4 Bangin, Fuel Sippin, Full Tank Challenge!

The cold is sneaking in all too fast. Also added the extra air for the tires last week, added 4 PSI to all of them. Back up to 35 PSI. Going to do my first oil change since last Thanksgiving. I have only driven 5600 mi since late Nov of 2012. Ironic that I am leaving Mobil 1 0w-20 and going to Valvoline 5w-20 Conventinal. Need to use it up, it has been around about 3 years. I have 2 fills of this and will change at nine months, if my driving habits don't change. Valvoline White Bottle has served me well in the past.

 

If you are driving such short trips, I'd be changing every 3 months unless you can get the truck out on the highway once a week and put a good 50-100 miles on it.

You're averaging only 15 miles a day. That's not enough run time to maintain the oil at operating temperature to boil off condensation and combustion acids. This is a problem with both conventional and synthetic oil.

 

Rich, I have been monitoring the condition of the oil. It does not have a fuel odor, Is not darker than it should be, And engine sounds are normal.

This is sort of an experiement, and I guess we will find out how good Mobil 1 0w-20 is/isn't. I have a UOA kit that I got a good deal on and will be sending off a sample to checked out. Should have the results in mid December.

 

No mayo in the oil cap?

You paid for a UOA kit?
Blackstone will send you as many as you would like for free (I probably have 20 around here somewhere).... you pay for the test itself.
They email the results immediately. I'd ship out USPS Priority and I'd have the results within 3-4 days.

 

Mine is a Wix bought from Amazon. The price of the kit includes the price of the service. Much cheaper than Blackstone.

No mayo, under the cap yet. That happens later when it really gets cold.

 

Well, I just did a tank at 20.8 mpg. 362 miles/17.36 gallons. I drove mostly 30-45 mph stop n go traffic, shifting at 2k RPM. If I drive nice 'n' easy i can get higher mpg ratings from my Ultragauge, but the stop and go just brings it down.

Also, the truck has less than 1100 miles on it. Idk what if any break in period the truck needs before those numbers start increasing.

 

My best mileage came around 3-5k miles. It decreased after that for a myriad of reasons. It will likely never see that high mileage again.

 

You may be able to hit 25 or better in the summer months with a manual transmission. I had spots where I achieved that number with my automatic, but very difficult to maintain over a tank. I'd have to check, but maybe upper 23s this summer. To your point, you have to keep the speed down. Luckily, I can take the back roads to work, so this has helped produce better MPGs. I have to add about 10 minutes to the commute, but the roads I take are worth it so it's an easy tradeoff. I also run a Warm Air Intake to help run the truck leaner. I have seen an improvement in doing so.

 

Winter blend in place: hard to pull MPGs above 23 with the temps going down.

 

I saw 27 and 28 in the Plains of Canada when the truck was only a few thousand miles old and completely stock, loaded up with approximately 1000 lbs of stuff. Considering heavier tires, the hillier terrain I'm around, the long commute seeing higher speeds and the programmer running it a bit richer I don't expect to ever see that high again.

 

Yes, Connecticut is a hilly place. I have a few that I have to climb each day so the ride into work is worse than the return trip. Truck configuration (lifts, tires, racks, 4x4, auto tranny, etc.) will affect the MPGs too (along with load), but you need to be happy with what you are riding in and the utility you need. In that case, you may sacrifice some MPGs for aesthetics or functionality. That's fine.

The aim then is how to do the best with what you've got. Kase and others here run modified configurations but relative to their own numbers, they post respectable numbers. It's the fun of it!! Relative comparisons are fun, but more meaningful of course when juxtaposed against folks with similar configurations.

Cold weather and winter blends are our combatants at this point. I'm having a hard time getting consistent 22 MPGs at this point. I leave for work early and try to avoid both rush hours. I take the back roads to avoid the highway (large drag) but add about 10 minutes each way to the commute. Not a big deal for me, but some folks rather get 10 minutes more sleep. You may want to look into some alternative routes because as you see, speed robs you of fuel efficiency. But keep in mind that if the highway suits your needs better, the challenge is set up different. The bottom line is that when you are able to drive effectively and efficiently, the $$ ends up in your pocket. Not a bad place to keep cash!

WW is an enigma...cold weather, big hills (mountains) and crappy fuel doesn't seem to bother him. We swear he savors these things just to make us all feel bad!!

Good luck!

 

I hate winter blend. Two 23.x tanks in a row?! Heresy! Something tells me I had better get used to it though.

I'm thinking maybe I need to put the grill block back in so it doesn't take 8 miles to get over 180F.

 

Just did a fill up of 12.88 gallons and drove 290 miles which comes out to 22.5 MPG It was all 3.5 mile short trip city driving, except for 80 miles of urban interstate.
Not too bad considering the dozens of short trips.

 

Hey now, you can easily see from this graph that I take a big hit with cold weather too. I do savor the fact that my WORST winter tanks beat most peoples BEST summer tanks.

 

I care enough to check it but not so much that I let it affect my plans for the truck. I still mod as I see fit and try to get the best I can given the circumstances. Some days I'm fine not breaking 70 during the commute, others I don't want to be below 80. My commute is a mix of 2 lane state roads and expressway. Let's just say the drive consists of an extreme amount of elevation change. NW CT to New Haven should say enough.

 

I'm thinking about doing the block this year. I'll need to figure out a plan. Something with adjustment would be a slick design.

 

Very true...on all points!

 

I know the hills well. I worked in Seymour for 10 years: uphill to work but downhill on the return. But as you know, plenty of grades to climb in either direction (not to mention the insane traffic through NH prior to the new bridge). Add a little snow...classic FE conditions!! I recall Route 8 was prime for some higher speeds but you had to watch for the occasional sneaky trooper.

 

I've never used a grill block, but think I'll give it a shot, and report my findings. I've avoided it since Boulder can be 15F in the morning and 68F on the way home. I can easily monitor the coolant with the scangauge though.

 

Latest tank. 5speed 4x4 access cab

304 miles/14.3 gallons=21.25

Mixture of highway/city about 60/40