04.5 M.p.g.

[CAgnoli]

I've seen 17. 68 (Hand Calc) for my best (first) tank. To be fair, after I crossed the 1000 mile mark, I got a little happy with the throttle, and increased my speed to 75mph.



I've got 1/2 tank left on the current tank with 1777 on the truck. I'm going to burn through this and go back to my easy driving.



I've got a 97 mile commute every day, averaging 70mph, so hopefully, I'll see it climb to 19. 5 or so. (Not that I'm complaining, I can't believe how agile it is for something that weighs 7000 lbs... . )



I'll keep ya posted. I fill up every two and a half days.



BTW- 2004. 5 3500 QC 4x4 "600" Auto 3:73 Gears.

 

[MVaden]

I should have included this info in the last post. The friend that owns the landscape co. not only has the two 04. 5's but he has two 99 CTD's, one 00 CTD and one 01 CTD.



In the four older trucks he says he average's right at 16 mpg pulling 7 to 8K trailers behind all four. All four of the trucks have automatic transmissions and are quad cab 2 wheel drive.



The two 04. 5's are getting 7. 5 and 10 mpg and are pulling the same trailers. They are also 2 wheel drive auto's and are quad cabs. Both trucks have about 7000 miles on them so far and they are exactly the same down to the color.



BTW this guy is a huge Dodge fan and is the guy who talked me into trying Dodge. I love everything about my new truck except the low mpg.

 

[JWerkheiser]

I just got off the phone with a Cummins customer service rep at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). I asked him whether Cummins and Dodge are concerned about it and if they are going to do anything about it. He said they are looking into it but he has no further information. I encourage everyone to call them and Chrysler as well to let them know what you think. Might make a difference!

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by JWerkheiser

I just got off the phone with a Cummins customer service rep at 1-800-DIESELS (1-800-343-7357). I asked him whether Cummins and Dodge are concerned about it and if they are going to do anything about it. He said they are looking into it but he has no further information. I encourage everyone to call them and Chrysler as well to let them know what you think. Might make a difference!

I just called. I told them I just sold my '99 and was going to order a new truck but decided not to because of the MPG issues. The rep told me that this wasn't a problem with all 04. 5's but they have received some reports on some of them having MPG issues. He said the reports have been passed on to the engineering team to determine if it's a porblem with the motor, the truck, or just a result of people's driving style with the 325/600. I asked him why would a '04 with 305/555 get 18mpg brand new on the highway and the '04. 5 325/600 get 13mpg on the same stretch of flat level road? He didn't have a clear answer. I said 'so you have at least acknowledged there's a problem' and he agreed, but said since the warranty is provided by Dodge, you would have to take the MPG issues up with them. I asked how I could stay up on the latest MPG info from their engineering department, for instance, could a list be created with those concerned about the problem so that info could be released when the problem was identified and fixed... he said "no, try calling back in a month or two and see where we're at with it".



Well, looks like I'll be fixing that old Toyota layin in my yard with the hole in the block... I need SOME kind of truck while I'm waiting for them to get this together.

 

[JWerkheiser]

Yeah - the only thing they changed was the engine between the '04 and '04. 5, so I don't think that would be too hard for them to isolate. Now, once they get into the engine, that might be a different story. I bet they will figure it out, I just hope I don't go broke first buying fuel!

 

[thames1948]

We will have to wait to see if the word gets out and it hits them in the pocket book like it's hitting me when sales fall off because I can't imagine anyone that knows the mpg's ahead of time would plunk down hard earned cash for one. Then maybe they will come out with a fix. It just sucks I had to find out the hard way

 

[MVaden]

I just called the # listed in a previous post (1-800-343-7357) and talked to a customer service rep. and he told me that Cummins engineers had predicted the drop in fuel milage due to the new emissions setup for the 04. 5. He said that Dodge was informed of this from the start. He also informed me that the Cummins engineers are looking into it to see if there is any way to improve the milage issues.

 

[JWerkheiser]

That's discouraging.

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by MVaden

I just called the # listed in a previous post (1-800-343-7357) and talked to a customer service rep. and he told me that Cummins engineers had predicted the drop in fuel milage due to the new emissions setup for the 04. 5.

Then why in the world does all their publicity paperwork rant and rave about the new INCREASED EFFICIENCY of the new Cummins 600? If they indeed knew ahead of time the efficiency would be LOWER and still proceeded to brag about it being BETTER, I think a lawsuit is in order... something to the affect of them offsetting new owners fuel costs to the tune of 3-4mpg... how about 4 cents per mile driven until they come up with a fix.



On the other hand, what's up with the EPA? Don't those morons realize that reducing emissions is only half the battle? What about the effects of 100000 truck owners burning 30% more fuel for the same number of miles? Ugh I hate this crap.

 

[OHale]

I am very curious if anyone with a 600 whose catalytic converter "fell off" is seeing a significant change in fuel mileage?



Any input would be welcome... ...

 

[PKitchen]

I think the best solution at this point is to flood Dodge/Cummins (Dodge customer service, dealers, Cummins) with as many complaints as possible. I just sent this e-mail message to Dodge customer service:



Dear Dodge Customer Service,



People I know who own Dodge Ram trucks with the Cummins diesel engine have recommended the truck to me. They rave about how the fuel economy of these trucks is so much better than the diesel trucks offered by GM and Ford. Based on these recommendations, I ordered myself a new 2004. 5 Dodge Ram 2500 SLT QuadCab 4x4 with the Cummins diesel engine.

Now I hear reports that Cummins had to reduce the fuel economy of the diesel engine in order to meet 2004 emission regulations. Many of the fuel economy reports I am seeing put the Dodge below the competing trucks from GM and Ford. The main reason I ordered my Dodge truck was because of the "famed" Cummins fuel economy. Now that the fuel economy of the Cummins engine is at or below the competitors, the main reason for getting this truck is lost. Unless Dodge/Cummins have plans to fix this fuel economy problem, I will cancel my Dodge truck order and reconsider the offerings from the competitors. I'd rather it didn't come to this but unless the fuel economy problem is going to be fixed, then I have no choice. Please advise as soon as possible so that I know how to proceed.

 

[MVaden]

Great e-mail PKitchen! I agree, instead of us trying to figure out what WE need to do with our brand new trucks at our time and expense, lets put the pressure on DC to get a fix for this problem.



The great milage was one of the reasons I bought the truck.

 

[ceastmen]

Originally posted by thejeepdude

On the other hand, what's up with the EPA? Don't those morons realize that reducing emissions is only half the battle? What about the effects of 100000 truck owners burning 30% more fuel for the same number of miles? Ugh I hate this crap.

Agreed, they lost sight of the solution!



I'm going to call and see what can be done, as MVaden has. I would encourage other 04. 5 owners to do the same. Nothing will happen if there isn't any action taken by the owners.



Call!



Thanks guys, good info!

 

[ceastmen]

My e-mail to DC, I'll try to post a response if I get one.



Dear Dodge Customer Service,



I recently purchsed a 2004. 5 2500 4x4, quad cab, long bed, with the 48RE Auto and the Cummins "600".



I was expecting the fuel economy to be in the 17-18 MPG range (I do mostly (80%) highway driving EMPTY), instead it's around 14. 5 which I consider to be very poor for a Cummins turbo diesel.



I say this because my father and brother have previous generation Dodge diesels (both comparable to mine) and, even when new and not broken in, they got 17 - 18 MPG immediately, and mileage improved over time.



I'm now hearing reports that Cummins had to reduce the fuel economy of the diesel engine in order to meet emissions regulations. Many of the fuel economy reports I am seeing put the Dodge below the competing trucks from GM and Ford. The main reasons I ordered my Dodge truck was fuel economy, power, and reliability. Now that the fuel economy of the Cummins engine is at or below the competitors, one of the the main reasons for purchasing this truck is lost. It also seems to have significantly less power than the previous generation Cummins diesels, how is this possible with the new ratings of 325 hp / 600 lb. ft. rating?



The truck runs ok and is excellent in every other aspect. Is there any course of action I should take?



Please advise on how to proceed.



Thank you.

Sincerely,

Eric P. Eastment

 

[thames1948]

Could someone post the e-mail address that your sending to.

thanks

 

[Udaloy]

How is it that only some people are reporting bad mileage, and others are reporting good to exceptional mileages? What's the common denominator? My '02 averages 16 MPG, but I think it's because I have 3. 55 gears and 35'' tires. I'm flying down the expressway before I get going, if you know what I mean. That, and I have to give it a fair amount of throttle to keep up with traffic.



I don't see how it's possible to have a more efficient engine, and make worse numbers. I'm interested in this topic because I'm looking at buying a '600' soon.

 

[PKitchen]

No actual e-mail address was provided on Dodge's web site. Instead they have a form you can fill out. Go here to send a message to Dodge customer assistance:



http://www.dodge.com/wccsapp/univer...orms/us/webform.jsp&promotion=null&category=U

 

[OHale]

Okay, here's the plan:



1. You guys swamp DC with email,



2. I and I alone take the CC off my truck when it gets in!



3. Exactly one year from now you post your miles-per-gallon and I post mine. Then we compare.



I just knew teamwork would solve the problem!

 

[DLeno]

I made an intertesting (ok, interesting to me) comment regarding the fuel economy consequences of the new 600 in the "305 vs CAT 325" thread. I just wonder if I'm completely out there or if there's something valid here.

 

[MVaden]

OHale, sorry we kinda skipped over your question. I do not know any one who has taken the cat off of a new 600.



I talked to guys at a diesel performance shop in Dallas and they said it should improve milage by removing the cat. They also think that it was stupid of Dodge to put the cat on the Cummins in the first place.



Having said that, it is illegal to remove the cat and will also void your warranty, at least thats what I have been told.