I just purchased my first ram a month ago, it's a 2003 Ram 1500, 4x4, Regular Cab, Short Bed, with the 4.7, and it's automatic. The truck is great but the gas mileage isn't, for 60-100 miles last week I averaged 7.5 mpg. I changed the spark plugs, air filter, and did an oil change with Mobil 1 synthetic. All that and the average went up to 9.2mpg. The tires are new(stock size street tread), balanced, and properly inflated. If I drive down the major route up here (50mph and no stops) I am able to get to 11mpg with cruise control on. Furthermore at 65mph on the highway with cruise control I get seem to get over 14mpg. It's not my driving style either I haven't revved the truck past 3k rpm for two weeks, I don't have quick starts or sudden stops, still no change.

Is there anything that I can do before bringing it to a dealer? For an engine of this size it should be doing a bit better on gas, my f150 beater with the 5.0 gets 18mpg.

 

How many miles are on it? I thinkI just got past the break-in point on my truck. I was getting low 13 city high 14 hwy when I got it and now I'm around low 15 city and close to 20 hwy. I also don't baby it either. But I got mine new in November of '06.

 

Some of your our problem is this D^m winter gas .And then they had to force us to use ethenol besides. When we had MTBE in our gas it wasn't this bad. But there's nothing we can do about it. Starting around March 15th is should start tro get better. and by April 15 it should really be better. Acouplke of things you can do. First if your using 87 octance gas ,add some 89 to it. Not a lot but whn your down to the 3/4 mark get some 89.Chrysler never did run real good on streight 87 in the winter. Also pump up your tire's to 40 pounds. Soft tires mean pour mileage. .