OK boys and girls.....

I just returned from a weekend trip. When I left home the odometer had 252 miles on it and the computer said 13.6 mpg. We went round trip from Louisville, KY to Milwaukee, WI. One way is about 400 miles and if you throw in some driving around Milwaukee the total trip was about 900 miles. Here are the details for anyone interested. For anyone who doesn't know, Indiana is basically flat.

Going north with tail wind the CTD did 17.5 mpg on the computer and I verified on paper and found it to be accurate to within one tenth.

Heading back south with 200 miles of (heavy) rain the CTD did 16.5 on the computer and verified on paper by me.

My truck know has 1152 on the odometer and it purred like a kitten all the way. On the way up I used the cruise control at varying speeds, changing every 20 miles or so. Speeds were anywhere from 65 mph to 78 mph. On the return trip I was only able to use cruise for about 100 of the 400 miles due to city driving and heavy, heavy rains.

My truck is an automatic, I wasn't pulling anything, didn't use any additives in the fuel, is a quad cab, has the Michelin All Season tires and is bone stock.

This post is basically for anyone who does a search on fuel mileage as these types of post are often hard to find using thre search feature.

 

DR, out of curiosity when you fillup are you filling till you see fuel in the neck or only till the pump clicks off? I was surprised at the differences between stations when filling to the neck mine took an additional 5.8 the first time and 3.2 the second time. Based on that I have decided to recalc my mileage since unlike yours my onboard computer is off 1-2 MPG. But for being at about the same those numbers don't look bad at all for your truck.

This brings up a interesting question of is there a way to recalibrate the onboard computer? I know you can for time and compass headings, how about avrg MPG?

 

I found that adding the Rokktech sensor brought the mileage of my 04.5 up some as well...it is a timing mod that advances the stock timing about 2*.

You will probably not notice your real mileage until around 70k...mine is still coming up even at 75k.

steved

 

Well after the first fill to the neck tankfull hand calc of 16.3 which is deadon match for the onboard computer

 

Before I purchased my truck I did a lot of research on this web site and read about the foaming of the fuel while filling it up. At each fill up I let the pump stop and then topped it off.

Doug

 

I did also but missed that part, that amount of extra fuel to get to the neck really differs, now had it from 5.8 to little as 2.3. but it sure does make a difference on how the hand calculations match up to the computers readings

 

If you are concerned about filling to the top each time, there is a guy who makes a "vent kit" that allows you to completely and consistantly fill the tank each time.

steved

 

I am currently getting 20.8 mpg unloaded in combination city/highway setting. Granted the add on's I have done probably help with the high number. The truck is 06 auto with 2800 miles on it. Hope to get more once it breaks in good.

 

Hi guys, new here, but thought I would mention my CTD mileage.

I have a 2004 Ram 2500 QC short bed 4x4 Diesel and auto tranny. The truck has 34K on it and is bone stock (for now). Last week I drove it from San Antonio, Texas to Brookville, Pennsylvania (1650 miles one way). The truck was loaded with me, wife, two kids, and a 6x12 tandem axle trailer loaded pretty heavy (U-haul rental). I got 16.2 average going up pulling the trailer and running around 68-72 MPH most of the way.

On the return trip (with no trailer) I got 19.6 MPG running at 70-75MPH. The mileage in the last 10K miles of driving is getting a little better. When I first got the truck, highway mileage would only run around 17.5 or so. In combined daily driving I am now getting around 18.2 to 18.5. I don't use any additives in the fuel (I just buy fuel at the cheapest place locally when I need fuel) and I don't have any aftermarket anyhting on the truck....yet.

 

Hey there,

I own an 06 2500 ctd 4 wheel drive also and was a little worried when i kept staring at mileage indicator. most of the time showing between 14.5 and 15.5 mpg. I now have 2200 miles on mine and took a trip from Medford Oregon to Portland Oregon. 365 miles. 17.5 gallons. 20.8 mpg on the way up. That was with the cruise set at 65. On the way back I lost 2 mpg by traveling at 70 mph. What a difference 5 mph makes. This truck is box stock and will stay that way. ( for now ) We have a trip to the sand dunes planned this week. i have a 34 foot toy hauler that tips the scales at 13,500 pounds loaded. ( So much for that 20.8 mpg )


Greg.

Medford, Oregon.