cdn3500

Hi All,

I now have my first Diesel and I am totally stoked. I was wondering what people have done to increase their fuel economy in their diesels. My father in law mentioned a fuel conditioner and routine fuel filter changes, anyone else have some suggestions? I'm at about 22-28 MPG right now, depending where I'm at (city/hwy), but I am looking to stretch it even more.

dj_souvlaki

make sure your airfilter is clean. run clean diesel and additives. install a bigger exhaust.

its mainly on how you drive.

annabelle

You are already doing about as well as can be expected. By the way you need to hand calculate your numbers and ignore the overhead. The overhead is notoriously inaccurate.

timcasbolt

Keep the tires inflated to the manufacturer's maximum recommended pressure. (makes a big difference) Also, drive like there's an egg under your right foot. (less fun) Switch to synthetic oil. (makes a small difference) Put a tonneau cover over the box. (makes a very small difference)

Formerice

Jee, reading your post is not helping my terrible hankering for a CTD . I was really proud of getting 19.8 mpg on a tank once in my 1500 QC 4X4 Hemi Ram. My tecnique has been to keep it just under 65 mph on cruise control, or off the turnpike slightly speed up going down hills but as you are going up slightly reduce speed going up the hills trying not to downshift, at least with auto trannie. Resist the challenges from lesser vehicles to race, don't waste fuel racing some jackass in a fart canned ricer.

BlackSunShyne

What year truck are you running?

Dartmouth 12V

If your truck is running well and the tires are inflated, the biggest thing that you can do is slow down. Wind resistance is approximately proportional to the square of the velocity so it really hurts you to drive faster.

These trucks are hard to clean up aerodynamically but there are some things that you can do to lower your rolling resistance. The choice you make in tires is quite important and keeping them properly inflated is also important. Synthetic fluids also help a little.

If you are getting anything over 22mpg consistently out of a CTD, you are doing extremely well.

KAyers

EGT under 600 degress and boost under 10 psi at all times.

Texan1983

don't use the brakes...

really, the more you can coast to stops and red lights instead up racing up to them and using you brakes the better. it took me awhile to get used to driving that slow and all the idiots that are in such a hurry and like to go around you and then cut you off right before the light, but my mileage went from 17mpg to 22mpg.

also keep it under 65 on the highway.

phabib

I'm only gettting 16 MPG hand calculated. Only 10k miles on the rebuilt engine so maybe it will get better. No towing, but I admit that my normal crusing speed it closer to 75 than 65. The overhead claims 17.2 MPG.

paroxysym

i changed my oil to synthetic and noticed an increase in mileage. also check your tire pressure and keep up on your fuel filter changes. look into an intake and exhaust to make her breathe alittle better... some chips also help your mpg i.e quad xzt.

annabelle

Airing up to max cold PSI (80 PSI) helped me the most (2MPG).

paroxysym

but that will eventually cause you to wear out the center of your tires...

Sea:\>Drive

Not if ya keep 'em rotated every 5-6k miles or so.

Sevir

Check out my signature, i have done all the fairly in-expensive upgrades to help in MPG and i get a constant 23-24mpg on the highway. Next is a new tranny and injectors/turbo and 285/70/17 tires. i drive at 65mph and i dont use my cruise control. when going up hill, dont try to keep your speed let your truck slow down a little and then catch it back up to speed on the downhill. like it was said earlier, if you know your going to stop at a red light, coast there. Or if you are getting off the highway let off the accelerator and coast to the off ramp. The best MPG i have ever gotten was 25.2 on a 200 mile trip. you can improve your fuel mileage with mods, but your biggest improvment is the way you drive.