Best ways to get MPGs - Diesel Forum

kidbro · 05-07-2008, 12:35 AM

I'm new to the diesel...just scored a 2008 f350 with fox shocks and 35 inch tires. I realize this takes away from MPGs. However my goal is to get the most out of every drop of fuel, without getting rid of shocks and tires. So far added: dual exhaust, hypertech max energy programmer, and should be recieving my coldair intake tommorrow. Any ideas to specifically add more MPGs? Has anyone figured out that Hypertech?

CaptSkup · 05-07-2008, 07:45 AM

Best bet for the lowest fuel consumption. Accelerate gently, keep the RPM's as close to 1800 as possible, flush bed cover, smooth fiberglass probably best, install the large air dam, keep the tires aired up to the recommended pressure, keep the truck totally stock, reduce rolling resistance, drive with the windows up. You may be risking the very valuable manufacturers warranty with the engine addons, just a warning.

kidbro · 05-07-2008, 10:24 AM

thanx...i'm starting to hear more and more about the programmers not being such a good idea, but I want to test it out for a few weeks to see what kind of improvement if any it gives. What manufacturer should I like for when searching large air dams?

CaptSkup · 05-07-2008, 11:30 AM

If your truck was built from June'07 onwards(guessing the start of Job2 trucks) it should have come with a 6"+ deep air dam under the front bumper. I installed one on my Job1 and at highway steady state road speeds, I have picked up app. 1mpg improvement. Anything you can do to clean up and smooth the airflow under the truck, where all the mechanicals hanging down in the airstream cause quite a bit of drag, will help out. I have never felt the need or thought an aftermarket reprogrammer would provide any benefit over what the truck came with from the factory. When you figure in the purchase cost of the device, any fuel savings over the time frame you actually own the truck, is greatly negated. In addition, if in the event the truck has mechanical issues, even if the device has been previously removed, the manufacturer's representative will detect the signature of that product, and can deny the factory backed warranty for that component, ie. engine/transmission.

kidbro · 05-07-2008, 04:03 PM

I've also heard that about the warranty void issue. I'm curious...aren't these addons created to enhance performance? I'm still testing to see if there is any gain in fuel economy, which is all I really wanted it for but what side effects can these programmers cause?

timid1 · 05-11-2008, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidbro

I've also heard that about the warranty void issue. I'm curious...aren't these addons created to enhance performance? I'm still testing to see if there is any gain in fuel economy, which is all I really wanted it for but what side effects can these programmers cause?

It's not really about the side effects. It's about the immediate effects of which include increased horse power among other things. Your on-board computer stores information about your truck's performance, and if it's out of spec, the computer will most likely log that event. People will tell you that no such thing occurs, but you can't ever be certain unless you wrote the software yourself. Thing is: it's not difficult to log events that are out of spec and store it in some place that can't be tampered with so that they will know that you used a programmer even if you take the truck in without it installed.

CaptSkup said it right. Your efficiency gains are offset by the cost of the equipment you purchase, but I'll go a little further and add that you increase the risk of component failure. I don't think anyone's done a study of whether or not programmers have an effect on the life of the engine either....?

Engine31 · 05-11-2008, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidbro

I'm new to the diesel...just scored a 2008 f350 with fox shocks and 35 inch tires. I realize this takes away from MPGs. However my goal is to get the most out of every drop of fuel, without getting rid of shocks and tires. So far added: dual exhaust, hypertech max energy programmer, and should be recieving my coldair intake tommorrow. Any ideas to specifically add more MPGs? Has anyone figured out that Hypertech?

I'm guessing this truck was lifted to accept the 35's ?

If this is the case, the air dam will do little to help you. It's always funny to me to read the post's on mpg's after lifting and putting big tires on.

kidbro · 05-13-2008, 06:24 PM

To engine 31, the question was..How do I get more mpgs considering I already have the truck lifted and with big tires on. Its a no brainer that seriously effects the fuel economy. I'm seeing if there's anything to do to minimize those effects, short of taking them off.