Gas Mileage - II
This topic is a continuation of Topic 207....
Gas Mileage. Please continue these discussions
here.
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
Gas Mileage. Please continue these discussions
here.
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host
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I would like to get realistic figures on the following truck:
F-350
Powerstroke (Turbo)
AOD
Dually
4:10 axle (Ford, will not let you order
the Limited-Slip diff in 3:73.....)
Crew-Cab
8' Bed
Lariet
I've heard a variety of figures from the sales folks at the dealer. Now I'd like to get some real numbers from people who actually own a "like" rig.
If you have a rig that's of a similar configuration, I would appreciate hearing from you. I would like to get figures such as what the MPG is with it unloaded, flat terrain, no head-wind, cruising at about 70mph, and within about five-hundred feet above sea level. I would also like to get some examples of MPG in various other situations, loaded, mix of hwy and city driving, high elevation, etc,etc,....
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thank You,
Dave
ps: I apologize if this is a topic that has already been discussed.
EPA figures for ALL manufacturers are all tested the same. But to excuse inaccurate mileage predictions on testing techniques is probably reaching. I've seen the test procedure write up, and they do a fairly real world test. granted, it won't apply to everyone. but i've never seen a vehicle, GM or Ford or Dodge that didn't get somewhere in between the city and highway range given on the sticker.
I'd say if you're not getting that mileage, there is something wrong with your vehicle. if your dealer won't fix it, they're running you around, go somewhere else. the way today's fuel injection is set up, a stupid sensor could be giving the wrong reading, the computer thinks its right, and and throws off everything. many dealers are too lazy to manually go and check every little input the computer has, because frankly, there are lots.
13 city/17 highway for a '98 GMC 5.7L, but at the bottom it says
"Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions...Results reported to the EPA indicate that the majority of vehicles with these estimates will achieve between 11 and 15 mpg in the city
and between 14 and 20 mpg on the highway."
I'm getting 19-21 on the highway, but it would also be considered entirely normal if I got 11 city and 14 highway. That's a huge slop factor they build in.
-powerisfun
As far as 3.92 vs 3.55 is concerned the mileage difference will be minimal, but will certainly add up over the years. The tire and handling group should give you a slight advantage in fuel economy - the tires are larger more in height than width so there should be a net gain, but again it will be small. Having said all that 5000-5500lbs on a 3.55 is running it a bit close. Not sure what you are towing, but add gas, water, contents and the weight will soon add up - especially if you have a family in the cab as well. Personally I think I would go with the 3.92, especially as you mentioned mountains, it will give you a little more muscle from a stop, or at low speeds up steep hills. It will also give you a safety margin on the towing capacity. FYI I am getting 17-18 on my 4.7, 5sp, 3.92.
As far as standard vs. automatic is concerned, you are right in saying that automatics are often rated to tow more than standards, but that isn't a hard and fast rule. A whole plethora of factors come into the equation, not least of which is gear ratios. The weakest link in a manual transmission, especially when towing, is the clutch, if you respect that and don't overwork it then you will have no problems.
Went to the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year and got in the new Ford F150 crew. Very nice with more overhead room then the Dakota but all else including payload/towing specs leaned to the Dakota. Especially since its about 5 grand less. But the drop down video screen in the ceiling would be nice for the kids in back- add $1200!!! Also not available in a standard trans. Anyone's help on the new Dakota would be welcome. Thanks.
This is my first Chrysler (or Daimler Chrysler for that matter) and I am very happy. I have the standard rather than the automatic so can't comment on reliability issues there (I didn't go standard because of concerns over the auto tranny).
I don't really have any major gripes, the Dakota topics talk of some teething problems with the new engine - ticking and foaming in particular. There is a TSB on the ticking now. My complaints are all pretty minor, knocking the radio controls when changing into 5th occasionally.
My full (relevant) spec is Club Cab SLT+, 4.7, 5spd, 4x4, 3.92, 31x10.5 tires.
Have you made any upgrades to your Dakota? K/N airfilter or exhuast muffler improvements?
I'm only averaging 15mpg on mine. I'm at 5k miles sofar.
Jim
I don't know whether the cold weather has helped by lowering the temperature of the air entering the engine - probably has a slight impact, but I doubt that it is measurable. If you are running the a/c compressor that will have a negative impact on economy - don't forget that the compressor runs the dehumidifier for the windscreen as well as the a/c.
The sprint races have taken a back seat to the Iditarod, but some sponsorship seems to be coming back. Last year, the total prize money was only $20,000. This year, the winner got over $5,000 plus a $30,000+ Dodge Durango. The Iditarod has significantly more sponsorship. The winner gets over $50,000 and a new Dodge Ram 4x4. Ford participates in sponsoring mushers, but Dodge appears to be more overtly active in the sports up here.
Sorry to be off subject. I did mention trucks....
Anyway, I thought I'd post my most recent mileage of my '98 GMC Sierra Z71 with 5.7L engine. Went 437.4 miles and used 22.591 gallons for 19.35 mpg.
Not bad for the winter cold weather.
-powerisfun
Bookitty
My figures are based on US gallons.
-powerisfun
I would LOVE some day to have one of those model Impala's! about the only 'car' i can actuallly fit in, and of course, a fabulous powertrain.
I am happy with the mileage. Diesel trucks of all 3 makes only get one or 2 mpg in the same size truck. I'd say i'm a conservative driver, and take it fairly easy on the truck, but living in Austin traffic, thats a very 'relative' statement. although sometimes i do wish i had the big block power, i know i don't need it that often, and i would REALLY be feeling these gas prices if it did had the 4-5-4. overall, very happy with the power/mileage of the Vortec 350/4.10 combo!
They only made 69,678 of them over the 3-year production ('96 was the last year), and they only made them in 3 colors: Black, Dark Cherry Metallic (DCM), and Dark Green-Gray Metallic (DGGM). The one I'm buying is DGGM. The seller added some aftermarket performance parts such as Borla exhaust, ASM headers, K&N cold-air, 3.42 rear-end gears, and Hypertech Programmer. Anyway, I'll let you know how I like it once I get it and drive it for a while.
later,
powerisfun
Bookitty
that my Quad had arrived. Went to the dealership
tonight (my wife drove me there) and did all of the
paperwork. Went to delivery, only to discover that
it was equipped with 3.92 ratio differentials.
Refused the truck, salesman came over and showed me
that the order manager had changed the ratio
because you cannot get the 3.55 with 4.7 and 5
speed with towing. Problem is, that no one informed
me and I have been waiting since 12/24/99. They
were rather casual about the whole thing, but I was
very upset, since no one bothered to call or
inform me. They said that they could order me
another truck, but that was all they could do. Now
I'm wondering if the combination of 4X4, 4.7, 5
speed, and tow is available with 3.55.
Unfortunately, it was 9:45 PM and the manager was
not there. Please respond by post if you have the
same combination and a 3.55. I can call D/C
tomorrow, but right now I am crushed. Perhaps
themacguy's prophecy is accurate.
Bookitty
Bookitty
-powerisfun
Is there a tremendous difference between the 3.55 and the 3.92? I doubt it. I mean, it's not like the thing came through with 4.56's. That, to me, is unreasonable. If you want to play games with the dealer to land a free warranty, hey, I don't blame you for trying. It just sounds like you've got a pretty nice truck sitting there with your name on it. Take the warranty and enjoy.
and I really did not want the 3.92. I could get an
attorney, but that is not practical. While it is
against my principal to re-order, I have done so,
and they have promised to push through the order.
Principal is an expensive hobby, and I really don't
have the time to wade into battle. It was an
honest mistake, but my mother always told me that I
would have to pay for my mistakes; She never
mentioned that I would have to pay for Reedman
Dodge's mistakes as well. You're a great bunch.
Bookitty (Quadwaiter)
I'm noticing that the air cond seems to be on all of the time even when you're not on the little A/C snowflakes.
Rough gas mileage calculation in 133 miles / 8 gals = 16 mpg. Just an estimate.
braking in/easy on the pedal (pushing 850 miles)
In Los Angeles 10.5 mpg (up and down gears)
Round trip to Oxnard (ideal on coast, under 60 mph,flat sea level) 14.8 mpg
Getting ready to start towing a boat trailer.
It turns out that using super (92 octane) in engines designed for regular contributes to carbon deposit buildup and reduces power and gas mileage too. I was in the misinformed camp that believed that putting super into an engine was better for it and that it would increase power, gas mileage, and engine longevity. I was wrong on all three points.
Modern engines have an anti-knock sensor in them which causes the onboard computer to retard the timing when pinging is detected. This means that no audible pinging occurs, you just lose power and gas mileage when the computer adjusts in this manner.
It also turns out that radically different formulations of gas can produce the same pump octane rating. In other words different brands of gas are usually different formulations.
Gas engines develop an equilibrium state (where the rate of carbon deposit buildup equals the rate of carbon deposit flake-off) after about 10,000 miles.
My wife had an old engine that started to ping on one brand of regular, and she switched to another (cheaper) brand and after two months the problem went away. This episode triggered my rather lengthy research on this subject.
It also turns out to be true that on gas station is not like another. Gas stations are required to clean their tanks regularly, and they are also expected to let tanks "settle" for several hours after a refill (to let water droplets settle usually). Gas stations that skimp in either area will deliver lower quality gas to your tank than they should.
So in conclusion, those of you getting way lower gas than others who have the same vehicle may be able to resolve it by switching brands of gasoline (if diesel this won't help you at all), or just buy from another gas station. Especially if you are using premium in a regular engine (although it will take two months to improve if the cause is excessive carbon deposits leading to pinging). If you are just using gas that is bad for your engine (no pinging) then immediate improvement should be obtainable.
And if you want to shorten the 2 month stabilization period, some dealers have a carbon deposit removal process (cost me $130 recently) where they essentially pour oven cleaner into your engine and let it soak overnight.
kmh3
Fantastic truck, more than enough power with the 5.3 in a half ton.
Highway - mostly level grade 60-65 MPH ranges 14.6-15.2.
Highway Towing 6000 pounds (car and trailer) same type of grade is right at 11 MPG 60-65MPH. I forget the trailer is even there, no sway, no chugging, etc.
I live in the country so I don't really have a stop and go MPG figure. That BBC is awesome, torque is unbelievable and will pull easily in higher gears from 1000RPM.
He pulls an 8000lb trailer and gets 7.5mpg. Empty he gets 8.5mpg.
Hell, my dad pulls a 6000lb trailer and gets 10mpg with his 5.3 Silverado and 20mpg empty.
I thought a diesel ought to get better mileage than that.
Mike L
I'll agree with you on the poor mileage of the older Dodge engines and the variability within each brand.
We should both consider ourselves lucky with our trucks.
Mike L
this topic is being "frozen." It will be archived or deleted in the next 10 days or so.
Front Porch Philosopher
SUV, Pickups, & Aftermarket and Accessories Host