Fuel Milage
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
The additive makes sense. Improved combustion should reduce soot and improve economy as long as the sensors/computers in the truck can recognize that the fuel is being used more efficiently. I used the Motorcraft stuff for maybe a year.
I stopped using it because towing a trailer seemed to negate any benefit. I did not notice less frequent regens, better economy, more power. BUT, towing just about any kind of trailer makes the MPG's go down so much, fuel consumption is so much more, I don't think I was winning the battle. If any of you drive 4,000 miles or more each month with small/large trailers I would suggest that the additive is not worth it. Burning 2 to 3 tanks of fuel most days just kills any advantage. In my opinion anyway!
When I am not working and I can go 1 1/2 weeks without filling up the tank, doing short "errand" trips, I can see that it would be a good idea to use the additive.
I stopped using it because towing a trailer seemed to negate any benefit. I did not notice less frequent regens, better economy, more power. BUT, towing just about any kind of trailer makes the MPG's go down so much, fuel consumption is so much more, I don't think I was winning the battle. If any of you drive 4,000 miles or more each month with small/large trailers I would suggest that the additive is not worth it. Burning 2 to 3 tanks of fuel most days just kills any advantage. In my opinion anyway!
When I am not working and I can go 1 1/2 weeks without filling up the tank, doing short "errand" trips, I can see that it would be a good idea to use the additive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Don't mean to hijack the thread, but what brand of gas are you guys using? Does using 'name branded' diesel not need additives as much?
I've got about 2K on the clock and driving mostly unloaded around town so far. I'm on my 5th tank of Shell. First regen was around 1200miles presumably because the DPF was new. I'm getting short regens every 250~300miles. Hand-calculated mileage around town has been creeping upwards since getting the truck new. Started at 13.4-ish. Now I'm pushing 14.5 but that might because I had a couple more freeway runs on the last tank.
I've got about 2K on the clock and driving mostly unloaded around town so far. I'm on my 5th tank of Shell. First regen was around 1200miles presumably because the DPF was new. I'm getting short regens every 250~300miles. Hand-calculated mileage around town has been creeping upwards since getting the truck new. Started at 13.4-ish. Now I'm pushing 14.5 but that might because I had a couple more freeway runs on the last tank.
New User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Change to rear end
Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to large diesel trucks. I was a long time owner of a 93 F-150. I traded it in for a 2008 F-250 with the 6.4l diesel and a 3.73 rear end. While shopping, I noticed the new 2010 F-250s offer a 3.55 rear end. The sales guy said it was to help mileage and noted that the 6.4L had plenty of torque, even with the 3.55. Has anyone considered changing the rear end to the 3.55 ratio? Can it be retro fitted to the 2008? Is it worth it? I'm wondering what more experience owners think.
More Turbo
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 525
Likes: 8
From: Centerbrook, Ct.
Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to large diesel trucks. I was a long time owner of a 93 F-150. I traded it in for a 2008 F-250 with the 6.4l diesel and a 3.73 rear end. While shopping, I noticed the new 2010 F-250s offer a 3.55 rear end. The sales guy said it was to help mileage and noted that the 6.4L had plenty of torque, even with the 3.55. Has anyone considered changing the rear end to the 3.55 ratio? Can it be retro fitted to the 2008? Is it worth it? I'm wondering what more experience owners think.
What wheel size do you have? Re gearing can be done, but I think it's probably not worth the $$. If you have 18" wheels, you could go up to the 20" and end up with pretty much the same effective gear ratio. 20" wheels ain't cheap either though.... I believe the 3.55 ratio rearend is only available with the 18" wheels. Probably the cheapest way to get the effective ratio with 18" wheels is to just go up 1 tire size (approx. 35" tire as opposed to the 33" OEM tire).
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
I don't see the 3.55s as being a huge amount better for efficiency than the 3.73s. The difference is somewhere around 80 RPMs difference in overdrive.
If you really want to try it out, cruise at your normal speed for a tank and then cruise a bit slower to lower your RPMs by 80. The MPG improvement will be greater than a simple regear due to the decreased wind resistance, but even so I don't think it'll be a huge amount.
If you stand to gain .2 MPGs, and you spend $2K to do it, are you really better off?
If you really want to try it out, cruise at your normal speed for a tank and then cruise a bit slower to lower your RPMs by 80. The MPG improvement will be greater than a simple regear due to the decreased wind resistance, but even so I don't think it'll be a huge amount.
If you stand to gain .2 MPGs, and you spend $2K to do it, are you really better off?
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
I've used a wide a wide range of brands, but not noticed any pattern or difference based on brand. Besides, my friends at the fuel depot tell me they all come from the same bulk tank.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I see many different things than many of you..Yes during regen the MPG goes down...It has to as fuel is beig introduced into the DPF to burn off the soot and is not turning the wheels. However at the end of the day towing or not the MPG will be the same that is the regen has no noticable effect on MPG.. It might if you drive for 30 mins and it regens for 20 mins but if you are doing a 8 /10 hour run there is no ddiference. I can see the effect on my after market gage and the initial EGT will increase as much as 500 degrees when regen starts but drops off at a steady rate as regen goes on which suggest that the same amount of fuel is not being introduced int o the DPF during the entire regen.??? As for additives....For me they do increase the MPG and the ruck runs better with the cetene booster. To see the effect, if any, you must run several tanks without..then several tanks with. It makes a difference both towing and not towing. When here in Florida for the winter we use Shell premiun Diesel that has a cetene rating of 50 + and the additive is not needed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
I read somewhere Ford was claiming anywhere between 0.4~0.9mpg improvement with the 3.55's compared to the 3.73's... under optimum conditions, of course. Like driving at 45mph in 5th, empty.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: Georgia
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 114
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diesel kleen
Well i tried the diesel kleen product and i got about 3/4 mpg better. If you buy the 250 galloon treatment jug it cost about $1.50 per tank so it actually pays for itself if it stays consistent. looks like im sitting about where everyone else and getting about 12.5 and now about 13.25.
Freshman User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: cali
ive used the diesel kleen three times spaced out every third tank and noticed alittle more power slightly longer duration between dpf burn off and .2 mpg gain on the end of the treated tank and through the 2nd tank , slowly drops back to 14.4
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
"Originally Posted by richfaa
The truck and 5th wheel combo weighs nearly 23K. We average 9/10.5 depending on conditions..... that is not bad. That is doing 62/65 MPH. These are not race cars.
Actually that's pretty good mileage for these trucks. What size truck and ratio on the differential? BTW, does that faa on your handle have something to do with the FAA?
4:10 diff..F-350 4X4,LB,CC, Dually.. Yes the FAA means we did 37 1/2 Years in the FAA
Electronic Tech..most at Cle ARTCC (ZOB) Wife also Air Traffic control
The truck and 5th wheel combo weighs nearly 23K. We average 9/10.5 depending on conditions..... that is not bad. That is doing 62/65 MPH. These are not race cars.
Actually that's pretty good mileage for these trucks. What size truck and ratio on the differential? BTW, does that faa on your handle have something to do with the FAA?
4:10 diff..F-350 4X4,LB,CC, Dually.. Yes the FAA means we did 37 1/2 Years in the FAA
Electronic Tech..most at Cle ARTCC (ZOB) Wife also Air Traffic control