Forum Discussion

Terryallan's avatar
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jul 06, 2013

Update on beach trip

A few months ago, I posted this.

.....................................................................
"You decide.
Last week I towed the TT to Myrtle Beach. On the way down I kept wondering WHY my MPG was so low. Everything felt fine, no extra wind, but worse than usual MPG. I usually get 10, to the beach, and 9 1/2 home I barely got 9, actually high 8. Same thing on the way home. WHAT was the difference, what was wrong?

Then yesterday it hit me. My K%N filter was dirty, And I didn't have time to clean it before we left, and besides, they don't help anyway, right. So I bought a Fram air filter, and stuck it in. Result. Loss of MPG. Could tell no difference in power.

Well the K%N. Is being cleaned even as I type. It's goin back in. One MPG may not seem like much, but, it's alot when you ain't gettin none to start with. and in my truck, it's 27 miles "
.......................................................................

So. We all wanted to know if the K&N filter would help, or hurt, and some wanted an up date.
So here is the up date. Last Friday I left for the beach, WITH the K&N installed. Were there any other differences? Yes. The TT was much heavier, prolly 800lbs heavier, than in April, AND the TV was carrying "9" bike in comparrasion to none in April.

Now down to it. Was there a difference in MPG? Yep. around 10%. In April. MPG was about 8.8. This trip. MPG was 10. Not a lot you say? Maybe not. But 1 MPG is a lot where you aren't getting much anyway.

Can I say the filter made the difference? No. All I can say, Is there was a difference, and the K&N was in when the MPG was higher.
Tow Vehicles
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    "Yeah. I only let it hit 70 once, when I wasn't paying attention. The 5.4 loves to run. If I don't hold it back, it would be doing 75. It seemed to get it's best MPG at a dash over 60. It has the 3.55 rear. "

    I have 3:55's as well and when towing cruise at 59. Have to agree that the 5.4L loves to run. On the long grades of 6 to 8 % that often run for 10 miles or more out here I just put my foot in it and 3600 gives me max (365#) torque. Once in a while I may even see 4,000+ as I approach max HP (4400), but other than burning a bunch of fuel the engine has no complaint. It will hold about 1600 - 1700 rpm (59 mph), in OD at anything less than a 2% grade which accounts for the good mileage. :C
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2013
    4x4ord wrote:
    I never saw an increase in mpg with the K&N filter on my Duramax. I can see a low restriction filter making a difference in power and fuel economy when the engine is sucking a large volume of air such as it does under high boost and high rpm but when cruising down the highway in overdrive with a clean stock filter there is no air restriction anyway.


    I don't tow in overdrive. The truck don't like it, and I don't either. It feels like it is lugging, and lugging is not good for the engine. I like the throttle response I get, and less down shifting to 2nd, when I tow in 3rd. It's right in the power band, using all the fuel going to it, and running free.
  • 4x4ord's avatar
    4x4ord
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    I never saw an increase in mpg with the K&N filter on my Duramax. I can see a low restriction filter making a difference in power and fuel economy when the engine is sucking a large volume of air such as it does under high boost and high rpm but when cruising down the highway in overdrive with a clean stock filter there is no air restriction anyway.
  • 45Ricochet's avatar
    45Ricochet
    Explorer
    Jul 06, 2013
    Desert Captain wrote:
    Break out the popcorn and batten down the hatches.... here come the K&N haters. :B How dare you even infer that a K&N works well and... Gasp, might just improve your mileage. LMAO!

    I've been running K&N for 15 years with nothing but good results. My current CAI paid for itself after about 3 years of not buying the expensive paper filters. While I did not buy mine seeking better mileage I have seen a small improvement and do get a little extra power, about 5%. I also believe that having the Leer shell contributes to improving my mileage and I know for fact the Scan Gauge has added a 9% improvement both towing and non. I also love my Icon Direct Wind Deflector which adds 1.5 to 2.0 additional mpg towing, it paid for itself in 6,000 miles/one year.

    Believe or don't as the spirits move you but I know what works for me. My 2006 F-150 SCab 5.4L averages 17 around town, 19.5 on the highway at 65 and 12.5 towing the 5K# TT. I think all of the above improvements combine to generate the good numbers I consistently see (on the Scan Gauge and verified at every fill up), but never underestimate the efficiency of a well educated, light right foot. Nice to be retired and in no particular hurry. :B


    K & N is fine with a gasser which doesn't depend on such a high air flow as a diesel. I think the K & N hater remarks are related to diesel engines.
    Oil her up!
  • Terryallan's avatar
    Terryallan
    Explorer II
    Jul 06, 2013
    Desert Captain wrote:
    Break out the popcorn and batten down the hatches.... here come the K&N haters. :B How dare you even infer that a K&N works well and... Gasp, might just improve your mileage. LMAO!

    I've been running K&N for 15 years with nothing but good results. My current CAI paid for itself after about 3 years of not buying the expensive paper filters. While I did not buy mine seeking better mileage I have seen a small improvement and do get a little extra power, about 5%. I also believe that having the Leer shell contributes to improving my mileage and I know for fact the Scan Gauge has added a 9% improvement both towing and non. I also love my Icon Direct Wind Deflector which adds 1.5 to 2.0 additional mpg towing, it paid for itself in 6,000 miles/one year.

    Believe or don't as the spirits move you but I know what works for me. My 2006 F-150 SCab 5.4L averages 17 around town, 19.5 on the highway at 65 and 12.5 towing the 5K# TT. I think all of the above improvements combine to generate the good numbers I consistently see (on the Scan Gauge and verified at every fill up), but never underestimate the efficiency of a well educated, light right foot. Nice to be retired and in no particular hurry. :B


    Yeah. I only let it hit 70 once, when I wasn't paying attention. The 5.4 loves to run. If I don't hold it back, it would be doing 75. It seemed to get it's best MPG at a dash over 60. It has the 3.55 rear.
  • Desert_Captain's avatar
    Desert_Captain
    Explorer III
    Jul 06, 2013
    Break out the popcorn and batten down the hatches.... here come the K&N haters. :B How dare you even infer that a K&N works well and... Gasp, might just improve your mileage. LMAO!

    I've been running K&N for 15 years with nothing but good results. My current CAI paid for itself after about 3 years of not buying the expensive paper filters. While I did not buy mine seeking better mileage I have seen a small improvement and do get a little extra power, about 5%. I also believe that having the Leer shell contributes to improving my mileage and I know for fact the Scan Gauge has added a 9% improvement both towing and non. I also love my Icon Direct Wind Deflector which adds 1.5 to 2.0 additional mpg towing, it paid for itself in 6,000 miles/one year.

    Believe or don't as the spirits move you but I know what works for me. My 2006 F-150 SCab 5.4L averages 17 around town, 19.5 on the highway at 65 and 12.5 towing the 5K# TT. I think all of the above improvements combine to generate the good numbers I consistently see (on the Scan Gauge and verified at every fill up), but never underestimate the efficiency of a well educated, light right foot. Nice to be retired and in no particular hurry. :B

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