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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.
thanks for any suggestions
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.
Ski in TX
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
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".
My son's '03 Ram 1500 with the non-MDS Hemi averages around 15.5. I have two friends with the Ram 4.7 motors and they usually do a bit better, especially on the road. The 2006 Ram I had for a week did quite well, I thought. I averaged slightly better than 17 in moderate combined driving.
Regards,
Dusty
Ski in TX
Ski in TX
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host
Also, I'd like to add something else. Aftermarket companies like to say that their products give more power and better fuel economy (and in some cases they do...), but I'd like to share my experiences. I've added a K&N filter, aftermarket exhaust, a Diablosport Predator programmer, and Royal Purple oil to my 06 Ram. Of all the changes I've made, the switch to Royal Purple oil made the greatest difference and was the cheapest. I gained between 3-4 MPG with the new oil.
I know Royal Purple oil isn't cheap, but at least here in Texas, when you use RP, you get the first oil change and pay full price (around $90). They set your next oil change at 5,000 miles. When you come in 5,000 miles later for your next oil change, they change the filter only, reset the oil for another 5,000 miles, and charge you ONLY for any oil they have to replace due to engine usage. I haven't had to pay any additional during the second oil change yet in over 30,000 miles. So if you do the math, it all equals out to less than $30 per standard cheap oil change... plus, it adds to your MPG. I have a buddy with a new Challenger SRT8 that told me the same thing. He added RP oil and added around 4 MPG.
I'm sure there are other high-quality oils that may give you even better MPG, but RP's oil change program made it the best value for me.
Ive noticed when I run the AC alot, mileage decreases by 1 MPG or so and when I run just regular gas (as opposed to mid-range) the mileage also decreases by about 1 MPG or so. No other issues with my RAM. Runs good and has been reliable.
Ski in TX
I also noticed that on my 06 Ram, it specifically says not to run anything less than 89 in it. I have been running 93 in it since day one. if you run a low-grade octane, the engine computer has to compensate in such a way that you lose HP, efficiency, and could end up with engine deposits over time with the cooler burning fuel. I realize that higher grade fuel costs more, but it has the ability to give higher MPG also. Remember, the higher octane you run, the less your engine has to work to hold you at speed (because your engine is now producing more power). This translates into lighter pedal pressure, which means your MDS stays on longer.
Is it cheaper? Who knows... I pay more for gas, and I get more MPG... All I know is that I like my numbers. Also, 93 octane was easier to get during the hurricane than 87 was.
It was hard to tell if the programmer did anything for mileage, because I added the programmer and a new very aggressive set of A/T tires on almost at the same time. So, I'm sure the tires hurt my MPG, and the programmer probably helped a little. I'm running about the same mileage I was before the programmer and tire change. I should also point out that my Ram is 2WD. I will say for the programmer though... WOW!!! The throttle response was great. I'm still a little unsure of the shifting though. It felt a little strange to me at first, then a new program was introduced which made shifting a bit more pleasant. At full throttle, I can get 2nd gear chirps with those new heavier meaty tires. I would've melted my stock tires.
Ski in TX
Try: Mid range 89 octane, cheap 87 will get you lower MPG. Change the plugs if they havent been done for over 30K miles (expensive). Running the AC will make it run 1 less MPG too or at least mine does.
Let us know if anything improves.
I tach 1800 rpm @ 60 mph solo.
I tached 2500 rpm in 4th gear while towing.
Regards,
Dusty
Does anyone have a 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 3/4 NEW HEMI??? Please fill me in on your gas mileage.
What about the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Hemi???
Thanks for any advice!!
NOTE: I do not rely on the vehicles fuel consumption display. So far it has proven to be off by as much as one-half mile per gallon.
My lowest trip mileage was 15.34 towing two ATVs and camping equipment in hilly terrain with an average speed of 74.3 MPH. On the return trip, same route, same weight, I got 17.82 MPG but kept the top speed at 65 MPH.
I haven't hit 4000 miles yet, so the engine and drivetrain are still breaking in. This truck pulls 3400 pounds like there's nothing attached to the truck at all!!
Regards,
Dusty
Filled up this morning and my trip mileage was 18.4 and it matched the EVIC display (18.4). That's the third time out of ten fillups that the display agreed with the actual. No expressway driving on this tank.
Based on what I'm being told by acquaintances with other trucks, the 2010 5.7 with 390 hp appears to be the equal in fuel consumption of any other truck regardless of engine with the exception of the Tundra, by about 0.5 to 0.7 MPG better.
Regards,
Dusty
Regards,
Dusty
My truck is a 2wd so that makes a big difference compared to your 4x4. Is your Hemi a Magnum or just a regular Hemi? I think the Magnum hemis have 16 spark plugs 8 of which are 30k mile plugs, meaning they needed to be replaced 39k ago based on you mileage.
Good luck
Chris
I think you'll find that your Ram has a 3.21 axle ratio. The available ratios in the 2009-2010 Ram 1500s are 3.21, 3.55, 3.92, and 4.10 (RT only).
Did the twenty-inch wheels come from the factory as a package, or were they after market? With that axle ratio and twenty-inch wheels, that 5.7 in your truck must be turning real slow RPMs at any speed.
Best regards,
Dusty
This compares very favorably to my '03 Dakota Sport Club Cab, 4.7 with automatic and 3.55 LSD. At this mileage the Dakota was giving me 16.4 MPG average. So it looks like I'm actually doing better with the Ram. However, the Dakota was much snappier off the line.
Regards,
Dusty
Rochester, NY, to Gettysburg, PA, averaged 20.4. Had rain most of the way and four road construction slow-downs.
Gettysburg back to Rochester, got 21.7 on the tank.
These were computed the old fashioned way, using gas slip (gallons) and pencil and paper. The EVIC readings were 0.20 MPG off going to Gettysburg, 0.30 coming back.
Not bad considering the mountainous geography.
Regards,
Dusty
.5.7 hemi and 410 rear end. I have had no luck getting better milage.
A change of spark plugs / air filter may help (if its been 30K+) since your last change outs but at $400 (+or-) to do it, it will take a lot of extra mileage to make it back up. The 09s & 10s get better mileage than the earlier models by the way and increased horsepower too..
My son bought a used '03 Ram 1500 two-wheel drive conventional cab, short box with the 5.7 (no MDS). He seemed to get no better than 15.5 or so. After a year he had a check engine light come on and traced in down to one of the upstream O2 sensors. After replacing the sensor his gas mileage jumped to over 17 MPG. I talked to a Dodge technicial who said he finds the O2 sensors on older 5.7s go out of range after they get 60,000 or so miles on them. Might be worth anyone with an older Ram to check out.
Starting in 2009 the 5.7s got fuel shutoff besides the MDS. This shuts off fuel to the injectors during periods when the vehicle is in the deaccelleration mode.
By the way, just for comparison the honest Chevy/GMC and Ford owners I talk to indicate gas mileage in the range of 18-20 on the GM 1500s, to 14-18 on the F-150 series. Even if I was getting less, the power from the new 390 HP 5.7s just blow the Fords and GMs away.
Best regards,
Dusty
been looking at different websites for MPG and have read anything from 11mpg to 17mpg. I know it's a large engine and there are modifications for some models that can be made. Anyone have an honest range of MPG for this truck? or anything I can do to help out the MPG?
Thanks!!
As to your new diesel, nonhighway driving in combination with winter/cold conditions will kill any vehicle mileage. It's not just the extended warmup time, but fluids are thicker - axle grease, etc. - so the engine works harder in colder weather. I have found that my truck coasts surprisingly well, so whenever possible I let off the gas early and coast to stop signs and red lights. The HEMI, like most new vehicles, shuts off ALL fuel flow during coasting, so coasting to a stop can make a big difference
This was acknowledged to use more fuel, but the improvements in emissions and noise were deemed reasonable trade-offs. I had a 1996 12-valve and I had to shut it down at drive-thru speakers... my 2005 isn't much louder than a gasoline engine at warm idle and I can easily be heard without the need to turn off the engine.
In response to the fuel economy claims, Dodge began offering a 3.42 axle ratio which helps some over the 3.73 and 4.10. With the next engine upgrade (likely to take on the revamped Ford and GM diesels), you may see Dodge match the competition with axles as numerically low as 3.21... this allows the engine to turn much slower in most situations and allows the torque to move loads (instead of needing the more aggressive axle ratios to multiply torque output).
kcram - Pickups/Wagons Host