As your diesel vehicle ages and puts on more miles, it only makes sense that its fuel efficiency will begin to drop sharply, right? Actually, miles per gallon (MPG) is a measurement used to determine your vehicle’s fuel economy. It reveals how many miles a vehicle can travel with a single gallon of fuel. A poor diesel MPG is often a symptom of solvable problems with your engine and fuel system.
Get actionable strategies to help you restore lost mileage.
Why Your Diesel MPG Is Suddenly Low
There are several reasons why your fuel economy may drop. You will need to investigate your system before concluding the cause behind the dip, but here are some factors to consider:
Dirty Fuel Injectors
Fuel injectors are electromechanical valves that spray a fine mist of fuel into the engine. When these valves become dirty from carbon buildup or other contaminants, their nozzles get blocked, leading to poor fuel atomization. This dirt may also disrupt the spray pattern, preventing the fuel from properly mixing with the air. An improper mix can cause incomplete combustion, wasted fuel and poor mileage on your diesel fuel.
Engine Stiction and Friction
Contaminants in the engine oil, high heat and oxidation can cause static friction within the engine. Stiction creates resistance to the initial movement of components such as piston rings and turbochargers. This drag means your engine will need more fuel to overcome the resistance.
Low-Quality Fuel
Although fuel will differ from pump to pump, most stations carry Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) to comply with federal regulations. However, this ultra-processed diesel may lack the lubricity your engine requires. Lower lubricity increases the risk of friction within the engine.
There is also the issue of varying cetane levels. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires a minimum cetane number (CN) of 40, most engines operate optimally at CNs of 48 or 50. Low cetane causes longer ignition delay, resulting in incomplete combustion, reduced output and increased emissions.
How to Get Better MPG in Your Diesel Truck
We have a simple three-step process to help you improve your diesel MPG.
1. Deep Clean the Entire Fuel System
Giving your entire engine a deep internal clean can help you maintain performance, efficiency and longevity. We recommend using our premium Diesel Extreme 6-in-1 cleaner. This product is scientifically formulated with detergents to remove both internal and external diesel injector deposits and varnish to improve fuel efficiency.
We also added cetane boosters, which can improve ratings by up to seven points. This higher cetane level can support smoother, more even combustion. Diesel Extreme is engineered to restore your system to “like-new” performance.
2. Restore Efficiency in the Oil System
The second part of improving your diesel vehicle’s MPG is to reduce stiction using a cleaner with powerful detergent qualities. Proven to reduce engine wear by up to 62%, Stiction Eliminator contains detergents and dispersants to remove sludge and carbon buildup from any component of your engine.
Third-party testing found that the Stiction Eliminator removes 50% more stiction than competitor products. With our patented carbon nanolubricants, this product will also lubricate, leaving you with a cleaner, free-moving engine with less internal friction. The presence of our proprietary lubrication formulation means you have a product that may help combat fuel dilution effects and increase MPG in engines like the 6.4 Powerstroke.
3. Maintain Peak MPG With a Fuel Improver
Finally, you can use a fuel improver to enhance the overall quality of your fuel regardless of its inherent qualities. We offer Everyday Diesel Treatment (EDT), which is designed to improve overall fuel economy in diesel engines.
Our 6-in-1 formula gives you a fuel improver that can increase cetane by up to seven points and fuel mileage by up to 5.1%. We infused the EDT with the LX4 Lubricity Extreme, which has been proven to improve lubricity by 26% and reduce wear scar height by 159 microns. The product also contains detergents that help reduce the formation of new deposits. Using EDT is one option for how you can improve diesel MPG daily.
Essential Maintenance for Better Diesel Fuel Economy
Beyond using the best diesel fuel additives for MPG, you can also take other steps to improve overall fuel economy.
- Tire pressure: The easiest way to improve MPG is to keep tire pressure at the levels specified in your owner’s manual. In fact, properly inflated tires can improve mileage by up to 3%. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which impacts fuel consumption per mile.
- Clogged air filters: Clogged filters restrict airflow to the engine, disrupting the air-to-fuel ratio. Reduced air quantity means your engine has to work harder to draw in air, leading to inefficient combustion and wasted fuel. Remove and clean your air filters and give them a good clean. If they’re worn out, you’ll need to replace them.
- Driving habits: Keep your driving smooth. Rapid acceleration or abrupt stops demand more power from your engine, which means using more fuel. Our advice is to accelerate slowly and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles in traffic to avoid sudden, forceful stops. When traveling long distances, such as on the highway, aim for a consistent speed and, wherever possible, remember to reduce idling time.
- Weight: It goes without saying that a heavier vehicle will require more fuel. If you have items in your truck or car you don’t need every day, leave them in the garage.
- Aerodynamics: Adding a tonneau cover is also a great modification to improve diesel fuel economy. This cover will help reduce aerodynamic drag caused by an open truck bed, lowering the power and fuel your engine needs to overcome friction.
Start Getting Better Diesel Fuel Economy Today
While every vehicle ages, it doesn’t mean it must lose performance. Remember, a clean engine is an efficient engine. With our range of scientifically backed additives, we can help you restore and maintain your diesel fuel mileage. Let us help you stop wasting fuel and start saving money. Explore our range of MPG-improving solutions today.