Posted 2008-06-02 2:46 PM (#85070 - in reply to #85056) Subject: RE: Poor Gas Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2008-06-02 1:07 PM
Originally written by gard on 2008-06-02 12:12 PM
Originally written by KAB on 2007-11-22 2:00 PM
Are any of you adding an additive to your fuel on your trucks that are a 2006 and older? I lost some mileage with the new ULSD and have gotten it back with using the Lucas Fuel additive plus I get the lubrication that was taken out of our Diesel fuel.
I've used Marvel Mystery Oil for several decades on all our diesels and our classic cars. Occasionally I use Amsoil diesel fuel additive and find it works well.
Gard
GM has right in their documentation...that additives are not to be used in their Duramax diesels...
I currently have a Ford 7.3 PS and three Kubota diesels, no GM equipment. I also use Marvel Mystery Oil in our classic cars that were designed for leaded gasoline as a top cylinder lubricant. It has enabled me to use the vehicles, while using unleaded gasoline, without having to pull the cylinder heads and upgrade the valve stems and seats in their engines. It works very well indeed.
Paul, I know you don't like MMO, but after decades of personal usage with excellent results, I have no plans on switching now.
Posted 2008-06-04 11:31 AM (#85189 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Member
Posts: 30 Location: Alberta, Canada
My 2 cents I own a 2000 3/4 Dodge 4x4 (270000 miles) which I use to pull a 1990 Trail-et 3H 22 foot with a sm lq's. I haven't weighed the trailer yet but it is probably medium weight. I went to Ohio to get it and on my way out there my truck started to "cough" going thru Chicago (scared the crap out of me!) Found some additive and never did it again I found that American diesel was very different from Canadian diesel as I do not normally use additives. I worked it out my costs and it was $0.12/mile there and appr. $0.18/mile back. I have friends who have bought new Dodges, Chevs and Fords, quizzed them as I wanted one too. Not now! Dodges exhaust system has hindered fuel economy, Duramax's have left my hauling friend stranded in the States a couple of times and is presently in the shop. They have one a couple of years old that they finally painted a big lemon on the side of it. So I guess I will keep babying my 00 Dodge and wait. We are presently paying $5.90 a gallon up here for diesel so am very knowledgable about where I am going this year to show.
Posted 2008-06-14 9:39 PM (#85668 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Laurel Fork, Va from Arcadia, FL
I've got a "96 Dodge 2500 Auto 4x4 extended cab (Cummins) 165000 mi. I put a 4" exhaust, AFE intake and TST #8 torque plate on it. Total wgt of truck, loaded Sundowner 3H L/Q (w/2 horses) is just under 22,000 lbs. Getting 11.5 mpg (loaded) 16-18 mpg (truck alone) in the mountains of SW VA
Posted 2008-06-16 12:55 PM (#85744 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Northern, CA
We run all Chevy's and GMC (2500s, 3500, 4500s) and use the Lucas additive. Has brought the mileage back up almost to where is was prior to the low sulfur diesel. Trucks are 2500s: 2002,2007; 3500: 2002; 4500s: 2004,2005. The older 2500 gets better mileage than the 2007, 22mpg not towing/20mpg towing. The '07 gets 20mpg/18mpg. The 4500's get 13mpg not towing and 10mpg towing. Don't know what the 3500 gets (don't like it, and never paid much attention to it). The 2002, 2500 had it's injectors replaced at 160,000 miles (courtesy of Chevy). Never used the additive until that happened. Mechanic suggested we start using it. Unfortunately, when the injectors were replaced, the mileage went down on that truck (was 24mpg, towing or not).
Posted 2008-06-16 1:20 PM (#85746 - in reply to #85744) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 3802 Location: Rocky Mount N.C.
Originally written by Too L Ranch on 2008-06-16 1:55 PM
We run all Chevy's and GMC (2500s, 3500, 4500s) and use the Lucas additive. Has brought the mileage back up almost to where is was prior to the low sulfur diesel. Trucks are 2500s: 2002,2007; 3500: 2002; 4500s: 2004,2005. The older 2500 gets better mileage than the 2007, 22mpg not towing/20mpg towing. The '07 gets 20mpg/18mpg. The 4500's get 13mpg not towing and 10mpg towing. Don't know what the 3500 gets (don't like it, and never paid much attention to it). The 2002, 2500 had it's injectors replaced at 160,000 miles (courtesy of Chevy). Never used the additive until that happened. Mechanic suggested we start using it. Unfortunately, when the injectors were replaced, the mileage went down on that truck (was 24mpg, towing or not).
Posted 2008-06-16 1:51 PM (#85747 - in reply to #85746) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by retento on 2008-06-16 2:20 PM
Originally written by Too L Ranch on 2008-06-16 1:55 PM
We run all Chevy's and GMC (2500s, 3500, 4500s) and use the Lucas additive. Has brought the mileage back up almost to where is was prior to the low sulfur diesel. Trucks are 2500s: 2002,2007; 3500: 2002; 4500s: 2004,2005. The older 2500 gets better mileage than the 2007, 22mpg not towing/20mpg towing. The '07 gets 20mpg/18mpg. The 4500's get 13mpg not towing and 10mpg towing. Don't know what the 3500 gets (don't like it, and never paid much attention to it). The 2002, 2500 had it's injectors replaced at 160,000 miles (courtesy of Chevy). Never used the additive until that happened. Mechanic suggested we start using it. Unfortunately, when the injectors were replaced, the mileage went down on that truck (was 24mpg, towing or not).
(was 24mpg, towing or not). [/QUOTE]
What are you towing a Radio Flyer Wagon??
Actually I think he meant that he WAS BEING TOWED...and the combination works out to be 24MPG...
Geez, I like GM products, but that number seems a bit STRETCHED...
Posted 2008-06-16 2:09 PM (#85751 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 346
Well I aint gonna say it aint so but I have owned five Dmax's and only one of them reached 20 while not towing. 20 even running 80mph on interstate. It had a programmer on it and it also tore up the truck running hard while towing. Since then I had some others that I kept programmers on and tore them up too. The 5th one sits here without a programmer and gets 16-18 on highway running 80. Towing it gets 13. Its also a 2500. The truck above was a 3500. I have owned three 2500's and two 3500's. The Dmax without programmers (3500's) got anywhere from 6 to 11 pulling. Of course depending on how it was loaded and how fast you drive. All of these were owned since 03. The classic 07 I have now is a good truck. Best one so far. Shame it took four others to prove it. Also tip: figure the mileage on paper dont use the computer in the truck.
I would say maybe its possible if you never go over 55. Towing or not. Big maybe.
To the Orignal poster: The old dodges got better mileage than anything every produced in a pickup line. Dont even compare it to the old cummins. I know we had one here on the farm. 170k and it still got 20mpg. Sounded like crap, look like crap, and in some instances smelled like crap. Still ran good.
You can be thankful you dont have a 6.0 in your GM. Had one of them too. Absolutely AWFUL on power and fuel. Thank you lord we didnt pull with it much. What a worthless engine for someone trying to pull. The old 5.7's would run circles around it for gassers.
Good luck. Best thing to do is suck it up and live with it. Take it from me, I have tried alot of expensive add ons for the Dmax and none of them were worth the money in the end.
Posted 2008-06-16 11:00 PM (#85784 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Northern, CA
The 2500's pull the G/N stock trailers, usually loaded with three horses & the cattle dogs, or with pairs (cows/calves). The 4500's pull the larger trailers or the 4 horse LQ. The reason the 2002 2500 stays in the stable IS the mileage.
Posted 2008-06-17 7:28 AM (#85794 - in reply to #85784) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by Too L Ranch on 2008-06-16 12:00 AM
The 2500's pull the G/N stock trailers, usually loaded with three horses & the cattle dogs, or with pairs (cows/calves). The 4500's pull the larger trailers or the 4 horse LQ. The reason the 2002 2500 stays in the stable IS the mileage.
Youre going to sit there straight faced and tell us youre getting 18-20 mpg towing a GN with 3H while everyone else is getting that empty? That is the most ridiculous thing Ive ever heard. Do you tow at 25 mph?
I cant decide if youre outright lying, or you honestly dont know how to figure mpg????????
Posted 2008-06-17 2:27 PM (#85842 - in reply to #85794) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Regular
Posts: 54 Location: Danielsville,Ga.
does no good to lie,most people on this forum know what the typical mileage is for the big three diesels. I'm willing to think he just mis-calculated.,or he drank to much of the D-Max cool-aid.Hahaha
Posted 2008-06-17 5:10 PM (#85852 - in reply to #71562) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Veteran
Posts: 144 Location: Hickory Hills, IL
I guess I'm not so upset I never found my diesel truck when I was shopping (back in '06).
I ended up with a 5.7 Hemi 2500 QC 4X4. I get 18-20 on the highway empy, 12 when pulling 3H trailer. Not too bad considering my gas is ~25% cheaper and I'm almost at the numbers the big Ds are pulling. My truck is stock with only a K&N filter. Granted, when pulling (and when empty) I drive with a soft foot- IfN I wanted to race I would be driving my Charger R/T! This is at ~65MPH. Granted, it is also mostly in Indiana where it is pretty much flat. Around town I only get 12 or so, but I hardly ever use my truck to run around town unless I'm off to the lumber yard!
Posted 2008-06-17 5:40 PM (#85853 - in reply to #85852) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
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Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by statzk on 2008-06-17 6:10 PM
I guess I'm not so upset I never found my diesel truck when I was shopping (back in '06).
I ended up with a 5.7 Hemi 2500 QC 4X4. I get 18-20 on the highway empy, 12 when pulling 3H trailer. Not too bad considering my gas is ~25% cheaper and I'm almost at the numbers the big Ds are pulling. My truck is stock with only a K&N filter. Granted, when pulling (and when empty) I drive with a soft foot- IfN I wanted to race I would be driving my Charger R/T! This is at ~65MPH. Granted, it is also mostly in Indiana where it is pretty much flat. Around town I only get 12 or so, but I hardly ever use my truck to run around town unless I'm off to the lumber yard!
Cheers!
~Statzk
Yep, the gas vs. diesel argument is all but dead. Unless you just have to have the power for the size of trailer, diesel is not bargain it used to be. Mpg are down over the years, (thanks horsepower wars), and price of diesel is way up. Mine too, sits in the driveway unless towing or I need the bed. I get 13 mpg towing the trailer in sig........got the same 13 towing with the Trailblazer running on 87 octane. Bought gas this morning, $3.75, last diesel was $4.80......damn it.
Posted 2008-06-17 10:37 PM (#85866 - in reply to #85853) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by chadsalt on 2008-06-17 6:40 PM
Yep, the gas vs. diesel argument is all but dead. Unless you just have to have the power for the size of trailer, diesel is not bargain it used to be. Mpg are down over the years, (thanks horsepower wars), and price of diesel is way up. Mine too, sits in the driveway unless towing or I need the bed. I get 13 mpg towing the trailer in sig........got the same 13 towing with the Trailblazer running on 87 octane. Bought gas this morning, $3.75, last diesel was $4.80......damn it.
NO IT ISN'T...
Diesels Forever...
I guess I'll just have to sell a share or two of BRK.B...
Posted 2008-06-18 7:12 AM (#85884 - in reply to #85866) Subject: RE: Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
Expert
Posts: 1416 Location: sc
Originally written by PaulChristenson on 2008-06-17 11:37 PM
Originally written by chadsalt on 2008-06-17 6:40 PM
Yep, the gas vs. diesel argument is all but dead. Unless you just have to have the power for the size of trailer, diesel is not bargain it used to be. Mpg are down over the years, (thanks horsepower wars), and price of diesel is way up. Mine too, sits in the driveway unless towing or I need the bed. I get 13 mpg towing the trailer in sig........got the same 13 towing with the Trailblazer running on 87 octane. Bought gas this morning, $3.75, last diesel was $4.80......damn it.
NO IT ISN'T...
Diesels Forever...
I guess I'll just have to sell a share or two of BRK.B...
Poor Mileage on an '07 3500 Duramax
I own a 2000 3/4 Dodge 4x4 (270000 miles) which I use to pull a 1990 Trail-et 3H 22 foot with a sm lq's. I haven't weighed the trailer yet but it is probably medium weight. I went to Ohio to get it and on my way out there my truck started to "cough" going thru Chicago (scared the crap out of me!) Found some additive and never did it again I found that American diesel was very different from Canadian diesel as I do not normally use additives. I worked it out my costs and it was $0.12/mile there and appr. $0.18/mile back. I have friends who have bought new Dodges, Chevs and Fords, quizzed them as I wanted one too. Not now! Dodges exhaust system has hindered fuel economy, Duramax's have left my hauling friend stranded in the States a couple of times and is presently in the shop. They have one a couple of years old that they finally painted a big lemon on the side of it. So I guess I will keep babying my 00 Dodge and wait. We are presently paying $5.90 a gallon up here for diesel so am very knowledgable about where I am going this year to show.
