economically speaking - tuner
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There are simply way too many variables to give you a definitive answer (the vehicle [weight, gearing, 4x4 or 4x2, cab size, maintenance, etc.], driving style, city/highway mix, altitude, etc.
You'd have to ask your tuner to write MPG tunes for both octanes and then run your own tests. Your sample needs to be at least 10 tanks of each octane and you need to calculate the actual mileage - not rely on the lie-o-meter.
You'd have to ask your tuner to write MPG tunes for both octanes and then run your own tests. Your sample needs to be at least 10 tanks of each octane and you need to calculate the actual mileage - not rely on the lie-o-meter.
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There are simply way too many variables to give you a definitive answer (the vehicle [weight, gearing, 4x4 or 4x2, cab size, maintenance, etc.], driving style, city/highway mix, altitude, etc.
You'd have to ask your tuner to write MPG tunes for both octanes and then run your own tests. Your sample needs to be at least 10 tanks of each octane and you need to calculate the actual mileage - not rely on the lie-o-meter.
You'd have to ask your tuner to write MPG tunes for both octanes and then run your own tests. Your sample needs to be at least 10 tanks of each octane and you need to calculate the actual mileage - not rely on the lie-o-meter.
Truck is a F150 2002 supercrew with 4x4. Lot of short 5 minute drives on and off highway or around town. Longer trips are mostly all freeway.
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102? Race fuel? Seems like over-kill to me. At most I'd get a 93 MPG tune.
Your need for a tow tune really depends on what and where you tow and how your tuner writes the MPG tune. If you're going for pure MPG, I'm pretty sure you will need a tow tune for anything over 1500-2000 lbs.
Call Mike Butler at 5Startuning.com. He has a wealth of experience and will be happy to help.
Your need for a tow tune really depends on what and where you tow and how your tuner writes the MPG tune. If you're going for pure MPG, I'm pretty sure you will need a tow tune for anything over 1500-2000 lbs.
Call Mike Butler at 5Startuning.com. He has a wealth of experience and will be happy to help.
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102? Race fuel? Seems like over-kill to me. At most I'd get a 93 MPG tune.
Your need for a tow tune really depends on what and where you tow and how your tuner writes the MPG tune. If you're going for pure MPG, I'm pretty sure you will need a tow tune for anything over 1500-2000 lbs.
Call Mike Butler at 5Startuning.com. He has a wealth of experience and will be happy to help.
Your need for a tow tune really depends on what and where you tow and how your tuner writes the MPG tune. If you're going for pure MPG, I'm pretty sure you will need a tow tune for anything over 1500-2000 lbs.
Call Mike Butler at 5Startuning.com. He has a wealth of experience and will be happy to help.
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Yep, The SCT XCAL3 is what I've decided on. It's just a matter of telling the tuner what I want. I have three tunes to pick, and I know I want a towing. My goal is fuel economy and just trying to decide what octane ratings will give me the best shot at that. I'd be willing to put in extra bucks for premium if it'll give me extra economy in exchange. Let's assume I go up on the highway and hit cruise control at 70 mph.
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I can tell you that I have never read a post where someone proved higher octane was less expensive than lower octane on a per mile basis.
When you get around to it, here's a spreadsheet that will help you calculate the per mile cost.
Gas Mileage Calculator and Mileage Log for Excel
I'm not sure what Mike charges for custom tunes, but you could have him write a 87 MPG, 87 towing, and 91 towing and try them out. If the 91 towing isn't economical, don't use it or have him write a 91 performance (if you want it).
When you get around to it, here's a spreadsheet that will help you calculate the per mile cost.
Gas Mileage Calculator and Mileage Log for Excel
I'm not sure what Mike charges for custom tunes, but you could have him write a 87 MPG, 87 towing, and 91 towing and try them out. If the 91 towing isn't economical, don't use it or have him write a 91 performance (if you want it).
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Is it possible...sure, is it probable...no.
In all honesty, I wouldn't buy a tuner for supposed MPG savings at all. These are performance enhancers first and foremost, the chance that they might give you more mpg is icing on the cake if it indeed does happen. Just depends on way to many variables as was already stated.
I see that the OP already decided on the X3, which is a good tuner and one that will work well. But I wouldn't be hoping for a significant improvement in MPG with the tuner. If you get it great, but I wouldn't have that as the biggest reason for getting it.
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There would have to be a significant increase in mpg in order to have it were premium was less per mile then regular and that would have to be relative to a small or no increase in mpg with a tune for regular octane.
Is it possible...sure, is it probable...no.
In all honesty, I wouldn't buy a tuner for supposed MPG savings at all. These are performance enhancers first and foremost, the chance that they might give you more mpg is icing on the cake if it indeed does happen. Just depends on way to many variables as was already stated.
I see that the OP already decided on the X3, which is a good tuner and one that will work well. But I wouldn't be hoping for a significant improvement in MPG with the tuner. If you get it great, but I wouldn't have that as the biggest reason for getting it.
Is it possible...sure, is it probable...no.
In all honesty, I wouldn't buy a tuner for supposed MPG savings at all. These are performance enhancers first and foremost, the chance that they might give you more mpg is icing on the cake if it indeed does happen. Just depends on way to many variables as was already stated.
I see that the OP already decided on the X3, which is a good tuner and one that will work well. But I wouldn't be hoping for a significant improvement in MPG with the tuner. If you get it great, but I wouldn't have that as the biggest reason for getting it.
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Aug 11, 2005 06:22 PM