Fuel Economy AFTER the Recall - How Good is Yours?

[robmorg]

I'm curious about what kind of improved fuel economy folks with 2013 RT's are experiencing AFTER the recall. Shortly after getting their Spyder back a lot of folks were saying they thought the economy was improved, but I haven't seen many reports about how much.

As we all know, the main change in the fuel system was to change from a "return fuel system" to a "dead-head" system, which, by itself would actually make the economy worse, due to the excess amount of fuel pumped into the carb at idle and slow speeds (which would make the engine run cooler at these speeds). However, in my case I am getting an overall improvement in fuel economy which is remarkably better than I ever expected. After 6 tank fulls now, my average mpg have improved from 25 to around 30 mpg. That's a whopping 20% increase in fuel economy. :thumbup:

So I'm curious to know what other 2013 RT owners are experiencing.

 

[Bensonoid]

I never checked it before the recall but it seemed like the gauge wasn't dropping as fast now so I've checked it twice since, first time it was 34 the last time it was 29. It's got to be better because it's not fuming and dripping gas anymore.

 

[robmorg]

I never checked it before the recall but it seemed like the gauge wasn't dropping as fast now so I've checked it twice since, first time it was 34 the last time it was 29. It's got to be better because it's not fuming and dripping gas anymore.

That may account for a small amount of improvement, but not very much. Mine has not had gas fumes or an overflowing canister ever since I wrapped the pipes and removed the cat. And I still only averaged about 25 mpg until the recall work was done.

 

[Bob Denman]

:congrats: on the increase in fuel economy! :thumbup:
We need some more folks to report in on the "pain at the pumps"...

 

[Chupaca]

Good to hear..!!

hope more check and see. Many have commented on the heat improvement so things are going well with the mods. Now if the side effect is mileage improvement.....what could be better..:yes::yes:

 

[reknhevn]

Fuel economy

I gassed up twice today on my 2013 RT and averaged 30 MPG each time. Our ride included all types of driving, in town and highway at various speeds and RPMs and gears. Temps were in the mid 80s.

 

[robmorg]

I gassed up twice today on my 2013 RT and averaged 30 MPG each time. Our ride included all types of driving, in town and highway at various speeds and RPMs and gears. Temps were in the mid 80s.

Thanks for that info. Do you know what your average mpg was BEFORE the recall work was done?

 

[robmorg]

:congrats: on the increase in fuel economy! :thumbup:
We need some more folks to report in on the "pain at the pumps"...

Thanks. I told you up in NY that I thought the economy was much better. But now I'm happy to know that the improvement seems to be consistent. I guess it has to do mainly with the extensive ECM re-programming.


[Added later...] I didn't think of it earlier. but I'm just now remembering that I also had my spark plugs and cables changed when the recall was done. That may be part of the reason for the degree of improvement that I am seeing. Don't know how much effect that would have on mpg, but I suppose that could be significant, as excess heat could have also been a factor in degrading the plugs and/or cables more quickly.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

I'm curious about what kind of improved fuel economy folks with 2013 RT's are experiencing AFTER the recall. Shortly after getting their Spyder back a lot of folks were saying they thought the economy was improved, but I haven't seen many reports about how much.

As we all know, the main change in the fuel system was to change from a "return fuel system" to a "dead-head" system, which, by itself would actually make the economy worse, due to the excess amount of fuel pumped into the carb at idle and slow speeds (which would make the engine run cooler at these speeds). However, in my case I am getting an overall improvement in fuel economy which is remarkably better than I ever expected. After 6 tank fulls now, my average mpg have improved from 25 to around 30 mpg. That's a whopping 20% increase in fuel economy. :thumbup:

So I'm curious to know what other 2013 RT owners are experiencing.

For ten fill ups before the recall I averaged 23.1 mpg. For 15 fill ups since the recall the average is 24.3. That's 1.2 mpg increase, or about 5%. The driving patterns before and after have been pretty much the same so this ought to be a reasonably good indicator for me, anyway.

 

[copilot]

Mine has been the same since it was new. 28 in the ghetto and 30.5 on the big road. I liked the old settings better because it was more consistent between city and highway. which was around 29.5.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[SpyderAnn01]

For ten fill ups before the recall I averaged 23.1 mpg. For 15 fill ups since the recall the average is 24.3. That's 1.2 mpg increase, or about 5%. The driving patterns before and after have been pretty much the same so this ought to be a reasonably good indicator for me, anyway.

Mac, that is dismal. I got better than that on my 13 with no recall work ever done and even while towing.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Mac, that is dismal. I got better than that on my 13 with no recall work ever done and even while towing.

Maybe the F4 tall & wide windshield all the way up and 70 mph most of the time has something to do with it? :dontknow:

 

[robmorg]

Maybe the F4 tall & wide windshield all the way up and 70 mph most of the time has something to do with it? :dontknow:

That would do it!

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: When you take the aerodynamic equivalent of a barn door; and make it even bigger... :shocked:

 

[kyace2003]

Prior to the recall I was avg about 25, after the recall the tanks have been 29 - 33. Before I never felt I could make 150 miles per tank, the reserve light would come on somewhere between 110 and 120. Since the recall I have gone 135 without the light coming on.

 

[robmorg]

kyace2003

Thanks for your input. That is EXACTLY what I am experiencing. :thumbup: I used to stop for gas at 130-135 miles, just to play it safe. Now, depending where I am, I don't need to even start looking for a gas station until I'm up to around 165-170 miles.