs are and what I should look at for a first mod, if any.
Thanks, Jeff
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Helotes, Texas
Exhaust, Intake, Gauges, and Chip! Ought to be able to get another 2-5 mpg for less than $1000. Shop real hard, check ebay (just make sure you buy from a reputable seller on ebay), and check out Motorhaven and Dieselsite. They run some great deals.
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From: Helotes, Texas
Just looking at the Motorhaven website, they have a Full Boar aluminized exhaust for your truck for only $234.00! That's damn cheap! You can do a Tymar homemade intake for about $50, gauge set for around $250, and Diablo Delta chip for around $300. Good luck!
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From: La Grange, TX
I looked at the diablo-- looks like you can tune for most mileage or most power or in between. Am I misunderstanding things? Plus I'll be ending up going from 300 feet above sea level to almost 10000 feet at times. Used to be with gas engines we had to retime them at altitude. The tuner says it can be used to tune for high altitude. Did I misunderstand? I"ve got a lead foot at times too. But it'd be nice to be able to settle back to 60-65 at 2000 RPM or under and make 17-18mpg easily when needed.
Jeff
Jeff
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From: Helotes, Texas
Jeff,
Not to argue with Mobey, but tests have shown that fuel mileage will increase with almost all performance chips if the vehicle continues to be driven in the same manner as before installation. You're right on track with the Diablo, and it should give you what you are looking for, especially for mileage at cruising speeds.
Not to argue with Mobey, but tests have shown that fuel mileage will increase with almost all performance chips if the vehicle continues to be driven in the same manner as before installation. You're right on track with the Diablo, and it should give you what you are looking for, especially for mileage at cruising speeds.
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Postmaster
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From: Bonney Lake, WA
tests have shown that fuel mileage will increase with almost all performance chips if the vehicle continues to be driven in the same manner as before installation.
I just have too much fun blowing black smoke at Hondas to get the mpg I'm capable of.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: La Grange, TX
Quad
Does that mean you'll get better mileage after add ons but to lead footed?
I'm still trying to understand if its just an individual engine thing or why some get 15-16 avg, I got that but now get less, and then others get17-19.
Tuner might be the best place to start and play with along with fuel additive. At least the additive should help injectors along the way if nothing else.
Jeff
Does that mean you'll get better mileage after add ons but to lead footed?
I'm still trying to understand if its just an individual engine thing or why some get 15-16 avg, I got that but now get less, and then others get17-19.
Tuner might be the best place to start and play with along with fuel additive. At least the additive should help injectors along the way if nothing else.
Jeff
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Helotes, Texas
Most of the time mpg depends on driving style with the same setups. Personally I've gotten an extra 1.5 mpg off of the mods I've done and am installing a Diablo Delta chip tomorrow that I think will help as well. If you are losing mileage, better check for fuel leaks, tire pressure probs, brakes sticking, dirty fuel or air filter, transmission slipping, or other mechanical problems. I have found that a drop in mileage is a good early indicator of mechanical failures.
Max
Max
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When I purchased my 250 PSD, it was averaging 16ish to the gallon. After changing the exhaust, doing the "KWIK" filter, and edge programmer, I average 19-20 mpg, and have gotten as high as 23 unloaded. Making a run back to Ga. from Miss. with an Intrepid in tow on a u-haul trailer,I managed about 17, maybe 18, crusing at 75, and the trailer had a stuck brake on one of the wheels. Anyhow, just my .02 worth.
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From: Parker, CO
Originally Posted by rost495
I'm still trying to understand if its just an individual engine thing or why some get 15-16 avg, I got that but now get less, and then others get17-19.
Most of the guys getting 20+ are 2wd 6-speeds. There are exceptions to the rule, but then that also depends on driving habits and whether you do mosty city driving, highway, or combination of both.
City I get 14-15 normally, less when my foot gets heavy. On the highway I can almost squeak 18 mpg, but that's cruising at a reasonable speed. Going 80 mph+ and my milage drops significantly. I currently don't have a chip or tuner, but that will change in the future.
My grandfather has an '01 2wd 6-speed. He drives of course like an old man, and before his tuner he was getting 20-21 mpg, with the tuner he was getting 22-23 mpg on the highway. So it did make a slight difference.
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HA .... I have no idea how I manage some of the figures I come up with as far as MPG go. I truly think my truck is a woman, never know what to expect out of it. When I hauled the car, I guess all of the variables where in line with the shadow of the moon ... I had been running the truck in stock mode for a few days, fresh oil and air filter, and I always travel at night( denser air or operator). When I am hauling my pressure washing rig, I normally get round about 17 MPG in the city, weighing about 4500 lbs. When traveling, its about 18ish, but that is running around 80 to 90, but if I keep under 2k rpm, 20 plus is easy, and my truck is the 2wd 6 spd, 3.73 I think, and that is in any of the settings on the programmer, other than stock of course.