Huge change in mileage since service - Diesel Forum

PHS79 · 08-05-2006, 10:59 AM

I am posting this question for my father, since he doesn't have an account here. He has a 05 F350 SC, DRW, FX4 6.0L/torqshift running the Edge Juice with Attitude. He uses the truck for a combination of daily driving and towing a 34' 5th wheel camper. The truck used to get 15-16mpg(when it was bone stock)but now since the reflash the truck gets around 12.5 mpg running empty (no matter what Edge program or stock)and 11ish mpg towing (which is not too bad, and no matter what program). With this being said, he doesn't "hot rod" the truck and drives it pretty easy, like most 62 year olds do. Ever since the truck got reflashed (do to a recall of some sort) the mileage with running empty just plain sucks, but towing the camper hasn't really changed!?!?!? How can this be??

He had the truck back to the dealership (where he bought the truck and also did the service) and they said that everything was ok and that was normal. Well how can it be normal when he was getting almost 16mpg and now will only get 12.5 at best?? He tried to get them to reflash the PCM again, but they wouldn't, since I am guessing that this is the problem, right??

So lets hear your thoughts on this!

Thanks Paul

rock_doctor · 08-05-2006, 02:21 PM

Unfortunately this is normal behavior. *Some* are seeing a major reduction in mileage after the newest flash (generally only about 2mpg loss). The dealer will not re-flash unless they find that it did not take correctly. So this is normal behavior and the main reason I haven't had mine flashed with the new firmware. If you search you will tons of posts just like yours. Not much you can do just keep complaining to ford maybe they will fix what ever it was in the firmware flash that dropped the mileage.

good luck,
mark

JimJoe · 08-05-2006, 02:26 PM

Yes, this happened many times when the 03s were flashed and got rid of PI. Despite of that I have hardly heard about such an issue on the 05s. Even more strange as the towing MPG is great - I get just 9 with my 7k trailer.

Jim

JimJoe · 08-05-2006, 02:28 PM

Maybe a silly suggestion: Check his 4WD. If it is on it might be the clue. I forgot it to turn of the other day and wondered about the strange behaviour on tight turns. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif[/img]

Jim

Dlinzy · 08-05-2006, 05:38 PM

I dunno mine just performed the same trick.

Last week it was 15.1 this week look down and it's 13.2 and I haven't done anything.

25K on the Clock, had it 3 weeks only mod is the HC_ _ thingy.

And i now have a stinky Laptop.

D

bigredtruckmi · 08-05-2006, 10:07 PM

This could be the beginning of the new fuel (ULSD)which is due out any time. They are saying around a 3% loss of MPG. Check the pumps and if it says for 2007 model year then it is the ulsd. Thus the lower mpg. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

hitecdan · 08-05-2006, 10:52 PM

3% lose would be a little less the .5 mpg. Of course "they" also told us we would loose no more then 5% mileage when "they" oxygenated our gasoline. Ended up be more like 15% drop in mileage. Let's hope that won't be the case with the new ULSD stuff.

Which recall did your farther have done to his truck? Some reflashes require some after reflash actions. Don't know if the recall that was done required any other action. Also, it's possible that the new reflashed is having the PCM relearning it's operating parameters. If that's the case, the mileage should improve over time, maybe.

If it where my truck, I would unhook all the aftermarket stuff, disconnect the batteries so the PCM keep alive memory resets. Maybe let the truck sit overnight with the batteries disconnected. In the morning hook the batteries back up and drive her without the aftermarket stuff. Give the PCM some time to relearn all it operating parameters.

Or, their could be a conflict between the new reflash programming and the aftermarket stuff. In either case, I would disconnect the aftermarket stuff and let the PCM relearn it's new operating parameters.

PHS79 · 08-06-2006, 07:31 PM

First off, thanks for all the replys! I am in my fathers garage right now looking at his truck, under the hood above the drivers side head light there is a "authorized modifications" sticker here is what is says, PCM, TCM, FICM recalibrated and EP sensor replaced, dated 1-31-06. Does this help at all?

We are problably going to try and disconnect the Juice this week along with the batterys, then let it sit over night. Then hook the batterys back up and have him put a some miles on, maybe 300-400, then hook the Juice back up and see what happens with the mileage then. Does this sound like the best thing to do?

Again thank you!!
Paul

snopro99 · 08-14-2006, 01:51 AM

I have an 05 also and since recall lost mileage to 14 from 17 and also lost boost.
went from 29 to 20 in boost and was told the engineers are working on a fix because the flash did some thing it wasn't suppose to.

Never fails you bring it in and its worse then when you brought it in.
check his boost and see if your getting full boost - some chips need reprograming due to the recall but my sct X2 helped but still not getting 29

IDIABUSE · 08-14-2006, 10:35 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I am posting this question for my father, since he doesn't have an account here. He has a 05 F350 SC, DRW, FX4 6.0L/torqshift running the Edge Juice with Attitude. He uses the truck for a combination of daily driving and towing a 34' 5th wheel camper. The truck used to get 15-16mpg(when it was bone stock)but now since the reflash the truck gets around 12.5 mpg running empty (no matter what Edge program or stock)and 11ish mpg towing (which is not too bad, and no matter what program). With this being said, he doesn't "hot rod" the truck and drives it pretty easy, like most 62 year olds do. Ever since the truck got reflashed (do to a recall of some sort) the mileage with running empty just plain sucks, but towing the camper hasn't really changed!?!?!? How can this be??

He had the truck back to the dealership (where he bought the truck and also did the service) and they said that everything was ok and that was normal. Well how can it be normal when he was getting almost 16mpg and now will only get 12.5 at best?? He tried to get them to reflash the PCM again, but they wouldn't, since I am guessing that this is the problem, right??

So lets hear your thoughts on this!

Thanks Paul

[/ QUOTE ]

My friend Roburt has a 06 4x2 automatic work truck from 3 miles to
now 7k the first 400 miles were good, then every complaint I have seen on these boards cropped up on him, no power, loss mpg, exhaust stank, trans shifting wack,noisy turbo on shut down, still does it now, engine off turbo sounds like its grinding to a halt,.

My point is all but the grinding turbo stopped, after his first oil change, at 5k we added Amsoil synthetic blend 15w40 with a Amsoil filter and he has a much more peacefull life now, truck has returned to a better truck what ford had given him, 25+ mpg returned, low exhaust odor, easier starting"less noise", power on tap now, more of a consistent running reliable truck now.
compared to when he was ready to drive it through the ford lobby
a few months ago,
dont believe me call him
roburt rotollante
305-298-7068 [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

CaptSkup · 08-14-2006, 10:50 AM

Sorry, but I have to wave the "BS flag" on that. Changing out the engine oil from dino to synthetic will not gain a 10 mpg increase. I do not believe your statement that your friends trucks now gets 25mpg. Amsoil is only oil, that is all it is. No better nor worse than any other synthetic oil. It does not reduce rolling resistence, aerodynamic drag or anything else except engine friction, just like dino oil or Mobil1. No way a 7500lb++ diesel powered truck will return 25mpg at normal operating needs(ie 60mph freeway driving).

IDIABUSE · 08-14-2006, 11:10 AM

make the call ask him, just cause you dont believe it dont mean you have to wave your lil flag.
my friend noticed a difference immediately and then after one month results that he got speak volumes more than the your bs flag.

oil isnt just oil when rottella cost $45 for 5 gallons and the cheapest Amsoil diesel cost $81 5 gallons Synthetic BLEND.

you may think it is a rip off, you may be right, but consider this, in the 2 pails of oil between the two oil manufactures, which company has spent more dollar per 5 gallon pail?

Amsoil best diesel oil 5w30 cost $160 for 5 gallons

only the users of Amsoil make these claims and only the skeptics that never used Amsoil wave th BS flag

I wave the BS flag on IRAN SELLING US OIL

BUY AMERICAN LUBRICANTS FOR YOU CARS

CaptSkup · 08-14-2006, 11:28 AM

The flag is still waving. I have used synthetics in many applications, from autos to aircraft gas turbine engines. I will stick to my guns. Either your "friend" cannot correctly compute fuel mileage or you both are sales weinies(small slice of the Amsoil pyramid). Just about every auto/rv/truck show I have ever attended, there is a small both set up along with the other aftermarket hawkers that sell Amsoil. They have their little plastic gear box where you can spin the wheel and watch the "good" Amsoil stick to the gears, and the "awful, cheap" dino oil drain away. Cute but they need a new trick. If I am going to use synthetic oils, I will buy Mobil1. Resonably priced, easily bought at most retail outlets. Instead of out of Bubba's garage. 25mpg, that is a hoot!

IDIABUSE · 08-14-2006, 11:45 AM

hoot this, my old junky 7.3 IDI diesel dually gets 20/28 mpg with a 3 speed trans and the help of a GV of course and in the course of ten years I have used Amsoil synthetic oils in all my families vehicles and everyone who ask's me for it with great sucssess and we just laugh at people like you. all synthetics ARE NOT THE SAME!

I have used synthetics in many applications, from autos to aircraft gas turbine engines.

look on the back of a MOBILE1 bottle please read me the part where it says EXCLUDES, get back to me on that.
If I am going to use synthetic oils, I will buy Mobil1. Resonably priced, easily bought at most retail outlets. Instead of out of Bubba's garage. 25mpg, that is a hoot!

(small slice of the Amsoil pyramid).
yes we all share the pie since there isnt any competition
HAHAHA

AllOutFirefighter13 · 08-14-2006, 01:39 PM

IDIABUSE,

I'm not trying to take away from anything you are saying, but you might try and make your replies a little more "reader-friendly", as I've just gotten a headache trying to go through you last one. Also, if you're going to try and sell/market something, maybe have it a little more presentable.

I'm also with CaptSkup on this, as I cannot see how just changing the engine's oil can perform so many "miracles" on one vehicle. If his truck is also a single cab, SWB, then I could possibly see the 25+ MPG, but I also agree with CaptSkup in that he's not going to get a 10 MPG increase just by changing the oil (maybe you could post what he was getting before the oil change to what he gets now). If he did get this wonderful increase in MPG and has a much more peaceful life, then lets do this:

You send me what I need to do a complete oil change on my truck (or get with an Amsoil dealer here around the Houston area) for FREE, and if I see this "miracle" happen, I'll gladly spend the extra money to have a better quality oil AND buy oil that is made here in the US. You let me know, but until then, I'll call BS too (unless, of course, you're willing to do what I just mentioned, and I would think you would, as this would help back up you other claim).

Later,