Your diesel truck balances on a fine line when it comes to gas mileage. On one hand, large diesel trucks can get terrible gas mileage, but with the right modifications, practically any diesel truck can get gas mileage equal to or better than, many new cars.
How Diesel engine trucks are sold
In order to increase the gas mileage of a diesel truck, you have to understand how diesel engines are produced and sold to consumers. In order to meet emissions regulations, as well as to keep the power and torque of consumer diesel engines at a level that most drivers can safely use, diesel engines used in Chevrolet, Dodge and Ford pickup trucks are actually restricted and de-tuned. This is done by utilizing restrictive exhaust systems and computer tuning that doesn’t let the engine work to its full potential.
In order to increase the gas mileage of your diesel truck, you have to bypass these restrictions, unlocking the power and torque that are naturally present in your diesel truck engine.
Turbocharging your diesel engine to increase gas mileage
Most diesel-powered trucks today can be fitted with aftermarket turbochargers, but not all factory pickup trucks are so equipped. If your diesel truck is not, then you may want to consider this as your first, most basic upgrade. In most cases, this will increase your horsepower and torque by approximately 50% alone. Driving judiciously should net you a gas mileage gain of anywhere between 5-10 miles per gallon when the engine is properly tuned. Of course, oversize tires will negate this gas mileage gain, but standard sized tires should see a net increase in gas mileage.
Along with the turbocharger, you’ll want to install a methanol injection system for your diesel truck. These systems inject fluid into the engine to reduce the exhaust gas temperature of the engine, increasing horsepower further and improving gas mileage. You can expect between 1-3 added miles per gallon for the sub-$600 price tag. Along with increasing gas mileage of your diesel truck, this modification will help to protect your engine from damage caused by the increased temperatures caused by the turbocharger.
When you increase the gas mileage of your diesel truck, you can’t overlook the problem you’ll run into when it comes to the exhaust system of your truck. Without a free-flowing exhaust, the diesel engine won’t be able to exhale all the added air that you’re stuffing into it, negating any gain that you might receive and potentially damaging your engine. Exhaust systems are relatively inexpensive, depending on the manufacturer. In general, though, you’ll pay about as much for the exhaust system that you paid for the methanol injection system.
Overall, it’s important to note that increasing the fuel economy of your diesel truck will require one of two things. Either you have to learn how to drive in a way that helps to conserve fuel, or you significantly increase the horsepower of your diesel truck so that the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to get you where you need to go.
Sources:
The Diesel Page: Diesel Economics and Fuel Mileage: www.thedieselpage.com