As prices at fuel pumps soar beyond $4.00 per gallon, owners of small diesel trucks are looking for ways to improve fuel economy.
Aside from standard tire pressure, air filter, and oil change basics, one of the most effective ways to get another 1 ½ miles per gallon increase is by using an engine computer programmer. After-market. These programmers and “chips” can actually result in a 10% increase in fuel economy. These schedulers have multiple configurations that you can choose to create:
(a) more economy
(b) improve towing capacity
(c) add max power up to 125 – 200 additional ponies.
By choosing economy mode, most will add an additional 40 hp by adjusting the timing, fuel delivery, and transmission shift points. The truck will be more responsive and generally drive better than stock while delivering better fuel economy.
Almost without exception, I have seen increases in fuel consumption with this mode selected. I have had customers tell me 3-4 miles per gallon more, but I would see this as an exception rather than the norm. Switching to an aftermarket air filter or full intake system seems to help as well.
When Towing mode is selected the power goes up to around 60m, big gains in torque are made to get the load going. Transmission shift points are also changed to facilitate better towing. The torque gain will prevent the transmission from hitting overdrive less often at highway speeds when going up small grades. Throw much harder in this mode. *When towing don’t expect to see big gains in fuel mileage.
Get on the plate and select “Performance” or “Extreme” and you’ve just turned your truck into a street racer. 125+hp is BIG. Can you really say… absolutely! After burning out the rear tires, you may want to detune them.
This setting is not for everyday driving and may cause problems. You’ll need to install an air intake system and move up to 4 or 5 inches of exhaust from the turbo to the tailpipe to avoid turbo temperatures that can damage engine parts.
Most diesel trucks from 1999 to 2007 are good candidates for these programmers.
(Ford 2003 1/2 and 2004 6.0 should only use economy configuration)
(New Generation 2008 Chevy, Dodge and Ford Engines…wait a minute)