[Cuz-Pat]

Hello All,
I found this site several months back and have been visting from time to time. I just registered a day or so ago.

I hope it's not out of line to seek the kind of info I need on a first post. If it is, please excuse my ignorance.

I own a 2001 Ford F250 XLT SuperCab with the 7.3 liter Powerstroke/auto transmission and my truck is 2 wheel drive. I now have 67,500 miles on my truck. EVERYTHING on my truck is completely stock/original with the exception of a K&N air filter that fits right into the stock air intake box. It has never had anything but on-road/highway diesel put into it. I run a quart of Lucas fuel conditioner through the tank every 3 or 4 fill-ups. My truck was averaging about 18-18.5 mpg driving it back & forth to work and sometimes on the highway I have gotten 19-20 mpg out of it. Here about 10-12 months ago I noticed that my fuel mileage had decreased, dropping down to about 16-16.5 mpg. That's the best I can get out of it with trying variable driving habits. I have often wondered if the new lower sulfer diesel fuel is what caused the decrease in fuel milage?? Could that be the culprit in the lower fuel mileage??

I have had some aquaintances suggest to me to buy a chip or programmer for my truck. I have been told that they will increase performance and fuel mileage. I DO NOT have a clue as to what to look at or buy as far as a chip/programmer is concerned. My primary objective is to increase my fuel mileage in this truck as we are now paying well over $4.00 per gallon here in Alabama. Can any of you steer me in the right direction concerning chips/programmers? What do I need to purchase? Will a chip/programmer cause any kind of adverse affects or damage to my truck?

Are there any other things that I can do to my truck to help with the performance and fuel mileage? If so, please let me know what I can do.

I apologize for the long post and I thank any of you in advance for any info, advice or help you can give to me.

God Bless,
"Cuz-Pat"