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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!
just purchased a 2003 1500 quad cab 4.7 been driving it about a week and think i am only averaging 11.5 mpg the is no modifications on the truck. is a cold air intake going to help should i try 89 octane gas ???? any ideas ????/
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Replying to: liny3 (Dec 25, 2008 2:03 pm) Ski in Austin
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Replying to: stanoski (Dec 25, 2008 6:39 pm)
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Replying to: liny3 (Dec 25, 2008 7:04 pm) Since it sounds like you just got this vehicle used, I suggest performing a full tune-up: spark plugs, air filter, clean the throttle body, replace the PCV valve, oil change and new oil filter. I would strongly recommend a transmission maintenance, too, if this vehicle has over 50,000 miles on it. Your's has the 545RFE fully adaptive tranny. All it needs is a new set of filters and replenish the fluid with ATF+4. There are no bands to adjust on this fully electronic unit. I've found tire pressure contributes a lot to good mileage and in some cases front end alignment. There's been a number of computer updates to the 2003, both for engine and transmission and you might find this will help. Overall, however, driving style is the biggest contributor to gas mileage. Gentle launches, gradual increases in speed, lower speeds, and gradual stops make for a often large difference in fuel consumption. Good luck and best regards, Dusty |
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Replying to: liny3 (Dec 25, 2008 2:03 pm) Your best bet is to go to full synthetics, and look at your tire size. Some are equiped with larger optional tires. Best to go back to the smaller, and skinner tires. Also, a tune up is in order. Plus, keep in mind, the smaller the motor and the bigger the the truck the lower the MPG. Sure its a V8, but its underpowered compared to a hemi. It has to rev higher and harder to do the same amount of work. If thats a standard you would get better MPG.
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Replying to: 98ddgram1500 (Jan 03, 2009 7:59 pm) thanks for any suggestions |
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Replying to: liny3 (Jan 07, 2009 12:20 am) Full synthetics, I mean, have all oil, such as front differential, rear differential, transmission (if possible, some dodge transmissions will detonate with anything other than ATF4), and of course motor oil. But going from "Dino" oil, to synthetic could cause some slow leaks. Sounds like you have standard sized tires, I'd look at a tune up, and maybe your O2 sensors. There are many other tips and tricks, but you will have better luck at the forum I mentioned than here. |
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Replying to: liny3 (Jan 07, 2009 12:20 am) Ski in TX
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Replying to: stanoski (Jan 07, 2009 5:51 am) A good friend average 15.5 on his 2005 Quad, 4.7 4x4 automatic. Eighteen or better highway. I work with a fellow that has a 2004 Quad, 5.7 automatic and averages 15, and does about 18 on the highway. Others I've talked to, and still others that have commented here, are doing better than 12-13. Just like my experience with the 4.7 in my Dakota, I have found that those with higher miles on the engine seem to be reporting higher MPG. Mommy Mopar seems to make her engines real tight. The 20 lb. piston ring pressure is the highest I know of in any current engine series, and way higher than the current trend (about 6 pounds). GMs are spec'd at 2 lbs. I believe this is one of the reasons why Dodge trucks have a reputation for poor gas mileage when new, for not burning oil, and not having piston slap issues. This is just the reverse with GM truck motors. This was sort of reinforced just a couple of weeks ago when I talked to a man that had a 2003 5.7 with 170,000 miles on it. He claimed his total average was just over 17.5. He also said that his 5.7 uses not one drop of oil between oil changes (4500 miles). (Listen to a Chevy or GMC motor with 90,000 miles on it!) I know a few that have had O2 sensor issues on older 5.7 RAMs and this could explain why some are not as good as others. At the same time, driving style is the predominate influence on MPG. When I had a 2004 RAM 5.7 for a week I did better than 17 in mixed driving with next to none on the highway. Best regards, Dusty
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Replying to: dustyk (Jan 17, 2009 11:56 am) Keep it in great mechanical shape, drive it like your Mom would and that's about as good as it gets. My 2007 1500 2X4 w/ MDS get about 14 avg w/ 21,000miles. I was able to get around 17avg on a recent 3,000 mile trip w/ 3 kids, topper and luggage but it varied greatly due to outside temp. I drive a 1991 cavalier as a commuter to increase my "Fleet Average". 
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