I have been reading about all the power that can be had with chips and programmers. Looking on vendors websites, I also see the statements that they can add up to 15% better mileage with their products while adding power. I typically use my truck for commuting to/from work and I put on nearly 20,000 miles per year and average 17.5 mpg.

Now if you can truely gain 15% mileage, then I should get nearly 20 mpg which would save me nearly 150 gallons/year or at our current price of $2.29/gal, nearly $350/year.

Big question is, does anyone actually see these savings after chipping??
I know several will say that they can't keep their foot out of it due to the "grin" factor to see the benefit, but is there a consistant mpg increase, and is one chip or programmer better than the other for mpg?

Powerwise, I am very happy with my Duramax with the breather/exhaust changes, but would love to hit that magical 20 mpg!

Don't buy a chip with hopes that it will pay for itself in fuel savings. It won't.

You might get better mileage with a chip if you took it easy, but with your new found power you will probably get worse mileage because you will be in the go pedal more. You will enjoy your truck more however!

You might be right on fuel savings if you're pushing it. However, I run on cruise nearly 90% of the time due to our low traffic loads in Wyoming and I am looking at keeping this truck 'till at least 200,000 miles (another 6 years at my rate). So if you could potentially save $350/year ---- That's over $2,000 in those 6 years.

However, from what I've read, there been alot of variations on mileage (up and down) after chipping - So restating my original question - Can these chips/programmers live up to the manufactures statements (mpg increases) - or do they push the advertising to get products sold?? :confused: :confused: :confused:

You will not gain 15% IMO.

Which tuner are you talking about?

I have the bully dog set at 70 hp. The biggest change on highway driving is keeping it below 70MPH. at 75 mph i saw 16mpg at 65-70 i see 21mpg. i also tried detuning, didnt make any difference it was all speed related.

looks you are running 285es, from my studdies i also find that at around 72mph or 2000 rpm is where i find the best mileage, under 65, it actually got worse, that was done with the 155pp, what i have also seen the boxes with a little timing rattle ussally make the best mileage(extracks a liitle hp out of advance in timing:D


I have the bully dog set at 70 hp. The biggest change on highway driving is keeping it below 70MPH. at 75 mph i saw 16mpg at 65-70 i see 21mpg. i also tried detuning, didnt make any difference it was all speed related.

I put the Edge on my Lb7 about a month ago and went from 17.5 mpg to 20 mpg running Level 3 with Low boost on 3. I don't run into too much traffic on my way to work, so I'm pretty good about keeping my foot outta it (no-one to show off to). I'm guess in summer that 21-22 mpg should be easy to do. Living in MI, it is about 8-20° in the mornings when I leave to go on my 32 mile trek to work. The truck doens't reack 180º until about half-way there. With the Edge, it does not make any adjustments til the truck reaches that temp. So for the firts 15 miles, I see my mileage drop until I reach the magic temp, then it starts rising. I warmer weather, I'm sure that that 15 mile "lag" time I see now should drop considerably. Seems that level 3 is the best for mileage between teh 1st 3 levels. I have yet to play with levles 4 and 5 until I have a few grand saved up for a tranny.

I gained approximately 7%.

If you chip,exaust,intake and drive at the exact same rate of acceleration and mph as before you will gain milage.

I noticed similar milage with gobs more power. So a break even if you will.

which tuner claims 15% better mileage? I have never seen one that did.. I have seen exhaust say up to 4%, intakes say up to 2%, etc etc..

I have the edge/attitude on my lb7. With stock air box w/ PG7 filter and Magnaflow 4"exhaust, I run my edge on level 4 and low boost on highest setting, defuel on all shifts. Stock Avg 400 miles per tank 26.5 gal. Edge level 4 Avg 450 miles per tank. I don't take it easy but I don't drive it hard either. The power is there in trottle response now so you don't have to get into the throttle as much now. I think that is where the added mileage comes from. I like it because I drive 50,000 miles a year.

Hope this answers your question.