Range Device is Worth the $$

[el ess A]

I know there are going to be poo-pooers about the Range device to keep AFM from being stupid...but, I did an interesting (at least to me) un-scientifically controlled, real-world "experiment" to see if the Range was worth the investment of a couple hundred bucks...In an executive summary, yes. It is. If you want to know how I decided, read on.

I have one in the 2010 Camaro SS, AND have one in my 2010 GMC Sierra Crew Cab 5.3L 2WD, 3.42 rear gears. Installed about 13K miles ago. Since there's only like 12K miles on the Camaro, and cobwebs have been noted on the tires to the garage floor (yeah, I know), the test was done on my truck. BTW, I leave the Range devices plugged in 24/7 on the vehicles and never had a problem with them.

Anyhoo, the MPG results were calculated by 2-week runs using the onboard DIC calculator for average mpg. While perhaps not accurate, it's a constant, so for comparison values, it worked for my use.

OIL CONSUMPTION OBSERVATIONS

Before the Range device, the 5.3 was "using" a very slight amount of oil between oil changes. Less than 1/2 quart. Some of that may be the level of the truck, but generally, I park it in the same spot and periodically check the oil level. Additionally, I use the oil life monitor and normally change it when it gets in the less than 25% range. (usually ~5K miles)

After-Range installed, if there was any oil loss, I didn't notice. I saw no discernable dipstick level change between oil drains. Also, for the truck, I've used Mobil 1 5w-30 and Delco filter since the beginning. Thus, I'm going to say since any oil loss is negligible, then I'm marking that down as a ZERO.

MPG OBSERVATIONS

I buy my 87 regular gas (w/up to 10% ethanol) at BP 99.5% of the time. More about that in a minute. Average prices during the test were 2.11 per gallon. (currently today, it's 1.969 per gallon before my discount)

Without the Range, the truck averaged around 19.5 mpg according to the DIC. The good thing is, the truck gets approximately the same use and driven the same routes most of the time, so I feel semi-OK that this should have been a good comparison.

After-Range, the truck averaged 17.9 mpg. That's a 1.6 mpg loss. With a 26 gallon tank, that would be maximum of 41.6 miles per tank the AFM would give me. Assuming 2.11 average cost, it cost me $4.90 per tank in lost mileage to use the Range. Let's just round it to $5.

According to the DIC, I've used 2168.9 gallons of fuel in the truck at 43069 miles. That's 19.86 mpg average across the lifespan of the truck. I've burned 83.4 tanks of gas. Quick math says I should use 2406.089 more gallons of gas by the time I reach another 43069 miles, or when I reach 83,138 miles on it. Assuming 2.75 average for the next 43069 miles and if the oil pundits are correct that we'll have cheap oil for several more years, a difference of 237.19 gallons more x 2.75 = $652.27 more in estimated fuel losses to operate the truck with the Range installed for approximately 5 more years. Could be higher or lower, who knows. A lot of assumptions must be made, obviously.

A friend at work just had his 2013 truck (very similar to mine) in the shop and they had to replace his engine under warranty due to the AFM screwing up his engine. Considering a longblock from GM would cost retail $3,777.78, you do the subtraction of the engine replacement just on the parts alone will be 3K more on retail difference, adding the initial cost of the Range itself. This is not including the labor to install the engine, or the downtime on the truck during that period. Even if it was a break-even, I'd say it's worth the fact of perhaps less headaches AFM could cause.

OVERALL DEDUCTION

To me, the Range device is TOTALLY worth it. My truck is past the warranty period, so I don't have to worry about that. Plus, the truck is my DD and all stock, no need for an expensive tune (in comparison). I paid for 8 cylinders, I want to USE 8 cylinders. The MPG difference isn't worth it. The Range is all I need to do what I wanted.

BONUS MATERIAL

Over on GMtrucks.com, people "swear" by the late 2007-2013 generation of trucks with the 5.3L benefit by mid-grade gas. So I tried it with the Range, thinking it was a bunch of bullcrap. Well, I was proved wrong. After 2 week check with using the mid-grade, my MPG went up to 18.2 mpg. A whopping 0.3 mpg difference over my 17.9. So is it true? YES. Is that worth it? I say NO. And here's proof of the math pudding:

0.3 mpg difference equates to 7.8 miles per tank gain.

Cost difference between mid-grade and regular was $0.24 per gallon.

7.8 miles per tank, at an adjusted cost of $6.24 extra cost per tank. That's 80 cents per each extra mile. Even at buying regular to save $6.24 per tank, and at the estimated 2.75 per gallon average, that would be 2.27 more gallons you could buy. Or about 40 miles equivalent at 17.9 mpg. So you could SAVE 32 miles worth of gas by buying regular. Assuming that difference cost between grades stays the same.

Also, to note, a while back I went to one of those "so-called" pure gas gas stations and filled up a few times. Paying around .60 per gallon more for that privilege. My mpg gains were negligible. Definitely not worth it, or they were cutting their gas too and overcharging for the same stuff you get elsewhere. Needless to say I don't go back there.

So that's it...for my truck, Range is worth it. Mid-grade gas (at this juncture) is not.

Your mileage may vary.

[MauriSSio28]

What's range? I kept picturing a barbecue grill or something though I doubt that's what it is.

[el ess A]

http://www.rangetechnology.com/pages/v8

[Rocky1974]

I NEVER buy mid-grade gasoline. I have a buddy who hauls fuel for a living. He tells me that there really is no such thing as mid-grade gasoline. He says that the refiners only refine regular and premium and he only hauls regular and premium. He says that the driver is supposed to "make" mid-grade at the retail site by mixing regular and premium 50/50. He says that the reality is that the mid-grade tank at most sites gets whatever is left on the truck after the other two tanks are filled. He calls buying mid-grade "Pot Luck". I've never bought it since he told me that.