How to Increase Fuel Mileage on the 7.3L Diesel
- 1). Streamline the airflow by covering the bed of the truck. Reducing wind resistance will improve the gas mileage. According to 4wheelparts.com, using a Tonneau cover can add up to 10 percent to the amount of miles you get per gallon. While a cover is a financial investment it will pay for itself over time because a more streamlined vehicle improves fuel economy.
- 2). Remove excess weight from the truck. Don't carry around unnecessary weight in the back of your truck because it just wastes gas. According to a Canadian Auto Association report an extra 100 pounds will reduce your fuel economy by 2 percent.
- 3). Service the truck regularly. Keep the fluids topped up to manufacturer-recommended levels. Replace air and oil filters when they start to show signs of being dirty. A dirty filter is easy to spot because a clean one is either bright white or slightly off white but a dirty one is dark and dull. Never allow the oil to drop below the minimum mark on the dipstick. A well-maintained engine uses less fuel.
- 4). Check the tire pressure regularly to make sure they are properly inflated to manufacturer-recommended levels. Under- and over-inflated tires will use more fuel. Both also create safety risks and are prime for blow-outs.
- 5). Drive sensibly and anticipate what is on the road ahead. Avoid applying the brakes sharply and do not over-rev the engine. If your car has a rev-counter check the owner's manual to see what the recommended level is. But you will know if you are "over-revving" because the engine will sound like it is straining. If you are driving a manual transmission, change gears smoothly. A rough guide is that at 10 miles an hour you are in first gear and as you go up to 20 mph you move to second gear and so on until you have moved through all of the gears. Its good to listen to your engine to judge when its the right time to change gears.