[Diesel_Dave]

This tank was by far my best tank ever. 1,180.0 miles on 34.801 gallons. That works out to 33.91 mpg!

Maybe I'm wrong, but this may be record tank mileage for a full-size truck (1/2 ton or larger).


Most all of this tank was back and forth to work (40 mi each way), combined with a little hauling. We are in the process of moving and the new place is about 1/2 way to work so there were lots of stops to drop stuff off and do work. Anyway, here's what I did differently than last tank:

1) Increased tire pressure to 70 psi
2) Added upper grill block (cardboard & zipties)
3) Added a homemade bed cover (waste plywood & 2x4's from a construction site). It was on most of the time, but I had to take it off a couple times for hauling.
4) A slight adjustment to my route: same distace but a small detour that reduces my number of traffic lights
5) More adjustment of the nut behind the wheel--learning to optimize how I drive every section of road as well as getting better at how to adapt my pulse & glide to traffic and the terrian (what little there is here).

And just for the record, no, this isn't skewed by not getting it completely full. It's technically a 34 gal tank. The most I've ever put in is 34.9 gal. I take the time to fill it all the way up until I can see the fuel level in the neck so I know it's consistant (easier to do with diesel than gas BTW).

I think this tank is going to be tough for me to top, with the shorter commutes after we move. I hope to help out with that a little by using my block heater to pre-warm in the mornings--I just got the cord I needed in the mail. The nice thing about the move will be fewer miles so less money on fuel. If I can get this kind of mileage with a 24 mi commute, I'll only have to fill up about once a month.

Anyway, I gotta a go...today is the big moving day.