Need help with MPG

Just stop thinking about it. If you are going to fail... you will fail. Fuel mileage is not going to change a thing. I know its hard to believe when you new to the bussines and being told otherwise by all those people who want to use you to their advantage. I know.

Let me share a little secret about trucking... fuel mileage is unimportant. Everyone who focus on mpg too much is a goner. I'm serious dude.

 

Are you idling more during the winter months? The slower you go, the less you make ... Unless you are hourly. I would request a different truck.

 

It's usual for mpg to drop 10 to 15% during the winter months for a number of reasons:
1. cold weather fuel (anti gelling) blends in #1 diesel (kerosene). This results in a lower BTU fuel, as well as lower lubricity for the fuel.
2. Stronger wind patterns, more head and cross winds to fight.
3. More running in wet or snowy conditions. Slush is the killer for mpg's (we won't even talk about chains).
4. Cold temps can drop mpgs as well. My mpgs drop slightly when the weather goes below 50.

These sorts of things would have a truck that was running at 8 mpg drop to the high 6's / low 7's. Because you have dropped more than that I think you have an engine problem as well.

When you got the truck did the dash mpg match the tank to tank mpg as well. Even if they didn't match has the ratio changed?

I'm thinking blocked dpf is the problem, but that's only a guess.

I get a little better mileage using cruise control.

What I would suggest is doing a double fuel additive treatment to clean out the injectors and add some lubricity to the fuel. You should notice an improvement after using a 100 gals of fuel.

good luck.

 

Doesn't fuel mileage generally drop during the winter months due to the low temps and increased wind factor? Even so, 6 mpg with 12K sounds low. I'm interested to hear what other drivers have to say about this, too.

 

Thanks, Frenzy. We posted simultaneously. I didn't even think of the slush factor!

 

Prostar was the truck governed when you got it? If not then the governor may actually be hurting your mpg like it did in my 09 freightshaker.

 

Don't know where you got that crap from. If a truck all of a sudden loses 2 mpg w/ light load and same conditions it is a big deal. Don't know why dealership can't find answer. I would think after 3 you would have found one w/decent wrench. I would stay after them. And post exactly what you are driving and exact engine. Also let them know if you are smoking much and what color. Lot of good mechanics on here that might steer you in right direction. At least you are not just holding wheel. Watching gauges and keeping eye on fuel consumption is good way to spot trouble before it turns into something real serious.

 

Are you on lease/purchase too?

 

Hell no. Crazy -but not insane. But to say fuel mileage is not relevant in this business is nuts. The better you can do the more in your pocket. Well maybe not to the CRE lease guys. They always seem to get hosed. If you get a load that has great rate and short time run a little harder and lose a little mpg. But those are not the norm these days.