I am ready to buy the 09' Dodge Ram 1500, But i have some questions.
Professional
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
I've got a 2009 1500SLT with Hemi and love the truck. As noted by others, if the truck doesn't have a Hemi, it won't have MDS. I find the MDS does help mileage, but if you have a heavy foot the MDS is only going to activate when you're off the gas. My cruise control works perfectly and I haven't noticed any effect from the MDS on it. My truck now has 75,000 km on it (about 46,000 miles) and it rides great, no squeaks or rattles inside, loads of power, great for towing my boat. Really no issues as yet except I had the sway bar links replaced. Tie rods were replaced under warranty. My other vehicle is a 7-Series BMW...and I drive the RAM 95% of the time by choice.
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: BC
I have aftermarket exhaust and MDS. Do NOT be fooled for one minute that whenthe ECO light is on,the MDS is on. It isn't. With my exhaust you can clearly hear the MDS kick in a while after the light somes on and it kicks out a good chunk before the light turns off. It isn't on as much as you would think....
Mileage sucks for the most part, but I play with the Hemi and hell, it's a big mother of a truck. You get what you get and no one has a rig with similar power getting amazing mileage.
Mileage sucks for the most part, but I play with the Hemi and hell, it's a big mother of a truck. You get what you get and no one has a rig with similar power getting amazing mileage.
Amateur
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Im in vermont. Mountains everywhere. Best mpg aveges on a 1 hr drive, mts and highway, ive done 20.4 on a trip and 19.4 from another. Pretty good but i ave 16 if im not trying to save and drive gently. Its the maintenance schedule that you need to worry about. 16 spark plugs every 30000 runs $280. Differentials every 20000. Thats if you use it as a truck. If you use it like a car its less often. 7 quarts of oil aint cheap and i wouldnt put a cheap oil in a hemi. I love my 09. I think its better than my wifes 2010. Quiter and smoother. An 09 st wont have the mds light but it will have mds. Hemi = mds. Rocket ship.
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 441
Likes: 0
From: BC
So this is common? I have 23,000k on my truck now and have had the front and rear diffs completely replaced. Or did you just mean the oil?
Champion
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,563
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Josh....
Do some serious checking BEFORE you pull the trigger on buying it.
Things like: Carfax report, & All service records of previous owner(s)
It would suck buying someone else`s headache, and it DOES happen. Were the oil changes done often..?
As for MPG: 13city/20hiway. Pretty dam good for 400hp & 5,000lbs in my opinion. (chevy & ford dont compare)
I own a 2010 hemi 4x4 quad cab sport, i`m pretty happy for the mpg`s i`m getting. (toyota is the absolute worst in mpg`s)
MDS: some love it, some hate it (50/50 like some have said)
I find it somewhat ok for me. If i dont want it on, i downshift into 5th gear during city driving.
I like it on when i`m on the hiway, i`m getting over 20mpg`s with mine, so i just leave it alone.
Dealer not knowing anything, dosent surprise me, they`re clueless, just like when they`re working on them.
SABERWORKS
Give it some time, your truck is still new and tight.
Mine got ALOTTTTT better after hitting 5,000+ miles.
Either that, or you may need to practice better driveing skills.
It does take some gettin use to, to get good mpg`s out of these trucks.
I coast as much as possible and i`m gettin an easy 20+ mpg out of my truck (Hemi 4x4 quad cab)
Change over to valvoline synthetic oil, K&N air filter. Check your tire pressure often (F&R 40psi)
Good quality gas makes a HUGE difference as well.
Do some serious checking BEFORE you pull the trigger on buying it.
Things like: Carfax report, & All service records of previous owner(s)
It would suck buying someone else`s headache, and it DOES happen. Were the oil changes done often..?
As for MPG: 13city/20hiway. Pretty dam good for 400hp & 5,000lbs in my opinion. (chevy & ford dont compare)
I own a 2010 hemi 4x4 quad cab sport, i`m pretty happy for the mpg`s i`m getting. (toyota is the absolute worst in mpg`s)
MDS: some love it, some hate it (50/50 like some have said)
I find it somewhat ok for me. If i dont want it on, i downshift into 5th gear during city driving.
I like it on when i`m on the hiway, i`m getting over 20mpg`s with mine, so i just leave it alone.
Dealer not knowing anything, dosent surprise me, they`re clueless, just like when they`re working on them.
SABERWORKS
Give it some time, your truck is still new and tight.
Mine got ALOTTTTT better after hitting 5,000+ miles.
Either that, or you may need to practice better driveing skills.
It does take some gettin use to, to get good mpg`s out of these trucks.
I coast as much as possible and i`m gettin an easy 20+ mpg out of my truck (Hemi 4x4 quad cab)
Change over to valvoline synthetic oil, K&N air filter. Check your tire pressure often (F&R 40psi)
Good quality gas makes a HUGE difference as well.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,770
Likes: 1
Besides that, i only run valvoline anyway and the factory MOPAR oil filters.
(USA)Walmart $40 (7qts Valvoline SynPower 5w20) and $5 for the factory oil filter.
Works for me....lol
Now that i think about it, kinda comes out the same for both of us being that you`re in canada, i`m in the usa.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Zion
I have an 09' Ram Bighorn, but no MSD light. I always think about the gas problem, but then when your driving it, that goes away! The truck is so much fun to drive, that it's worth the price of gas alone! I average around 12-13 mpg, but it is mostly city driving. I say if you like the truck, then get it. I truly do love driving mine, and when you want a kick, then step on the right pedal and feel a smile come across your face! 
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I've talked to three friends of mine with 2009 & 2010 Ram 1500s and they seemed to be getting the same results for gas mileage on the 5.7 Hemi. In summer, YTD average was 18.4 MPG on 2010 Ram 1500 Big Horn Quad, two-wheel drive, 3.91 LSD and 20 inch wheels.
If you are looking for a good local price use http://carsabi.com/ They have some nice graphics and statistics about the dealers and the prices
Some hints improve your mileage:try to keep the speed lower then 65MPH, when in the city or burbs, coast up to stop signs and red lights, if you have a remote starter, don't use it - while your truck is warming up it's getting 0MPG, forget about all the claims to improve mileage with air cleaners, exhausts, etc., if any of these were any good, Dodge would have put them on your truck to start with.
If you are looking for a good local price use http://carsabi.com/ They have some nice graphics and statistics about the dealers and the prices
Some hints improve your mileage:try to keep the speed lower then 65MPH, when in the city or burbs, coast up to stop signs and red lights, if you have a remote starter, don't use it - while your truck is warming up it's getting 0MPG, forget about all the claims to improve mileage with air cleaners, exhausts, etc., if any of these were any good, Dodge would have put them on your truck to start with.
