Hello,

I bought a 98 Dodge Ram 1500 quad cab 2WD not too long ago and I estimate that I only get about 12 miles per gallon. Is that average? I drive about 70% highway and 30% in town driving.

The check engine light is on and it says that there is a cylinder 8 misfire. I have an appointment next week to get a tune up. Will this help the milage?

I really thought these kinds of trucks got about 17 mpg on the highway....

 

Ask the mechanic to check the plenum gasket, that's probably the number one cause of crappy gas mileage, and very well could be the reason for your cylinder 8 misfire.

 

Dbl post.

 

+1... the cat and the o2 sensor will be shot also most likely.

 

But even with all that stuff in good working order, I wouldn't be expecting much over 15-16 MPG, even with a 2 wheeler... Dodges bring the suck in the MPG department.

 

yup i agree, best thing to start with is the plenum...they cause cyl.8 misfires, and like zman said, if it has contaminated the #8 cyl, then the CAT and 02 sensors probably have a build up of carbon as well....getting these done, with a full tune should help a little...

you bought a truck...trucks arent the most gas friendly vehicles....mine gets 13-15 city mpgs, thats with a 5.9L 4x4, done all the common problem fixes, plus alot more, ive put about 7K into my truck the past year.....

you do alot of highway driving too i see....those numbers are low IMO if its that much highway...i can get to my parents house in maine (284 miles) on a half a tank, and i have the smaller tank, the 26 gallon

 

I drove 70% on the interstate one time a few months ago during a full tank test and I was getting 18.3 miles per gallon...I drove in the interstate after I did a lil launches in town Thanks to the 2wd and 3.55's!!

 

The 318's do a bit better. Except in my '83 Ramcharger. I get 8 (35's with 3.23's and a tired motor). Of course, my 440-powered Aspen coupe with a quick-fuel 850 CFM gets 18 hwy, due in no small part to 2.73 gears and 225/70R14's. Kinda like an overdrive tranny with no 1st gear. lol.

But 12 city/15 hwy is pretty normal for a 360. And the hwy MPG will drop if you're trying to push upwards of 65 MPH. These trucks aren't much more aerodynamic than a refrigerator.

 

lol nice analogy

 

I always liked the aerodynamic shape of the old international pick ups. They even kind of look like refrigerators. Would be cool to see one get that smoke blown over it in a wind tunnel.