MPG's...actual vs. the computer calculation
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Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
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From: Santa Clarita CA
MPG's...actual vs. the computer calculation
So I've had my 06 F250 4x4 SB Lariat for about 2 months now. Gone thru about 4 tanks of diesel fuel now. Doing the math between fillups to calculate the actual mileage vs. what the dash computer is calculating.
Let me make this absolutely clear, so that no one thinks I'm being a weenie...I did NOT buy this truck thinking I was going to get better mileage than the Tundra I drove prior to this. I was planning on this getting worse mileage... and it does. No big deal.
Dash calculation is 13.7 MPG
Actual (from the math) is more like 12.7 MPG
Each time I fill it up, I reset the fuel mileage calculator back to zero. And each tank has yeilded the same numbers as above.
I'm not surprised at the difference. I'm more surprised at the relatively low miles per gallon I'm actually getting. I haven't even towed anything yet! Mostly around town driving, and very modestly at that (low rpms...low speeds in general).
Bone stock 6.0 engine and stock tune. Stock wheels and tires. No lift kit. Not going to put any aftermarket engine stuff on it either. It's still under basic warranty anyways (30K miles).
Am I in the "normal mileage" ballpark with these numbers?
Let me make this absolutely clear, so that no one thinks I'm being a weenie...I did NOT buy this truck thinking I was going to get better mileage than the Tundra I drove prior to this. I was planning on this getting worse mileage... and it does. No big deal.
Dash calculation is 13.7 MPG
Actual (from the math) is more like 12.7 MPG
Each time I fill it up, I reset the fuel mileage calculator back to zero. And each tank has yeilded the same numbers as above.
I'm not surprised at the difference. I'm more surprised at the relatively low miles per gallon I'm actually getting. I haven't even towed anything yet! Mostly around town driving, and very modestly at that (low rpms...low speeds in general).
Bone stock 6.0 engine and stock tune. Stock wheels and tires. No lift kit. Not going to put any aftermarket engine stuff on it either. It's still under basic warranty anyways (30K miles).
Am I in the "normal mileage" ballpark with these numbers?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
Those aren't too bad. My 04 calculates damn near exact to the tenth. Are you filling up at the same point and adding the same amount of fuel each time? That's really the only way to get it down to exact. Since it's nearly impossible to refuel the tank to the same point each time, I usually put in the same gallons each time when the Miles To Empty reading is at the same point.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,897
Likes: 3,615
34k on my 2006
Average miles per gallon - 16.3 (not a lot of towing, maybe 40/60 city / hiway). This is hand calculated. I have harpooned the fuel tank.
Average miles per hour 47.85.
My electronic reading AVERAGES 1.2 mpg over my hand calculation. It has been off as much as 2.8 mpg (but this was a single event and may have been an issue with the pumps I was using on a trip).
Average miles per gallon - 16.3 (not a lot of towing, maybe 40/60 city / hiway). This is hand calculated. I have harpooned the fuel tank.
Average miles per hour 47.85.
My electronic reading AVERAGES 1.2 mpg over my hand calculation. It has been off as much as 2.8 mpg (but this was a single event and may have been an issue with the pumps I was using on a trip).
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
Likes: 2
From: Dunwoody, GA
I'm curious how everyone is calculating their MPG. Are you taking the miles driven from last fill up and dividing it by the total gallons you put in the tank? Also are you resetting the MPG meter immediately upon filling up?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 449
Likes: 0
I had been getting around 16.5 mpg, now I am at 18.2-18.5 after putting on a hard bed cover. (no towing) Yeah, yeah, this has all been discounted by Mythbusters, but my experience has been definite increased fuel mileage. Sorry, I got off topic.
I top off the tank, and I add up the gallons and mileage over 3-4 fillups. This allows for varied usage, hiway and city.
I top off the tank, and I add up the gallons and mileage over 3-4 fillups. This allows for varied usage, hiway and city.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 18
From: Henderson, NV
I had been getting around 16.5 mpg, now I am at 18.2-18.5 after putting on a hard bed cover. (no towing) Yeah, yeah, this has all been discounted by Mythbusters, but my experience has been definite increased fuel mileage. Sorry, I got off topic.
I top off the tank, and I add up the gallons and mileage over 3-4 fillups. This allows for varied usage, hiway and city.
I top off the tank, and I add up the gallons and mileage over 3-4 fillups. This allows for varied usage, hiway and city.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Carmichael, ca
Guys. . .
Which truck are you driving? ? ? What does it weigh empty? ? ? What is your rear end ratio? ? ? Mileage comparisons without this information is worthless! ! !
I have an 06 F350 4X4 Dually, it weighs 8,000 pounds empty and I'm running 4.30 gears. On the freeway with a light foot, 60 to 65 mph I get around 17 mph. Around town my mileage can vary between 10 to 14 mph, depends on how much I press on the go peddle. I have a 12,000 pound trailer that I get around 8 mph.
If you're running 3.73 gears, you'll get better mileage than I do, if you're running an F250 4X2 and 3.73 gears you'll get even better mileage. AND your left foot can play a big part of your mileage.
Which truck are you driving? ? ? What does it weigh empty? ? ? What is your rear end ratio? ? ? Mileage comparisons without this information is worthless! ! !
I have an 06 F350 4X4 Dually, it weighs 8,000 pounds empty and I'm running 4.30 gears. On the freeway with a light foot, 60 to 65 mph I get around 17 mph. Around town my mileage can vary between 10 to 14 mph, depends on how much I press on the go peddle. I have a 12,000 pound trailer that I get around 8 mph.
If you're running 3.73 gears, you'll get better mileage than I do, if you're running an F250 4X2 and 3.73 gears you'll get even better mileage. AND your left foot can play a big part of your mileage.
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 449
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Jmaskew, no pic for now, but it is an Extang Solid Cover, basically a trifold. Easy on, easy off. No lock but I lock the tailgate and it is good to go. If someone wants to break into a bed cover, I guess they will, lock or no lock.
I have a 250 CC FX4 package with a 3.73, as stated I rarely tow, so my mileage data reflects that I think. I keep it 5 over the speed limit wherever I am. I push it when I can to blow it out, and it is fun tailgating blue haired snowbirds anyway
.
I have a 250 CC FX4 package with a 3.73, as stated I rarely tow, so my mileage data reflects that I think. I keep it 5 over the speed limit wherever I am. I push it when I can to blow it out, and it is fun tailgating blue haired snowbirds anyway
.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 368
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From: Kansas
I took a trip this weekend towing a empty car trailer 900 miles and 900 miles back loaded. My dash calculator said 14.7 and hand calculated said 14.6896. Pretty damn close if you ask me. 500 miles each way I had the cruise set at 80 mph.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 713
Likes: 0
From: KS
i have an excel spreadsheet that i add in all my miles and gallons (and what type of driving) periodically. it had an overall avg of 17.1 (18.1 hwy) over 20K+. lately it's been averaging between 19 and 20 hwy.
no my tank isn't harpooned but i figure over long enough time it won't matter. it doesn't seem to. just fill tank, top off $1 to $3 extra, usually half a gallon or less. write down mileage from trip odo and gal and divide the two.
no my tank isn't harpooned but i figure over long enough time it won't matter. it doesn't seem to. just fill tank, top off $1 to $3 extra, usually half a gallon or less. write down mileage from trip odo and gal and divide the two.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 0
From: Coal Country, ND
Mine seems to always be within 2 tenths of hand calculated. And both are off till I get the speedo reprogrammed for 295's ....untill then I always need to do a little more math at the pump.
....untill then I always need to do a little more math at the pump.
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