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Improving mpg in the 5.9L? IMPOSSIBLE!
#31
12-19-2011 | 04:43 AM
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: nashville,tn
I must say though everybody keeps saying "if you are worried about mpg why buy a truck?" But what about the guys like me. I use my truck everyday to make a living I couldn't do it with a car and sure as **** not with my feet. But money has slowed down due to winter so every extra mile I get is worth it! So I can completely understand people asking how to get better mileage or if they even can
#32
12-19-2011 | 08:28 AM
Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 8
From: Western NY,
I must say though everybody keeps saying "if you are worried about mpg why buy a truck?" But what about the guys like me. I use my truck everyday to make a living I couldn't do it with a car and sure as **** not with my feet. But money has slowed down due to winter so every extra mile I get is worth it! So I can completely understand people asking how to get better mileage or if they even can
#33
12-19-2011 | 08:29 AM
Champion
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,697
Likes: 3
From: Cape Carteret NC
Just to clarify 4.10 or 4.56 will burn more gas in all around average daily driving conditions...it will be worse on the highway with higher rpm's at any given speed....(you willo have more power transfer to the ground though) now if you have larger than stock tires? yes, you want to pick 4.10 to go with 33's and 4.56 gears with 35" tires..
just to rehash some of the other things mentioned on some of the HUNDREDS of other MPG threads on here...
thermostat,.... there is some talk that a 180 stat will use more gas due to the computer wanting 185 degrees like the factory stat is set for..
o2 sensors... there lots of talk that these can not perform optimumly and still not throw codes... cheap fix $25 on ebay...
check the cat and see if its plugged... you can unscrew the o2 sensor before the cat and if the truck runs better it could be restricting flow....
Plenum gasket could be leaking...usually the truck burn additional oil when this happens ..I recommend a new gasket with shorter bolt and using the factory plate...some recommend spending more for thicker aluminum plate which allows for use or factory bolts (which were reported to be too long by Dodge) your choice.
full tune up usually helps ...even though there no engine light a tuneup sometimes makes a big diffence...
just to rehash some of the other things mentioned on some of the HUNDREDS of other MPG threads on here...
thermostat,.... there is some talk that a 180 stat will use more gas due to the computer wanting 185 degrees like the factory stat is set for..
o2 sensors... there lots of talk that these can not perform optimumly and still not throw codes... cheap fix $25 on ebay...
check the cat and see if its plugged... you can unscrew the o2 sensor before the cat and if the truck runs better it could be restricting flow....
Plenum gasket could be leaking...usually the truck burn additional oil when this happens ..I recommend a new gasket with shorter bolt and using the factory plate...some recommend spending more for thicker aluminum plate which allows for use or factory bolts (which were reported to be too long by Dodge) your choice.
full tune up usually helps ...even though there no engine light a tuneup sometimes makes a big diffence...
this isn't entirely true..
I get a LOT better mileage around town with 4.56:1 than I did with 3.92:1, but it absolutely gets worse on the highway.... I watched the gap close to where there is almost no gap between the two at times.
#34
12-19-2011 | 08:36 AM
Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 8
From: Western NY,
yes thats why I said depending on conditions and weight , but it also depends on driving habits. if you drive on flat land with a light foot 3.55 can deliver better in the city as well... Overall dodge chose the 3.55 gears for stock setup because it delivers the best possible overall gas mileage with available stock drivetrain on a stock truck so....if you have more power than stock than 3.55 gears are even more likely to deliver higher gas mileage.
Last edited by Augiedoggy; 12-19-2011 at 08:39 AM.
#35
12-19-2011 | 09:28 AM
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
From: hickville WI
I must say though everybody keeps saying "if you are worried about mpg why buy a truck?" But what about the guys like me. I use my truck everyday to make a living I couldn't do it with a car and sure as **** not with my feet. But money has slowed down due to winter so every extra mile I get is worth it! So I can completely understand people asking how to get better mileage or if they even can
#36
12-19-2011 | 09:38 AM
Champion
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 8
From: Western NY,
If the trucks really costing you 160 a week (=$640-760 a month) in gas than the smart decision would be to park it except for when your using it for work and hauling and Buy a cheap used 4 banger compact like many of use do here... you would still come out ahead.
#37
12-19-2011 | 10:21 AM
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Anderson, SC
maybe im mistaken, but didn't i recently read a thread about replacing the post cat o2 helps with mpg?
not sure what if any outcome came from it, but:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ml#post2643878
not sure what if any outcome came from it, but:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ml#post2643878
Last edited by blackbeasst; 12-19-2011 at 10:23 AM.
#38
12-19-2011 | 10:25 AM
Rookie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia, Canada
A Believer.
I believe that a wholesale change of all lubricants to synthetic will gain you 1.5. new plugs, wires, rotor and cap. Throw on a new air filter. High flow cat, muffler and pipes.
Now if you start adding on anything else the cost of those add ons will never get your investment back in gas savings. How many tank fills would it take, to say, pay for a new throttle body. Or a cold air intake or a set of headers or a new canned tune? etc.
Unless you are planning keep the truck another 10 years, to get your investment back in savings, don't even go there! Just do the freshen up on the stock goodies and call it a day. Or buy a new HEMI! Surrounded by new DODGE metal.
Now if you start adding on anything else the cost of those add ons will never get your investment back in gas savings. How many tank fills would it take, to say, pay for a new throttle body. Or a cold air intake or a set of headers or a new canned tune? etc.
Unless you are planning keep the truck another 10 years, to get your investment back in savings, don't even go there! Just do the freshen up on the stock goodies and call it a day. Or buy a new HEMI! Surrounded by new DODGE metal.
#39
12-19-2011 | 10:26 AM
Legend
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,024
Likes: 71
From: orangeville ontario
#40
12-19-2011 | 10:35 AM
Legend
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,648
Likes: 6
I must say though everybody keeps saying "if you are worried about mpg why buy a truck?" But what about the guys like me. I use my truck everyday to make a living I couldn't do it with a car and sure as **** not with my feet. But money has slowed down due to winter so every extra mile I get is worth it! So I can completely understand people asking how to get better mileage or if they even can
As I always tell the kids here: Trucks are for hauling cargo, they are not for hauling ***. The best way to increase the fuel economy for a Ram pickup is proper maintenance and to buy a nice, used 4-banger for daily driving.