Anyone out there that has any ideas on how to improve the fuel milage on this pig,it has 10.000 mi on it and at best it gets 13 mpg empty.didn't expect that from Cummings or Dodge

 

my 03 plays hard getting 15 if i don't keep it under 65

 

Drive slower. Keep highway rpms under 2,000 or cruise no faster than 65. These trucks are not aerodynamic. Accelerate slowly and gently. If a stick, don't wind out in gears. Don't leave your engine idling. It isn't a "Big Rig". Idling is fuel wasteful and harmful to the engine. There is a reason the UPS driver turns off his delivery truck engine at EVERY stop. Drive with your windows up. Windows down increase air drag. Put a tonneau cover on your bed. Lowers wind resistance. Keep your tires at max recommended psi. Keep the "junk" out of your truck. Don't haul around stuff you don't need.

My '04, which is a little 555, regularly gets 21+ mpg. I do almost NO city traffic driving.

 

If it is avail.for an '06 get a flash from dealer for poor fuel mileage. I had your
exact mileage at about 10,000 also. It WILL improve as it breaks in(20,000-30,000 miles) I now get 17.5 - 18 w/ 2500 4x4 2004.5 ctd w/auto.

Fill in your signature so we know what vehicle you have.

 

Art, Welcome to DTR! Congratulations on your new truck!

The mileage will improve with a little time and more miles. IF you haven't pulled anything heavy with it yet, go get the heaviest load you can find and the longest steepest hill and floor it. You need to work that engine. I am not kidding. The temps need to rise to help seat your piston rings. After pulling a few times (heavy) it should help loosen up the motor a little and improve mileage.

Also, remember it is just now warming up some. Fuel mileage will improve when the truck is not idling for warmth and regular fuel (instead of winter blend) is available again. And, Like was already said....you need to keep your speed down to around 2000 or less rpms.

 

Your problem is you got a CUMMINGS instead of a Cummins. You should post your truck specs and is that stop and go?

 

I have 2k on my 06 right now and feel your pain, as I haven't seen 13 since it left the dealership. So far it has ranged from 10-12 mph . Rather disappointed so far, test drove the exact same truck but 05 earlier this summer and doing the same exact driving it's overhead said 15-16 mpg, don't get it. Better go up soon, as the weather gets warmer, etc. or i will be sitting on dodges front door. My old sixleaker got better mileage.

 

You guys do know that winter fuel and the colder temps really affect mileage. Have you checked all the basics like tire pressure, air and fuel filters, etc?

 

I can drive mine like i stole it or drive it like there is a egg between my foot and the pedal, It dont matter it will net between 10-and 10.6 I had one that was 11 but i dont think the guy filled it all the way up.
One of the main reasons I came to CTD land from Power stroke land was MPG and this is worse then my ford ever was.
I just cant beleve that out of all the CTD trucks out there getting 16+ on a every day drive I would be so lucky to get the one that gets 10.
Oh well it looks good

 

Your truck is too big and heavy.

You need to trade me for my truck, which gets 20mpg all the time at 75+.

Even up.....

 

Bottom line is if you want better mpg and "less" power. go buy a Honda ridgeline. It should get you around 19-20. It mite look alittle funny with a 30' fifth wheel behind it.

 

Thats not quite fair..
I have a 2002 dodge 3500 dually that "always" has 1000-2000lb in the back
that gets close to 20mpg

I also have a 2002 ford f250 with powerstroke that gets around 15 around town.
I gave this truck to one of my foreman and specifically purchased a 2006 2500 for fuel mileage.

Since i was always a ford man, like the looks of the fords better.
Pulls the same (only pull around 10k). Im pretty disssapointed in the 12mpg im getting empty.

 

I,also read on this site that there is more variance in MPG's in the 600 series ctd than any other. Identical trucks may get 3-4 mpg diff.

On a sadder note we can't keep expecting 20 mpg as we inch ever closer
to 400 hp engines. That's having your cake & eating it too...

The mileage WILL get better. The harder you work'em the quicker you'll get
mileage gains. I drove mine pretty soft & it didn,t happen 'till 24-25k

Keep' em under 2000 like previous post & DC says.

 

when are we getting rid of the winter blend fuel. I have 1050 on my 06 and im showing 11.9 on the over head shifting at 1800rpm. This is all city though, stop and go through college station, Tx. Anyone want to loan me a trailer to pull around to break her in?

 

Getting 16 with 1000 miles on the clock. My 03 PSD 6 liter would do 13 at best. Im very pleased.