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Help with my MPG before i throw in the towel

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by freedomisntfree, Mar 6, 2011.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Mar 6, 2011 #1
    freedomisntfree

    freedomisntfree Light Load Member

    52
    7
    Oct 4, 2010
    fontana, ca
    0
    Hey fellas. My mpg is killing me on my new to me 98 Int Detroit 60 mid sleeper .. I know this truck is not very aerodynamic but 4.8 - 5.3 mpg???? This can't be right. I just did an inframe, put on a turbo wing, new 24.5 LP tires (I think it calls for 11R). I have meticulous pm since I put it on the road ... 30,000 miles now. I have tried 63mph, 70mph... I have kept mpg records since day one. Dual 150gal tanks, rigmaster apu.. I don't idle much. I run coast to coast and really need to get my mpg up. My speedo is 3mph off, I'm assuming because it needs the reg size tires?? My tach shows 1600 rpm at 65mph (actuall gps speed) Ishould do ok with atleast 6mpg. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated fellas. I think my next step is to sell off my low pros and get reg size tires... which will be very pricy and my last resort before I throw in the towel on this truck.
     
    freedomisntfree, Mar 6, 2011
    freedomisntfree, Mar 6, 2011
    #1
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  3. Mar 6, 2011 #2
    freedomisntfree

    freedomisntfree Light Load Member

    52
    7
    Oct 4, 2010
    fontana, ca
    0
    Forgot to mention... my air compressor kicks on every 3 minutes which is an air leak issue I've been searching for, I know it prob contributes alittle to the fule mileage but there's got to be something else ...
     
    freedomisntfree, Mar 6, 2011
    freedomisntfree, Mar 6, 2011
    #2
  4. Mar 6, 2011 #3
    panhandlepat

    panhandlepat Road Train Member

    3,255
    2,243
    Jan 12, 2007
    0
    my classic with a Detroit gets HORRIBLE MPG's at that RPM (70 MPH i think in my case) but at 64-65 (1500 R's) it does around 5.5-5.7. 1700 RPM.. it drops to 4.4 MPG
     
    panhandlepat, Mar 6, 2011
    panhandlepat, Mar 6, 2011
    #3
  5. Mar 6, 2011 #4
    SheepDog

    SheepDog Road Train Member

    3,481
    2,084
    Nov 30, 2008
    Sand Lake, MI
    0
    You need to get your RPM's down to the 1300 to 1400 range...
    The faster you go, the more resistance = more fuel.

    If you have sirius sat radio,,listen to 147 on weekends or midnight durring the week to a guy named; keving ruthaford. You can also go on his website Letstruck or checkout Fuelgauge....google these sites and you will see.

    I know you can get better fuel miliage...
     
    SheepDog, Mar 6, 2011
    SheepDog, Mar 6, 2011
    #4
    Dice1, freedomisntfree and panhandlepat Thank this.
  7. Mar 6, 2011 #5
    AUSSIE DAVE

    AUSSIE DAVE Road Train Member

    1,032
    176
    Feb 21, 2010
    OZ - Brisbane
    0
    overheads? bad inlet or exhaust valve? injectors? Air filter? Fuel filter? mufflers? final drive Ratio? Right Foot? normally one of these will cause bad fuel economy. hard to say which one it may be without actually inspecting the engine. hope this info helps you a bit.
     
    AUSSIE DAVE, Mar 6, 2011
    AUSSIE DAVE, Mar 6, 2011
    #5
    freedomisntfree Thanks this.
  8. Mar 7, 2011 #6
    rambler

    rambler Road Train Member

    1,358
    582
    Nov 5, 2007
    0
    1600 rpm at 70 mph..must be geared a bit low. Are you shifting progressive or winding it up? Keep rpm's low during take offs, about 14-1425 max, lower if possible. Should see a difference.
     
    rambler, Mar 7, 2011
    rambler, Mar 7, 2011
    #6
  9. Mar 7, 2011 #7
    Pablo-UA

    Pablo-UA Road Train Member

    7,604
    1,642
    Oct 11, 2010
    Borispol, Ukraine
    0
    When compressor is on it burns about 1 L/hour at idle speed, at faster engine speed - more fuel, but kick of with shorter delay, so if you have air leak compressor burns more extra fuel slower you drive.
     
    Pablo-UA, Mar 7, 2011
    Pablo-UA, Mar 7, 2011
    #7
    mavljc Thanks this.
  10. Mar 7, 2011 #8
    freedomisntfree

    freedomisntfree Light Load Member

    52
    7
    Oct 4, 2010
    fontana, ca
    0
    I have been winding out gears pretty high, I felt the engine wanted the higher rpms because they drop so fast (10 speed). Yes air compressor I'm sure is contributing some. I noticed a small increase in mileage once I shortened the distance between the cab and trailer. Was 48in now 38in.
     
    freedomisntfree, Mar 7, 2011
    freedomisntfree, Mar 7, 2011
    #8
  11. Mar 7, 2011 #9
    freedomisntfree

    freedomisntfree Light Load Member

    52
    7
    Oct 4, 2010
    fontana, ca
    0
    Any suggestions on tires?? My rear drives are new and my front drives are close to needing replaced . Is it whise to get all new tires regular size and try n sell off my lopros??
     
    freedomisntfree, Mar 7, 2011
    freedomisntfree, Mar 7, 2011
    #9
  12. Mar 7, 2011 #10
    rjones56

    rjones56 Heavy Load Member

    823
    486
    Jul 15, 2008
    staunton va
    0
    IMHO-oil companies doctor the blend to increase sales when you burn more fuel.Everybody I talk to is getting lesss mileage than six months ago.I averaged 5.7-6.2 last summer with the AC running,now my best until last week has been less than 5.7. Heaviest load last week was only 24,000-rest were half of that and I averaged 6.1 for the week.
     
    rjones56, Mar 7, 2011
    rjones56, Mar 7, 2011
    #10
    mavljc Thanks this.
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