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fuel mileage during winter???

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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 09:03 PM
  #1  
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From: Florida
fuel mileage during winter???

I dont remember this any other year but my fuel mileage this year has dropped quite a bit ever since it started getting cold. Im out of FL and dont know if they use a winter blend or not down here. Is this normal to get less MPG during the winter? Was getting 17 in my 99 F250 now Im down to 14.5 to 15mpg and driving the same as I was before with no added modifications. Have a new fuel filter, air filter, and use diesel kleen.
Let me know..
 
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 09:22 PM
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From: Bellingham, WA
I am up north near Seattle and my mileage numbers aree exactly the same as yours. It started right around the end of October. I am hoping that it is the winter blend, no other signs of problems. just my 02.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 11:08 PM
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If it's cold enough, the stops are probably using a winter blend, and that will lower your mileage. Using an additive will help to improve it, but won't be as good as in the summer.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2005 | 11:10 PM
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I agree with both of you. I have a 02 CC 4x4 with 3.73 rear end, auto transmission with 61K and get exactly the same numbers. I bought my truck in November. I live in Mississippi and I am not sure I have ever had "summer" blend fuel in it. I have changed oil, air filter, fuel filter, used diesel kleen, checked tire pressures and everything else I can think of. I can't seem to get the fuel mileage that everyone else is claiming. The truck is bone stock and will remain that way until 100,000 miles. My plan is to wait until the winter is over and see if things improve. If not I guess I will have to look into it a little further. I can't ever get 15 mpg on the highway even turning around 2000 rpm. I am a little frustrated with the mileage and am open to any suggestions to improve it (besides all the mods that will void my warranty) Thanks!!!
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 09:33 AM
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From: Florida
I was at a truck wharehouse and there was a guy that had a 2000 F350 Single rear wheel and he was getting 21mpg. The truck had a bunch of extra fenders and air diverters on it. He said ever since he put that on there his mileage has gone up allot cause there is allot less wind resistance on the truck. I dont know if this is true but are trucks are not aero dynamic so it could be a valid point.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 12:13 PM
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I'm in nevada. its pretty cold here right now and
i'm getting 17@2200 rpm 65-70mph
18@ 2000 rpm 60-65mph
20 @ 15000 rmp50-55mph
Grantted I keep my foot off the the floor but it make a huge diff in milage. wind / speed ids the killer when the truck is shaped like a box.

f-350,cc 4x4 e40d,4.10
j
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 03:54 PM
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From: West Haven, UT
Originally Posted by wycowboy
20 @ 15000 rmp50-55mph
boom
Mike
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 05:02 PM
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oops toooooo many 0's that's 1500.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 07:16 PM
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wycowboy,

Wow those are good numbers especially with a 4:10. I cannot understand what can possibly be my problem. I turn 2000 RPM at 70 mph. I cannot get anywhere near the numbers you are getting. I am hand calculating my numbers based on the last 1000 miles. I am due for my 5000 mile oil change in about 800 miles. Maybe that will help. I am just disappointed everytime I see someone else with 4:10s and the same truck getting better mileage than I do. There is just no way that should be.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 07:21 PM
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I drive slow I think that helps a ton ., not as much fun though but it is good for thre wallet to set the cruse ar 55. plus thats all highway, hardly any in town. I hope my mileage keeps up , best of luck to you. J
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 07:32 PM
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I am most concerned about my highway mileage. I have taken a trips from MS to Chicago and from MS to Daytona FL. The best mileage I ever got on any leg was 15.0. I drive between 70 and 75 all the time. I am not sure but I just believe something is not quite right. I put about half a bowl of diesel kleen in when I changed fuel filters and that doesn't seem to make any difference.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 07:40 PM
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that dose not sound too far off for going 75. the two things you have working against you a are wind and the 4.10. windresestance gose up exponetaly so your looking at close to double tha resistance at 75 vs 55, then you have the 4.10 which gets you going with less work but has to spinn fast to do 75.
try it though, drive 55 for a tank and see what you get? trust me its hard to do. but I bet you'll see a hurge increse. lol J.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:10 PM
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I believe I mis-spoke. I don't believe I have a 4:10 rear end. I am not sure. I have never looked. I assume I have a 3:73. I turn 2000 rpm at 70 mph exactly. People with a 4:10 seem to turn around 22 or 2300 RPM at 70 mph. This is why I am discouraged. I don't believe there is any explaination for you getting better fuel mileage than I do with your 4:10 and my 3:73. Sorry for the confusion. On a side note I do notice that I get slightly better mileage when I have been tucked in behind a tractor trailer for a good while.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 08:44 PM
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wind is a big killer on mpg.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2005 | 09:53 PM
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I'm getting about 13-14 mpg in the city every winter and it goes up with the summer blend a few mpg.
 
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