GDE ECO-Tune mileage issue?

Rixram · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 11:44 am

Ok, I may be having a little issue, but not sure.

I installed the ECO-Tune in April. I did get a little mileage bump, but not as much as expected.

I'm averaging 24.x mpg off of my last 4 fill-ups. Some towing, a little (I do mean a little) off-roading.

It is also summertime here, and this is a tourist area. I'm not able to cruise as much in 5th gear with the TC lockup @59 mph as much due to traffic.

Also, my emergency-brake feels "funny". It used to have more tension early in the pull-swing of it, but now I do not feel that tension in the brake until later in the pull of the e-brake lever.

If my e-brake is a little stuck, of course that'd effect the mpg. How do I check the e-brake to see if it is stuck? Additionally, if the e-brake is ok, what else should I look at for mpg issues?

Thanks.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:41 pm

Easiest way to check to see if your e-brake is grabbing is jack the rear end up off the ground and spin the wheels. You should have a slight griding noise but it should be relatively easy to turn. But to me it just sounds like your tension in your e-brake cable has fallen down a bit. You should be able to take the slack out of the cable but i don't know exactly how to do it. And as far the ECO yes it should of added milage but it is all up to your driving style also to the age and milage on your motor. And yes the oil type weather and temp all effect it. But honetly 23 is very good for around town if you have no highway at all on a day to day bases.

Rixram · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:47 pm

audiboy86 wrote:

Easiest way to check to see if your e-brake is grabbing is jack the rear end up off the ground and spin the wheels. You should have a slight griding noise but it should be relatively easy to turn. But to me it just sounds like your tension in your e-brake cable has fallen down a bit. You should be able to take the slack out of the cable but i don't know exactly how to do it. And as far the ECO yes it should of added milage but it is all up to your driving style also to the age and milage on your motor. And yes the oil type weather and temp all effect it. But honetly 23 is very good for around town if you have no highway at all on a day to day bases.

My daily commute is about 50/50, highway/city.

Big Montana · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 4:56 pm

I am also getting 24 after the tune. My theromstat is out though too. Have you checked your temp gauge? I have heard that it will run better with a warmer engine, I just havn't gotten around to changing mine yet.

Rixram · **Posted:** Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:07 pm

Big Montana wrote:

I am also getting 24 after the tune. My theromstat is out though too. Have you checked your temp gauge? I have heard that it will run better with a warmer engine, I just havn't gotten around to changing mine yet.

My temp gauge runs in the regular spot, just a tad to the left of midway.

audiboy86 · **Posted:** Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:39 am

Have you tried contacting GDE i know when i ran across and issue they were right there to help me out. I don't know what your drive like since i drive really aggressively so my milage is under the standard also , but my highway milage is right on the money.

Rixram · **Posted:** Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:00 pm

Oh, yeah. Actually contacting the manufacturer. I seriously hadn't thought of that.

Oops.
:lol:

MooseMeat · **Posted:** Tue Jun 29, 2010 12:45 pm

I have the ECO also, I will see a dip when I use the AC, or stop and go traffic.

My average has been climbing since taking a different route to work and back. Takes me 5 to 10 min longer but I see better mileage and lots less stress.

mdalien · **Joined:** Tue Jun 22, 2010 10:22 pm **Posts:** 41

My mileage is up about 15% with both tunes

This is after about 3 tanks, 1 was down and the other 2 were way up.
I might have gotten some low power fuel, it seems to be touchy.

tulsa · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 9:40 pm

mdalien wrote:

My mileage is up about 15% with both tunes

This is after about 3 tanks, 1 was down and the other 2 were way up.
I might have gotten some low power fuel, it seems to be touchy.

Filling up to the same point every time is very hard. Works best going from near empty to full and let foam settle.
Lewis

geordi · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:39 pm

MooseMeat wrote:

I have the ECO also, I will see a dip when I use the AC, or stop and go traffic.

My average has been climbing since taking a different route to work and back. Takes me 5 to 10 min longer but I see better mileage and lots less stress.

Going past that blonde's house WOULD cut the stress... At least until your wife / girlfriend found out! :jester:

Rixram · **Posted:** Sun Jul 04, 2010 11:17 pm

Ok, I ran a "test" on the last tank. I wouldn't call it scientific, but I think I proved my case to me.

I made a point of not using my parking/emergency brake on this last tank at all. I filled up today, and I got about 25.3 mpg, which is +1mpg over the last 4 tanks. On this last tank, I'd been running A/C a little bit, too.

So, my sort-test indicates to me that there is an issue with my e-brake cable, and it is not releasing entirely. I need to do my front brakes any way, so I'd might as well replace them all-around, and replace the parking brake pads, too.
:pepper:

LibertyCRD · **Posted:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 9:40 am

Let us know if that helps. I am also still getting 24 MPG with the tune, despite installing a new t-stat.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 11:46 am

With my 50/50 driving I am seeing a constant 27/28mpg when I don't run my A/C, with I drop about 1mpg.

When doing long trips without the trailer, I get constant 30mpg.

This is over the past 11 fill-ups with the "full torque eco-tune" from GDE, non-F37 TCM, and a magnaflow cat back. All else is stock.

chrispitude · **Posted:** Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:01 pm

You don't need to refill exactly the same amount every time, just sum up the total gallons and total miles across all fill-ups, and the error percentage will be substantially decreased. When you sum across multiple tanks, the bit you over-/under-filled the last time will automatically get incorporated into the next tank's amount.

To check if it's an e-brake dragging, have you felt the wheels after coasting to a stop from highway speeds?

- Chris

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 5:43 pm

Rixram wrote:

I made a point of not using my parking/emergency brake on this last tank at all. I filled up today, and I got about 25.3 mpg, which is +1mpg over the last 4 tanks. On this last tank, I'd been running A/C a little bit, too.

I've never heard of this. Are you using your parking brake for a reason? I guess it could be habit if you've owned manuals, but is it really needed on flat areas with an automatic?

BVCRD · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:12 pm

Not needed, unless you just want the added piece of mind. Why is it all of the GDE eco tunes aren't getting any better and some not as good of gas mileage as me and other stockers? I thought that tune was supposed to let a buyer retire early.

geordi · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:20 pm

Could be that we are also running other mods? I know in doing my brakes yesterday, I got a good feel for how heavy these big wheels I have on are. OOF! I like the large diameter, and still think it is bizarre that the same measurements (215/85) look so different between the BFG and a set of 215/85 GoodYear tires that I saw in the tire shop when I was getting these... But the weight is making me think that next time I might have to give the Goodyear LT 215/85 a try. IIRC, they were a good deal lighter than these are.

Then again, I just got the CRD back and have fixed a couple things on it. I swapped the turbo out (fixed my spare, it was just some loose screws) so *maybe* my power loss issue is finally fixed. I hope. I won't know for a bit, and without being really employed, I'm not about to go driving around without a REALLY good reason. After swapping the turbo tho, the EVIC was reporting 39mpg while I was driving around at 65mph. I know that isn't accurate, but it usually is only about 4mpg high. Here's hoping that is the case now!

The average before had settled at about 28mpg, which also is about right b/c the calculated from fueling was 23/24 for months with this power loss problem. The EGT has been reading 900-1000 at cruise (Seems speed independent, read the same at 60, 65, 75, 80) but now, it is reading 700 at cruise. That is a significant change. Remember, my probe is in the entrance to the turbo, not after like many people, so my readings are (according to GDE) about 300* hotter than after the turbo.

stoutdog · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:25 pm

BVCRD wrote:

Not needed, unless you just want the added piece of mind. Why is it all of the GDE eco tunes aren't getting any better and some not as good of gas mileage as me and other stockers? I thought that tune was supposed to let a buyer retire early.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that my father and I have both seen a 15-20% improvement in mpg with the tune. We are otherwise relatively close to stock...

Big Montana · **Posted:** Wed Jul 07, 2010 6:27 pm

BVCRD wrote:

Not needed, unless you just want the added piece of mind. Why is it all of the GDE eco tunes aren't getting any better and some not as good of gas mileage as me and other stockers? I thought that tune was supposed to let a buyer retire early.

Oh ouch. Good thing you didn't buy it then.

I'm not complaining about mine. I just drove the highway this past week and got 27 mpg with a bad thermo AND a heavy foot. (averaged 80 mph). I'm pretty sure he has a problem with something else in his rig causing the low MPG.

GDE ECO-Tune mileage issue?

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