1st Diesel

[Black06]

Recently aquired my 2006 F350 with 6.0L Diesel - 5spd Auto - 3.73 - rated for 12,000lb (approx).

Big fan of the diesel having owned various ford trucks since high-school days starting with a Ranger and working my way up to the F350.

Just passed 5,000 miles (5 months of ownership). Around town - no towing - and really babying the throttle for best fuel economy, noticing 15MPG, which is not much better than the prior 5.4L (gas) under the same driving conditions (also 3.73 gear). Granted the F350 is probably 1,000lb more - base weight - I've not seen the fuel economy numbers I've heard quoted for Diesel (can't knock the 'grunt' power though ). Assuming 5,000 miles is a fair enough period of break-in; expectations too high (greater than 15MPG) ?

Towing a 34ft. travel trailer - fully loaded coming in at 10,000lbs - recognizing approx. 12 MPH (best scenario). I've observed better economy with 'tow/haul' selected (OFF), with minimal increase in down-shifting noticed at highway speed (60mph).

Original expectations too high ?

 

[jvencius]

Recently aquired my 2006 F350 with 6.0L Diesel - 5spd Auto - 3.73 - rated for 12,000lb (approx).

Big fan of the diesel having owned various ford trucks since high-school days starting with a Ranger and working my way up to the F350.

Just passed 5,000 miles (5 months of ownership). Around town - no towing - and really babying the throttle for best fuel economy, noticing 15MPG, which is not much better than the prior 5.4L (gas) under the same driving conditions (also 3.73 gear). Granted the F350 is probably 1,000lb more - base weight - I've not seen the fuel economy numbers I've heard quoted for Diesel (can't knock the 'grunt' power though ). Assuming 5,000 miles is a fair enough period of break-in; expectations too high (greater than 15MPG) ?

Towing a 34ft. travel trailer - fully loaded coming in at 10,000lbs - recognizing approx. 12 MPH (best scenario). I've observed better economy with 'tow/haul' selected (OFF), with minimal increase in down-shifting noticed at highway speed (60mph).

Original expectations too high ?

First of all--welcome to SDD.com--it's good to see new folks coming over here.

Second--at 5K miles, your engine isn't even vaguely close to being broken in. I babied my truck for the first 1,000 miles, then took it on a good HARD run (3 hrs at ~90 mph) and that seemed to help smooth things out a bit. I noticed a steady increase in fuel mileage until right around 15K, then things leveled out a bit and have remained there. Keep in mind, with an automatic your mpg will be a little less around town and really, 15 mpg in-town isn't all that bad for such a new engine.

 

[jharvey]

Welcome to SDD

I have had my 06 F350 since the end of August, I am just about to roll 14k on the clock and am avg 15.9 if I'm nice to the go pedal.

These motors take roughly 15-18k miles to really break in. Also the use of a good addative like Stanadyne or Diesel Kleen will help.

Another thing to really watch is oil and filters, get real anal about changing it regularly, I run Rotella T and change at every 5k. Fuel and air every 10-12k

Hope this helps a little and enjoy your new truck, these beasts are awesome

 

[Black06]

Thanks for the compliment on the truck. Best I can recall is that the A-Plan price was somewhere around $43,000. I think the chrome package may have clouded by judgement on a more reasonable payment.

Noticed the 4.5" lift kit - any suggestions on how to wash the windows on these monsters (in particular for the guys twice your age) ?

 

[powerboatr]

welcome to the best truck forum
we turned 10k on ours very recently.
430 gears get us 15.1- 15.3 ish intown and on teh highway

towing... havent towed far enough to really get an accurate reading. but pulling 14k ish she does realllllly well

 

[rum4by5]

Welcome to SDD Black06

 

[rgdillon]

My recent numbers are: 18-20 normal driving (which means I drive it like I stole it) - 20 to 22 just doing interstate (70 to 80 mph) and anywhere from 15 to 17 when towing 12K plus excavators around. Now I do use a Quadzilla which pushes the mileage up there. I also use AMSOIL - she just runs better on syn rather than dino.

Have around 40K on her right now.

Ron

 

[F350R]

Brent,
Thanks for the compliment on the truck. Best I can recall is that the A-Plan price was somewhere around $43,000. I think the chrome package may have clouded by judgement on a more reasonable payment.

The A plan is sure nice my 04 was slightly less than that. My brother is going to retire from Ford in two years he will have his 30 in and call it quits congrats to him.

Mike

 

[Invader]

The worst thing to do is baby a diesel, The harder the work the better luck you'll have. Babied diesel's are just a trip to the mechanic waiting to happen.
(eventually) Load'em up and give it some pedal.

 

[tcorbitt]

My 06 King Ranch 4X4 350, SRW SWB 3.73 18" Tires with 3K on the ODO is averaging 14.5MPG. One the only highway trip, traveling with Cruise set at 70, no trailer in tow 19.MPG. I think this is typical for the 6.0. Previous GM Duramax was 14MPG Average, 17MPG tops on h-way.