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Pickups Dodge Ram Dodge Ram Real World MPG Numbers
284 messages, Last post on Nov 21, 2009 at 6:28 PM
You are in the Dodge Ram Forum. Your Host is kcram
This is the place to discuss (or even brag about) the mileage performance of your Ram pickup!
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Replying to: badd63 (Sep 26, 2007 8:51 pm) Or even a fuel line. I have fuel economy problems that were as simple as a fuel leak. If you can smell gas, you have a leak. I could write a story about how hard they can be to find. Or forget to connect - or properly reconnect - some sensor wiring. If is is connected to the wrong place, tracing it out against the factory manual may be required. Or maybe knock something loose accidently. I know - have done it to myself more than once. A USAF electronics tech I worked with many years ago used to say, "Just look where the last GI screwed up." Or something like that.  He fixed a lot a problems. Rule #1 for trouble shooting - Make a GOOD inspection. This includes GENTLY tugging on connections in addition to visual. Key word is gently. Too much enthusiasm and you will generate way more problems that you fix. I understand that many new computer control modules need to be re programed in the field. If the wrong firmware was loaded, it could possible the computer thinks you have a 6 cylinder. If no firmware was field loaded, it is likely running factory test software. Find out what version(s) of firmware should be loaded, than have a shop (different shop, of course) read the software load version for you. Compare the two yourself. If you just ask, "Do I have firmware load XYZ?" a lot of people will say, "Yup" because they have no clue how to read it out or just don't want to bother.. Also, some of the toughest problems I have encountered have multiple causes for the same symptom(s). Don't stop your inspection just because you find something. Check everything - twice! Rule#2 check power. If the first computer was diagnosed as bad, it may have been operating incorrectly because it had bad power. I have fixed a lot of electrical problems over 50+ years by merely cleaning the battery connection. A shop can not charge enough to afford to stay in business cleaning connections, so they sell you a battery or computer. I would replace the battery cables with the best quality ones I could find before I spent anymore on aftermarket fuel economy upgrades. Hope this helps. |
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| I was looking at buying a 4WD Ram 2500 with the Cummins V6. What is everyone getting for mpg? | |
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1998 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.9L Auto Stock gearing. I get 10.9 City using 87 octane. No mods to the engine with 265/75/16 tires. I never drive on the highway since my work commute is 10 miles from my house. We got some snow the other day and driving with 4x4 100% of the distance to where I was going only affected the overall MPG by .2MPG. But that might be due to driving slower and with caution. I love the truck aside from its DodgeISMs. Bad steering and bad transmission (knock on wood my tranny is still working fine). I am going to get a DSS steering kit to fix the trackbar issue. See this site: http://www.solidsteel.biz/tbk.htm 
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Replying to: rangersgoalie (Jan 02, 2005 4:23 pm)
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Replying to: madjack00 (Dec 26, 2007 6:01 am) I get 10.9MPG (city) with my 98 RAM 1500 5.9 automatic 4x4 Quad Cab (245/75/16) with a bed cover. No other mods to the engine. I will have to try those plugs on its soon to happen tune up.
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Replying to: 98ddgram1500 (Dec 26, 2007 7:06 am) Correction to my last message. I get 10.5MPG with the tonneau and 10.9MPG without it. The "Saves Gas" is a sales pitch with tonneau covers, and its false. Its been proven by mythbusters TWICE that they DO NOT help your MPG, they actually make it worse. The best way to go was the mesh airgate thing, but its too tacky to use, then second best was with the tailgate UP. the Tonneaus and the tailgate down or off were the worst ways, so put those gates back up. I use the Tonneau because of the New England snow/rain, but roll it up otherwise. |
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Bought a 2008 Dodge Cummings 3500 after having four of these trucks before. The MPG is very poor compared with prior trucks, lost over 4 MPG both regular and towing. Bought a Super Chip and found that even the one made for the 2008 Dodge the #3808 will not tune the truck, they still do not have the right codes to do the job so I returned it. If anyone has had any luck with a computer tuner that works let me know. Thanks Larry
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Replying to: wa4ko (Dec 30, 2007 6:59 am) 20.9 H/C ( hand calculated)  74mph. O/H (overhead) displays 23mpg. 22.2 70mph 18.2mpg towing 4500# flat car hauler over two 6000' passes from Vegas to LA at about 68mph A few observations: Tried a set of high quality 285/70/17 10 ply highway tires an mileage plummeted to about 17.5 70mph. Saved the 265/70/17 10 ply Michelin's that it came with, put them back on and mileage jumped back to low 20's. Amsoil was worth about .8mpg and a little better turbo response at small throttle openings. Mileage nose dives abruptly past 75mph. The 6 speed manual would probably allow me to cruise with LA traffic and not get MPG penalized so much. Tailgate removed makes no difference at any speed. Driving un-smoothly and accelerating in traffic off crusie control doesn't hurt mileage nearly as much as even the tinest hill. That's a lot of power to accelerate it but a bunch of weight to push up a hill. Test drove the 6.7 CTD with same equipment and mileage was nowhere near as good, struggling top get into the 20's at even 65mph. I like the equipment and trans in the newer 6.7 but couldn't accept the mileage difference. Wish it was quieter cruising and had a 6 speed auto, otherwise this thing is an utter gem.
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