Is there really ANYTHING out there for my 06 4x4 that will help with fuel mileage? I'm hearing some guys saying they are getting 18mpg or better and I'm not even averaging 16! I have slightly bigger than stock tires and no lift.
So what will really help? KNN filter? One of these tuner thing majigs? or anything?

 

Well i have no idea i have joined new but will let you know soon

 

ttt

 

Exhuast with a free flowing muffler like magnaflow, magnapacks, bullets, borlas, ect. Search for the DWV intake and do it. Then get a custom tuner like a Gryphon or X Cal 3.

These usually help, but results can not be guaranteed. Even on what appears to be the winter blend... I am averaging around 16.5-just below 17. The tuner is next on my list.. very very soon

 

Tonneau covers and E-fans usually help with mpg a bit.

 

Prior to modding, my truck would RARELY hit 21 mpg highway, usually 19...

MPG adding mods to consider are...

Intake mod (I.E. DWV mod). Helps the truck not struggle so much getting air into the engine.
K&N or similar drop in filter. I use K&N mostly out of habit. Had them for a LONG time now...
Tuner. I am running the SCT XCal2 on econ mode and getting reasonable results so far...
Stock size, highway tread rubber.
Gears to match the tire size.
e-Fans
Tonneau covers
Reasonable, and rational appliation of the big fat pedal on the right side...

MPG removers are.
Lift, you expose more bits to air resistance.
Larger wheels / tires. More rolling resistance. The truck is also stock tuned to the OE tire size, any fluctuation will put your rpm range out of optimal at cruising speed. Honestly I SHOULD be running 4:56 gears right now...
Brush guards, bull bars, nerf bars, side steps, running boards, off road lights, overhead lights, tool boxes etc... Anything that will increase the air flow resistance of the truck.
Excess crap in the truck. More weight means more fuel to move it right?
Poor maintenance, INCLUDING not keeping the truck waxed. Lower air resistance means more MPG right? Slippery waxed surfaces help. Not a lot, but it all adds up... Not to mention your truck looks better when it is clean and waxed.

 

haha! thats a new one to add to the book! I'm a detailer here in So. Fla, that's going to be my next marketing campaign

to be honest, ive thought about that before, but figured it was me being overly obsessed with waxing my rides.

 

Yea, I think that's a bit much. Well to be honest I think that's hog wash...

 

Biggest bang for the buck for better MPG is a drop-in (panel) K&N. You can find them online for $40 shipped.

If you go full CAI, aFe Stage II units are better than the K&N CAI (IMHO).

 

why?

 

Bigger tires will drag you down a bit. Added weight and if the diameter is different, slightly alters gear ration.

Best tips for mileage:

Generally keep her under 3000 rpms as much as possible.

Learn not to feel so bad if you are last to get up to speed when the light turns green.

Do not race to the light, as people are prone to do. I'll be slowing down gradually half a block away when the light turns yellow and I'll see some body zoom by me then wait til the last 10 feet to start braking. This is hard on brakes AND kills mileage.

On the highway get to the far right, peg the needle at 60, and set the cruise. On most of these trucks the way aerodynamics work you'll loose mpg going more than 65-70 as the revs go up and wind resistance becomes more of a factor.

Windows up, air on has been proven to conserve more fuel in most cases than air off, windows down when cruising.

Avoid clunky steel add-ons that add weight such as bull bars, step bars, or tail light guards.

Park it and walk, ride your bike, or buy a 30 mpg daily driver.

Is the 18 average you hear about mixed or all highway? Is your 16 mixed or all highway? 16 overall is actually quite good for this sized truck.

Ive done the math before when I was bored. When pouring cash into mileage-enhancing mods results vary. But if you don't achieve something highly unrealistic like a 2-3 mpg gain without spending hardly any money to get it, it may well be a year or more before the mods even pay for themselves, let alone how long after that it may be before they put meaningful amounts of money back in your pocket. This is of course assuming the best case scenario, that any mpg improvements are consistent and unfailing for long enough to pay back the cost of the mods.

The cheapest way to conserve gas is to drive like a Florida retiree.

 

Very good advice Sir. Thank you!

The 18 average I hear from people on here and around here with the same truck are saying that is there AVERAGE mileage per tank. Including going to work and daily driving like that. MY 16 average is the same (Includes what I get on average)
Explain to me how slowing down way before a light can REALLY increase you mileage.

Thanks again

 

It's logical that you're using more fuel when your foot is on the accelerator...so if you lift your foot up 1/2 block before reaching the light, that's 1/2 block you're coasting instead of using more fuel when you'll have to stop soon anyway.

If I put the cruise on 60, I can get 19mpg per tank. Stop and go traffic yields only 14'ish, and I drive like a grandpa. I am running Flowmaster exhaust which probably isn't helping me any, but I can't think of anything else aftermarket that would be affecting me negatively.

 

everyone should really post their engine size and tire size when they post their mpg's.

 

well the waxing thing was more so back a few years. now the clear coats are sopposed to be so good that there is no need to wax...supposedly. but just hink of swimmers and track runners shaving the hair off their arms and legs. something you would think doesnt matter but it is proven to help. same with waxing. if you dont clean and wax your vehicle the air and dirt in the air is eroding your clear coat. just think of how a road looks after it is freshly paved, but then look at it a year later when all sorts of traffic has been over it. imagine your clear coat being the road and the dirt in the air being the cars. eventually the road gets uneven and gets potholes. that is what is happening to your paint but on a microscopic level, but it creates more area for air to get hung up on so it does actually help to keep it smoother with wax