Fuel Economy

[Gurrzt]

I am not sure you are right. What you said is very true of old vehicles with distributor and fixed ignition timing. However, modern trucks like these have ignition timing advanced by the engine ECU and they have a knock sensor which enables more timing advance with higher octane gas. I would definitely recommend 93 octane for hauling or pulling heavy loads. I am not sure how much using higher octane helps for everyday driving when the truck is not loaded, but it is worth experimenting with to see if the mileage does not improve.

 

 

I agree totally, I run premium gas in my 2013 Yukon Denali, and get better mileage than when I use regular, also the vehicle has improved acceleration both from a stop and roll.

[Range Technology]

Hey guys. It seems I missed a day. If you guys have any questions that you need immediate answers to - please do not hesitate to call us. 888.401.7770. Ext 1 for Ken and 3 for me.

 

We were previously with Superchips and Edge - so tuning questions are fine as well. You can find us at the link below and we are also sold though AutoAnything. When they tested Range - they got 12% gains, on average, over 3 vehicles.

 

Thanks for all the support.

[Range Technology]

I've heard a couple people now who have said that they do not like the factory AFM system. Could you please sound off on why not?

[David_L6]

Hi there. My name is Adam Raper and I am the founder of a fuel economy company called Range. We only support GM trucks and SUVs with Active Fuel Management and we have had great results in maximizing the amount of time vehicles can spend in 4 cylinder mode.

 

While I hope that you guys may try Range if you are interested in economy - I wanted to start a new thread to discuss fuel economy in general - tips, tricks, technology and allow you guys to ask some questions of our engineers about economy and AFM.

 

Range is new here, but I was previously the CEO of Superchips and worked with our engineers at Edge Products after that. So hopefully we can reconnect with some old friends.

 

Best,

Adam

 

 

The people that I know - especially the people that have had the very well known problems with AFM - minimize (as in disable it completely!) the time spent in 4 cylinder mode.

[David_L6]

I've heard a couple people now who have said that they do not like the factory AFM system. Could you please sound off on why not?

 

 

Some (not all - my '08 didn't) burn oil. Oil pumps go out (my '08 DID - that's what got me to researching in the first place and how I found out that a LOT of people have problems with the AFM engines). Lifters collapse and ruin camshafts (my '08 DID). I no longer own the truck but I know the person that has it now. Last week an injector went out and had to be replaced (luckily for him the truck is still in warranty). I suspect that is due to AFM also.

 

The '99 with 4.8 that I bought new and has no AFM has over 250K miles on it. Still runs well. The '08 that I also bought new has AFM and has less that 100K miles on it and has had the oil pump, camshaft, lifters, and an injector replaced. NO more AFM engines for me.

[yukon25008.1]

My thought has been for yrs that GM would have an easier time making a new direct injection Big Block If it were

Available with AFM!! Everyone knocks the BBC for its mileage, but if they made one that got in the mid teens "mpg" Everyone would be

happy.

The Big Block is the perfect motor for guys who dont want or need a diesel, but want more then a small block that doesnt offer

enough torque!

 

Welcome, BTW

 

[Range Technology]

The '99 with 4.8 that I bought new and has no AFM has over 250K miles on it. Still runs well. The '08 that I also bought new has AFM and has less that 100K miles on it and has had the oil pump, camshaft, lifters, and an injector replaced. NO more AFM engines for me.

 

 

David - wow!! That's incredibly bad. I have 2 AFMs (2008 and 2011) and not a single problem yet. Range has a 2009 Tahoe that has put a lot of time on the road and dyno in V4 mode and not a single issue. We do know that GM, Chrysler and others are dramatically expanding their AFM offerings. I'll let Ken weigh in here - but GM redesigned the oil system this year. We saw the prototype at SEMA.

 

Thanks for the welcome, guys.

[corvette327]

Hi Adam

A great implementation using the OBD2 port with no warranty issues. I think you would sell a large number of units if you offered the ability to shut off AFM. The unit would have to be warranty friendly and reasonably priced. I would shut off AFM because I do not like the change in noise and vibration when it is active at low speeds. Like others on this board, Chevrolet told me the increase in vibration was normal. I am also concerned that long term operation of AFM may increase my chances of oil use due to carbon formation on the pistons and rings. I currently drive my 2011 six speed auto in M5 this locks out 6th gear and prevents AFM operation. I would like to disable AFM and still have the use of 6th gear with no warranty problem. Thanks

[David_L6]

My thought has been for yrs that GM would have an easier time making a new direct injection Big Block If it were

Available with AFM!! Everyone knocks the BBC for its mileage, but if they made one that got in the mid teens "mpg" Everyone would be

happy.

The Big Block is the perfect motor for guys who dont want or need a diesel, but want more then a small block that doesnt offer

enough torque!

 

Welcome, BTW

 

 

A big block would be very nice - even a relatively small big block. As you said, torque is what we need. I don't want AFM though.

[Zane]

We're going to try a Range on Project Sierra. UPS delivered it last night. We're going to install it today and we'll let you all know our impressions, thoughts, and the results of fuel economy testing over the next few weeks.

 

[TimmyG]

Does it juat plug in

 

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk 2

[Zane]

Does it juat plug in

 

 

Yes, into the diagnostic port under the steering wheel. " Installed" in about 5 seconds.

[RyanbabZ71]

I've heard a couple people now who have said that they do not like the factory AFM system. Could you please sound off on why not?

 

On my camaro it sounded awful when kicking on and off with the stock exhaust and even worse with the flowmasters

 

 

Ryan

[h20-50]

It seems to me that the reason it wont stay in 4 for a while is because it doesnt have enough power to keep it there. It bumps back up to 8 catches speed and momentum and then bumps back to 4 until it loses that momentum and speed, then it repeats the process.......... Im an engineer so i know it has the power to drive in four all day, not that it would be fun haha! Is there a way to specifically create a fuel map just for driving in 4 just as there is a map for when it is driving in 8?? Seems if this was the case you could tune 4 just as you could the 8, create more power (without sacraficing MPG) and provide it with a better AFR and thereby power to keep it in 4 much longer to maximize MPG.

[Carder09]

It seems to me that the reason it wont stay in 4 for a while is because it doesnt have enough power to keep it there. It bumps back up to 8 catches speed and momentum and then bumps back to 4 until it loses that momentum and speed, then it repeats the process.......... Im an engineer so i know it has the power to drive in four all day, not that it would be fun haha! Is there a way to specifically create a fuel map just for driving in 4 just as there is a map for when it is driving in 8?? Seems if this was the case you could tune 4 just as you could the 8, create more power (without sacraficing MPG) and provide it with a better AFR and thereby power to keep it in 4 much longer to maximize MPG.

 

 

Read post #22, it explains why it cannot stay in V4 mode for over 7 min.