I have an 03 F-250 Crew Cab 4X4 6.0 Diesel and need better MPG without changing what I have already done to it. So far I have added a 4 inch turbo back exhaust system and an Edge chip and programer. Yes, I did put on a 6 inch lift with 35's, but if there is a way to get better than the 12 MPG I'm getting now then I am open to suggestions.....

 

Hmmm, 6" lift + 35s = lots more drag. Maybe different gears. I don't think I would recomend air intake, most on here are opposed to that. I did air intake on mine and no difference in mpg. Are you using fuel additive?

 

Join the crowd, 05 with 35's no lift got about 11.5 mpg around town on last fill. I plan on going back to stock tires. Hope that helps.

 

i hope you didnt think adding a tuner will get mileage. anytime you add power to a diesel, your adding more fuel which decreases economy.

 

What BTH says!!

 

Thanks. I appreciate all your input.

 

Get rid of the lift and 35's...for better MPG

 

Not neccesarily. Good calibration does not only include fuel mapping changes; injector timing changes can have a significant effect (usually positive) on fuel mileage.

I think if you will take a poll, the average person will truly gain mileage with a reputable brand of tuner.

Ditto.

 

i sure with a custom tune for fuel mileage then yes oyu are right. but as far as the non adjustable plug and plays that advertise this, it is bunk.

 

I would dis-agree with you there. I average 1mpg better with the scmt, if I don't race car ya ya it. Or put in a better respect 1mpg better on cruse on the interstate, same trip no tuner going, tuner on returning. I hand calculate, and I check my mileage EVERY tank.

 

ok i give.

 

After a lift and 35s on mine the mpg went way down, I still think the Zoodad Mod helps a little running up and down the highway. Tuanno Cover seems to maybe help a little, and a fuel additive helps a little. I still average about 12-14, depending on conditions. Before the lift and tires it was 14-17. Living in the rockies doesnt help me either.

 

I've only had my truck a month and filled it 5/8 tank twice after the first "to the top" fill. It is a '03 F-350 SC SB FX4 6.0 3.73 LSD with 62K miles. This is a stock rig. I use FMC PM17A cetane booster, 4 oz. to a 25 gallon fill. I get about 17-18 MPG on mostly back road and highway driving, pulling 1400@50, 1700@60, 2000@70 in top gear on cruise. I also employ all the usual strategies to improve milage.

I "feather foot" the gas pedal. Slow easy starts with constant acceleration are the norm and I rarely see 2000 rpm before it shifts gears. Letting off the gas and coasting up to stop signs or red lights helps. Even better, if you can time the lights so you're still rolling when they change green you save the fuel it would take to get you back up to speed. Conservation of inertia is what you're looking for. Check tire pressure regularly, balance and rotate them and get the front end aligned if it's off. These are all common sense things that we all know, just don't always do... There are other things I've read some about like the 203 degree thermostat which is supposed to bring the engine up to a more efficient operating temperature for more complete combustion.

As far as bigger tires, it seems that going too much bigger puts a lot more drag on the drivetrain. I am thinking of going up one size, from the stock 265/75R16E to the slightly larger 285/75R16E. This will take me from a 31.6" tire to a 32.8" one, a change of about 3.6%, and will change my effective gearing to 3.59. I don't know if I'll see much or any difference if I go with the larger tires.

I've seen some guys on here claim to get 26-28 MPG from their trucks, but they're running chips, tuners, turbo back straight pipe exhaust with no cat, etc. Since my engine is still under warranty I think I'll put off deciding about any of those kind of mods until after the 100K mark. The mods I will be doing are all about reliability and longevity. I have a Mag-Hytec tranny pan here and a coolant bypass filter on the way. These engines will run for a long time if you take care of them.

 

Do you REALLY need the 35's or just like the way they look, if you need them....well...-

 

Really? I don't recall seeing mileage claims like that. I've never seriously considered all the mods, but if I thought I could increase mpg's to 26-28, I would sure look at them...

I get 16-18, depending on how much city/highway driving I'm doing. Totally stock truck.

dp