How to get the best MPG
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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My last truck before buying my PSD was a 2003 Hemi Ram 2 wheel drive that was getting 13mpg, the truck weighed in around 5300 lbs.
My 2005 Crew Cab PSD 4x4 with 33" tires, and a 65hp power programmer mod and is getting 14mpg and that thing is pushing 8000 lbs.
So all relative, the mileage is not that bad considering the size of the vehicle. Although I would not mind saving a few bucks at the pump either.
My 2005 Crew Cab PSD 4x4 with 33" tires, and a 65hp power programmer mod and is getting 14mpg and that thing is pushing 8000 lbs.
So all relative, the mileage is not that bad considering the size of the vehicle. Although I would not mind saving a few bucks at the pump either.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Remember this much:
Load (as in calculated engine load) affects fuel mileage more than RPM.
If you've got a datalogger, you can play with RPM/speed/gear selctions with varying loads (as in payload), and watch the calculated engine load change. The lower the calculated engine load, the better your mileage will be.
Quite often, a HIGHER RPM will create a better mileage situation, if it causes a reduction in calculated engine load (very common).
Sometimes when the RPM is too low, the truck is "lugging" and the load (and as a result, fuel consumption) is higher.
In other words, going up that hill with the trailer at 3,000 RPM in 3rd gear will *usually* cause better mileage than going up that same hill at 1800 RPM in 5th gear.....
Load (as in calculated engine load) affects fuel mileage more than RPM.
If you've got a datalogger, you can play with RPM/speed/gear selctions with varying loads (as in payload), and watch the calculated engine load change. The lower the calculated engine load, the better your mileage will be.
Quite often, a HIGHER RPM will create a better mileage situation, if it causes a reduction in calculated engine load (very common).
Sometimes when the RPM is too low, the truck is "lugging" and the load (and as a result, fuel consumption) is higher.
In other words, going up that hill with the trailer at 3,000 RPM in 3rd gear will *usually* cause better mileage than going up that same hill at 1800 RPM in 5th gear.....
New User
Joined: Nov 2005
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I've found I always get better milage if I use the cruise control.....even off the freeway and on back roads at fairly low speeds. You can't help but accelerate very slightly as you drive then back off slightly to compensate. The cruise uses just enough fuel to maintain speed within a narrow speed band and not a drop more. Try it. You'll be amazed at the difference.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Lake Mary, FL
Originally Posted by Wild-Bill
I've found I always get better milage if I use the cruise control.....even off the freeway and on back roads at fairly low speeds. You can't help but accelerate very slightly as you drive then back off slightly to compensate. The cruise uses just enough fuel to maintain speed within a narrow speed band and not a drop more. Try it. You'll be amazed at the difference.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 644
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Ya wouldnt boost be a better indication of how much fuel your using rather than RPMS, since the harder you push down on the throttle the most boost you get. I dunno i always judge it by that. If im goin 2200 RPMS but only using 5psi of boost i usualy get better mileage. Odd thing comin back From Dallas to Austin i was on avg goin 80-85 i mean we were all hauling got the best mileage yet haha 20.3. Couldnt believe it.
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