I recently bought a used 2006 chev. w/ the duramax and allison (61000 miles). Everyone had been tellin me what good mileage they were getting. I can tell you personally don't believe everything you hear. I can only get about 14 over the road and about 7-8 pulling a gooseneck. I have a 2000 for w/ the 7.3 with a 6 speed manual that I can get about 17-18 over the road and about 11-12 pulling the same trailer. I did install a superchips tuner on the chev. and set it on the tow/perf. setting hoping to gain some mileage I did not help. Anyone got any ideas other than to stick w/ the 7.3's?
- Thread starter df
- Start date
I don't know what to tell you, you may have a different rear-end etc than my truck. I have an '07 classic 4WD 2500 with 165,000 miles. I upped the tire size to 285-75-16's. I regularly get 17.5 to 18 on the highway with a Superchips Economy/Tow setting. Any heavy load drops it to the 9-12 range. I've been very pleased with the truck. Only problems I've had are transfer-case "pump rub" and now a front axle seal is leaking. I JB welded the pump rub hole. I've got a good junkyard transfer case half and upgrade kit once the next hole shows up. I've still got stock brake pads and batteries! Good luck with it.
You are probably getting about the best you will get on winter blend fuel,with real world driving.Don't believe the computer,it usually reads 15-18% high. Check your mileage at each fillup. Mileage driven divided by gallons pumped. The only Duramaxes that gave consistantly better mileage were the pre 04's. The newer they get with more emissions equipment,the worse the mileage. My '07 Duramax powered 5500 service truck (18,700#) averages a consistant 6.5 on winter blend fuel,and about 7.8 mpg on summer blend in mixed driving. Best it ever got was right at 9.5 on the 800 mile drive home from the body installer,with empty compartments on winter blend.
I had a 02 Chevy 2500HD 2wd with Duramax/Allison.I too averaged 17 or 18 mty 12 0r 13 loaded towing 10,000lbs.When my milage dropped off I would run a tank mixed with Marvel Mistry oil and it would restore my fuel mileage. Just bought a 2011 chevy dually 3500hd Duramax/Allison 4wd with 100hp more than the 2002 (397 vs 300) but only getting 14 or 15 so far.
If you think THAT'S bad, get a newer one and watch the fuel mileage while it cleans it's soot trap!
My B-I-L worked in the shop at a local Cenex for 3 or 4 years, doing tires and oil changes.
In the process of recording the odometer readings for the oil change, he'd look at the long-term average fuel economy on the digital information center.
For the pickups not driven over the road, Mom's grocery getters or Dad's drive-to the-coffeeshop diesel units, an average of 9-12 MPG was the NORM.
Of course, I'm sure they tell a whole DIFFERENT story to the coffeeshop crowd!
My B-I-L worked in the shop at a local Cenex for 3 or 4 years, doing tires and oil changes.
In the process of recording the odometer readings for the oil change, he'd look at the long-term average fuel economy on the digital information center.
For the pickups not driven over the road, Mom's grocery getters or Dad's drive-to the-coffeeshop diesel units, an average of 9-12 MPG was the NORM.
Of course, I'm sure they tell a whole DIFFERENT story to the coffeeshop crowd!
i just got rid of my 06 duramaxx with 155 thousand miles.1 drove it 150 miles round trip a day for 4 years . these were mostly interstate miles (130 of em per day)i would get 14 to 141/2 and thats it.i had to trade it off by 12/31/10 of this year because i used it for my company truck and it couldnt be any older than 5 years .i went back to a gasser this time .
RICK
RICK
I've a new Duramax truck every year as a company truck. Every truck I have had will run 18mpg empty (70mph). If I run 55-60mpg, I will hit 19.5-20mpg.
My daily 90 mile drive is 75 miles on the highway, 15 miles at 55, with a few lights.
I drove a 2011 for one month this summer, same trip, and getting 15-16. This truck was the only one I've had that was a dually.
I was told highway miles give you a longer time between regeneration versus city driving, ie better mileage.
I would think your 2006 should be getting better than 14mpg unless you are all city and heavy on the pedal.
Rick
My daily 90 mile drive is 75 miles on the highway, 15 miles at 55, with a few lights.
I drove a 2011 for one month this summer, same trip, and getting 15-16. This truck was the only one I've had that was a dually.
I was told highway miles give you a longer time between regeneration versus city driving, ie better mileage.
I would think your 2006 should be getting better than 14mpg unless you are all city and heavy on the pedal.
Rick
Sam Eubanks
Member
Here's another eye opener; you probably will not get more than 35k out of a new set of tires no matter what brand you use. That's if its a 4 wd.
14mpg was the norm on my duramax. Sold it when diesel was at it's high point. I miss the pulling power but not the fuel bills!
Despite the cost, it's still one heck of a truck!
14mpg was the norm on my duramax. Sold it when diesel was at it's high point. I miss the pulling power but not the fuel bills!
Despite the cost, it's still one heck of a truck!
Tramway Guy
Well-known Member
I got almost 100k miles on my B.F. Goodrich 'Long Trail' tires on my 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel 4x4 with long bed and quad cab.....they were on it from the factory and I just bought another set of the same thing from Sam's Club.
The installer said that National Grid uses the same tire on all their pickups....for the same reason, they wear like iron.
The installer said that National Grid uses the same tire on all their pickups....for the same reason, they wear like iron.
John M
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nunyafn business
Thats decent on winter blend fuel. Also hand check your milage with the chip.
MarkB_MI
Well-known Member
- Location
- Motown USA
17 mpg with a 7.3 seems more than a little bit optimistic.
4010 puller
Well-known Member
Hey guys I have an 04 LB7, it gets 16 empty, 11 towing about 9 ton, hauling about 3 ton of cattle and trailer it will get 14. df, I always heard there was only 1 rear end option, if you got the duramax you automatically got 3.73 gears, thats it, no 3.55 or 4.10.
Here is what my '02 gets. The corrected colum is for the difference in tire size over stock. All hand calculated.
Fuel Usage
Date Odometer Miles Corrected Miles Gals MPG
8/19/10 518.4 537.7 36.7 14.9
8/28/10 567.9 589.1 33.3 17.7
9/19/10 530.0 549.8 36.8 14.9
11/17/10 861.5 893.6 60.0 14.9
12/21/10 617.9 640.9 39.5 16.2
Fuel Usage
Date Odometer Miles Corrected Miles Gals MPG
8/19/10 518.4 537.7 36.7 14.9
8/28/10 567.9 589.1 33.3 17.7
9/19/10 530.0 549.8 36.8 14.9
11/17/10 861.5 893.6 60.0 14.9
12/21/10 617.9 640.9 39.5 16.2
Most people don't account for their location when they brag about mileage. In my part of the world, my 06 Ford 250 manual gets about 17 in nothing but hills driving. I'm sure if I lived in the flatlands that it would get better mileage yet. However I do drive it like an old lady (too much $$$ to hot rod!). Thats a huge factor right there. Just a thought.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
I'm certain those tires also provide outstanding snow,ice and rain traction.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
That's why I stick with the cheaper, simpler gasser.
12mpg just knocking around to work 6 miles each way. 15mpg or a little better on trips.
Just wait until the direct injection V8's come out in 2013 or 2014 with the new chassis. Diesel mileage at a gasser price.
12mpg just knocking around to work 6 miles each way. 15mpg or a little better on trips.
Just wait until the direct injection V8's come out in 2013 or 2014 with the new chassis. Diesel mileage at a gasser price.
John M
Well-known Member
- Location
- Nunyafn business
I was getting 18 - 20 with my 01 7.3 dually, verified by the overhead and hand calculated. BUT heres the kicker: I was using regular diesel, getting 15 or so. I happened to need to get fuel on my home from a trip, and the station I stopped at had B20. After a few tanks of it, my truck began running smoother, idled alot quiter, and my mileage accually went up to around 16 or 17. I began using a half tank of B20 and half tank of regualr diesel, mileage went up to 20 on the hwy, sometimes hitting 22 or 23 if I was alone. Even the current owner does the same thing, and everytime i see him, which isnt much, he brags about it!
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
does anyone seem to get excessive tailpipe exhaust from your duramax while at stoplight ect?
Anonymous-0
Well-known Member
forgot 2002 3500 dully,85k,2wd
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
Maybe Tramway Guy doesn't live as far north as you that traction in the snow/ice is necessary!!!!!
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
TxJim
You are going to have to post as a reply so your
answer is attached to the proper previous post for
context.
I'll trade the wear of a "steel" wheel hard
rubber tire for wet weather braking in summer. And
cold/ice/snow traction when the temp drops below
45F.
Tires are cheaper than having your family in a
wreck.
You are going to have to post as a reply so your
answer is attached to the proper previous post for
context.
I'll trade the wear of a "steel" wheel hard
rubber tire for wet weather braking in summer. And
cold/ice/snow traction when the temp drops below
45F.
Tires are cheaper than having your family in a
wreck.
jd b puller
Well-known Member
I don't notice mine, but it seems like every Powerstroke i get behind, stinks to high heaven. Maybe they've just got the smoke boxes turned up.
Tramway Guy
Well-known Member
Actually, they really do....! That's the part that surprises me the most..
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
May I ask why? It appears Tramway Guy understood you statement about hard tires & no snow/ice traction and his post wasn't attached to the proper previous post.
Do you think soft rubber tires have better traction on rain slick roads than hard rubber tires or does tire tread design help hydroplaning. I'll vote for tread design.
Open the glove compartment. The sticker is on the inside of the door.
It lists a bunch of 3-character codes. The axle codes are in the G's:
GT4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.73 RATIO
GT5 -- AXLE REAR, 4.10 RATIO
GU4 -- AXLE REAR, 3.08 RATIO
GU5 -- AXLE REAR, 3.23 RATIO
GU6 -- AXLE REAR, 3.42 RATIO
G80 -- AXLE REAR, Heavy Duty locking
Yours is probably GT4, as that is the standard ratio offered with the Duramax. You could special order the 4.10.
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
I'll go with the test results from the tire
engineers in the lab.
engineers in the lab.
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
Tire test results are probably about as accurate as stated fuel mileage for new vehicles.
Actual results are determined by the DRIVER
BTW I didn't know your "1st Assistant to the Most Worshipful Master" included YT Forum police duties.
Paul Shuler
Member
I have a 08 duramax and get 17-19 just running back and forth to work. Best I have gotten is 21 pulling an empty trailer on a long hi way trip. I did notice though on a trip to Texas last spring my milage takes a huge plunge at 70 mph or above. If I can keep it around 65 mph that seems to be my best mileage.
Doug in Illinois
Member
I have the feeling some of the "newer" diesels are too messed up with the EPA stuff.
My old 1984 Chevy 6.2 diesel would make 17mpg empty running 800 mile round trips with a 16 ft trailer behind it and 9 to 11 mpg with the trailer loaded, depending on just how much weight I was pulling. The 9 was with my Ford 5000 tractor on the trailer.
It was short on power in the hills, but was running duel exhaust and low resistance mufflers to help the MPG.
I replaced it with a 1995 Ford powerstroke. It NEVER made over 15, and was down around 8 pulling any trailer. Smoked like a sailor, did have enough power but was cold blooded as heck. Tranny went out, and never was right even after 3 warranty repairs.
I would like to have another diesel, but until a good combo exists I will just have to stay with the gassers. My ideal truck would have a Cummins with an Allison tranny. Dodge automatics are junk behind a Cummins, the Ford automatic is marginal at best, the only good tranny is the Allison. But the Duramax could be better. DOUG
My old 1984 Chevy 6.2 diesel would make 17mpg empty running 800 mile round trips with a 16 ft trailer behind it and 9 to 11 mpg with the trailer loaded, depending on just how much weight I was pulling. The 9 was with my Ford 5000 tractor on the trailer.
It was short on power in the hills, but was running duel exhaust and low resistance mufflers to help the MPG.
I replaced it with a 1995 Ford powerstroke. It NEVER made over 15, and was down around 8 pulling any trailer. Smoked like a sailor, did have enough power but was cold blooded as heck. Tranny went out, and never was right even after 3 warranty repairs.
I would like to have another diesel, but until a good combo exists I will just have to stay with the gassers. My ideal truck would have a Cummins with an Allison tranny. Dodge automatics are junk behind a Cummins, the Ford automatic is marginal at best, the only good tranny is the Allison. But the Duramax could be better. DOUG
buickanddeere
Well-known Member
For the same reasons then, the Nebraska tractor
test results are null and void.
test results are null and void.
Tx Jim
Well-known Member
- Location
- Coyote Flats, Texas
You brought up Nebraska Test and stated they were wrong NOT ME .All those tests you are referring to are in a "set environment". That's alot different than the "real world".
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