JAXFL

I keep reading that you guys are getting 15-22 MPG with your trucks. I am have a hard time with these numbers. I have had my new 2003 3500 sb srw 4x4 for less than 2000 miles and the best I have gotten is 12.8. Now I have not been on the highway and this is 95% city stop and go driving at less than 50 MPH so I was hoping for better ??? I have not towed yet and I understand that the milage should get better as time pass but to even get to the worst that you guys say it would have to increase 18% , that's a heck of a jump. Should I take it back to the dealer and have them check it out or what? Comment are welcome.

DuaneWKKC

Just got back from Gatlinburg, Tn. On trip down ( 420 +- miles) I got 20.5 mpg, on way back I got 19.9 mpg. I thought that was interesting as on way back I used Lucas fuel conditioner and drove at 65 instead of 70. My average is around 18 mpg local in columbus Oh area.

DuaneW.

Hoss

[quote author=JAXFL link=board=8;threadid=18532;start=0#msg173855 date=1061216684]
I keep reading that you guys are getting 15-22 MPG with your trucks. I am have a hard time with these numbers. I have had my new 2003 3500 sb srw 4x4 for less than 2000 miles and the best I have gotten is 12.8. Now I have not been on the highway and this is 95% city stop and go driving at less than 50 MPH so I was hoping for better ??? I have not towed yet and I understand that the milage should get better as time pass but to even get to the worst that you guys say it would have to increase 18% , that's a heck of a jump. Should I take it back to the dealer and have them check it out or what? Comment are welcome.


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Something's wrong. My truck (see sig), for mostly city driving has been consistently getting right around 18 mpg (calculated at pump). On the one all highway trip I took I got 21.8 mpg. I run empty 95% of the time.

Also....I've noticed that my overhead computer is almost always about 2 mpg lower than the actual mileage. Are you going my the puter or by hand calculations?

I calculate my mileage simply by dividing the number of miles driven since my last fill up by the number of gallons it takes me to fill up...so I know it took X number of gallons to drive X number of miles. I go to the same pump almost every time and fill up all the way to the top of the neck where it won't hold any more.

bulabula

Two things come to mind: either you've got a lead-foot; or I'd take that truck in for a look-see.

I've been getting around 17-18 mpg local, and just calculated a 19.5 unloaded highway trip.

My overhead usually reads about 1.5mpg low.

Dieseldude4x4

My old ragged 99 still gets 18 to 20 depending on how heavy I am on the go fast pedal.

DieselDaze

That seem kind of low. But, keep in mind that your numbers should improve a little as the engines settles in.
But you still might want to go have it checked.

Rich.

mymaur

Man somethin is wrrong. I don't baby mine and I have the same set up. HO, 6sp and 3.73. I consistently get 18+ in town and around 21 or 22 on the road. 22 if I stay below 76 mph.Push it to 80 and it will drop to 16.

Better get it checked.

Luke S

Mine will get 18 on the highway if I baby it and keep it at 55 or under. Interstate, empty, at 70 or less it'll do about 15-16. interstate empty running 80+ it drops off to about 14-15. Pulling light(5-10K) it'll do 13, pulling heavy(15-20K) it'll do about 10-12, and a few really heavy loads(30K+) have seen mpg as low as 8. But my truck is kinda hanicapped having the 4.10's, and being as heavy as it is. I weighed it after we put the new bed on it and with me in it it weighs about 9,180lbs.

BAD HABIT

The most I have ever got was 14.5 MPG. Thats with or without the fueling box. I still like the truck but , most everyboby else likes there's more. With their big numbers. Towing the 5er I get 9 MPG.

MLR1

I saw 18+mpg hwy 75mph right from day one, in town never less than 16mpg. With the mods didn't go up or down just a whole lot more fun ;D ;D ;D

bigfoot

These are only ruff #’s but a 2500 2wd 6sd should get 19-22
Add duel wheels lower mpg 2
Add auto lower 1-2 mpg
Add 4x4 lower 1-2mpg

Again just ruff #’s but should be in the ballpark

JAXFL

:'( Thanks guys for the replies. I think that this next tank I will use the calculator and see what that says against the overhead computer. If the overhead is off by 1.5MPG then I would be at 15mpg with a 4x4, auto and city stop-&-go traffic. If it does not improve I will run it by the dealership. That is still better than my 99’ F150 got in town.

Thanks again.

redramnc

Just to add fuel to the fire (pun intended) I have pulled a calculated 26 mpg out of my 96 2WD auto with 3.55 gears - running 55-60 open road, high humidity mid temp day - no AC - not in a hurry to get where I was going. Have also seen 24.5 mpg on same route but pushing it a little faster. And all this from a bone stock engine (but I have an advantage - it is a 12 valve :P ). I believe I was running Power Service Diesel Kleen both times and I have a soft tonneau cover to help streamline the slipstream (like that really helps).

My 50 mile commute through RTP traffic gets me an average of 18-19 mpg but that has 6 miles of stop-n-go and then hair on fire 75-80 - not the most efficient speeds for getting mileage in our trucks.

However - your mileage may vary ;D

butchera

Just over 14600 on the clock and averaging around 19-20mpg empty. I've seen as high as 22mpg. I'm getting 12.6mpg with 10,000# behind it.

I'm a happy camper.... ;D ;D Much better then my old chuby gasser (17-18mpg).

indiana bowhunter

My current truck ('97 Dodge ext. cab 4x4 w/360) average 13.5 mpg. The wife and I went to Wisconsin last month towing a lightweight 13' self contained camper, with the atv in the bed of the truck. We averaged 8 mpg for a 1500 mile round trip. I CAN'T WAIT TO GET A DIESEL!