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Official MPG 4th Gen Thread
#311
Idle warm-ups can most certainly hurt gas mileage. I have lost 0.5 MPG just going through the car wash on occasion.
The difference between summer and winter blends is only the volatility rating. Most refiners increase volatility in winter blends to ensure good cold weather starts. It's really the colder, more dense air that impacts fuel consumption. On modern systems as the air becomes for dense, there is a corresponding increase in fuel of the air-fuel ratio. So the engine is just burning more fuel.
Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 98,000 miles.
The difference between summer and winter blends is only the volatility rating. Most refiners increase volatility in winter blends to ensure good cold weather starts. It's really the colder, more dense air that impacts fuel consumption. On modern systems as the air becomes for dense, there is a corresponding increase in fuel of the air-fuel ratio. So the engine is just burning more fuel.
Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 98,000 miles.
Quote: I have lost 0.5 MPG just going through the car wash on occasion.
I'd like to know how you figured that the car wash was where you lost .5mpg. This has to be solely based on the lie-o-meter, and is sure not based on any average mpg
#312
I've tracked the EVIC readout against manual MPG calculations for every fill since the vehicle was new. As it turns out, the average deviation over 100,585 miles is 0.93% positive. That's less than a one percent deviation from manual calculations. It's far more accurate than I would've guessed.
Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 100,500 miles.
#313
It seems on the Ford forum they're always posting pictures of the speedometer and the mpg reading. I laugh my butt off. I can post 90 mph and 25 MPG on the meter if I reset it and let off the gas!!
There are so many variables in mpg I don't even acknowledge a mile or two in specific situations. I.E. average speed, tailgaiting a truck you will constantly get 2-3 mpg better mileage. Its amazing hom much it drops when you pull out beside him. But when my average drops 2-3 mpg on 2-3 or more tankfuls something has changed. I only have 32,000 miles. So is it the fuel, spark plugs, or what? I have the same heavy foot I always had so I won't even compare my mileage to someone elses in the same truck. If I want to putt around 60-65 on the interstate I'd get 2-3 better mpg. I'll just wait till the fuel changes or weather changes and see what happens. Its not cold enough here in FL for the oil in tranny and rear end to have much affect. Now where I came from in Maine, which by the was was 21 below zero this A.M yes it will make a big differance. Bot no matter how bad it may be I still drive a truck with 150 H.P. or so more than my Dad ever had and get 3-4 better MPG than he ever dreamed of. He had a 73 chevy half ton, 350 engine probably about 250 H.P. and never saw over 15-16 on a trip.....at 65 mph.
There are so many variables in mpg I don't even acknowledge a mile or two in specific situations. I.E. average speed, tailgaiting a truck you will constantly get 2-3 mpg better mileage. Its amazing hom much it drops when you pull out beside him. But when my average drops 2-3 mpg on 2-3 or more tankfuls something has changed. I only have 32,000 miles. So is it the fuel, spark plugs, or what? I have the same heavy foot I always had so I won't even compare my mileage to someone elses in the same truck. If I want to putt around 60-65 on the interstate I'd get 2-3 better mpg. I'll just wait till the fuel changes or weather changes and see what happens. Its not cold enough here in FL for the oil in tranny and rear end to have much affect. Now where I came from in Maine, which by the was was 21 below zero this A.M yes it will make a big differance. Bot no matter how bad it may be I still drive a truck with 150 H.P. or so more than my Dad ever had and get 3-4 better MPG than he ever dreamed of. He had a 73 chevy half ton, 350 engine probably about 250 H.P. and never saw over 15-16 on a trip.....at 65 mph.
#314
Regards,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 100,500 miles.
#315
It seems on the Ford forum they're always posting pictures of the speedometer and the mpg reading. I laugh my butt off. I can post 90 mph and 25 MPG on the meter if I reset it and let off the gas!!
There are so many variables in mpg I don't even acknowledge a mile or two in specific situations. I.E. average speed, tailgaiting a truck you will constantly get 2-3 mpg better mileage. Its amazing hom much it drops when you pull out beside him. But when my average drops 2-3 mpg on 2-3 or more tankfuls something has changed. I only have 32,000 miles. So is it the fuel, spark plugs, or what? I have the same heavy foot I always had so I won't even compare my mileage to someone elses in the same truck. If I want to putt around 60-65 on the interstate I'd get 2-3 better mpg. I'll just wait till the fuel changes or weather changes and see what happens. Its not cold enough here in FL for the oil in tranny and rear end to have much affect. Now where I came from in Maine, which by the was was 21 below zero this A.M yes it will make a big differance. Bot no matter how bad it may be I still drive a truck with 150 H.P. or so more than my Dad ever had and get 3-4 better MPG than he ever dreamed of. He had a 73 chevy half ton, 350 engine probably about 250 H.P. and never saw over 15-16 on a trip.....at 65 mph.
There are so many variables in mpg I don't even acknowledge a mile or two in specific situations. I.E. average speed, tailgaiting a truck you will constantly get 2-3 mpg better mileage. Its amazing hom much it drops when you pull out beside him. But when my average drops 2-3 mpg on 2-3 or more tankfuls something has changed. I only have 32,000 miles. So is it the fuel, spark plugs, or what? I have the same heavy foot I always had so I won't even compare my mileage to someone elses in the same truck. If I want to putt around 60-65 on the interstate I'd get 2-3 better mpg. I'll just wait till the fuel changes or weather changes and see what happens. Its not cold enough here in FL for the oil in tranny and rear end to have much affect. Now where I came from in Maine, which by the was was 21 below zero this A.M yes it will make a big differance. Bot no matter how bad it may be I still drive a truck with 150 H.P. or so more than my Dad ever had and get 3-4 better MPG than he ever dreamed of. He had a 73 chevy half ton, 350 engine probably about 250 H.P. and never saw over 15-16 on a trip.....at 65 mph.
Tunaman...the 350 chevy engines of the era you described were notorious gas burners. I had a 74 half ton that never got over 10 mpg so if your dad had a 15-16mpg truck he definitely had a good one. Mine would get 10mpg at 50 mph or 110 mph. It didn't matter
#316
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 100,500 miles.
#317
My 11' is mechanically stock and the majority of my driving is highway. I run 89 octane and the best MPG i can get (using the trucks data display) is 14.5 MPG. Never higher. I have reset it each time for three tank fulls of fuel so far.
I drive typically 75 on the highway (posted speed is 65) and never drive aggressively from a start.
I drive typically 75 on the highway (posted speed is 65) and never drive aggressively from a start.
#318
15mpg
Now that the cold weather is slowly on its way out my mileage is 15mpg. 50/50 driving. I'm not easy on the take offs. I love to hear my magnaflow exhaust and feel the acceleration. Especially when there's a meoff next to me in a coffe can mufflered car. I think it's great a big ole truck can whoop that loud obnoxious car that thinks he's fast. (Reminds me of old Harley's! All that noise and they only hit 40mph) I have been running the 87 tune off my flashpaq. I don't want to pay for premium fuel. If I run 93 octane and the 91 performance tune I can average mid 16s driving like an ahole. That's hammering down all the time and Passing lots of people on the interstate! I love my truck. I just wish the tow rating was higher. All that power and tow rated for only 6800lbs sucks! I recommend the programmer. Once you feel the 40+hp,40+tq you won't go back. Especially with an increase in fuel economy.
#319
Now that the cold weather is slowly on its way out my mileage is 15mpg. 50/50 driving. I'm not easy on the take offs. I love to hear my magnaflow exhaust and feel the acceleration. Especially when there's a meoff next to me in a coffe can mufflered car. I think it's great a big ole truck can whoop that loud obnoxious car that thinks he's fast. (Reminds me of old Harley's! All that noise and they only hit 40mph) I have been running the 87 tune off my flashpaq. I don't want to pay for premium fuel. If I run 93 octane and the 91 performance tune I can average mid 16s driving like an ahole. That's hammering down all the time and Passing lots of people on the interstate! I love my truck. I just wish the tow rating was higher. All that power and tow rated for only 6800lbs sucks! I recommend the programmer. Once you feel the 40+hp,40+tq you won't go back. Especially with an increase in fuel economy.
With a tow rating of 6800 lbs., you must have a 4x4 with 3.55 gears. Mines a 2WD with the 3.92 gearset and the tow rating is 10,400.
Bests,
Dusty
2010 Ram Big Horn 1500 Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE, 3.92 LSD, factory dual exhaust, 20” wheels. Now at: 101,000 miles.
#320
My 11' is mechanically stock and the majority of my driving is highway. I run 89 octane and the best MPG i can get (using the trucks data display) is 14.5 MPG. Never higher. I have reset it each time for three tank fulls of fuel so far.
I drive typically 75 on the highway (posted speed is 65) and never drive aggressively from a start.
I drive typically 75 on the highway (posted speed is 65) and never drive aggressively from a start.