Gas Mileage

**Sunline Fan** · 12-02-2008, 11:55 AM

I had a unique experience this past Sunday night that I have to share.

I was coming back in what else, a snowstorm. The worst actually, and I had to slow down because it unfortunately was sticking. I don't think the roads were real icy (only saw one accident in my 72 mile commute), but it was dark and snowing so hard that it was difficult to see.

Anyway, I was only able to do between 50 and 60. I wasn't in a big hurry, so I did have other people passing me. However, I decided within the first couple miles to reset the trip computer to see my mileage.

Keep in mind it's an '02 V10, 3.73 gears, 4x4 (wasn't on for most of the trip though), and only engine mod is a K&N air filter. It was just myself inside, plus my larger than average amount of luggage, and I decided to put the 3rd seat in for some extra weight back there.

When I got off the highway, computer read 17.3!!!!

It did vary during the trip between 16.9 and 17.5, but averaged at that!

As my roommate said (whose family also has an Excursion), leave it to a Ford to get horrible mileage when gas is expensive and get great mileage when it's cheap!

Jon

Mooney · 12-06-2008, 10:11 PM

My '04 2500HD Silverado gets 12.3 mpg at 65-75 mph highway and regular trips around town if I drive it like everyone else....

If I slow her down to 55-58 mph highway and regular (but lighter-footed) trips around town I pull out at 15.3- 15.9 mpg.

This is with the 6.0 gas motor, 4.10 gears w/ factory locker, cap, 4x4 (not on), and a bunch of crud in the bed 'cuz I have nowhere else to keep it (dang apartment).

A LOT of fuel is expended when vehicles are driven at higher speeds, something you can actually feel in the pedal- feel how much more the motor "feels" like it's working, vs. just cruising along going a little slower.

Unless you are going 100 miles away or so, you'll only take 5 minutes longer to get where you're going, save gas, save wear, etc. A lot of the extra fuel goes to punching a harder hole in the air.

Also, we should be getting more of the fresher, Winter blend fuel now, which will have some different additives and such.

I am also the only guy at work that regularly pulls down averages of 8.5 mpg in the heavy trucks, loaded up, going up to the hills of Western Mass and mid- New Hampshire....so maybe I need to speed up a little

nickster60 · 12-07-2008, 04:17 AM

The best I ever got with my Dodge 8.0L V10 is 13.9 at 55 mph. It gets terrible gas mileage but it will pass everything but a gas station. It is a good thing I like the truck I could never sell it. Who would want it with mileage like that. But it does tow really well and it is paid for.

HappyCampers · 12-07-2008, 09:05 AM

I just took a long trip over the Thanksgiving Holiday to visit my Grandparents in WVa. I set the cruise at 76 mph and let her fly. Even climbing the steepest mountains (Eastern Cont. Divide) on I-68 it never kicked out of overdrive. I made the entire trip of 390 miles on one tank of fuel. The truck averaged 17.4 mpg for the trip down. It is a Ram 3500 CC, LB, with the HO Cummins and 3.73 rears. I was impressed with the numbers since our Volvo S80 only gets about 23-25 mpg on the same trip.

donreitz · 12-08-2008, 05:24 AM

The ads for tonneau covers tell you that you get better mileage when when you use one. They're telling the truth, at least in my case. A couple years ago I bought a soft cover (rolls up, seals with velcro) and I was surprised to notice a difference right away. I travel the same route all the time so it's easy to tell when my mileage is affected. The tonneau cover adds between one and two miles per gallon when traveling I-69 unloaded at 65 mph. Not a big difference, but over time it adds up.
Don

GhettoMedic · 12-08-2008, 06:10 PM

my GMC Sierra 1500 5.7L V8 gets about 15 mpg around town, 20 mpg highway at 65, and towing my sunline at 65 gets me about 13 mpg.

Hematite · 12-15-2008, 10:49 AM

Yes, I've noticed that if you keep the speeds to 55mph you can definitely see the results in improved gas mileage. Lower gears and bigger engines in a tow vehicle and aerodynamics of a huge brick all conspire to reduce gas mileage when traveling over 55mph.

Viking · 03-23-2010, 09:15 PM

My dear son tells me that when he installed a Banks exhaust system, he achieved an increase of two MPG.
As I understand it, this exhaust system eliminates the catalyst, and is therefore more free flowing, - in other words, less back pressure.
The TV is a 2006 Ram 3500 with Cummins turbodiesel, 4X4 automatic 5 speed with dual rear wheels.
FWIW,
Roar

HappyCampers · 04-01-2010, 06:56 PM

Roar, your son is exactly right. The stock exhaust on my 2004 3500 Ram was rotting off after a paltry 48,000 miles, so I went extreme. After much deliberation, and a fair amount of arm twisting by none other than my lovely bride, brother and sister in law, I stacked her. From the turbo all the way out, she now has 5" of steel to breathe out of. It is loud, but a good loud, and I did achieve another 1.2-1.5 MPG from the alteration. And saved a bundle of $$$ vs. replacing the stock exhaust.