Got back from a 6500 mile round country trip with the Hemi at the beginning of September. I have an 04 QC AWD with 3.92 axel, 28000 miles. We used 485 gal of gas. This was before the $3 a gal crap started. The truck was comfortable as can be on the trip. Pulled the double jet ski trailer and a bed full of gear out to the west coast from Wis. and then south to Phoenix, through Lake Powell and then back to Wis. Right before I left had the oil changed. No problems. Got to Oregon, had oil changed , no problem or nothing said. Most of the trip was at 70-75 mph with AC running. The cruise on the Hemi sucks while towing. The speed will drop 5 mph or more before it will kick down, but when it does it bypasses "D" and heads for "2". Can we say EXPLODE. I have had 4 cyl. with more accurate cruise. I didn't want to loose even more milage by running in "tow/haul" mode for 6500 miles. I got in the habit of hitting the "T/H" button when climbing hills and it seemed to really help. For the really big hills I was off cruise and of course went slower. Found cool feature on tranny. If you engage "T/H" and down shift the trans to low range you can not turn more than 4000 RPM's without applying accelerator. It almost "feels" as if the brakes are applied at that point. If someone knows more about this please chime in.

Fuel Milage was as follows (figured old fashion way, computer was on within 1/2 mpg the whole trip):

89 Octane WI to OR, 87 Octane OR to WI

WI, IL - 14.4
IA, NB, WY, UT - 10.9 and boring
OR - 14.4 with trailer, 15.9 w/o trailer
CA, AZ - 14.1 filled up near Stockton
UT, CO - 14.3
NB, IA, IL, WI - 12.2

Central plains use oxygenated gas and it "sucks", Oregon must use octane boost LOL.

Now for oil change back home and cleanup.
Oil is down 1-1/2 quarts. 5000 miles on the oil. I didn't check the stick when the Dodge dealer in Oregon did the oil (Shame on me). It wouldn't be the first time I have been shorted oil on a change due to the 7 quart need of the Hemi. However, this was a small community dealer and I felt a little more confident in them. Additionally, brake fluid is down 1/2 in. I assume this is due to brake wear (No trailer brakes) from weight and distance. The good news is that I think it is finally broke in. I am getting high 16's for MPG. Removing cost of fuel as factor, I would prefer a diesel.

THE QUESTION??????
Does the Hemi burn oil and has anyone experienced it first hand?



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I neither know of nor have I read of any particular issues in this regard.

However, as you stated, you have no idea what you started with after the "away" oil change. You could well have been a quart low and not know it. Your confidence in "small community dealers" is not well placed, imho. There are as great a proportion of crooks in these locations as elsewhere, especially for a "furner jus' pass'n thru." Did you at least look at your receipt and see what you were charged for (i.e., how many quarts of oil)? But, that might mean squat in your situation since they can write anything.

At this time, I don't think you have reliable enough data to tell what is going on with your truck, if anything.

All the best.

 

Just top it off for now and keep an eye on it. Like Avanti said, there is no gaurantee that there was 7 quarts of oil in it in the first place.

 

Chances are that the dealer that changed your oil probably didn't fill it to the full line, I have been short changed on the oil twice now. I found out that the dealership put an apprentice mechanic to work on my truck.

 

and they dont all take 7qts, i have seen a couple at the dealership that have taken up to 7 1/2qts to be full. but as i can remember, i was told at work that it's normal for the engines to burn a little oil, i think they said less then 1/2qt in 3000 miles i believe, but dont quote me on that either.

 

This might be a stupid question but did you all your engine seals for leaks?

 

Yea, if you determine that you ARE actually burning oil, it would be a rarity. That's one thing I've not heard being an issue with the Hemi, EVER.

 

This is almost a three-year-old thread. He probably doesn't even have the truck anymore. I bet that small-town dealer not only put in too little oil, but the wrong viscosity as well.

 

I'm sure that I read on another forum that Chrysler say that 1-1.5 quarts over 5000 miles, is acceptable???
To who I would ask ???

Chrysler, as they won't then tear into an enigine to replace bits at their expense ???

The oil companies as your using more of their product???

Al.

 

I'm on my third Dodge truck, fourth Mopar product. I've never had one burn (or lose) any oil. My van had 183K on it when the tranny broke. My '01 Gen 2 was approaching 100K when I traded it on the current one. It has 96K and doesn't lose any oil. I've heard that "normal" statement many times, and I think it's BS.