2002 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 4.7L 29MPG

[Steaming]

I have been trying to modify my driving habbits for a while but finally caved in and bought a Scangauage a couple weeks ago.

I haven't done much, just clean junk out of the truckbed, and max tires to 35 psi. But I use lots of fuel conscious driving techniques. I was getting around 18-20 mpg average on my daily 14 mile commute to work. Then I filled up monday with 100% straight 87 unleaded gasoline--no ethanol. For two days now driving the same route (even hitting several stop lights) I've been very close to 30 mpg average combined highway/city driving. I try to keep my LOD readings around 15-20, drive SLOW on the highway like 55-60 in a 65, and try to accelerate without dumping too much fuel into the engine.

I think my scannguage may be broken, as this seems too good to be true.

Anyone else able to get these kind of numbers with a V8?

Think there is any merit in avoiding the 10% Ethanol Gas?

[t vago]

Originally Posted by Steaming

I have been trying to modify my driving habbits for a while but finally caved in and bought a Scangauage a couple weeks ago.

I haven't done much, just clean junk out of the truckbed, and max tires to 35 psi. But I use lots of fuel conscious driving techniques. I was getting around 18-20 mpg average on my daily 14 mile commute to work. Then I filled up monday with 100% straight 87 unleaded gasoline--no ethanol. For two days now driving the same route (even hitting several stop lights) I've been very close to 30 mpg average combined highway/city driving. I try to keep my LOD readings around 15-20, drive SLOW on the highway like 55-60 in a 65, and try to accelerate without dumping too much fuel into the engine.

Yah, that seems a bit high for mixed driving. My Dakota quad cab is lucky to get 21 MPG on the highway, and normally averages about 16 MPG in mixed driving.

You may want to go over your SGII setup again, ensuring that your engine displacement is correct, and that your sample rate is set to high. Otherwise, you could verify your SGII reading by doing gas-pump calculations. Take your fill-up amount, and divide it by the trip mileage since your last fill-up.

Originally Posted by Steaming

Anyone else able to get these kind of numbers with a V8?

Think there is any merit in avoiding the 10% Ethanol Gas?

I honestly could not tell you that. I don't know where I could find real gas in NE Ohio to test whether E10 decreases performance or not.

[PT_LoserAZ]

WOW. But I am also skeptical. Though I got rid of my RAM 1500 in July before I really got into hypermiling, my best was 16.5mpg mixed. That's with no extra weight and a bed cover and slow driving and tune-up. And I was very happy, as my average was generally 15mpg.

[Steaming]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I'll keep running tests and keep you posted.

(Since I avoid driving anymore than necessary--it will take a while to get several full tank averages.)

[Steaming]

Originally Posted by t vago

Yah, that seems a bit high for mixed driving. My Dakota quad cab is lucky to get 21 MPG on the highway, and normally averages about 16 MPG in mixed driving.

You may want to go over your SGII setup again, ensuring that your engine displacement is correct, and that your sample rate is set to high. Otherwise, you could verify your SGII reading by doing gas-pump calculations. Take your fill-up amount, and divide it by the trip mileage since your last fill-up.



I honestly could not tell you that. I don't know where I could find real gas in NE Ohio to test whether E10 decreases performance or not.

Yup the guage was off Checked the guage it was set to 3.0 L engine instead of 4.7L

Same trip today reported 18.0 mpg average.

[t vago]

Kewl! 18 MPG is pretty good for your truck. There are things you could do to improve that, too.

[slowmover]

Sounds like a good approach is being taken. 18 is nice in a half-ton. And the No Driving rule is even better. I gave myself the rule that once errands were done on Saturday (assuming there were any) no more driving till Monday. Works well, getting all those little things done on the way home in the evening, etc. But also calls for planning. The "time off" is a great payoff!

Look forward to more.

.

[analogkid455]

I was going to say, I have achieved 27 mpg with a 1987 Firebird with the 305 ch3vy and I also get very close to 27 with my 1987 442 with the 307 Olds rocket. Funny thing is, the Firebird had 2.73 gears and and the 442 has 3.73 gears. The 442 has slightly more overdrive but the difference is I ran the Firebird at 75 mph on the highway and the 442 at 55-60 mph. This is mixed driving by the way.

My friends 97 Camaro achieved 33 mpg with the LT1 and T-56 at 70 mph on the highway with some city driving. That thing only turned 1500 rpm at 70 mph!

Anyway, this is apple and oranges since you have a truck.

[PT_LoserAZ]

18 is still great!

[66sprint6]

Shoot, my 5.0 F150 doesnt get but 13.5!!! Ide be beyond excited to see 18!!! Keep it up!
Matt