[afromla]

Anybody got any suggestions for the cheapest ways to get better fuel milage out of the 24v CTD? I have a 2001 2500 4wd w/ 3.55's and I'm getting a little less than 18mpg, I tried a new K&N but it did no good. I've heard of people getting well over 20 and I want to be one of those people. I know mileage improvements usually come with more power and that would be ok too. Just wondering what yall might know that could help.

 

[Sam Simpson]

Get the AFE Magnum intake (or whatever it is called now). Much better then the K&N filter. Also opening up your exhaust may help as well. Not sure about eh 24v, but I have heard the 1st Gen Cummins aren't really broke in till 350,000 miles, so mileage will improve as you break in the motor till you reach 350,000 miles.

 

[tv_larsen]

18 really isn't bad. It actually sounds average. I've also heard of the 20+mpg Cummins, none were documented, but I'm sure most were lighter 2wds. How are you getting your mileage figure? The overhead consoles are often inaccurate, and mileage should be calculated at fill-ups. You might also want to compare your odometer against several mile posts on a long stretch of highway to make sure it's accurate.

 

[MA$TER BLING!]

Speed kills mileage on a Cummins. On a 12v if you keep it at 1650 or so that is where most seem to get the best mpg's. How fast do you go on the highway?

 

[RXT]

Anything that you do to improve fuel economy with a gas engine will also work with a diesel.

You can make sure the tires at the proper pressure, the brakes aren't dragging, all that stuff.

Sam hits on a point although he's off on the mileage figures. Diesels live much longer lives than gas engines and they tend to take more miles to break in. But 350K isn't where it will break in. Thats the service life expectancy of the Cummins. The engine should free up some by 50K and be broken in at about 80K. When it breaks in, you should notice an improvement in fuel economy.

Ed

 

[Hybrid]

you're complaining about 18?!?!! MY V6 DAKOTA GETS 11!!!

 

[Grayguy]

I would trade a kiddney to get 18! I'm lucky if I can pulloff 10

 

[Sam Simpson]

Anything that you do to improve fuel economy with a gas engine will also work with a diesel.

You can make sure the tires at the proper pressure, the brakes aren't dragging, all that stuff.

Sam hits on a point although he's off on the mileage figures. Diesels live much longer lives than gas engines and they tend to take more miles to break in. But 350K isn't where it will break in. Thats the service life expectancy of the Cummins. The engine should free up some by 50K and be broken in at about 80K. When it breaks in, you should notice an improvement in fuel economy.

Ed

350,000 is just what I have heard on the cummins sites. I say that the 1st gen I had was gaing fuel efficience well over 150K, and since I have sold it to GP he is approaching 200k and it is still improving on mileage. So the sites refering to mileage gains up to 350K on a 1st gen seem to be true so far, at least to 200K anyways.

 

[kyot]

Your 24V will never see the same milage as the 12V stock. 18 isn't bad for combined milage. I had a 12V and traded it in for a 24V. Wish I didn't now. My new truck is nowhere near the same as my old one for towing.

I added the AFE filter set up and a 4" exhaust,from the turbo back, this weekend so i'm watching my mileage close this week. At the very least, my truck sounds great now!

 

[CollegeCharger]

A change of injectors will definitely help your milage. I went from the stock injs in my dad's, to some Bully Dog III's and a boost fooler, and milage increased dramatically at least 2 mpg. I couldn't believe it, because my family has never owned a diesel before, but man they are awesome. There is another site called the TDR or turbo diesel registery you should really check out. I am a member over there as well, because I didn't know that much about diesels, and thses guys are really informative, and they have fullsize, four wheel drive diesel trucks runnin' 12's and 13's in the quarter mile! The membership is 35 bucks, and it kinda sucks that you have to pay to post, but it is prolly the cheapest 35 bucks i ever spent to have that amount of knowledge at your disposal. Before you join, just go read the posts, and get a feel for the place, that is what I did, and that is one of the reasons I decided to join. Anyways, if you would like anymore info, send me a im or email. -James[><]

 

[greasemonkey]

My 94 12v has reached the most mileage at just under 250k, I get 20 running around up here in the mountains, and when i get down to the flatlands I've gotten as good as 28. Something that I see overlooked quite a bit is simply keeping the valves adjusted properly. There are all kinds of ways to increase power/performance but if $$ is an issue then simple things like the valves and tire inflation etc. can all do wonders.

 

[awyseguy]

I usually get between 18 & 20.. But that's on my 2.5L Dakota. can't wait tilll I can afford to put a 4 cyl cummins in it.