This is my first diesel truck and it rides great!! But my mileage leaves a bit to be desired.
13.5 in town
14 - ? Highway. Took my first trip today on the highway and at the end I pushed her to 80mph and the MPG started changing, but then I pulled off so not sure what the best is.
Does anyone use or know of ways to get better mileage, such as Chips. I already went to a thinner, taller tire then what was on it.

Does anyone use Edge Ford Juice with Attitude?
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Does anyone use the Bully Dog Triple Dog Downloader?
Bully Dog Triple Dog Downloader

Does anyone use the Diesel Chips from Diesel Power Chips?
Diesel Power Chips: Diesel Performance Chips & Diesel Performance Products

Any good advice or review on a product would be very helpful.
Thanks.

 

This is only what i know from reading a bunch of posts on other forums.

Spartan Diesel Technologies

Thats suppost to be one of the best companys for programers.

 

Drive it empty, use high tire pressures, keep it at, or below, 55.

With the obvious now having been said....

I put a TS Performance chip in my Ex whe I got it. I bouth the truck new and just got the chip and put it in. The I set it to the appropriate oxymoron setting of "More power and beter mileage". I have driven it that way since I got it.

However, some things have occured here in California that made me start wondering about some things.

We will have our diesel vehicles checked for emission compliance this year. One of the concerns is whether we will get away with a chip in the machine or not. If we will have to remove it for our bi-annual emmissions check and re-install it after the check.

I then began to wonder if it was worth the effort. Once I remove the chip for the inspection should I bother to re-install it?

So, I set the chip to stock and drove it around a while. Friday my wife and I went on a trip. I am currently in southern California. I live about 400 miles north from here.

When we started our trip I reset the overhead computer so I can see how the mileage was. Especially since I recently did the Guzzell repair to my Fuel/water seperator drain valve. I was watching the readout and was disappointed in what I was seeing. 17.2- 17.3. I know that the actual - pencil to paper - mileage would be less. So when I saw these figures I was disappointed. Especially since I had seen better in years past. 18 - 19 - 20 and more.

Then I remembered that I had set the chip to stock. So, I reached down and turned the dial to the seemingly unreasonable position of "More power and better mileage".

Well, the overhead readout began to rise. 17.8, 18, 18.5, and so on. Eventually, after we left HWY Interstate 5 southwest to Barstow, CA., a few hundred miles of travel, we hit what was been the high point of our mileage on this, or any other, trip. 21.5 mpg.

We did maintain the speed limit. 65 mph in some locations. 70 in others. And as low as 50 in others. Through towns like Bakersfield we did the typical through town mph. But, all in all, 21.5 is where it is, on this trip so far, with the chip on.

Oh, tires are at 60psi front and 62psi rear.

And it is just the wife and I. No kids. Or their stuff. Just she and I and what two, kind of, old folks would carry on a trip.

Now the TS Performance chip was THE BIG DEAL in October of 2002 when the truck was new. I have not looked into another.

I have heard rumors of better mileage. But only from one or two guys. Now, I realize that my engine is not yours. But, the point of this long winded story is to say that there are chips out there that will better the performance. And the mileage. At the same time.

Around town I get 14.5 according to the overhead. I am sure worse according to the pencil and paper method. I believe about 11 to 12.

My f-350 6.0 gets a solid 14.8 to 15.1 around town. It has lumber racks on it. And I learned from my '83 6.9 that lumber racks do make a difference on mileage. Especially on a trip. I have not checked it's HWY mileage. Having not used it for more than work. And on the San Francisco peninsula one does not spend a lot of time "on the road" going from job to job.

 

Does anyone use the Bully Dog Triple Dog Downloader?
Bully Dog Triple Dog Downloader

I have been disappointed in mine. But, I have the 6.0L engine. And the Outlook. It does give you the power. But, the Outlook does not perform as advertised. In my opinion.

 

Ive heard the bullydog units arent that good. Its more a mass market programer now made to bring in profit.

 

Oh, and as a follow up, I have 285/75/16 tires on both the F-350 and Excursion. (I like the looks of the larger tire. I know, vanity. ) I have to guess that the exrra rubber does make a difference on mileage.

 

Those tires would lower city but raise highway milage.

 

Now that is an interesting concept. How so?

 

With the diameter being larger its harder to get it spinning. But once you get it spinning it takes less rpm of the motor to obtain the same speed.

 

Ah. Interesting. Thanks.

 

Don't you love spring, where the threads slowly transform from "my ESOF doesn't work" to "wow, this thing sucks fuel like a sailor swilling run while on shore leave".

The 6.4L is a very good engine. It's weakness if fuel mileage. The reason it does have low fuel mileage is because of the pollution control equipment needed to meet the stringent EPA requirements.

6.4L owners have had great success boosting the fuel mileage by using a DPF delete strategy coupled with some sort of tune, but please be painfully aware that any engine modification WILL void your engine warranty.

If you have a Job#1 truck, you can install the front chin valance from a Job#2 or newer truck. The lip is deeper, which helps divert air from under the truck and will boost fuel mileage a little.

 

sorry, I have to laugh.. I have a ranch hand bumper, so the valence wouldn't make the slightest difference for me.. like adding a brick to the front of the truck..

Sam

 

The sweet spot for me with the 6.4 is 1500-2K rpms max, 50-65 mph and stay off the boost. I can get 17, even with the off-road tires and the less than aerodynamic front bumper that I have.

I still have my emissions stuff on. I hope those tires you changed to are e-rated?

Also max psi will help for less rolling resistance.

 

I just got my 2008 f250 with the 6.4 / its got 46k miles.
It has a 6" lift with 35" tires. I tow an enclosed trailer full loaded at 6,500 lbs.
I am getting 8.3 mpg!!

Suggestions?

 

Get rid of the lift and keep your speed reasonsable. Go with 33" tires.

I get 7-9 towing my 5er.