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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2007
08:28:33

Subject: RE: Gas Mileage
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"Sounds like Bob doesn't want to accept the data." I'll accept valid data. Judging gas mileage from the low fuel light is not valid data. You must fill the tank each time and divide miles by gallons to fill. And I'm an engineer, so I only use valid data, too. Fact is, if you get better mileage with higher octane than what is specified, something is wrong with your vehicle.



jjj
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2007
08:43:39

RE: Gas Mileage
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" Fact is, if you get better mileage with higher octane than what is specified, something is wrong with your vehicle."

How as an engineer can you make such a silly statement without having valid data?
Many trucks ping with 87 octane, so a higher octane may give better mpg.
Also the quality of 87 is different in different areas and even among brands.
And finally, what if he has mods done that you aren't aware of?
Also maybe his higher octane fuel isn't blended with 10% ethanol..... hmmmmmm

He may get better mpg with a higher quality fuel, not everyone will but some will.
These are production line engines and as such there are variances! For ex. my dads 02 QC 4X4 4.7 gets 16-17 mpg in town and up to 21 mpg on the highway, many get substantially less.

Mine runs significantly better on 93, though to be honest I can't say any more mpg - cause I don't check it is the main reason.

Not ripping on you, my point is it is possible he gets better gas mileage.
Heck I can tell usually by the 1st quarter how good or bad the mileage is for that tank!
120 miles on the first quarter = good
80 miles on the first quarter = bad LOL




SNEILAN
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2007
15:59:48

RE: Gas Mileage
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"Do this for at least 3-4 tankfuls each. And that mileage is still low, telling me you either have a leadfoot or something wrong with your truck, as I suggested. With my 92 Dak V-6 4-spd auto 4x4 club cab with cap, I get 17 mpg city and 20+ highway. That's with 162K miles on it."

i do this for every tank of gas i get. my dad taught it to me when i was 16 and i did for my camaro, my eclipse, my s10 and my Dak. now i'm not disputing that i have a lead foot, and it wouldn't surprise me if there is something wrong with my truck somewhere along the line, but it is a fact that i get much better mileage and performance putting a higher octane gas in my tank. and i worked as a mechanic for 3 years until just recently, so i know the great variances in quality of parts fitted to different vehicles that could have been right next to eachother on the assembly line. and i also only use valid data.

Sean



sneilan
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2007
16:07:29

RE: Gas Mileage
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"Wondering why you guys fill up after the LOW FUEL light comes on. No gas savings in doing so and this practice is hard on the fuel pump. The gas in the tank is the pumps lube and the gas encasing it says a lot in keeping it cool. Those pumps are pricey."

the gas light comes on in my truck after approx 15-16 gallons have been used up, leaving 5 or 6 gallons of usable gas in the tank, and another gallon of unusable gas. plenty to keep the fuel pump nice and cool and lubed.




LOL
Dodge Dakota
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5/14/2007
19:14:56

RE: Gas Mileage
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I have never seen a pump fail on an empty tank - the ALWAYS came into the dealer with 3/4+ of a tank. Yet I always run my tank empty and have never had a pump fail..... hmmmmmmm

Just happened to my brother on his Durango and yep you guessed it - full tank!



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2007
08:32:54

RE: Gas Mileage
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Many trucks ping with 87 octane-And there is something out of tune with those many trucks. I have never had a vehicle that pinged on any brand of regular gas, under any conditions, because they were kept in tune. And with up to 276K miles, there would have been lots of opportunity to be carboned up. It's about maintenance. And if they are MODIFIED, then 87 is no longer necessarily the octane required - duh.



Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2007
08:35:00

RE: Gas Mileage
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BTW, my car's fuel pump died at 210K miles with no warning at all - right at the fuel pumps. I filled up and it would not start. But it is not a 'full tank' failure - it would not have started next time regardless of fuel level. What is true is that the pumps run warm and depend on enough gas around them to cool them. So running the tank low constantly can reduce their life.



LOL
Dodge Dakota
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5/15/2007
09:33:46

RE: Gas Mileage
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Mr. Lincoln, ever hear of the death flash????
Some cars/trucks that were designed for 87 octane PING on 87 octane, nothing "wrong" with them. Now maybe the fuel and timing curves were a little agressive but hey that is how they came from the factory.

True the fuel is used for cooling, but it has absolutely nothing to do with empty or full, since the pumps sit in a well. There is always fuel on them unless you absolutely run out of gas.
The running on empty is a myth, plain and simple.

My theory on why pumps fail with a full or near full tank is due to increased pressure on the gears on the pump. Now don't get me wrong, the pump was/is failing anyways, but it always seems to show up with alot of fuel in the tank. Could be Murphy's Law I guess!!



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