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Ford F350 Diesel saves 30% at 55 |
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Wednesday, 11 June 2008 |
I know I shouldn't be running a huge truck like this for 400 mile trips to see the kids, but it is all I have and I would rather not buy a new more economic vehicle right now. It is a Ford 350 diesel and at 70 to 75 mph the onboard computer says 14.2 and never varies much. On a recent trip north from Las Vegas, NV to Salt Lake City, UT; a trip where my wife wasn't along, I decided to test out the mileage at 55. I reset the computer and started on my way. Across the flats south of Mesquite, NV it was reading 21. I nearly croaked. Better than a 30% jump. When I got to St. George after climbing out of the Virgin River Gorge it read 18. It stayed 18 until I got to Salt Lake. This trip covers 400 miles and a rise in elevation from 1200 where I live near Lake Mead to 5000 feet at Provo, Ut with numerous traverses over 6000 through Utah. At 18 mpg average that gave me a 27% decrease in fuel consumption. I am still thinking of selling the old Ford, with $4.50 a gallon fuel looming, but not as soon as before. Now to convince the wife.
Jerry Stringam
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