Been poking around here quite a bit lately checking up on things. I have a 2008 ram 1500 Big Horn w/the 20" rims and 265/60/20 setup. I have read quite a bit on improving mpg, tuner, diy cai, exhaust all improve performance and improved mpg is a byproduct of that.

I'm currently getting around 11.5-12 in town, not enough time on the highway for a solid reading. I also must confess that w/the 4-5 tanks that I've run through her has been 85/87 octane fuel...will running 93 help?

My grandfather has an 08 ram 1500 w/the 17" rim combo and he is getting 15+ around town. I know that the rims are heavier but certainly not to that degree. What are some things I can look at to improve mpg? Will the tuner and diy CAI be the cheaper fixes and help improve?

TIA, and great site

 

I get about the same as well.. but hey, its smiles per gallon IMO

 

I can let you know on the diy cai here in a week or so. Just put one in my 2006 yesterday and will see how it does this week. I also have the Big Horn edition with the 20 inch rims running 275/60R20. In just the little bit of running around in town I've done so far seems to be getting about 14.5 mpg but that is very little run time.

 

i would be happy i get about 8 or 9 on my 04

lol maybe cause i hit it every time i stop

 

You need to be running 89 octane minimum anyway. The book might say 87 is ok and 89 is recommended, but everybody I know who has blown an engine has primarily run 87 octane.

I would say a good tune-up, switching to all synthetic lubes, ditching the heavy a$$ 20" wheels, going with 89 octane and most importantly, driving like grandpa will probably get you the 2-3 mpgs to get you up to where grandpa is...

 

The wheels kill you. In the manual having the 20 inch wheel will lower your towing by a 1000 pounds due to the power they rob. Intakes and cat backs help with MPG a little but if thats all you want then just save the 500 bucks and that'll help your fuel bill.

 

Ditching the 20" rims I wouldn't mind but I like the looks of the larger setup. Maybe 17" rims w/33 nittos...would that help?

 

Not really. You are changing from a heavy rim to a heavy tire thats a little bit bigger so it would be about the same.

 

Also....what is the gear ratio difference in the SLT and Big Horn? I am reading that the SLT has 3.55 and the Big Horn has 3.92..that would definitely drop the mpg....

 

It all depends what was ordered. From the picture it looks like its 4wd. So its probably the 3.92s. On these trucks with the 5 spd auto has basically 2 overdrives. So having a deep set of gears allows it to use them both without downshifting. Most people get better mpg with deeper gears.