poor MPG
12-07-2004, 01:36 AM
#1
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poor MPG
ok got as low as 11.8mpg to a best of only 12.1mpg on an 800 mile trip this weekend... 75-80mph avg. speeds!!!
truck has 3K miles only!!!
CTD HO600 6spd QC 4x4 410
even with break-in periods the mpg should be better then that I'd assume....dang!!!!
COULD I BE WRONG????
truck has 3K miles only!!!
CTD HO600 6spd QC 4x4 410
even with break-in periods the mpg should be better then that I'd assume....dang!!!!
COULD I BE WRONG????
12-07-2004, 02:17 AM
#2
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Are you towing? We need more info to help.
If you are towing then yo are getting GREAT Mileage at that speed.
Even if yo are NOT towing what do you expect at that speed? Slow down and set the cruz.
If you are towing then yo are getting GREAT Mileage at that speed.
Even if yo are NOT towing what do you expect at that speed? Slow down and set the cruz.
12-07-2004, 06:41 AM
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So, let's see...
410's at 80 mph
Less than 3k miles
Winter fuel
7000 pound truck
Towing or not... I'd say that the economy is about what I'd expect. Winter fuel will take 3 mpg right off the top. Then there's the small matter of a low gearset combined with high rpm's, high wind resistance, and whatever kind of sail you were pulling.
VW makes a pretty good little diesel and the Liberty is about to release one. Maybe you'd better think about trading???
410's at 80 mph
Less than 3k miles
Winter fuel
7000 pound truck
Towing or not... I'd say that the economy is about what I'd expect. Winter fuel will take 3 mpg right off the top. Then there's the small matter of a low gearset combined with high rpm's, high wind resistance, and whatever kind of sail you were pulling.
VW makes a pretty good little diesel and the Liberty is about to release one. Maybe you'd better think about trading???
12-07-2004, 06:46 AM
#5
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1800-2000 RPM will produce your best MPG.
Also, "break-in" might take 15,000 miles or more if you don't work the truck hard. (loaded)
As you drive above that range, your mileage will drop exponentially.
Try setting your cruise control @ 65 MPH and see the results.
Also, "break-in" might take 15,000 miles or more if you don't work the truck hard. (loaded)
As you drive above that range, your mileage will drop exponentially.
Try setting your cruise control @ 65 MPH and see the results.
12-07-2004, 02:18 PM
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I had low MPG readings (14's and 15's, hand and computer calc.) until I towed something heavy for a few 100 miles (skid steer on a trailer). The MPG readings on the tank of fuel after I towed showed a strong 1 MPG increase and has been that way since. I had approx. 3k mi. before I towed. I have 18k now and the numbers are improving slightly.
Toe something heavy, and don't be nice to it!
Good luck
Toe something heavy, and don't be nice to it!
Good luck
12-07-2004, 08:31 PM
#7
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Originally posted by nord
So, let's see...
410's at 80 mph
Less than 3k miles
Winter fuel
7000 pound truck
So, let's see...
410's at 80 mph
Less than 3k miles
Winter fuel
7000 pound truck
Hug your elementary & high school math teachers next time you see them; it all adds up perfectly.
Greg
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12-07-2004, 08:33 PM
#8
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I've just turned over 32K on mine and only the last 4K have seen milage over 14.5. This beast just takes time to break in... Be patient and lay off the "Go Stick"
12-07-2004, 11:42 PM
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Ok guys I totally understand...now!!! I was wondering what the heck the hype was about diesels getting outrageous 18-20mpg...*Admin Edit* I wanted that too!!! Guess not with this Heavy Duty 3500 QC 6spd 410.....LOL!!!!
city driving I try to keep rpms under 2.4K and get 13-13.2mpg.. now that is understandable... 75-80mpg should get the same, but I was dissapointed at seeing low12mpg....shoot!!!
If I wanted an economy car I'd go Honda anyway...INSIGHT!!! LOL... VW would never be a choice in my books......LIBERTY<------ 
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city driving I try to keep rpms under 2.4K and get 13-13.2mpg.. now that is understandable... 75-80mpg should get the same, but I was dissapointed at seeing low12mpg....shoot!!!
If I wanted an economy car I'd go Honda anyway...INSIGHT!!! LOL...
VW would never be a choice in my books......LIBERTY<------ Forum Rules
You agree, through your use of the DieselTruckResource.Com forum, that you will not post any material which is false, defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, racially based or biased, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of ANY law. Legal actions can be taken against you. You also agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you and you show proof of ownership or you have consent from the owner of the copyrighted material and you can show proof of consent. In addition, for the use of this forum, profane posts should be considered those completely spelled words, or partially spelled words with use of keyboard symbols that suggest a profane meaning. We repeat, profane posts will absolutely not be tolerated on this website and its forums.
12-08-2004, 09:56 AM
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Have the TSB 18-037-04 done to your ECM. You should see an increase in mileage. Also, when I drive 75-80 MPG, I get three or four miles per gallon less, If I drive at 65, it moves up to 19 miles per gallon. So speed kills MPG.
12-08-2004, 04:14 PM
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I posted this on another website, but here it is again.
I was very disappointed with the mileage when I first got the truck and took little comfort when people told me it would get better.
Initially:
Around town ~ 11 mpg
Highway ~ 14 mpg
I was really disappointed.
It's got 19k on it now. Here's the good news:
When I drive it around town >16 mpg
Just towed an empty 5500# gooseneck horse trailer from Atlanta to just past Greensboro, NC ~15 mpg. Almost all Freeway driving.
On the return trip w/o the trailer = 20.5 mpg. I couldn't be happier.
With three horses, tack, water, etc., the trailer weighs about 10,000# and I get 13-14 mpg. That's alot better than my 2002 Ford gasser that got around 7 mpg pulling the same.
Here's the bad news. When my wife drives it around town she gets 12-13 mpg. She's got a real lead foot and thinks she's driving a sports car. At least once a week she brags about who she beat. Insane for a 44 year old but what can I say?
It really does suck the fuel when you get on it, though. Also, when I'm stuck in traffic you can just watch the mpg gauge creep down.
Overall, I'm happy and look forward to the next 200,000 miles or so.
I was very disappointed with the mileage when I first got the truck and took little comfort when people told me it would get better.
Initially:
Around town ~ 11 mpg
Highway ~ 14 mpg
I was really disappointed.
It's got 19k on it now. Here's the good news:
When I drive it around town >16 mpg
Just towed an empty 5500# gooseneck horse trailer from Atlanta to just past Greensboro, NC ~15 mpg. Almost all Freeway driving.
On the return trip w/o the trailer = 20.5 mpg. I couldn't be happier.
With three horses, tack, water, etc., the trailer weighs about 10,000# and I get 13-14 mpg. That's alot better than my 2002 Ford gasser that got around 7 mpg pulling the same.
Here's the bad news. When my wife drives it around town she gets 12-13 mpg. She's got a real lead foot and thinks she's driving a sports car. At least once a week she brags about who she beat. Insane for a 44 year old but what can I say?
It really does suck the fuel when you get on it, though. Also, when I'm stuck in traffic you can just watch the mpg gauge creep down.
Overall, I'm happy and look forward to the next 200,000 miles or so.
12-09-2004, 12:32 PM
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By my sig block, I obviously don't have one of these trucks, but after 14 years of driving TD pickups, I've noticed something... Every TD engine has it's "sweet spot" in the terms of RPM/speed. Below that RPM/speed, the mileage is fairly consistent. Go over it, mileage starts to drop dramatically. There will be a sweet spot for empty and towing (weight dependent).
Just FYI.
Dave
Just FYI.
Dave
12-09-2004, 02:29 PM
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"Ok guys I totally understand...now!!! I was wondering what the heck the hype was about diesels getting outrageous 18-20mpg..."
It's not hype...I get it all the time. Filled up this a.m. with 21.3 gallons at 407 miles =19.1 mpg. Mostly hwy/town driving.
I drive 65-70 mph on hwy and most of time at 66-68mph (1700-1800rpms) and get up to 20.5mpg, with a frt brush guard and 31570R17's installed. Best mpg's are on concrete highways. It's usually at 19.3 or so when on blacktop highway.
At lunch, driving 40mph on post in 5th gear (1600-1700) rpms overhead was reading 22.3mpg. And, yes I've had the computer recalibrated by dealership for the new tires.
You gotta keep the rpms on these trucks under 2000 to get best fuel economy.
It's not hype...I get it all the time. Filled up this a.m. with 21.3 gallons at 407 miles =19.1 mpg. Mostly hwy/town driving.
I drive 65-70 mph on hwy and most of time at 66-68mph (1700-1800rpms) and get up to 20.5mpg, with a frt brush guard and 31570R17's installed. Best mpg's are on concrete highways. It's usually at 19.3 or so when on blacktop highway.
At lunch, driving 40mph on post in 5th gear (1600-1700) rpms overhead was reading 22.3mpg. And, yes I've had the computer recalibrated by dealership for the new tires.
You gotta keep the rpms on these trucks under 2000 to get best fuel economy.
12-09-2004, 03:36 PM
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Originally posted by rossn2
[BYou gotta keep the rpms on these trucks under 2000 to get best fuel economy. [/B]
[BYou gotta keep the rpms on these trucks under 2000 to get best fuel economy. [/B]
BTW, since I had the mileage TSB done, I am averaging close to 19 MPG. I would suggest everyone get this done
12-09-2004, 06:02 PM
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txhawg, what did you get before? I have a friend getting 10-12 mpg with a 3500 2wd auto. Dealership is telling her it's normal... Not sure she did the TSB so I emailed that to her.
Dave
Dave
