Surprising increase in truck MPG

Surprising increase in truck MPG

I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.

I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
tank of gas, sometimes even less.

However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).

This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
times explaining. I see three possible explanations.

1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.

2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
efficiency

3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.

I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.

i

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG


"Ignoramus15242" <ignoramus15242@NOSPAM.15242.invalid> wrote in message
news:CJydne3zE43oIZXVnZ2dnUVZ_rKtnZ2d@giganews . com ...
>I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>
> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>
> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>
> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>
> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>
> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
> efficiency
>
> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>
> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>
> i

Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy, with comparable
oil weight. My experience is somewhat better, but, like you, I can't really
account for break-in and so on.

I use Mobil 1 5W-20 in my Ford Focus, and I intend to stick with it.

--
Ed Huntress

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

On 2008-04-18, Ed Huntress <huntres23@optonline . net > wrote:
>
> "Ignoramus15242" <ignoramus15242@NOSPAM.15242.invalid> wrote in message
> news:CJydne3zE43oIZXVnZ2dnUVZ_rKtnZ2d@giganews . com ...
>>I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>>
>> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
>> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>>
>> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
>> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
>> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>>
>> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
>> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>>
>> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
>> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>>
>> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
>> efficiency
>>
>> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>>
>> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
>> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>>
>> i
>
> Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy, with comparable
> oil weight. My experience is somewhat better, but, like you, I can't really
> account for break-in and so on.
>
> I use Mobil 1 5W-20 in my Ford Focus, and I intend to stick with it.
>

For the next oil change, I may use regular cheap oil to see if there
is any difference.

i

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

Ignoramus15242 wrote:
> On 2008-04-18, Ed Huntress <huntres23@optonline . net > wrote:
>>
>> "Ignoramus15242" <ignoramus15242@NOSPAM.15242.invalid> wrote in
>> message news:CJydne3zE43oIZXVnZ2dnUVZ_rKtnZ2d@giganews . com ...
>>> I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>>>
>>> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
>>> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>>>
>>> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
>>> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
>>> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>>>
>>> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
>>> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>>>
>>> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
>>> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>>>
>>> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
>>> efficiency
>>>
>>> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>>>
>>> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
>>> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>>>
>>> i
>>
>> Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy, with
>> comparable oil weight. My experience is somewhat better, but, like
>> you, I can't really account for break-in and so on.
>>
>> I use Mobil 1 5W-20 in my Ford Focus, and I intend to stick with it.
>>
>
> For the next oil change, I may use regular cheap oil to see if there
> is any difference.

Has the mix between Highway and City driving changed much?

You might also not want to run your tank down so far.
Electric fuel pumps that are in the tank last a lot longer if you keep them
well submerged.
Just a thought.


--

John R. Carroll
w w w .machiningsolution . com

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

I would recommend you do not run until the tank is completely
empty. The high pressure EFI fuel pump really doesn't like that.

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

| Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy
Plain synthetic* is 50% more slippery than plain mineral
oil, but a difference in torque ( fr using different oils ) is
noticeable only @ high rpm, so the more usage @ high
rpm produces the more rise in mpg : 2% is too low (
likely incl usage @ low rpm ), 5% must be the minimum
rise in mpg @ high rpm if viscosity & qty are the same.

| I use Mobil 1 5W-20
Here in Msia, this is the costliest *, Bardahl * with
fullerene, is the cheapest * & must be the most slippery
oil.

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:42:31 +0800, "TE Chea" <4ws@gmail . com > wrote:

>| Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy
>Plain synthetic* is 50% more slippery than plain mineral
>oil, but a difference in torque ( fr using different oils ) is
>noticeable only @ high rpm, so the more usage @ high
>rpm produces the more rise in mpg : 2% is too low (
>likely incl usage @ low rpm ), 5% must be the minimum
>rise in mpg @ high rpm if viscosity & qty are the same.
>
>| I use Mobil 1 5W-20
>Here in Msia, this is the costliest *, Bardahl * with
>fullerene, is the cheapest * & must be the most slippery
>oil.

Just out of curiosity, how much is Mobil 1 in Malaysia? (trying to
compare Malaysia and Thai prices).

Bruce-in-Bangkok
(correct email address for reply)

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG


"Ed Huntress" <huntres23@optonline . net > wrote in message
news:4808bff1$0$11639$607ed4bc@cv . net ...
>
> "Ignoramus15242" <ignoramus15242@NOSPAM.15242.invalid> wrote in
> message news:CJydne3zE43oIZXVnZ2dnUVZ rKtnZ2d@giganews . com ...
>>I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>>
>> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22
>> gallon
>> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>>
>> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles
>> per
>> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I
>> have
>> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>>
>> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
>> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>>
>> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
>> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>>
>> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
>> efficiency
>>
>> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>>
>> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really
>> account
>> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>>
>> i
>
> Mobil itself claims only a 2% improvement in fuel economy, with
> comparable oil weight. My experience is somewhat better, but, like
> you, I can't really account for break-in and so on.

Mobil does not claim regular Mobil 1 provides a 2% increase. They do
claim the new - "Mobil 1 0W-30 Advanced Fuel Economy is engineered to
deliver outstanding engine protection and to offer improved fuel
economy in vehicles where SAE 0W-30, 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil is
recommended." They further claim (for the new grade) - " potential 2%
fuel economy improvement (based on a comparison versus those grades
most commonly used). Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle/engine
type, outside temperature, driving conditions, adjusting tire
pressure, and your current engine oil viscosity."

I am confident that if you compared "regular" Mobil 1 0W20 to the
Motorcraft Sysntehtic Blend 5W20 oil, you won't detect any significant
mileage improvement (assuming a careful long term comparison). Fuel
economy improvments are associated with two processes - reduced
pumping losses and reduced friction. Pumping losses are primarily
related to the oil viscosity. 5W20 oil, at least when new, has similar
viscosity in most climates whether it is synthetic or conventional. Of
course in very low temperature situation, synthetic oil might provide
a benefit until the engine warms up, but this is trival for most
people not in Canada or Alaska. Friction reduction is mostly
accomplished through additives. One interesting fact is the that the
test to determine if an oil qualifies for the Energy Conserving"
designation compares the oil under test to a synthetic oil. To
qualify, the oil under test (either syntehtic or converntional) must
demonstrate a significant improvement in fuel economy comapred to the
refernce synthetic oil.

> I use Mobil 1 5W-20 in my Ford Focus, and I intend to stick with it.

I use Mobil 1 in my Fusion and Frontier and plan to stick with it as
well. I don't use it for the fuel savings.. I have compared the
mileage for multiple vehicles when using Mobil 1 versus conventional
oil (of the same viscosity) and never been able to detect a
significant difference in fuel economy. I beleive Mobil 1 is better
quality oil and that it provides superior protection to most
conventional oils. Mostly I like the idea if I miss my regular oil
change, I have some margin.

Ed

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

Ignoramus15242 wrote:
> I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>
> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>
> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>
> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>
> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>
> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
> efficiency
>
> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.

There you go.

You have to use 'miles' to find 'miles per gallon', not the fuel gauge.
Voltage differences, temperature, the tilt of the road and lots of other
things make the fuel gauge nothing anyone should think of as 'accurate'.

You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.

>
> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>
> i

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: * mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly . com

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

On 2008-04-18, Mike Romain <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Ignoramus15242 wrote:
>> I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>>
>> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
>> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>>
>> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
>> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
>> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>>
>> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
>> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>>
>> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
>> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>>
>> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
>> efficiency
>>
>> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>
> There you go.
>
> You have to use 'miles' to find 'miles per gallon', not the fuel gauge.
> Voltage differences, temperature, the tilt of the road and lots of other
> things make the fuel gauge nothing anyone should think of as 'accurate'.
>
> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.

Mike, the gallons used number was rather consistent.

Otherwise your idea is very good.

i

>>
>> I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
>> for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>>
>> i
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
> Photos: * mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly . com

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

Ignoramus15242 wrote:
> On 2008-04-18, Mike Romain <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>> Ignoramus15242 wrote:
>>> I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>>>
>>> I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
>>> tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>>>
>>> However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
>>> refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
>>> an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>>>
>>> This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
>>> times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>>>
>>> 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
>>> synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>>>
>>> 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
>>> efficiency
>>>
>>> 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>> There you go.
>>
>> You have to use 'miles' to find 'miles per gallon', not the fuel gauge.
>> Voltage differences, temperature, the tilt of the road and lots of other
>> things make the fuel gauge nothing anyone should think of as 'accurate'.
>>
>> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
>> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
>> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
>> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.
>
> Mike, the gallons used number was rather consistent.
>
> Otherwise your idea is very good.
>
> i

Consistent enough to be off 16 miles or +/- 5%. For a fuel gauge, this
is wickedly accurate or your eye on the line is.

Even a head wind vs a tail wind can account for 5% mileage difference
when actually measured by the 'miles' driven.


>> Mike
>> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
>> 'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
>> Photos: * mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly . com

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

On Apr 18, 11:08 am, Mike Romain <roma...@sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Ignoramus15242 wrote:
> > I have a Chevy Silverado pickup that is by now about 18 months old.
>
> > I was never able to get more that about 220 miles out of a 22 gallon
> > tank of gas, sometimes even less.
>
> > However, the last three refills, gave me 280, 266, and 283 miles per
> > refill. (I usually run until my tanks gets fully empty, since I have
> > an emergency gas canister for the instance when I run out of gas).
>
> > This represents approximately 22% increase in MPG that I have hard
> > times explaining. I see three possible explanations.
>
> > 1) Just before those refills, I did an oil change and used Mobil 1
> > synthetic oil. The previous oil changes were at a service station.
>
> > 2) The engine had a chance to "burn in" and naturally improved its
> > efficiency
>
> > 3) something is seriously mistaken in my measurements.
>
> There you go.
>
> You have to use 'miles' to find 'miles per gallon', not the fuel gauge.
> Voltage differences, temperature, the tilt of the road and lots of other
> things make the fuel gauge nothing anyone should think of as 'accurate'.
>
> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.
>
>
>
> > I am at a loss and am very puzzled. Can synthetic oil really account
> > for that much of an increase? I highly doubt it.
>
> > i
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
> Photos: * mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly . com

Also, because of the variations in how far you fill the tank, one
single milage measurement counts for little. Too much statistical
variation.

Take the average of at least ten fills. Record the data for each
fillup. Then do statistical analysis. This is getting easier with
cheap calculators that have this function (sigma or variance). You
need to know the variance because any change less than the variance is
not worth considering.

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG


>> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
>> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
>> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
>> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.

Do you really think this is a reliable way to establish mileage? Is this
something new? Has this ever been proven? What would happen, say, if one
would do this over ten tankfuls? Do you think this would give an accurate
measurement over a long trip? Do you think anyone under 25 could do the
math?

WHAT AN OUTSTANDING NOVEL IDEA!

Steve <g>

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG


SteveB wrote:
>
> >> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
> >> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
> >> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
> >> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.
>
> Do you really think this is a reliable way to establish mileage? Is this
> something new? Has this ever been proven? What would happen, say, if one
> would do this over ten tankfuls? Do you think this would give an accurate
> measurement over a long trip?


> Do you think anyone under 25 could do the
> math?

Sadly, no.

Re: Surprising increase in truck MPG

SteveB wrote:
>>> You check the odometer when you fill up. On your next fill, no matter
>>> if even a half a tank, you check the miles on the odometer again. This
>>> gives you the number of miles traveled and the amount of gas used to do
>>> so. Then you just divide the miles by how many gallons used.
>
> Do you really think this is a reliable way to establish mileage? Is this
> something new? Has this ever been proven? What would happen, say, if one
> would do this over ten tankfuls? Do you think this would give an accurate
> measurement over a long trip? Do you think anyone under 25 could do the
> math?
>
> WHAT AN OUTSTANDING NOVEL IDEA!
>
> Steve <g>
>
>
LOL.

My Jeep has had a gas gauge that works when it wants to, like maybe 2
years out of the last ten and I use the odometer all the time for
fill-ups.

We even take it on 3 and 4000 mile camping trips to the east coast.
When I hit 350 miles on my 20 gallon tank on a trip I know I need fuel
soon. I ran out once at 386 miles I think it was fully loaded running
hard (70+ mph which would be about 19 mpg). If I keep mine under 65
mph, I can get 21-22 mpg. Not bad for something with the aerodynamics
of a brick.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
'New' frame in the works for '08. Some Canadian Bush Trip and Build
Photos: * mikeromainjeeptrips.shutterfly . com