2000 Miles towing with Predator
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From: Seminole, FL
2000 Miles towing with Predator
I just returned to FL after 2000+ miles. 2003 F150 Supercrew 4.6L 4x2 with K&N air filter and Flowmaster 50 muffler. 2 adults and 2 teenagers and luggage, etc. in truck. Towing Haulmark 7x16 enclosed tandem trailer weighing about 4500# total.
I tried several tanks of 93 octane at more and more spark advance. Also added Gumout Octane booster. I only adjusted the mixture slightly +/-1.0 rich/lean. Some tanks it seemed to have more power than others but could not really tell for certain if or when I found the best combination.
Gas mileage never improved with the Diablo tune. At 70-75mph I only got 8-8.5mpg. However, part of this was I found a 7% difference in my speed/odometer versus my GPS. I slowed down to 60-65mph and mileage improved to 11mpg with 93 octane and Diablo Tune.
I stopped for fuel and tried to change my tire/revs/mile and the tune did not complete. Here I sat with my family in a rough part of town off the interstate a couple miles in 90 deg heat and the truck would not start until I successfully installed a tune. The original backup did not go in the first time. All cell phones were off, my laptop was off but my handheld GPS on the windshield was still on. I turned this off and the stock tune finally installed and the truck started. By now at least 15 minutes have passed and the wife and kids were sweating profusely and questioning my judgement for using the Predator.
I decided now was not the time to try and re-modify my Diablo Tune and try another install so I proceeded with the stock tune and 93 octane. Running 60-65mph I again got 10.8mpg.
I decided since I had the stock tune installed I would run 87 octane. The last two tanks of 87 also gave 11mpg at 60-65mpg. Looks like the best way to save money on gas is to slow down.
So now about the best use I have had for the Predator is to improve throttle response and shifting and monitor my tranny fluid temp which never got above 205 deg on the hardest uphill pulls. Settled around 180 on flat ground.
Hope this info is usefull for those considering a tuner for gas mileage. I think Ken is probably right about most gains being had by those with other than stock vehicles. Maybe if/when I add a turbo or supercharger I will have more use for a performance tune!
Is it worth the $$? I would say yes.
I tried several tanks of 93 octane at more and more spark advance. Also added Gumout Octane booster. I only adjusted the mixture slightly +/-1.0 rich/lean. Some tanks it seemed to have more power than others but could not really tell for certain if or when I found the best combination.
Gas mileage never improved with the Diablo tune. At 70-75mph I only got 8-8.5mpg. However, part of this was I found a 7% difference in my speed/odometer versus my GPS. I slowed down to 60-65mph and mileage improved to 11mpg with 93 octane and Diablo Tune.
I stopped for fuel and tried to change my tire/revs/mile and the tune did not complete. Here I sat with my family in a rough part of town off the interstate a couple miles in 90 deg heat and the truck would not start until I successfully installed a tune. The original backup did not go in the first time. All cell phones were off, my laptop was off but my handheld GPS on the windshield was still on. I turned this off and the stock tune finally installed and the truck started. By now at least 15 minutes have passed and the wife and kids were sweating profusely and questioning my judgement for using the Predator.
I decided now was not the time to try and re-modify my Diablo Tune and try another install so I proceeded with the stock tune and 93 octane. Running 60-65mph I again got 10.8mpg.
I decided since I had the stock tune installed I would run 87 octane. The last two tanks of 87 also gave 11mpg at 60-65mpg. Looks like the best way to save money on gas is to slow down.
So now about the best use I have had for the Predator is to improve throttle response and shifting and monitor my tranny fluid temp which never got above 205 deg on the hardest uphill pulls. Settled around 180 on flat ground.
Hope this info is usefull for those considering a tuner for gas mileage. I think Ken is probably right about most gains being had by those with other than stock vehicles. Maybe if/when I add a turbo or supercharger I will have more use for a performance tune!
Is it worth the $$? I would say yes.
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