3500 vs 2500 Fuel Economy

[VANBC2500HDDA]

Is there a big difference? Do the trucks typically have bad fuel economy for the first couple tanks? or should i have my truck checked by service?

I am tracking 10MPG on trip computer so far.

about 400 miles on truck

[Kennedy]

How long are your trips, and how much idling are you doing? The DIC display is somewhat accurate for some, but less for others so I wouldn't worry until you fill and hand check it. You will find by observing the DIC average mpg (I reset mine every tank) that idling as well as acceleration will drop avg MPG in a hurry.

Duallys typically do not do as well as single wheels, and seeing that yours is a 5500 you likely will not get exceptional mpg. Aerodynamics, tire scrub, vehicle weight, and gearing willall play into the end result...

[VANBC2500HDDA]

Sorry, the 5500 was a typo, its a 3500

I reset the MPG in DIC and did a in town light foot drive and managed to get it up to 16 MPG by the time I got home, but ya, hills, accelleration, and red lights kill the stats real fast...

I've come to realize that getting the awesome milage that others claim, on a flat country side, no head wind, few red lights, broken in motor, good lubes... are probably possible... but its much more fun to drive it like its stolen and when the guage shows E put more in.

[jlwest63]

Mine is getting better with miles. I have a 2500 with 1100 miles and I run around 16.

[cowboywildbill]

My experiance is that the D/A Allison 3500 gets about 15.5 to 17 mpg. The 15.5 is an honest average of running around empty. The 2500 does better and can get empty around 25 on the hwy and 17 or 18 mpg in town. The average is about 17.8 on the 2500. The milage does get better after break in period. Speed is a factor, as well as tires and tire pressure affecting mpg. Good luck and enjoy.

[cowboywildbill]

Whoop's I missed typed the mpg for the 2500 truck. It should be 21.5 best on the hwy not 25 mpg. Most guy's get about 19.5 to 20 empty hwy.

[Driveshaft]

YES, TYPICALLY, WITH AN LB7 ENGINE, I GET 18 TO 20 HIGHWAY, 15 TO 17 CITY, WITH GOOD DRIVING HABITS. BEST WAS 24.3 HIGHWAY, ON A HOLIDAY WEEKEND WITH APPROX. 250 MILES ON 55 MPH HIGHWAYS. THIS WAS 4TH OF JULY A COUPLE OF YEARS BACK. HAVEN'T SEEN THAT SINCE. TRUCK IS AN '01 2500 WITH ONLY MOD BEING A SWISS CHEESE AIRBOX.