This is my first Dodge vehicle, I've always owned Chevy but the new styling of the 09 Ram won me over. The only thing I'm having a hard time adjusting to is the MPG. My 04 Silverado would average 14-15 MPG on my daily commute to work. With my 09 Ram I can barely get over 11 MPG. I just filled last night. The computer said 11.5 and the hand calculation came out to be 11.3. I even drive more conservative with the Ram than I did with my Silverado. I live about 3 miles out of town on 55 MPH highway and have about 3 miles of in town driving with about 10-12 stoplights. I sure hope this is part of the break-in period and cold weather. I doesn't seem like much, but I figured at this rate it will cost me an additional $500 - $800 a year in gas. Sure, I have more horsepower now, but not anymore towing ability than I had before. Why have all the horsepower if I can't even use it. Definately something to consider when making a new purchase.

 

I quess you have the 5.7 hemi, not the smaller v/8?
I live in Dallas, I am on my 2nd tank , 517 miles .... looks like about 16.5 combo Dallas traffic stop and go and then go for a while .

Strectch its legs a bit let the fuel saver come on see what happens
Curtis

 

Historically, Dodge will get about 2 mpg less than Chevy or Ford. It has been that way for 50 years. I don't know in the MDS world if that will change or not. I have one of the higher mileage 09s on the forum. I have 7K miles on mine. In combo driving about 60% highway, I am getting about 16.5 mpg. On the highway, I get 20-21. I am very happy with the mileage at this point. I have a 2004 Silverado and a 2003 Yukon and they get about the same. My 02 Quadcab with the 4.7 would only get about 15.3 on the same route where the 09 is getting 16.5. For a truck its size, 20 on the highway is pretty dang good IMO. Once you get about 25K miles on it, you will see your expected mileage in the future. I will say that if you hotdog a hemi in town, you will really drop your mileage especially if you have the 3.21 gearing.

 

Does the 3.55 gearing get better gas mileage then the 3.92?

 

I have a 99' ram with the 5.2 magnum (manual), lifted, i go easy on it but i only get around 8-12 mpg...

 

Yes, I have the 5.7 hemi with MDS but no fuel saver light. I bought the truck in February but it must be an early release.

 

First thing I would do is inflate your front tires to the max recommended pressure on the sidewalls. Ignore the label on the doorjamb of the truck, and go with what the tire manufacturer says. I would not inflate the rears that high unless you carry heavy stuff a lot. I'd back the rears down about 15 or 20 lbs below max recommended.

What is your tire pressure now? That can make a HUGE difference in mileage, especially if it's the front tires that are underinflated.

Do this and check mileage again. If it's still terrible then take the truck to the dealer and find out what's wrong with it-these truck shouldn't be getting that bad mileage unless you're driving the hell out of it.

 

I wrote at great length about gearing and gas mileage. I don't remember the thread, but try search.

To answer your question, on flat highway, the 3.55 will get maybe .25 mpg better. There are several factors mentioned in the other thread such as grades, towing etc that will actually make the 3.92 get better mileage than higher gears.

 

I second that. In fact, we swapped the 3.92 rearend out of my wife's '05 and replaced it with a 3.55 axle (long story, helping a friend get better gears for drag racing). The mileage seemed to get worse everywhere by the overhead, not just in town. Her truck had the 20" BBY option (Bling Bling Yo), which probably didn't help.

So no, I'd say that 3.55's for normal driving are probably no advantage over 3.92's.

 

maybe you are using "winter fuel" it makes a difference...