I have a '02 Duramax that I'd like to squeeze out a little more mileage! Power is adequate now! Will any of the programmers increase mileage, or are they just effective for boosting horsepower/torque?

From those of you who have 1st hand experience, which of the programmers would you use if your concern is mainly improving mileage? Also, which are easiest and most safe to use?

What do you know about expected mileage on the '06 models with an extra gear in the Allison?

I dont think any programer will increase your milage enough to pay for itself. And you run into the problem of you want to play and use the extra power. Any of the smaller tunes from quad, edge juice, predator, tts, bullydog, banks, VA, ect will probably see a slight increase. Dont think there is any back to back compros to see witch gives better results and I dont think it will really be enough between em to make a difference. JMO

I agree with Rat. You'll never get your money back, but you may see mileage improvements. I did with my Juice. Oddly, the greatest gains, about 1-1.5 mpg across the board come on the highest power setting, level 4, in my case (no Attitude). But, I drive for economy; roll into the power slowly accelerate moderately, and so forth. In short, I drive just the way I did pre-Juice.

TC

yep you have to stay out of the added power to see gains. its hard to do when you feel how the truck runs with a tuner. i have the bully dog power pup for sale if interested 350 shipped and it has the 150 setting activated which is 300.00 over the cost of the pup. The bully dog brings in the power in the higher rpm range so it is a little easier to stay out of the power, it kind of makes sure you want to run it before it adds the power.

If I'm understanding the feedback correctly, the majority opinion is that getting a programmer for increasing mileage is probably not practical (cost versus savings)! Programmers make more sense for performance! Correct?

For those who said a programmer will likely give a small increase in mileage, what does that mean? (1.5 to 2 MPG?) 2 MPG would probably save me $300. to $400. per year! What is a good price on a programmer for better economy an 40 to 50 HP increase?

What are the "downsides" to a programmer set for approx. 40 to 50 extra horsepower?

I've been lookng for the same thing. It seems from what I've been reading that the Predator is the best bang for the buck and would get you another 2 mpg as long as you continue to drive the same.

Could someone educate me on the Predator or similar programmers! You guys use alot of brand name terminology a newbie with progammers doesn't understand!

I don't need more power (although more power is always nice if there's no downside!) What I really want is better fuel economy!

1. What's involved if I want to get a programmer/chip that will increase mileage primarily! Installation? Programing?

2. I've heard from diesel mechanics that power in a diesel is basically a function of putting more fuel through the engine! Is there a direct trade off in lower mileage for a 40-50 h.p. increase?

3. What's the best buy for a programmer just to increase mileage?

Thanx in advance for any advice,

There is no programmer out there that is going to increase mileage by design. All the programmers and stuff that everyone is talking about are for performance. If you don't want the extra power than stay just the way you are.
By getting a programmer you are going to have to deal with having more power on tap. By having the extra power, if you have enough self control to stay out of the throttle, you may be able to increase mileage. I know I did by 1-2 mpg because the extra 80hp helped to overcome the loss felt by the larger tires.
Also helping the engine to breath with that programmer, ie intake and exhaust will help, although not that much. The exhaust primarily keeps your temps down to prevent turbo meltdown if you are like me and tow alot on high hp settings.
If you want better mileage only, than I honestly don't know where to direct you. In my experience, nothing like that has been invented yet. It is just a combination of preventative maintenance and keeping the truck in good running order. IMHO

On the 90 HP setting which is the best one for milage I saw a 2-3 mpg better with the Hypertech tuner but I have a handshaker and it may see better improvements. My .02

Thank you Haulinbass02! I've got the same truck as yours with a long bed! I haul a Lance 1121 camper on it and get 11-14 mpg depending on wind and my foot! I guess I'll stay bone stock unless I hear something "believeable" that will increase mileage! The best method is to fill up your fuel to the top of the neck, drive at 60 mph for 100 miles, and then refill until the pump clicks off the first time! It sure makes for some great mileage! Once I drove a '01 Dodge Cummins 4x4 at 50 to 60 mph from Reno,NV. down the coast to LA and got a true 29 mpg! Only once! Usually I got about 21 Max

Not too bad on the mileage!
Yeah the mileage thing with programmers is iffy. I like the power but sometimes I get too generous with the throttle application and the mileage goes down the hole. Better mileage is in direct proportion to your foot's weight on the throttle.
If you don't wish for more power than save your money for other things! But, if you ever change your mind........):h

I had to drive from indiana to arizona for a funeral..used a superchip in the highest setting..not hauling anything this time..I have air flow improvements and exhaust improvements plus I have a extra 50 gallon fuel tank in bed..got 26-28mpg that trip..02 duramax crew cab short bed black 4 x 4 2500HD...still had to stop to p.

I read here someplace that a tuner could possibly help when towing because the extra power might not require downshifting when on hills. If all else was the same, then there would seem to be a possibility of some small increase in mileage. How much of a return would you see on your investment, if any? Probably depends on your right foot! Just a thought.

My quad definately increased my mileage. I have a spreadsheet of every tank of fuel from new. I got my tuner about a year later. I have the 135 Quad v 1.05. On the 70 setting I get about 2mpg better fuel mileage and this also includes a lot of heavy towing. On the 110 if you keep your foot out of it a bit, not drag racing from stoplight to stoplight but driving it how you want to, it gets about 2-3mpg better. I have the spreadsheets to prove. I was driving 110 km one way to work for about eight months. I would run each tune for about 2 weeks and the 110 tune seems to get about the best mileage.

my mileage with my mods is 13-14, mostly city. before all the mods i was maybe seeing 15 so not much change.. definately didn't get better :)

I had to drive from indiana to arizona for a funeral..used a superchip in the highest setting..not hauling anything this time..I have air flow improvements and exhaust improvements plus I have a extra 50 gallon fuel tank in bed..got 26-28mpg that trip..02 duramax crew cab short bed black 4 x 4 2500HD...still had to stop to p.


Is that hand calculated or using your DIC. Programmers throw the DIC off quite a bit. With mine it throws it off by about 8 mpg. In any case, you still got pretty good mileage if figuring by that number.

from what i have seen over the years their is a benifit on the lb7 with mileage by certain tuners and this is seen more evident on towing, most tunes will prevent the tranny from shifting as much due to the increase in power, and this is ussally a savings, the other is you can now get away with a taller tire and still not have as much shifting, thus run at a lower rpm at the speed you intend to drive, as said it is sometimes hard to keep the foot out of the new found power, for best mpg tunners quad and edge, bullydog seam to be at the top, they come with a bit of timing rattle and this helps to find the best numbers in mpg

A better exhaust system will get better mileage, too. A bud of mine has an '02 with the Edge Juice and MBRP 4" exhaust. He's getting avg 550mi per tank since adding the exhaust on top of the Edge.

good point, intake and exhaust mods just make our trucks breath easyier



A better exhaust system will get better mileage, too. A bud of mine has an '02 with the Edge Juice and MBRP 4" exhaust. He's getting avg 550mi per tank since adding the exhaust on top of the Edge.

yes I used gallons used with milleage traveled..my truck does not have a computer on board to calculate..I was traveling with family..I calculated it..then father calculated it and we were both shocked!

Just get a programmer like a hypertech III or something. If not the mileage gains, you can still check codes, compensate for tire size, and add or subtract power. You can find good deals on ebay for stuff like this.
I am from Cali. as well. Anything I can buy to save gas I will. Save gas/ power on demand... What could be better?

I've seen an increase of 1.5 mpg with my setup (check signature). I'm now getting 21mpg, mostly highway.

I have seen a little (1 mpg +/-) improvement from my predator. The only difference I can figure is that I can hold gears a lot longer.

For the newbe:
programmer -- a device that changes the fuel mappings and other settings in the engine computer (Predator, Quad, Hypertec) These can usually adjust tire sizes, max speed limiters also.
box/inline box -- A device plugged in inline with the engine computer. It intercepts and modifies the signals from the engine computer to adjust fueling. (Edge, Bull Dog, VA...) Edge also can have attached Attitude monitor that displays your temps etc and can back down to protect your truck.

Optimizing timing is really about all that can be done to improve MPG, and the mfrs really aren't leaving a lot on the table any more. More power with less pedal can get you into OD quicker and has some potential as well, but despite what MFR's claim, I have yet to see any repeatable results where I gained MPG over stock with any tuner or module.

A couple of things that I do see:

1) Customer is confused by increased mpg on DIC. Most mods will render this inaccurate if it even was in the first place. My LLY is very accurate stock.

2) Customer gets better mpg proven by hand calc, BUT this was on a trip with fewer starts/stops and cold/hot cycles etc. I see a lot of chip sales prior to a trip in hopes of better power/mpg.

3) Customer gets worse mpg towing with the chip, BUT makes better time and maintains better time on the hills.

In short, I typically say modify for power and if you gain MPG take it as a bonus. For a repeatable MPG gain, I find that an excellent fuel treatment like FPPF Total Power will yield enough gain to pay for itself and the added benefits of fuel system protection, lubrication are a major bonus.

Recently it was suggested that I set my Edge w/Attitude to level 2 since I saw no increased mpg at level 1. I have been running at level 2 now for 3 weeks and finally this week I saw an improvement. I filled up Friday and drove exactly 239 miles before the gauge went to 7/8 full. That was approx 73.5 mpg ! :) My next 12 miles weren't so good. I only got approx. 200 yds/gal. :eek: Solution: Stop after 239 miles !!Censored

yes I used gallons used with milleage traveled..my truck does not have a computer on board to calculate..I was traveling with family..I calculated it..then father calculated it and we were both shocked!

Ok I see...so the gallons you put in divided by the miles traveled right? Or do you have the option on the gallons used in your cluster? I find that very hard to believe and I have seen 21 mpg with mine. That was the amount of fuel put in divided by the miles traveled and my speedo is recalabrated for the 285s. I think that was when I had the 245s on though.