For what it is worth, I have done a shade tree test. Under the pretext that all reputable additives yield better lubrication I wanted to see which brand affected fuel economy. I also assumed if I average the mileage over a couple thousand miles it would take the anomolies out of the cyphering. Every tank was filled to the top of the neck, man I need the vent kit to save time Here are the numbers, flame away!

Diesel Kleen 2215.4 (Miles) 125.01 (Gallons) yeilding 17.7 MPG
Stanadyne 2336.6 (Miles) 138.23 (Gallons) yeilding 16.9 MPG
Lucas 2647.7 (Miles) 145.43 (Gallons) yeilding 18.2 MPG

While I am at it, here are the break in numbers too. I track every gallon of fuel that goes into my truck including hours on the overhead.


Hnd Cmp Varience
MPG MPG
17.3 16.5 -0.8 Average since new
16.7 16.6 -0.2 Average new through 10K
17.5 16.3 -1.2 Average 10K - 20K
17.9 17.0 -0.9 Average 20K - 30K
17.0 16.0 -1.0 Average 30K-Current

 

I run the Lucas with power service in my truck. I get 1-2 mpg better with it, depening on the posiition of the skinny peddle. My wife's Safari van got the same inprovement with the Lucas. She just had an emissions test, the lowest ever, @ 260k+ miles on a 95. My 'ricer' friends have reported an average 2 mpg increase. I'm sold on the Lucas products.

Thanks for the info Rock!

 

Nice effort Rock, thanks. Did you buy your fuel at the same place?

Pete

 

Rock, You don't give your location, was wondering did you take winter blend into consideration. Drive on each product for a whole year. Just some things to take into account.

 

Where are people buying Lucas? I've been pretty happy with powerservice and have used it in every tankfull, but I have yet to find Lucas on the shelves anywhere nearby.

-daniel

 

I have 23,000 miles now, I have been using Power Service Kleen since about 12,000. About 3,000 miles ago I started using a mix of PS Kleen and MMO(3 parts ps/1 part mmo - 16oz to every 27-29gals). Man I don't know if it had anything to do with it, but the truck has been running absolutely great for about the last 3 or 4 tanks. Mileage is up 1-2mpg in all driving conditions, idles smoother, quieter and man with the HOT Juice on the 80hp setting the power is smooth as silk.

 

I tried to purchase my fuel at the same location whenever possible. I am also in Texas so don't have the extreme temperatures and winter blend making a diference. I did buy two tanks in Colorado though. I didn't do a whole year test because of possible mechanical changes over a three year period (for this test). I have found Lucas at O'Riellies auto parts and at Atwoods. I included my mileage agerages since new to illistrate that there is only a one mile per gallon diference and not the steady increase through breakin as many claim. My first 10K was 16.7 and over that last 3K I have average 17.0. Pretty flat line if you ask me and if you take into account calibration of the fuel pumps and tire slip on the road all of my readings are within 10% of each other.

 

Winter blend, humidity, temperature, wind, tire pressure, lead foot syndrom, city -v- highway, all have an effect on mileage.

Good test though Rock, I agree, I'd call the results a draw.

 

Thanks Rock for the information, Your impressions about breakin are about what I seen in my 99 over a 6 year period and 70,000 miles only about 1 MPG improvement. Not even 1 MPG but close.

 

dgm, try a truck stop or just about any farm equipement retail store like TSC, fleetfarm, Max.

 

Question for Rock

Which Stanadyne formula did you use for your test. Was it the PF formula (cetane added) or regular. Thanks Ron.

 

It was the PF Formula. I had to go to OKC to find it, 2 1/2 hour drive. It is marketed as the best lubricant so I had to try it.

 

Have also been doing my own tests with Stanadyne PF, Lube corp (Peers) and no additive. Winter, cold temps and different grades of diesel make it difficult to determine if any additive provides better fuel miliage. Thanks again for your information. Ron

 

Interesting test. It's so hard to remove all other variables that could affect fuel mileage (fuel brand, winter vs summer fuel, towing vs cruising vs city driving, speed, weather conditions, driving speed, etc) but averaging over 2000+ miles is a heck of a lot more than most people do before posting their results. While the numbers may not be exactly accurate due to these other variables, as long as the other variables were relatively the same over the three sets of tests, the general result should be correct.

 

Rock, how much of the LUCAS are you using?

the correct amount, or extra?
i usually want to use too much of anything.

FWIW (nothing?) here's the MSDS from thier site:
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/index.sd

================================================== ===========================
Chemical Name: Petroleum hydrocarbon plus additives.
Formula: N/A
Hazardous Decomposition Products: Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from burning. Oxides from
burning. Oxides of phosphorous from burning. Oxides of sulphur.
Incompatibility (keep away from): Strong oxidizers such as hydrogen peroxide, bromine, and chromic
acid.
Toxic and Hazardous Ingredients: None
Form: Liquid Odor: Petroleum Appearance: Liquid Color: Light amber
Specific Gravity (water = 1): .89
Boiling Point: Greater than 371° C (700° F)
Melting Point: -18° C (0° F)
Solubility in Water (by weight %: -0- @ 20° C.
Volatile (by weight %): -0-
Evaporation Rate: -0-
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg @ 20° C): -0-
Vapor Density (air = 1): N/A
pH (as is): N/A
Stability: Product is stable under normal conditions
Viscosity cSt @ 100 degrees C: Greater than or = to 10
================================================== ============================