mileage vs speed
#1
10-03-2008, 05:10 PM
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Location: Fargo, ND
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mileage vs speed
Well, I'll be taking my 1999 5.9 1500 on it's first long trip. What I'm curious about is what people have found to be the most fuel efficient speed in OD. I'll be driving in ND so the speed limit is 75, and, since tickets are only 20 bucks, faster isn't really a concern. I have new 265/75R16 tires on it inflated to 35PSI. Brakes are new, no drag. New air filter, clean throttle body, new check valve for the "Wild Vent" problem, new PCV, new fuel pump. It's one squared away unit.
So whaddya think?
So whaddya think?
#2
10-03-2008, 05:37 PM
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#4
10-03-2008, 05:50 PM
I drove in a Commander from NJ to Memphis and back. 2200 miles total. Averaged 26mpg for the highway portions of the trip, no bs. Here are some tips:
For the truck, I would recommend at least 50psi in the tires. I ran 45 in the Commander. 50 is still very comfortable in the truck.
Other than that, the way I got that mpg was to drive behind semis the whole trip. They'll do 65 where its legal. On an episode of Mythbusters, they measured much less drag following about 100' back. I drove the commander about 50' back. You can hear a huge difference in the amount of wind hitting your truck when drafting vs. driving with nothing in front of you.
If you can't do this, I get good mpg doing 70 in my 5.2 with the same tires as you, but it's a 5 speed, so your gearing might be a little different.
For the truck, I would recommend at least 50psi in the tires. I ran 45 in the Commander. 50 is still very comfortable in the truck.
Other than that, the way I got that mpg was to drive behind semis the whole trip. They'll do 65 where its legal. On an episode of Mythbusters, they measured much less drag following about 100' back. I drove the commander about 50' back. You can hear a huge difference in the amount of wind hitting your truck when drafting vs. driving with nothing in front of you.
If you can't do this, I get good mpg doing 70 in my 5.2 with the same tires as you, but it's a 5 speed, so your gearing might be a little different.
#5
10-03-2008, 05:53 PM
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#6
10-03-2008, 05:56 PM
I drove in a Commander from NJ to Memphis and back. 2200 miles total. Averaged 26mpg for the highway portions of the trip, no bs. Here are some tips:
For the truck, I would recommend at least 50psi in the tires. I ran 45 in the Commander. 50 is still very comfortable in the truck.
Other than that, the way I got that mpg was to drive behind semis the whole trip. They'll do 65 where its legal. On an episode of Mythbusters, they measured much less drag following about 100' back. I drove the commander about 50' back. You can hear a huge difference in the amount of wind hitting your truck when drafting vs. driving with nothing in front of you.
If you can't do this, I get good mpg doing 70 in my 5.2 with the same tires as you, but it's a 5 speed, so your gearing might be a little different.
For the truck, I would recommend at least 50psi in the tires. I ran 45 in the Commander. 50 is still very comfortable in the truck.
Other than that, the way I got that mpg was to drive behind semis the whole trip. They'll do 65 where its legal. On an episode of Mythbusters, they measured much less drag following about 100' back. I drove the commander about 50' back. You can hear a huge difference in the amount of wind hitting your truck when drafting vs. driving with nothing in front of you.
If you can't do this, I get good mpg doing 70 in my 5.2 with the same tires as you, but it's a 5 speed, so your gearing might be a little different.
#7
10-03-2008, 06:36 PM
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#8
10-04-2008, 01:06 AM
#9
10-04-2008, 01:10 AM
Veteran
i've seen 22 out of my truck when i had A/S 245/75/r16's on it and going about 65.
65ish is about the best speed for these trucks. when you draft semi's dont get to distractred. i say this because you may end up zoning out on a long trip and not pay attention... just saying, i'm sure your a good driver though... but there are ALOT of bad ones...
65ish is about the best speed for these trucks. when you draft semi's dont get to distractred. i say this because you may end up zoning out on a long trip and not pay attention... just saying, i'm sure your a good driver though... but there are ALOT of bad ones...
#10
10-04-2008, 01:51 AM
DO NOT DRAFT TRUCKS!!!!!!!!!! It is illegal, dangerous and you will get a ticket if caught. My dad's been a trucker his whole life and you don't want to tangle with 80,000+ pounds of steel. Give truckers respect and leave plenty of space.
Now, how many of you with non-factory size tires have re-calibrated the instruments? Makes a big difference when calculating mpg how many actual "miles" you've driven. I'm seeing some awfully big numbers at very high speeds with large tires. Something doesn't add up.
My real world hwy: 70mph tach reads 2000rpm on 265s with 3.55s equal 13-14mpg. At 64mph tach reads 1850 equal 15-18mpg. If I dare touch 2k rpm the gas really goes. Around town keeping under 2k rpm it will see 13 in summer and 11 in winter. And yes, my instruments are correctly calibrated.
Now, how many of you with non-factory size tires have re-calibrated the instruments? Makes a big difference when calculating mpg how many actual "miles" you've driven. I'm seeing some awfully big numbers at very high speeds with large tires. Something doesn't add up.
My real world hwy: 70mph tach reads 2000rpm on 265s with 3.55s equal 13-14mpg. At 64mph tach reads 1850 equal 15-18mpg. If I dare touch 2k rpm the gas really goes. Around town keeping under 2k rpm it will see 13 in summer and 11 in winter. And yes, my instruments are correctly calibrated.