It's a 2004 dodge ram 1500 with a hemi and 80,000 miles. Granted I didn't buy it for the gas mileage but given that internet sources tell me that from the factory it got 14 in the city and 19 on the highway I could assume to get 15-17 mpg with mixed driving. However I'm only getting 13.5 mpg.

I have stock air box with new paper filter and original exhaust and I would like to keep it that way. I just flushed the tranny with 15 fresh quarts. I also took off the intake duct work and found lots of brown goo on the throttle plate which I cleaned up. Before I replaced the filter I found brown goo on top of the old filter where the air return line comes in. Is this normal?

I'm thinking it could be plugs, wires, o2 sensors, pcv valve, possibly egr related due to common issues with these hemi's. Am i missing anything? Does anyone have any advice?

I currently have no check engine codes coming up.

 

Well, I have to say, when I saw the title of this thread I literally laughed pretty hard for a few seconds. I mean, there is not one person here that is getting GOOD mileage. But yeah, yours is a bit rough.

I can't say I can diagnose your problem, but the brown goo is no mystery. That air return line can send oil mist from the crankcase back into the system. It will build up on things over time. It is fairly normal.

 

ya looks like your on the right track, i would suggest using oem copper core plugs

 

Yeah, I'm thinking NGK V-Powers or Champion coppers. Is there any performance difference between the oem wires and these taylor shorty wires I've been hearing about?

 

mine is 11.5, i would be exstatic if I was getting 13+

 

13.5 is good for around town. Keep in mind you have an 04. Others who claim the fame to better mileage in town usually have a smaller engine or 06+ where they have MDS.

At stock mine always got 12 +/- and I have an 04 2wd HEMI also.

However, there are many threads out here on the board that cover what can be done (or try) to get better mileage.

As for 13.5 in a 04 HEMI driving in town, sorry to say I see nothing wrong.

 

I get about 12.5 mpg in combo driving on my truck, so by my standards, you are doing fine.

However, there is NO better way to assure that you are getting the best fuel economy possible is to keep up on maintenance at ALL the recommended intervals. Also, periodically check your tire pressure, it's amazing how much low air in even one tire can effect your mpgs...

 

I get around 14mpg in town. Was getting 12 with the 35's and lifted. However I run 5w20 Mobile 1 synth, plugs have less than 500 miles on them, Have a E-fan, and a CAI.

I can pull 20mpg on the highway if I don't touch the gas and set cruise to 68mph which seems to be a sweet spot for my truck. If I find a semi thats doing that and draft him, I have seen as much as 22mpg.

 

wow really that something i should try i get 13.4 on a 07 quad cab 1500 4x4 granted i put aftermarket parts in

 

im getting 11 +/- i haven't seen 13mpg in a while but i am rarely on the highway for a long period of time if i got the wind going the right way on the highway i can about 18mpg