Poor Fuel Economy?

SeeAreDee · **Joined:** Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:12 pm **Posts:** 23

I have a 06 Libby Sport CRD. 30K KM (~18K miles). I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick with the fuel economy. I drive it very conservatively, but I don't get close to some of the fuel mileages that are posted on here. I get about 450km to a tank which is about 280 miles. On the highway, to a full tank I get about 600-650kms which is about 375-400 miles. Like I said, I drive conservative just trying to maximize the fuel mileage but something seems drastically wrong with that doesn't it? Are most of you doing better than this?

Anyone have any suggestions/comments as to why this could be?

I've been looking at the Dakota because I can lease it for $100 less than what I'm leasing the CRD for and I don't think the Dakota would be much worse on fuel.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Few questions to start with...

When was the fuel filter last replaced? A gummy fuel filter will hurt mileage.

What condition is the air filter in? I had problems with mine w/ the stock airbox design in the wet, Pacific Northwest climate (was allowing water into the box, and causing filters to go back quickly).

What tire pressure are you running? Higher pressures = better mpg. 38 PSI will improve mileage (though it make the ride a little harsher).

Have you done the ORM (off road mod)?

Cleaning the MAP sensor is another good idea (every 20k or so). Just cleaned mine, and despite running the ORM/SEGR mod and B20 (or higher) biodiesel, it was still pretty icky.

The "sweet spots" for highway mpg are 55 mph (1st overdrive) and 64 mph (2nd overdrive). Generally, you want to keep the little engine "lugging" at 1500-1800 RPM as much as possible.

CATCRD · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 4:38 pm

SeeAreDee wrote:

I have a 06 Libby Sport CRD. 30K KM (~18K miles). I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick with the fuel economy. I drive it very conservatively, but I don't get close to some of the fuel mileages that are posted on here. I get about 450km to a tank which is about 280 miles. On the highway, to a full tank I get about 600-650kms which is about 375-400 miles. Like I said, I drive conservative just trying to maximize the fuel mileage but something seems drastically wrong with that doesn't it? Are most of you doing better than this?

Anyone have any suggestions/comments as to why this could be?

I've been looking at the Dakota because I can lease it for $100 less than what I'm leasing the CRD for and I don't think the Dakota would be much worse on fuel.

Where do you live? (Canada?) Is it very cold? My CRD gets terrible mileage in the cold. After a long trip get out right away and put your hand on each wheel by the lug nuts. If a brake caliper is dragging it will be warmer than the others, and hurt your mileage.

Ditto the ORM and MAP sensor cleaning.

crd liberty · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:22 pm

Was getting around 22.8 MPG. Best I could do. Did the SEGR,
EHM and Cetane boost additive. Tyres up to 38 PSI.
Up to last fillup, 24.4 MPG. Course its winter and not spinning the
AC up as much.
Mostly interstate, 30 miles up and back to work. 2 miles from
there and than the usual shopping.
Thats a long ways from some of the reports that I see here.
Still alot better than 18 I got on the 00, 4 runner.
Steve

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:30 pm

Your AC will still be functioning in many of the heat settings to suck the moist air out of the cab.

midwest · **Joined:** Tue Apr 25, 2006 12:03 am **Posts:** 173

SeeAreDee wrote:

I have a 06 Libby Sport CRD. 30K KM (~18K miles). I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick with the fuel economy. I drive it very conservatively, but I don't get close to some of the fuel mileages that are posted on here. I get about 450km to a tank which is about 280 miles. On the highway, to a full tank I get about 600-650kms which is about 375-400 miles. Like I said, I drive conservative just trying to maximize the fuel mileage but something seems drastically wrong with that doesn't it? Are most of you doing better than this?

Anyone have any suggestions/comments as to why this could be?

I've been looking at the Dakota because I can lease it for $100 less than what I'm leasing the CRD for and I don't think the Dakota would be much worse on fuel.

What kind of fuel economy are you actually getting? 280 miles/tank is not telling us much. Sometimes I fuel-up when the tank seems low and it will only hold 13-14 gallons. You may be doing better than you think.

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 06, 2008 6:39 pm

Not to step on any toes here....
I always find it most entertaining when folks are concerned about the marginal mileage on Chrysler group vehicles.
Since 1967 I've owned many of the Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouth, and Jeep (before and since it fell under the Chrysler wings). Some with the big blocks (wish I still had them, cha-ching) and some with the small blocks (still cha-ching). One thing Chrysler can be quite proud of; is never setting an example for exemplary fuel mileage. I guess good performance comes at a price. :wink:

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Not entirely true. The diesel Patriots sold in Europe are hitting 40+ mpg. They just don't sell them here, and haven't invested in the technology to do so.

And my Liberty averaged around 28 mpg on road trips last summer. Find another 28 mpg SUV sold in the US.

But I think 28 mpg is low for a vehicle the size of the Liberty CRD. With a little more attention to aerodynamics, mechanical friction, and weight, a vehicle of its size could get 30+ mpg.

SeeAreDee · **Joined:** Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:12 pm **Posts:** 23

midwest wrote:

SeeAreDee wrote:

I have a 06 Libby Sport CRD. 30K KM (~18K miles). I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick with the fuel economy. I drive it very conservatively, but I don't get close to some of the fuel mileages that are posted on here. I get about 450km to a tank which is about 280 miles. On the highway, to a full tank I get about 600-650kms which is about 375-400 miles. Like I said, I drive conservative just trying to maximize the fuel mileage but something seems drastically wrong with that doesn't it? Are most of you doing better than this?

Anyone have any suggestions/comments as to why this could be?

I've been looking at the Dakota because I can lease it for $100 less than what I'm leasing the CRD for and I don't think the Dakota would be much worse on fuel.

What kind of fuel economy are you actually getting? 280 miles/tank is not telling us much. Sometimes I fuel-up when the tank seems low and it will only hold 13-14 gallons. You may be doing better than you think.

That's to empty. Running it for quite some time after fuel light comes on. I know that's pretty accurate because I'm comparing the fuel capacity to how much fuel I actually put in it and it works out to 280 miles to a full tank and that's almost emptying the tank.

SeeAreDee · **Joined:** Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:12 pm **Posts:** 23

CATCRD wrote:

SeeAreDee wrote:

I have a 06 Libby Sport CRD. 30K KM (~18K miles). I feel like I'm getting the short end of the stick with the fuel economy. I drive it very conservatively, but I don't get close to some of the fuel mileages that are posted on here. I get about 450km to a tank which is about 280 miles. On the highway, to a full tank I get about 600-650kms which is about 375-400 miles. Like I said, I drive conservative just trying to maximize the fuel mileage but something seems drastically wrong with that doesn't it? Are most of you doing better than this?

Anyone have any suggestions/comments as to why this could be?

I've been looking at the Dakota because I can lease it for $100 less than what I'm leasing the CRD for and I don't think the Dakota would be much worse on fuel.

Where do you live? (Canada?) Is it very cold? My CRD gets terrible mileage in the cold. After a long trip get out right away and put your hand on each wheel by the lug nuts. If a brake caliper is dragging it will be warmer than the others, and hurt your mileage.

Ditto the ORM and MAP sensor cleaning.

Yeah, I'm in Canada. It's been pretty cold so far this winter. I live in a fairly damp climate (I can see the ocean from my house). Could be a contributing factor, but to throw it off by 4+ MPG? Thanks for the suggestion though.

SeeAreDee · **Joined:** Mon Nov 20, 2006 7:12 pm **Posts:** 23

Threeweight wrote:

Few questions to start with...

When was the fuel filter last replaced? A gummy fuel filter will hurt mileage.

What condition is the air filter in? I had problems with mine w/ the stock airbox design in the wet, Pacific Northwest climate (was allowing water into the box, and causing filters to go back quickly).

What tire pressure are you running? Higher pressures = better mpg. 38 PSI will improve mileage (though it make the ride a little harsher).

Have you done the ORM (off road mod)?

Cleaning the MAP sensor is another good idea (every 20k or so). Just cleaned mine, and despite running the ORM/SEGR mod and B20 (or higher) biodiesel, it was still pretty icky.

The "sweet spots" for highway mpg are 55 mph (1st overdrive) and 64 mph (2nd overdrive). Generally, you want to keep the little engine "lugging" at 1500-1800 RPM as much as possible.

Any "How-To's" on this site for doing these things? Thanks for the suggestions! Very much appreciated.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

Changing the fuel filter:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=26679

Cleaning the MAP (mass air pressure) sensor:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=22630

ORM (off road mod):

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... hp?t=22631

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:41 am

I get very close to the same mileage you are getting. Maybe 1-2 MPG more. 16MPG is my average in the city. I've tried the ORM, new fuel filter, new air filter, 40 PSI in the tires, Bio or Dino mix and none of that makes a lick of difference for me.

The best we have ever had was 22MPG on an all highway trip of about 800 miles.

Uffe · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:40 am

Cold weather = more air resistance, more heating up of engine time, more A/C running (yes, in all modes except vent mode the A/C runs), winterized fuel (less BTU per unit volume).

Basically, when it gets warmer you will increase your fuel economy up to the point where you run the A/C on full blow constantly.

Small trips during winter time is really bad for fuel economy. On my daily work commute I obtain about 21-22MPG(~10.7l/100km) on the 25km/16mile drive. On longer trips I can get 24MPG(9.6l/100km).

Haven't had the CRD during summer, yet.

By EVIC I can obtain 32MPG in the exact right conditions (level driving, no wind, 80kph yes 80-90kph because I drive with 4.1 diffs this is my sweet spot). All the slowing down, acceleration, idling at lights, holding it on the brake while in drive, heating up the engine from a cold start on my daily commute kills economy.

Threeweight · **Joined:** Mon May 14, 2007 5:57 pm **Posts:** 679

mcnaughb wrote:

I get very close to the same mileage you are getting. Maybe 1-2 MPG more. 16MPG is my average in the city. I've tried the ORM, new fuel filter, new air filter, 40 PSI in the tires, Bio or Dino mix and none of that makes a lick of difference for me.

The best we have ever had was 22MPG on an all highway trip of about 800 miles.

I'm a Portland driver as well... are you basing this on the EVIC, or the hand calculations? The nasty stop and go driving we get around town (and on major streets at rush hour) will cause the EVIC to drop like a rock... in reality, however, an idling diesel uses far, far less fuel than an idling gasser. If you haven't done hand calculations, it might be worth doing it with your next few fill ups.

The other item to check would be if you've got a dragging brake pad... a recurring problem with our CRD's (and many other Chryslers).

erockskj · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:15 pm

This may help with MPG`s... I did it to mine and it`s just nice to know the AC is not on

till I push the AC button ...Thank`s chessmaster

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/vie ... ht=#180099

Cowpie1 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:58 pm

It is well known in the trucking community, especially with the Truck Maintenance Council, that the winter blends of ULSD are showing a 10-20% decrease in fuel mileage. I have gotten about a .5 - .75 mpg decrease in fuel mileage in my semi (around 10% decrease). I have experienced a similar percentage decrease in MPG in my CRD. Had some summer blend #2 ULSD on hand and filled the tank of the CRD and got better fuel mileage on that tankful. For what it's worth.

mcnaughb · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:14 pm

By hand and by EVIC, they are almost identical. The dragging brake may be a possiblity...

When I come to a stop and accelerate away, there is almost always a clunk coming from the rear. I thought maybe drive train slack, but perhaps it is a sticking brake.

nursecosmo · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:18 pm

Another big killer of fuel economy in winter is the viscous fluid heater. which will cycle on and off even on the hwy if temps are low enough. It is easy to fix though, just unplug it.

crd liberty · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:19 pm

My MPG above is based on miles traveled / by gals used.
No Evic here. When new it was all over the board. 19 to
28 but settled down around 15,000 miles. 24.4 best so far.
Not as good as I had hoped but really not bad either.
2nd home on wheels gets 8.5-7.5 when towing the libby.
Thats my story and I'm sticking to it.
Steve

Poor Fuel Economy?

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