MPG lower than expected...

Jeep4ever617 · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 9:01 pm

Hi everyone I am a newbie to this site, which is great by the way, and to the CRD Liberty. I have owned 4 Jeeps now and I purchased an 05' CRD about 3 weeks ago. I purchased it mainly to save on fuel cost because the idea of owning a JEEP and getting in the 20MPG range sounded great. I am a little disappointed though after reading everyone elses average mileage on this site. After the first tank i only pulled off 20.6MPG and my on the second tank I got about 22. I cleaned the MAP sensor and increased air pressure in the tires the first week I had it. I drive about 30 miles a day and 22 or so of those are highway miles cruising at 65mph. I feel that I should be averaging at least 24 or so with mostly highway driving. Is there anything that could be wrong or anything else I could do to squeeze some more mileage out of every tank, besides the ORM mod. Thanks for all feedback!

chadhargis · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 9:09 pm

Diesel engines don't operate at peak efficiency until they get hot. I am in the same boat as you. I drive 13 miles each way to work. Figure about 8 miles of that is interstate, and th rest is city traffic. I am getting about 20mpg, which considering the 14mpg I got in my Ford Explorer, and the 19mpg I got from my 5-speed PT Cruiser, that's pretty amazing. I've never seen anywhere close to the 30mpg some report. I don't see how it's possible. Best I've seen is 24mpg using the cruise control set on 70mph.

You have to look at it in perspective. The CRD is WAY more fuel efficient than a gas Liberty on any other comparable sport ute minus a hybrid (which can't tow 5000lbs).

Jeep4ever617 · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 9:18 pm

Yep I hear you there. My last Jeep was a 94' V8 ZJ which I averaged about 12-13MPG so 20-22MPG is a big improvement. Also come to think of it I never really get a chance to warm up my KJ before I drive. I just get in and go before the engine gets to temperature. I was only a little concerned becuase of some of the MPG's I have read that some others are getting.

elysium · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 9:39 pm

It also depends on how many miles the engine has. I started getting around 28mpg (hwy) after 15k miles. Now I get up to 32mpg (hwy) thanks to ORM and cleaning the MAP sensor. Cruising in OD at around 2000rpms which is about 110km/h.

spencevans · **Posted:** Thu May 17, 2007 10:26 pm

Make sure you have a clean air filter. That alone can cost you a couple miles per gallon and the CRD's are notorious for dirty air filters.

P.S. I got 3-4 mpg from the ORM. I think it's a no brainer.

Saber · **Joined:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 10:48 pm **Posts:** 160

I have 41k on my jeep, and all ways get 26MPG with mixed driving. The best I every got was 32MPG

That's taking it easy, but don't forget to beat on it every few weeks. I take the on ramp to a highway at full throttle, and don't let off it until 110 or so. Got to blow all that soot out somehow :twisted:

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

[quote="chadhargis"] Best I've seen is 24mpg using the cruise control set on 70mph.

You have to look at it in perspective. The CRD is WAY more fuel efficient than a gas Liberty on any other comparable sport ute minus a hybrid (which can't tow 5000lbs).[/quote]

WRONG, apparently i get a little better mileage than you. but im sure if i had a crd i would be getting well over 30.

G-funk · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 1:19 am

I was getting around 24mpg average, mostly city driving. Best ever 28 on the Hwy.

Take your Jeep out for a long drive on the interstate. Diesel engines need long periods working warmed up to get broken in properly and become most efficent. A friend of mine had an old Dodge D250 2wd with a Cummins and a 5spd. It was used to hall wood pellets for delivery and with well over 300k on the odometer was getting 24mpg unloaded. The first week I owned my Liberty I loaded mine down and headed out on a long road trip. My Mileage went from first tank 19.3mpg to 23mpg second tank. After every road trip it got a little better.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 1:31 am

jcphoto20 wrote:

WRONG, apparently i get a little better mileage than you. but im sure if i had a crd i would be getting well over 30.

WRONG...all things being equal...conditions/speed/driver the CRD will get better mileage than the 3.7L gasser. :wink:

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

of course, but all things arent equal, and im getting better mileage in a gasser than you are in a diesel. and with what i know how to modify these things, then i would easily get over 30 if i had one.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 2:36 am

jcphoto20 wrote:

of course, but all things arent equal, and im getting better mileage in a gasser than you are in a diesel. and with what i know how to modify these things, then i would easily get over 30 if i had one.

So what, with what I know how to do Im getting better than you in my XJ.

fatweasel · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 6:35 am

In my neck of the woods diesel is about $.75/gallon cheaper than gasoline. When I combine my savings from the improved mileage with the lower fuel prices I am WAY WAY ahead of any gasoline powered critter.

Then add to that the potential to run on a fuel (Biodiesel) that is not dependant on unstable 3rd world countries.

You have a winner!

naturist · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 8:11 am

I now have 33,000 miles on my '05 CRD (and 21,000 after being forced to pay for a faulty EGR replacement that fixed the problem, no thanks to the original dealer) and get a consistent 24 mpg overall, with a high of 29 on the highway. It takes a few miles to get it warmed up, and if you are doing only 30 per day - we assume that's 15 each way - you will see lower mileage because of the warm up factor. It seems to take a pint of fuel every time you start it cold.

The folks who will see the best mileage are the ones with a 100 miles each way (on the Interstate at exactly 60 mph) daily commute where they can get out on the road quickly, put cruise on, and not touch the pedals until they arrive at the office.

BiodieselJeep.com · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 10:02 am

I posted a thread on tuning up for summer. People had a LOT of ideas to try, stock and not-so-stock:

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=20432&highlight=summer+tune

ORM is a nice one, but the jury still seems to be out on mpg. Last tank 30% biodiesel and bad measuring: 23 mpg all city, leadfoot wife. I think it works for mpg, but it DEFINITELY works for other great things.

Most importantly check your diesel-source. #1 reason for poor mileage can be poor fuel and then mediocre maintanance. I would suggest re-visiting the air-filter (That Amsol one sounds nice), possibly your fuel filter, consider a provent (or EHM), and a couple of other things (how much "junk in your trunk?). And if you just got it, you might have to make-up for someone else's laziness.

Cowcatcher · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 10:03 am

My daily drive is about the same only closer to 50/50 road and street. It is a rural paved road on the roasd side and I drive at 60 after a brief pop up to 65 to lock in 5th. I am getting 24 for that and up to 32 on long hauls on the freeway before the ORM. I thing the ORM and clean MAP could push me up to 34 on the long haul. Dying to find out.

chadhargis · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 10:31 am

Jeep4ever617 wrote:

Also come to think of it I never really get a chance to warm up my KJ before I drive. I just get in and go before the engine gets to temperature.

This is the preferred method, becasue a diesel will not "warm up" by idling like a gasser will. In the winter, if you want heat, you need to get the thing moving or you'll just waste fuel letting it idle.

Diesels are so dang neat!!

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

[quote="Sir Sam"][quote="jcphoto20"]of course, but all things arent equal, and im getting better mileage in a gasser than you are in a diesel. and with what i know how to modify these things, then i would easily get over 30 if i had one.[/quote]

So what, with what I know how to do Im getting better than you in my XJ.[/quote]

whatever, and thanks for chiming in.

jcphoto20 · **Joined:** Sun Nov 19, 2006 1:36 am **Posts:** 507

has anyone tried a hotter thermostat? big rigs run those covers over the grill to make them run hotter to get better mileage. wouldnt that same principle work on a CRD?

or how about taking off the engine drivin fan, and only using an electric one once it gets to the point you would want a fan on. that would let it warm faster

im sure something along these lines would help your mileage. and drive like an old guy, it works.

cerich · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 4:21 pm

Jeep4ever617 wrote:

Hi everyone I am a newbie to this site, which is great by the way, and to the CRD Liberty. I have owned 4 Jeeps now and I purchased an 05' CRD about 3 weeks ago. I purchased it mainly to save on fuel cost because the idea of owning a JEEP and getting in the 20MPG range sounded great. I am a little disappointed though after reading everyone elses average mileage on this site. After the first tank i only pulled off 20.6MPG and my on the second tank I got about 22. I cleaned the MAP sensor and increased air pressure in the tires the first week I had it. I drive about 30 miles a day and 22 or so of those are highway miles cruising at 65mph. I feel that I should be averaging at least 24 or so with mostly highway driving. Is there anything that could be wrong or anything else I could do to squeeze some more mileage out of every tank, besides the ORM mod. Thanks for all feedback!

05 and 30 mile each way commute on secondary highway at ~60mph for 10 miles then 20 miles on a interstate at ~75-80 mph. I get 23.4 mpg to 24.5 mpg consistantly using LSD (not ULSD)

37K and no EGR issues ever.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri May 18, 2007 4:54 pm

jcphoto20 wrote:

of course, but all things arent equal, and im getting better mileage in a gasser than you are in a diesel. and with what i know how to modify these things, then i would easily get over 30 if i had one.

WRONG again, you are not getting better mileage than ME in a CRD with your gasser.

MPG lower than expected...

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