How do I get more MPG out of my truck?
#1
How do I get more MPG out of my truck?
Hello everyone,
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Hemi. And this thing blows through gas like a Rock Band on coke. I used to get 10-12MPG before I changed out the 20 inch tires for 17 inch BF Good Rich all terrain TA/KO’s which got it up to 15 MPG on a good day. However I would like to get this thing in the 18-25 MPG range. I also have reprogrammed the truck with a Diablo Sport predator and am changing out the filter for a K&N filter.
I will consider r almost anything to get the MPG up so state any ideas that you have.
I look forward to hearing what you guys think,
-Andre
I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4WD Hemi. And this thing blows through gas like a Rock Band on coke. I used to get 10-12MPG before I changed out the 20 inch tires for 17 inch BF Good Rich all terrain TA/KO’s which got it up to 15 MPG on a good day. However I would like to get this thing in the 18-25 MPG range. I also have reprogrammed the truck with a Diablo Sport predator and am changing out the filter for a K&N filter.
I will consider r almost anything to get the MPG up so state any ideas that you have.
I look forward to hearing what you guys think,
-Andre
#4
Stay off the gas pedal! Filled my 05 Hemi Daytona up on the way home from work the other day and reset the mpg meter on the overhead computer. The road home is a 2 lane backroad through the pine barrons on NJ, 55 mph speedlimit, so I just cruised at that speed and stayed light on the gas. At one point the computer was reading over 23 mpg's, settled down to about 22 mpg's, then I hit the light where I needed to make a left turn onto rt 72 east and watched the mpg's tank as I sat there idleing at the red light. By the time I got home after going through town, I was still above 20mpg's, I think it was actually 21.3 or so, but, then driving around town killed it, back down to 16-17mpg's overall. I was very pleased with the slow cruising 55mph mpg's though. My truck is new to me, got it about a month ago, so it is stock, and I'm not sure yet if it needs any filters, fluid changes or spark plugs, taking it to my friends shop this Friday to do some maintenance and also see if we can figure out why the CEL came on twice a few weeks ago, with 2 different codes. The CEL has not come on since, so we suspect a coil pack or wire since the CEL came on while I was driving in the rain. It hasn't rained since that day and the CEL hasn't come on either after we reset the light. Got the onboard co-pilot pludded into the maintenance port, waiting to capture the CEL.
#5
#6
#7
18-25 mpg... Ha this guys funny!!
It's usually pretty big accomplishment if someone averages over 16-18 MPG's in these trucks. The overall weight of the truck and the brick like aerodynamics all add up to poor mileage. keeping up on your routine maintenance (plugs, oil diff, trans, throttle body, tire pressure) will help maximize mileage, but wont get you into the 20 mpg range your looking for.
nateroach
It's usually pretty big accomplishment if someone averages over 16-18 MPG's in these trucks. The overall weight of the truck and the brick like aerodynamics all add up to poor mileage. keeping up on your routine maintenance (plugs, oil diff, trans, throttle body, tire pressure) will help maximize mileage, but wont get you into the 20 mpg range your looking for.
nateroach
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#8
Stay off the gas pedal! Filled my 05 Hemi Daytona up on the way home from work the other day and reset the mpg meter on the overhead computer. The road home is a 2 lane backroad through the pine barrons on NJ, 55 mph speedlimit, so I just cruised at that speed and stayed light on the gas. At one point the computer was reading over 23 mpg's, settled down to about 22 mpg's, then I hit the light where I needed to make a left turn onto rt 72 east and watched the mpg's tank as I sat there idleing at the red light. By the time I got home after going through town, I was still above 20mpg's, I think it was actually 21.3 or so, but, then driving around town killed it, back down to 16-17mpg's overall. I was very pleased with the slow cruising 55mph mpg's though. My truck is new to me, got it about a month ago, so it is stock, and I'm not sure yet if it needs any filters, fluid changes or spark plugs, taking it to my friends shop this Friday to do some maintenance and also see if we can figure out why the CEL came on twice a few weeks ago, with 2 different codes. The CEL has not come on since, so we suspect a coil pack or wire since the CEL came on while I was driving in the rain. It hasn't rained since that day and the CEL hasn't come on either after we reset the light. Got the onboard co-pilot pludded into the maintenance port, waiting to capture the CEL.
#9
I find it amusing that instead of helping people with positive Idea's this site bashes the crap out of you for WANTING to try to get better mileage out of these trucks.
They are heavy, yes, but no heavier than any other trucks on the road. Chevy and Ford are kicking our butts on mileage with just as much weight and power.. There has to be mileage left on the table on these trucks.. Lowering the truck is supposed to get you 1% for every inch you lower it. Add a bed cover for 2-3% more, block of half the grille they only need about half the grille to cool these trucks unless you are pulling a monster trailer through the sahara desert.. Go to a mileage rated tire, like michileans.. Get rid of the CAI, huge grille guards and all the extra crap you have in the bed that is not absolutely needed. even with all that you can only pull 10-15% better mileage, 15% of 15mph is 2.25 so 17.25 is pretty much possible and if ya drive like an old lady you might even see 20 out of one of these beasts..
I personaly have e-fan, magnaflow exhaust, bedcover, sit 2" lower, on 245/70x17 michileans. I have been getting 17 mpg average on 91 octane tune and 16.5 on tow tune.. I drive middle of the road old fart/spirited.
They are heavy, yes, but no heavier than any other trucks on the road. Chevy and Ford are kicking our butts on mileage with just as much weight and power.. There has to be mileage left on the table on these trucks.. Lowering the truck is supposed to get you 1% for every inch you lower it. Add a bed cover for 2-3% more, block of half the grille they only need about half the grille to cool these trucks unless you are pulling a monster trailer through the sahara desert.. Go to a mileage rated tire, like michileans.. Get rid of the CAI, huge grille guards and all the extra crap you have in the bed that is not absolutely needed. even with all that you can only pull 10-15% better mileage, 15% of 15mph is 2.25 so 17.25 is pretty much possible and if ya drive like an old lady you might even see 20 out of one of these beasts..
I personaly have e-fan, magnaflow exhaust, bedcover, sit 2" lower, on 245/70x17 michileans. I have been getting 17 mpg average on 91 octane tune and 16.5 on tow tune.. I drive middle of the road old fart/spirited.
Last edited by Plainbroke; 06-08-2011 at 08:50 PM.
#10
Also, it was mentioned that doing all the proper maintenance such as plugs filters, o2 sensors, etc will help...but if you replace all of that as soon as they lose some efficiency (before the service inteval) how much are you really saving vs at the gas pump...If you don't NEED a truck to haul stuff, then the best solution to better MPG is a vehicle engineered for MPG vs hauling loads