MPG on Diesels...Dodge/GM etc

[CdnChevy]

Being a Chevy dude I almost feel bad asking this question for my father in law He has purchased a brand new 04 Dodge 4x4 cummins diesel High output 3/4 ton to replace his old dodge Halfton. Really tried to push him to a duramax but hes a dodge man. Now, the other night he was complaining about the truck, he is getting roughly 17 MPG on a tank, empty, with probably 80% highway driving, 20% city. He figured he should be into the 20's empty. His buddy was over as well and had a older dodge (99 ibelieve) and its getting 26 Empty or more at times with the same type of driving.

 

I see that most Duramax owners seem to be getting in the 17-21 range as well. What has caused this type of drop in these engines? Seems as the older ones pulled hard and got great milage and now the new ones pull hard and suck back fuel!

 

Is it just the power? His buddy seemed to think it has to do with them being quieter, different fuel firing etc. I dont think so but dont know.

 

Thoughts on this? My only thought to him was....shoulda bought the chev!

[XTOAK]

Most of it can be attributed to the EPA's emissions standards they've imposed on diesels...it's made to make the diesels burn "cleaner"...but it's had an opposing effect...might burn cleaner but puts out tons of hydrocarbons due to the increased fuel usage. A caveat of the EPA's power and prestiege.

[Jpshostr]

Mileage has gone down some, mainly due to the emissions reqs in place (just wait til the Tier III engines hit the market.....fuel suckers there, got some first hand experience there), but also more power. No matter which way you cut it, more power takes more fuel. The emissions are the biggie though, somehow the EPA believes that by burning a very noticeable amount of additional fuel we're doing the much better job for the environment, not quite sure I buy it, so be it.

 

As for my 05 Cummins, so far I've been pretty pleased with its mileage, not getting in the 20s, but close. On the interstate I get 18-20mpg, overall tanks which include way too much idle time here on the farm, pasture driving, right foot enjoyment, etc, I get 16.5-17mpg. I'm only at 5K miles so far, from what I've read and gathered from owners with more miles I should expect another 2-3mpg between 5-10K, hopefully it'll happen and my smile will just get bigger when driving this thing.

 

My service truck at work is an 02 7.3L Stroke SRW, haven't get real good track of mileage, but its in the 15-16 range. The 03 6.0L we have got 14 on its last trip the guy said. Won't go into the duallys, they can get pretty pitifal at times. Gotta put the disclaimer that these trucks are weighing pretty heavy all the time, mine is about 8000lbs I'd guess it at, the duallys are up there over 11K, not condusive to great mileage.

[tvandevelde]

I just sold a 2001 Dodge 2500 Cummins with 47k. I got 17mpg.

[F-250 diesel]

it will also get better after the engine breaks in and loosens up a little bit, 17 is actually pretty good for new

[ToBNamedL8r]

Does he have a tonneau or vented tailgate? Adding one will improve mileage especially with 80% highway driving.

 

What is the rear end ratio compared to his friend's truck? The higher the ratio the worse the mileage.

 

Mileage may vary due to driving habits -- like that right foot ecstasy some of us enjoy.

 

 

kb

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

More power = more fuel. The earlier Dodges didn't have 300HP and 600 lb-ft of torque.

[496 CUBIC INCHES]

Oh yea,I'm calling BS on 26+ MPG in any fullsize diesel P/U.

[XTOAK]

The best mileage I ever got with my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD Auto was 20 mpg...that was empty, running summer diesel #2 and drive 55 mph. That was the best I ever ran and that was after I got the first 15,000 miles on it.

 

The best mileage I ever got with my 2002 Chevy Duramax CC LB Auto was 19 mpg...that too was empty, running summer diesel #2 and driving 55 mph. No passing, no punching it, just driving from Kenai to Anchorage and return.

 

The best mileage I ever got with my 2003 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD Auto was 17 mpg...that too was empty, running summer diesel #2 and driving 55 mph. Also no passing, punching but just plain driving 55 mph from Kenai to Anchorage and return.

 

I do know of one fella who had a 2WD older Dodge Ram CTD and he said he consistently got 23 to 24 mpg empty running diesel #2 in the summer and it was highway miles unloaded. He said in the winter when the switch was made to #1 his mileage went down to the high teens.

 

The diesels do get better mileage than the BB gas engines but not that much better...when towing is when you realize the true value the economy of a diesel.

[CdnChevy]

Thanks guys for all the info! I have passed on your results/thoughts to the driver. Maybe it will make him feel better knowing he is on par for the most part.

 

Thanks again!