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Biodiesel MPG improvement in my Pete 379... SHOCKING

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by Captain Canuck, Sep 26, 2011.

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  1. Sep 26, 2011 #1
    Captain Canuck

    Captain Canuck "Captain of the Ship"

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    Apr 7, 2007
    Woodstock, NB, Canada
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    When I got this truck last December, I was hard pressed to get 5 mpg out of it. It's an '06 with a 475 ISX, 18 speed, 3.70 rears, and 11R 22.5 rubber. Over the course of the first few months, I started changing my driving style. Progressive shifting, NEVER full throttle unless pulling a long hill, and slowing down to 55mph got me to a 6.2mpg average. I pull dry vans and reefers, usually 78K outbound and 60+ back.

    About a month ago another o/o and I were talking about mpg and fuel. He told me he picked up .5mpg by switching to biodiesel blends. I thought, what the heck, give it a try. Now along the same route I usually run, I fuel where he fuels, and my average since then has shot up to 7mpg!!

    I know that biodiesel is not a great idea in the winter months, but I never in a million years thought my mpg would improve THAT much.

    Anybody have similar experiences?
     
    Captain Canuck, Sep 26, 2011
    Captain Canuck, Sep 26, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 26, 2011 #2
    vangtransport

    vangtransport Heavy Load Member

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    Apr 14, 2009
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    I have also noticed a increase and it seems the higher the blend the better the MPG. Also, if I add Power Service to it the economy drops off significantly. My guess is that Biodiesel acts like a solvent so the addition of more solvent with Power Service is having a negative effect. The last two trips out I have seen .3-.5 driving at 67. I have not tried to slow down yet to 55-57 for long periods of time but I know when I went to MI I ran @ 57 and my MPG's were outstanding.
     
    vangtransport, Sep 26, 2011
    vangtransport, Sep 26, 2011
    #2
  4. Sep 26, 2011 #3
    Licensed to kill

    Licensed to kill Heavy Load Member

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    Dec 31, 2010
    Alberta
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    This is my 3rd season on my '09 John Deere 4830 sprayer. The first two seasons it got right on 3 acres per litre. This year, as of April, as per govt regulations, all diesel in Alberta has been switched to bio (don't know the %) and this year, my sprayer has been at 4 acres per litre consistently.
     
    Licensed to kill, Sep 26, 2011
    Licensed to kill, Sep 26, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 26, 2011 #4
    ironpony

    ironpony Road Train Member

    17,502
    12,015
    Sep 23, 2007
    Ask my GPS...
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    Just make sure you're a little more liberal with the anti-gel this winter.
     
    ironpony, Sep 26, 2011
    ironpony, Sep 26, 2011
    #4
  7. Sep 26, 2011 #5
    king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

    2,880
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    Jul 26, 2010
    Johannesburg sa
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    It supposedly also has better a better HFRR (Lubricity) rating.
    Less wear on the pump.
     
    king Q, Sep 26, 2011
    king Q, Sep 26, 2011
    #5
  8. Sep 26, 2011 #6
    Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

    3,033
    2,044
    May 13, 2011
    Middle Tennessee
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    Wishing works!

    Soy fuel has less BTUs than full fossil no.2 so keep on wishing. It seems to help lighten your right foot!

    Not trying to rain on your parade but facts is facts. There are so many variables to consider between tankfuls and trips.

    Anyway, good work with your driving behavior improvements.
     
    Semi Crazy, Sep 26, 2011
    Semi Crazy, Sep 26, 2011
    #6
  9. Sep 26, 2011 #7
    Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    Aug 7, 2006
    New Albany, IN
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    Biodiesel is really good about cleaning out the fuel system. Best carry a spare fuel filter and a wrench :yes2557:
     
    Blind Driver, Sep 26, 2011
    Blind Driver, Sep 26, 2011
    #7
  10. Sep 27, 2011 #8
    ENR

    ENR Light Load Member

    254
    50
    Oct 8, 2009
    Ontario
    0
    Ontario was suppose to have a mandated B2 by now. I don't see any notice of this on the pumps though. I think at a B2 the lubricating benefits may outweigh the tiny loss in BTU's.
     
    ENR, Sep 27, 2011
    ENR, Sep 27, 2011
    #8
  11. Sep 27, 2011 #9
    vangtransport

    vangtransport Heavy Load Member

    863
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    Apr 14, 2009
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    http://www.crimsonrenewable.com/mythvfact.php

    Allot of myths about Biodiesel so I figured I would post this link. I'm pretty sure all ULSD fuel has Bio in it today. The BTU drop is correct but only if using 100% BIO and not using ULSD, meaning you are fueling with LSD, which is no longer available at any truck stops I go to. I think King Q is 100% correct, if the fuel is running cooler do to lubricity being better, then the fuel that hits the injector is better quality, not stringy. In any case I can only report what I see which is a definite increase in fuel economy.
     
    vangtransport, Sep 27, 2011
    vangtransport, Sep 27, 2011
    #9
  12. Sep 28, 2011 #10
    V8Lenny

    V8Lenny Road Train Member

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    Aug 3, 2008
    Europe
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    Biodiesel has higher cetane rating what means it ignites faster what kind of advances timing which is good for retarded low nox engines. Maybe that helps more than lower BTU takes?
     
    V8Lenny, Sep 28, 2011
    V8Lenny, Sep 28, 2011
    #10
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