12 Valve Engine and Drivetrain Talk about the 12V engine and drivetrain here. This is for 1994-1998.5 engine and drivetrain discussion only.

MPG concerns...

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Old Jul 20, 2006 | 07:43 PM
  #1  
Tileman1's Avatar
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From: Long Island, New York
MPG concerns...

I've been reading the various posts relating to MPG and noticed that just about everyone has results better than mine. Having the 12 valve CTD ext cab dually, i'm getting at the most 14 mpg carrying never more than 500 lbs. I recently changed the fuel filter, but other than that, is there anything that i can check, adjust to earn myself greater mileage.

Thanks in advance everyone!
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 05:34 AM
  #2  
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From: Waynesboro Ga ...Haul custom Motorcycles
Be sure your air filter is in good shape and your tires are at proper inflation....I get my best mileage at 64 MPH.....driving style comes into play too jack rabbit starts and stops eat fuel

The best mileage I've gotten was on a long flat freeway running 64 MPH with a tail wind for about 400 miles got 22 MPG
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Old Jul 21, 2006 | 06:28 AM
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Drive with the "egg between the foot and pedal" method.....If I drive 55 and stay out of it I can average 21 mpg. Ive been told that the timing has alot to do with it also.
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Old Jul 26, 2006 | 06:35 PM
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From: Nevada
I'm having similar problems. I have a 96 ext. cab 4x4 auto, and around town I'm only getting about 12 mpg empty ... I was driving it
kinda hard though... Like accelerating from red lights to keep up with other "gassers." My truck is completely stock, so even with my quicker acceleration I don't see how I could be pushing more gas through the engine than those with faster fuel plates and gsk's... At most I was pushing about 15 psi boost accelerating.. I have a relatively new BHAF, my tires are inflated to 60 psi, and fuel filter should be in good shape. My tires are a tiny bit bigger than stock. Does this sound right?
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 05:13 PM
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From: Eugene, OR
Wow, I got 15.5 on my first tank with my 92 last week. A lot of that was testing the fuel pump mods too with big coal smoke take off and powerbraking to bring up the boost for fast starts. There was about 125 miles of Highway 101 driving but there are lots of hills and I was passing a lot. I drive with a very heavy foot too.

I can't imagine why a newer 12 valve would get such bad mileage My 97 with a V10 gets 12 mpg in town and on the freeway empty!! Only 7-8 towing though.

I expect to get 18 to 20 towing at 65 mph.

I'm sure you know the usual problems with bad mileage. Heavy foot, bad filters both fuel and air, low tire pressure, tires out of alignment, too low gearing, fluids too heavy, timing, etc.

I hope you figure it out guys . . .
Chass
ct
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 05:21 PM
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From: Greenwood Lake, NY
I average 17 commuting to work every day. I go over a mountain and then have a mix of highway and stop and go traffic. Mine needs to be timed BADLY so once its done I'll see how much it picks up. I think the best I ever did was around 22 on a long trip and empty. Its kind of nice being able to go 500 miles or more on a tank, at least when the wife and daughter aren't looking for a restroom every couple of hours.

John
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 05:26 PM
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From: Laredo
Originally Posted by Tileman1
I've been reading the various posts relating to MPG and noticed that just about everyone has results better than mine. Having the 12 valve CTD ext cab dually, i'm getting at the most 14 mpg carrying never more than 500 lbs. I recently changed the fuel filter, but other than that, is there anything that i can check, adjust to earn myself greater mileage.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Welcome to DTR!

I assume your truck is a 3500, put it in ur sig so we can better assist you with what you need.

To get the most MPG, i have done the following things to my truck

Injector pump timing 16.5 degrees
tigher AFC (1/2 forward starwheel)
2/3 forward fuel plate
Keep up with the fuel filter
Clean out and change the pre filter
Use additives, I use stanadyne on my truck every other fillup
BHAF or better flowing than stock air filter
Keep the pyro below 600 degrees (if you have one)
Overflow valve and lift pump should be good (lp is on the way soon for me)
NO fuel leaks
start and stop easy and drive easily. U barely have to press the accelerator to get these trucks to move.

Other than that, others will chip in... have a good one!

Rick
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #8  
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From: Nevada
Yeah, I need to bump up my timing! I'm going to be doing that soon... I feel like I should be getting 16 mpg in town with a heavy foot. I mean, the big rigs get like 5-8 mpg on the highway when loaded, I don't see why I can't get double that with no problem...
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Old Jul 27, 2006 | 07:19 PM
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From: Boston, mASS
my mileage is 12/16 with a new transmission (has a more efficient TC) and lift pump / overflow valve. It was 10/12 before.
Transmission is something to consider if its a stock machine.
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Old Jul 28, 2006 | 04:04 PM
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From: Long Island, New York
Thanks for all the input guys... I was considering a K&N cold air kit, with some sort of exhaust mod in the near future... Will also read up on how to bump up the timing...

Thanks...
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