Juice in MPG up

[sonofagun]

Well, I have 7500 miles on my '04 dually and finally got the juice in. I had been a bit frustrated with the fuel mileage over my '01 2500HD (18+ a bit vs. 16). With the juice and banks exhaust it has moved back up to 17.9 to 18.1. I'm a much happier guy. Must be the additional torque. Whatever, good news.

Bob

[Kennedy]

The latest programs have some timing revisions. It will be interesting to see if the mpg thing is a trend or isolated instance.

[Dave Lewis]

Just got back from a trip from Ohio to Fla. I averaged 15 on the way down and 17 on the way back. Average speed for both legs was 70 mph. However, I spent a lot of time at 80-85.

[More Power]

Many times, just a little more power reduces the need for downshifts while towing. This has produced at least 1/2 mpg increase in a couple of long distance towing trips I've taken. Otherwise, a fuel economy increase/decrease can depend somewhat on how much self control a person can display while driving with - more power.

MP

[Jorday]

I must have a heavy foot because most of the time I am under 17 mpg and sometimes under 16

[TMS]

Jorday,

I'm with you .... 16 consistently and sometimes 17. These guys talking about 20+ on the highway .....HOW ARE YOU DOIN' THAT ?? ;) I'm running an '03 2500HD shortbed, 4X4 crew cab.

:confused: You guys gettin' 20+ .... what mods are you running and which in your opinion offer the best if any increase in mileage?

[billnourse]

TMS,

I am running the same pickup as you except 2002. I get 19 or 20 highway at 70mph pretty regular, 13-16 in town, and 10.5 to 12 towing at 19,500 gross depending on wind, hills, and speed. I usually keep my speed at 65 or so as I feel that is fast enough at near 20,000 lbs.

I am stock except for tires, and I don't hotrod.

Regards,

Bill

[Wing'n'it]

At the end of the day the message is SPEED KILLS...... mpg. smile.gif There are many variables to consider when we compare the mpg that we are achieving. Gross weight, winds, temperature, hilly terrain, frontal section of trailer, tire pressure, performance mods all play a part.

I've seen posts that say they have gotten terrible mpg, posts that say they get excellent mpg, but without knowing under what conditions and with what equipment it's hard to compare to what I see, so in the spirit of full disclosure here is a snapshot of two of my recent trips.

I have a 2003 2500HD D/A EC LB with 15000 miles on it. I have installed an AMSOIL air filter, AMSOIL Series 3000 5W30 Heavy Duty Diesel oil, AMSOIL 75W90 rear diff lube, no changes to tires, exhaust or chips yet! My trailer is a 2001 27.5 Laredo 5th wheel weighing about 8500# as towed. Truck and trailer tow level with no mods necessary. Trailer is 96" wide and 11'7" tall. No wind deflector wing on the truck yet.

Over the last 3 weeks I had to position the trailer from home (Seattle, WA area) to Portland, OR, and return it home, 175 miles each way on I-5, relatively flat the entire way, with speed limits of 60mph (50%) and 70 mph (50%).

Initially I was under the gun for time so I drove the speed limit towing to Portland and solo return. Towing mpg was 12.1, with the solo return at 17.5. This was done on different days.

Last week, I went back to pick up the trailer and returned home on the same day. Temperature was a standard 59F, with no wind (it was really a beautiful day!) This trip I had more time so I set my cruise control (which I had also used on the first trip) to 60 mph for both the solo and towing portions. Solo mpg was 23.7 and return towing was 14.4mpg. Not too shabby for a combo weighing just under 18,000# and almost 12' tall. And if you are wondering, I do use Tow/Haul when I tow.

Forgot to mention traffic. With the exception of the return tow from Portland where I had about 4 miles of stop and go traffic, I was blessed with no traffic problems.

Sorry this is such a long post, but maybe it can help someone benchmark their results.

Mike

[TMS]

Bill & Mike,

Thanks for the posts ..... Bill.... sounds as though you are about the same place I am ....although I had hoped for better. I think that Mike is probably correct ..... somehow I can't force myself to run at 60-63 MPH .... I always feel I have too long a trip or something..... the next time I tow, I will have to just be patient and see if that helps.

MT I can't seem to get anything over 17.....but then I haven't had to opportunity to run it MT for probably more than 80 miles of freeway. The truck only has 8500 miles ..... hopefully it will be better.

Thanks again for your responses !!! :D

[andrewfessler]

I made a trip this weekend of about 900 miles round trip. (no trailer)

With my Edge Juice on Level 3, I got 21.8 on the first 450 miles.

On the return 450 miles I got 21.6

My total trip avg MPH according to my gps was 74 (for ~6 hrs of driving). I ran up to 85 for a long stretch. (gotta love those southern states with few cops)

The last time I made this same trip (last early fall) at almost identical speeds, I got 18.6. So in my case, my juice gave me better MPG smile.gif

The only difference I can think of between the two trips is a load weight difference of about 200 lbs.