vehicle fuel milages

[wushaw]

You have to keep your foot out of it.
I've had two duramaxes, an 02 2500HD ZF6 and 03 3500 Allison, the 2500HD got 20 straight off the showrooom floor and 17 pulling a 3500lb jeep, the 3500 got 17 empty and 10avg pullin a 15,000lb fifthwheel.
I only drove the speed limit or 60-65 if spd limit was higher.
Anything over 70 and mileage went south.
The EGR motors and higher hp rated units are not getting what the 01-03 motors were getting.

 

[circleTfarm]

gear ratio is 3.73 it has the automatic tranny. we take it in for full service to ford garage every 5000 mi. just had everything done to it 2000mi ago.it pulls the stock trailer right down the road just fine, but it dosen't matter loaded ,unloader,or no trailer still 13 to 14 mpg.

 

[circleTfarm]

heighbor farmer has 2002 d-max he smokes us on mpg ..
not a gear head, wife drives it most or the time.. unless she puttin the hammer down.and i'm not hearing about it /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[HGM]

I would expect about 18MPG. Now, of course, this is driving it normally with no idle time. Your mileage, especialy using the overhead trip computer to estimate it, will drop dramatically if the truck is idled excesively. Is it possible your wife may let it idle while waiting for the kids at school or something???It will kill your EGR as well, by causing alot of carbon build-up.

Another thing you may want to try is changing the fueling station. BP/Ammoco is the recomended fuel for Fords, I would also add a fuel cetane booster and check economy after a tank or two. Fuel quality could drasticly effect it too.

Not sure if this helps, but just a couple of suggestions. I would doubt the air filter unless you do alot of off road driving. Those filters are extremely effective, the hold 3# of dirt...Look at the filter minder on the back of your air cleaner box, If you try to "pop it out and look at it" you'll be cussing all night... There is a way to take it out, unless you know that way, they can be frustrating...

 

[RobertN]

I have an '01 Ram2500 Cummins xcab 4x4, auto with 4.11's. On the open highway in the valley, I get 18mpg exactly. Around home, with small town and mixed foothill driving I get 14-16, depending on how wet my toes get... I have towed my tractor/trailer(only about 4000lbs) down in the valley to help at a federal refuge, and got about 16mpg, running slower(Calif is 55mph for trailering with any vehicle).

Best thing for mileage is the same for any vehicle. Don't get in a big hurry, watch you acceleration, and take it easy. Also, when you compare mileage, factor in 4x2 vs 4x4, auto vs manual, and gear ratio.

I am confident I would get better mileage if I had 3.55 gearing instead of the optional 4.11's that I got.

 

[RobertN]

Good point. I have not noticed mileage difference with different brand diesel. I know 20 years ago, my Mom had a car that ran great on most brands of regular. But, if she got gas at an Arco, the car ran poorly and got less fuel mileage.

 

[runningbird]

I would still check intercooler hoses and clamps make sure they are tight... the dealer won't check these as part of routine maint..what about smoke, are you making more than when you first drove it home?

 

[arthr31]

I get consistently between 21 and 24 mpg. I have a '98 12 valve cummins with 4.11s, 4x4, standard. As the others have said, heavy footing will sour the mileage rate. However, with that said, yours does seem to be down there where I'd expect a gasser to be. also, as pointed out, good fuel will make a difference. I loaded up on the cheepest diesel i could find a week ago, and I know why it's cheep... lots of foaming, no acceleration and burning thru it really fast. Probably have to change the fuel filter soon too!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

I don't know how you could bring this issue up with your dealer? Maybe start keeping very precise records of how the truck operates, etc. good luck. -art

 

[HGM]

Unfortunatly, the dealer cannot help much with fuel economy because there is no "spec" for a 3/4ton and up. They will simply drive it and run a couple of tests to make sure its capable of building proper boost, then tell you its normal. If you understand whats involved, you cant blame them for this.

As for the CAC tubes or hoses being loose, I would check them, but unless you have a lack of power they will likely not be the cause. The smoke question is verry important... So, please answer when you can.

Sorry, I dont mean to shoot anyones ideas down, I have just had allot of experience with the 6.0L. Dont let me discourage anyone from replying or blurting out ideas, as I'm sure there are things I wouldnt think of either.

 

[RobertN]

I think I take a big hit with the auto. My previous gasser F250 got 12mpg where my Cummins gets 18. I have a buddy that just traded a '01 like mine with a manual in on a new dually. His '01 got 21+ on the road with a mild accelerator foot.