My weekend truck has become my everyday work truck. It's a 1998 4x4, 4.6, x-cab. I added a Superchip for added HP. I have the largest tires that will fit without lifting it. I added the K&N Intake Filter Kit as well as the Superchip. The 15 MPG is killing me!! Why? Because I have to run the 91+ fuel in it. I understand taking the chip out will effect my mileage, but I can't afford $2.20+ a gallon. I want to take the chip out and see what my mileage is. My question is... Do I simply disconnect the battery, remove the chip, reconnect the battery and be on my way? Will the computer automatically reset? I'm doing it right now.. please let me know ASAP. I just did the whole K&N recharge kit. Thanks...

 

I think you should leave the batt disconnected for 20 mins (long enough to get the job done) and you'll be fine.

 

I noticed he stated "I think", not that I don't trust him, but I wanted to see if anyone else agrees or dissagrees? I don't want to screw things up. People say it doesn't make sense because there is only 4-5 dollar fillup difference on a 20 gallon take. That is not true... two months ago I was paying $1.55 for Premium... now it's $2.20+. That is at least a $13.00 difference. Thanks...

 

Yes you can simply disconnect the battery, remove the chip, then reconnect the battery and the computer will be reset. Note, that your truck will not run all that great for a short time while the computer re-learns what it needs to do but that is normal.

Anytime you need to reset the computer you just disconnect the battery. Best thing to do is after disconnecting the battery is turn the lights on for a moment to help drain and residual power left in the system. The main purpose for disconnecting the battery prior to installing or un-installing the chip is to insure against any sparks or electrical discharge which "could" render the chip and/or computer useless. Insure you ground yourself prior to removing and/or touching the chip. That is simple to do, just touch a metal part of the case with one hand while using the other to pull the chip. What grounding yourself does is insure there is no static electrical discharge from you.

 

I'm not 100% if I want to remove it... nice having the extra power, but the cost of Premium is about $2.25. I cleaned and recharge the K&N filter which can only help. It was dirty and I wasn't good about keeping it clean. I think it went about 8 months without a cleaning.. I won't allow that to happen again. Thanks again....

 

Your welcome, anytime...

I can imagine that would be a hard call putting or taking away some real good horsepower. It’s your call. I know these gas prices really suck at the moment and hopefully will get better. In any case if you take it out you know you always have it when you want it.

 

At the same time, the price of regular unleaded 87 has gone up as well, so you net difference in fill up was about 4-5 bucks a couple months ago and is still probably 4-5 bucks today.

 

You are correct, but every dollar counts. In todays world... every penny counts. I didn't pull the chip out tonight, but will reconsider in the near future. I want to pin-point my MPG and compare it to q

 

I was typing and it posted all by itself.... very weird!! I want to pin-point my current MPG and then see what I get after removing the chip? I guess if things got REAL tight... I could go back down to the original sized tires? NO, can't ever do that... Thanks....

 

Deja Vu

 

richgonfishn, I have a stupid question here. When you put the largest tires that you could possibly fit under the truck, did you change your rear gears to make sure speedo correct again. If you go up or down from your original tire size it will change your speedo reading. Although a little change in tire size will only be a little change on your speedo it will alter your driving habits that the truck see without you knowing it. Just wondering if you are actually burning more fuel due to the tire swap and you just not knowing what is going on right now. I haven't really heard of the fuel mileage drastically dropping other than the first few months because of the extra new HP & TQ that we get to appreciate. But depending upon your set-up for the truck, you maybe getting the same gas mileage as others with that same set-up. Just some thoughts.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

The speedo is definatly altered. I know when it reads 70... I'm actually doing about 79. I have to be careful because I'm thinking I'm only driving 10 MPH OVER the speed limit, but I'm actually doing 20 over. That wouldn't be good!! I think the truck came with 265 or maybe even 245's, but I'm running BFG 285 AT's. In my opinion, any 4x4 with anything smaller that 285's just doesn't look right. Oh, I almost forgot.. the truck seemed to be a little peppy today. As I mentioned, I cleaned and oiled the K&N filter. She can BREATH and I could definatly tell a difference. I'll have to remember to do that with each oil change... or maybe every other? Thanks.....
I never got the 4.10 gears put in the truck. It's 4x4 and they wanted about $1300-$1400.00. That money ended up going into PART of a new sound system for the boat. LOL

 

rich.....
of course, do whatever you please. The chip can always be put back in later, but......think about this.

--Your dirty air filter might have been causing you as much at the pump as the premium octane gasoline.

--Even though gasoline prices have risen alot, the diff between 87 octane and premium is probably still about 20 cents a gallon. (It is in my region) Still ~$4.00 a fillup.

--The higher the price of gas, the less that .20cent difference makes(the percentage is less of the total cost of a fill-up)

--You are actually getting better than the 15 mpg you stated, cause you have not corrected your speedo

--I would LOVE to be getting 15 mpg!!!

--If you have an auto tranny, you are gonna hate the shifting. The poorer shifting is more noticeable when taking the chip out than the improved shifting is when putting the chip in.

Happy driving...chip in or chip out!