Carnivalworker, we dropped our cash on these trucks because it was basically the same truck as the 03 and 04 with the same great cummins that we have had previously, I didnt expect in any way to be unhappy going from a 95 cummins 5spd to a 325/600 6spd, in my particular truck I just dont see where the all that power and if I had that feeling of all that extra power over my previous truck I wouldnt complain about 13 mpg
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04.5 mileage ridiculous
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I moved up from a '93 2500 with a five speed to a 3500 with six speed. The power increase is very noticeable even though the '93 had a 4. 10 rear end and the '04. 5 has 3. 73. The '93 had been modified and would make black smoke if I wasn't easy on the throttle until the turbo spooled up, still would smoke a little after that. I got around 17-18 mpg in the '93 and am getting 16-17 mpg on the new one. Figures hand calculated and about 1-2 mpg greater than the overhead console. Just over 1200 miles on the 2004. 5.
Steve
I just got back from the dealer and the tech told me they are not required to give me the reflash and tsb's are not for my truck because everything ck out ok. But he also says 12 mpg is not normal. Either way it don't look good for my wallet
I guess 2400 miles isn't enough for improvment.
I guess 2400 miles isn't enough for improvment.
Vaughn MacKenzie
TDR MEMBER
That's your problem: running RPM like that your MPG really takes a dive! The more you run over 2200 RPM the faster it sucks it down.
Sounds like you are pulling some pretty good grades at a healthy clip. If you're pulling hard and cranking RPM then yeah it's going to suck fuel.
What rear end do you have? Are you running high RPM because it's really steep? Put it in 6th and run around 2000 RPM, or slow down.
Vaughn
Vaughn, I realize that running it hard at high rpms will suck the fuel and I don't figure fuel mileage on tanks with those hard runs. I've been running it hard like that to break this sucker in as that is supposedly the answer to fuel economy woes. Alot of my miles have been through your country all towing a horse trailer - over the Blues, rolling hills of SE Oregon and Washington, interstate miles at interstate speeds, etc.
I'm used to gettting down the road maintaining the speed limit easily with my old truck... you don't even want to know the fuel mileage calculations when I try to maintain those speeds with the new ride.
I'm used to gettting down the road maintaining the speed limit easily with my old truck... you don't even want to know the fuel mileage calculations when I try to maintain those speeds with the new ride.
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Something is definitely not right with your truck or else I just got lucky again. Just did my 3rd fillup. 220 miles, 12. 4 gals_ 17. 74mpg. My first tank was 16. 47, 2nd tank 16. 17. I've got 650 miles on it and all numbers are hand calc. This tank was 2/3 hiway 45-65 and 1/3 town.
DGFoster,
My 555 is getting what I consider to be exceptional mileage (2 mpg better than my '01 ETC auto). Just got back from a 500mi highway trip. Speed was 50-60 mph and I got 20. 2 mpg. Truck was mostly empty, just myself and some tools.
Dave
My 555 is getting what I consider to be exceptional mileage (2 mpg better than my '01 ETC auto). Just got back from a 500mi highway trip. Speed was 50-60 mph and I got 20. 2 mpg. Truck was mostly empty, just myself and some tools.
Dave
MILEAGE
My first hand calc was 17. 5 50/50 hwy & city!Oo.
My first hand calc was 17. 5 50/50 hwy & city!Oo.
Like most of the responders with 325/600's I am getting really bad mileage. Averageing around 15 MPG empty, combined highway and town driving. Took it back to the dealer with 600 miles and was told they could do nothing. ot improved. Now have 2800 and mileage has nMy 03 standard output got 18 to 21 MPG. I am wondering if the poor mileage has anything to do with the High Output version. Hope things get better, this thing is eating me out of house and home.
2004 3500 Quad Cab automatic long bed dualie
2004 3500 Quad Cab automatic long bed dualie
Mine is doing good
I just returned from a road trip with my truck, here's the results.
455 miles driven, 70% highway between 60-73 mph. Returned home and filled up at the same station to the same point in the fill tube. Took 24. 6 gallons, which makes for 18. 495 mpg. Overhead said 18. 4, I didn't think it would be that close. I love my 600.
I just returned from a road trip with my truck, here's the results.
455 miles driven, 70% highway between 60-73 mph. Returned home and filled up at the same station to the same point in the fill tube. Took 24. 6 gallons, which makes for 18. 495 mpg. Overhead said 18. 4, I didn't think it would be that close. I love my 600.
Just got back from a 4300 mile trip from CA to Alabama pulling a 24ft fiver weighing in at about 6500lb. Total combined weight of 13800 lb. Learned alot trying to squeeze as many miles out of a gallon of fuel.
On the flat with no head wind I got (from overhead over a distance of 5 miles)
1. 15 mpg at 55mph
2. 14. 2 at 60mph
3. 12. 4 at 65mph
4 11 at 70mph
Now throw in a head wind or a grade then all bets are off. With a 20 to 30 mph head wind I experienced a 2-3mpg drop and with an increase in grade I lost about 1mpg with every % increase in grade. It's super going down hill. Hit 80mpg with the overhead once! The up and down hills don't average out, I always lost.
With the cruise on, it will pull any hill and pass everyone but I did pay a price for that ego. $$$$ in fuel. Learned to not leave it in cruise in hilly country and to let it slow down some on the hills unless I see a Ford.
I found that the best is to keep it between 1700-1800 rpms, pick up speed going down hills and slow down going up hills. I may have more time on my hands to go so slow but $2. 15 per gallon in California is a motivator. Paid $1. 48 in Arkansas.
I too got 13mpg new with no load. Haven't checked lately with no load because I have towed the last 5600 miles but am eager to check. I said that I would be happy with 18 when I bought the truck. Got everything bad for fuel mileage on the truck except 4:10.
Just about have 8K miles on her now. Not a lick of trouble. Runs great and my wife even likes it. (except when she is mad at me) She can see more of the world up there.
This my first diesel and been smiling ever since I got her (truck) except when I have to put that green colored nozzle in her.
On the flat with no head wind I got (from overhead over a distance of 5 miles)
1. 15 mpg at 55mph
2. 14. 2 at 60mph
3. 12. 4 at 65mph
4 11 at 70mph
Now throw in a head wind or a grade then all bets are off. With a 20 to 30 mph head wind I experienced a 2-3mpg drop and with an increase in grade I lost about 1mpg with every % increase in grade. It's super going down hill. Hit 80mpg with the overhead once! The up and down hills don't average out, I always lost.
With the cruise on, it will pull any hill and pass everyone but I did pay a price for that ego. $$$$ in fuel. Learned to not leave it in cruise in hilly country and to let it slow down some on the hills unless I see a Ford.
I found that the best is to keep it between 1700-1800 rpms, pick up speed going down hills and slow down going up hills. I may have more time on my hands to go so slow but $2. 15 per gallon in California is a motivator. Paid $1. 48 in Arkansas.
I too got 13mpg new with no load. Haven't checked lately with no load because I have towed the last 5600 miles but am eager to check. I said that I would be happy with 18 when I bought the truck. Got everything bad for fuel mileage on the truck except 4:10.
Just about have 8K miles on her now. Not a lick of trouble. Runs great and my wife even likes it. (except when she is mad at me) She can see more of the world up there.
This my first diesel and been smiling ever since I got her (truck) except when I have to put that green colored nozzle in her.
Here's the e-mail I received back from Cummins on that topic.
Thanks for your Email message.
Since we build the diesel engines for Dodge and they supply all the other components to build the trucks, we are not in a position to speak for Dodge on expected MPG figures on Dodge trucks and we have been advised that Dodge does not publish figures for the diesel powered trucks. Keep in mind that newer model trucks get heavier and a new vehicle will typically not do well in fuel economy tests.
We know how much fuel the engine will burn, under full load, on the engine dynamometer, which is measured in pounds per horsepower hour, but when the engine is installed into a chassis, those figures no longer apply, due to the various chassis components. Cummins is unable to troubleshoot fuel mileage (MPG) problems on Dodge trucks. All Dodge truck warranties are handled by Dodge.
The engine in the new truck is very new and the piston rings have not had a chance to "seat" yet and some cylinder pressure is getting by the rings into the crankcase, which is what we call "blowby". After you get 500 - 1000 or so miles on it, the engine needs to be "worked" to create some cylinder temperature. If the engine is operated with only light loading, it can take up to 30,000 miles to "seat" the piston rings and this will also affect the fuel consumption rate of the engine. "Seated rings improves combustion characteristics in the cylinder and all the fuel is burned more completely.
There are several variables involved that relate to fuel mileage and since the engine is only one part of the equation, it is very difficult to predict mpg on any specific vehicle. There are several factors such as winter fuel blending, rpm, MPH speed, wind, aerodynamics, load, rear axle ratio, tire size, 4x4, driver habits, etc. , that really have more affect on MPG, than the engine. For optimum fuel economy in a diesel powered vehicle, the engine should be operated about midway between rated speed and peak torque rpm and the vehicle speed should 55 to 65 MPH.
Duallies and 4x4 chassis usually have worse MPG than 4x2 single wheel models. The least desirable combination for fuel economy, would be a 4x4 dually with 4. 53 or higher rear axle ratio and automatic transmission, operating in winter conditions. Single wheel models with manual transmission and 3. 73 rear axle ratio (operated between rate and peak torque rpm running 55 or 65 MPH range) will produce the optimum fuel economy. Also, the odometers are sometimes not accurate or the tachometer gearing can be configured wrong. Since we build the engine and ship it to Dodge, we are not in a position to know the affect of all these other factors.
Keep in mind that a new truck, with new wheel bearings, brakes, transmission, driveline, etc. , may not perform as expected, since these components contribute to MPG. We suspect the mileage will improve after the first few thousand miles after all these components "wear in". A slipping automatic transmission for example would be a major contributor or even a defective odometer. The engine RPM should be an indicator of whether the transmission is slipping, however.
We have talked to hundreds of Dodge owners (1998. 5 to 2003 truck engines) and they have told us MPG figures from 8 to 28 mpg, depending on the above variables. The guy getting 8 mpg was very upset that he could not run 80 MPH, with 35,000 pounds gross weight. On the other end of the spectrum, we tend to question 28 mpg, but believe many are getting in the low 20"s (empty). A sudden increase in fuel consumption might indicate a plugged air filter, if there is excessive black smoke or possibly an automatic transmission problem.
From what other customers have told us, a two-wheel drive, single wheel truck could expect mileage to be 15 to 20 mpg (empty/no heavy load) running at normal highway speeds (some models and conditions may do better). Loaded or pulling a trailer, the mileage may drop to the 8 to 15 mpg range. Duallies and 4 wheel drives or running above normal highway speeds or pulling excessive loads can reduce MPG figures significantly.
We defer RAM mpg fuel economy questions to the Daimler-Chrysler folks, since we only make the engine. We can talk about inherent engine efficiency, but tank fuel economy MPG depends on many factors besides the engine. We noted one comment from the recent USA Today article on the new Ram trucks:
How thirsty? Heavy-duty trucks are not required to display fuel economy numbers. During the test drives, a 3500 Quad Cab with single rear wheels and high-output Cummins showed 16. 4 mpg on its fuel economy computer in 'unladen' driving on hilly two-lane roads. The trailer-towing 3500 with high-output diesel got 9. 8 mpg.
The 5. 7- liter gasoline V-8 truck that spent all day demonstrating the off- road course showed 10. 2 mpg on its readout. The 5. 7 V-8 in a two- wheel-drive, regular-cab Ram recorded 15. 5 mpg in 600 highway miles. The V-10 was not tested.
We thank you for your interest in Cummins products. Please let us know if you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized Dealer or Distributor Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider, feel free to use Cummins North America Dealer Locator, which can be found on Cummins website:
Thanks for your Email message.
Since we build the diesel engines for Dodge and they supply all the other components to build the trucks, we are not in a position to speak for Dodge on expected MPG figures on Dodge trucks and we have been advised that Dodge does not publish figures for the diesel powered trucks. Keep in mind that newer model trucks get heavier and a new vehicle will typically not do well in fuel economy tests.
We know how much fuel the engine will burn, under full load, on the engine dynamometer, which is measured in pounds per horsepower hour, but when the engine is installed into a chassis, those figures no longer apply, due to the various chassis components. Cummins is unable to troubleshoot fuel mileage (MPG) problems on Dodge trucks. All Dodge truck warranties are handled by Dodge.
The engine in the new truck is very new and the piston rings have not had a chance to "seat" yet and some cylinder pressure is getting by the rings into the crankcase, which is what we call "blowby". After you get 500 - 1000 or so miles on it, the engine needs to be "worked" to create some cylinder temperature. If the engine is operated with only light loading, it can take up to 30,000 miles to "seat" the piston rings and this will also affect the fuel consumption rate of the engine. "Seated rings improves combustion characteristics in the cylinder and all the fuel is burned more completely.
There are several variables involved that relate to fuel mileage and since the engine is only one part of the equation, it is very difficult to predict mpg on any specific vehicle. There are several factors such as winter fuel blending, rpm, MPH speed, wind, aerodynamics, load, rear axle ratio, tire size, 4x4, driver habits, etc. , that really have more affect on MPG, than the engine. For optimum fuel economy in a diesel powered vehicle, the engine should be operated about midway between rated speed and peak torque rpm and the vehicle speed should 55 to 65 MPH.
Duallies and 4x4 chassis usually have worse MPG than 4x2 single wheel models. The least desirable combination for fuel economy, would be a 4x4 dually with 4. 53 or higher rear axle ratio and automatic transmission, operating in winter conditions. Single wheel models with manual transmission and 3. 73 rear axle ratio (operated between rate and peak torque rpm running 55 or 65 MPH range) will produce the optimum fuel economy. Also, the odometers are sometimes not accurate or the tachometer gearing can be configured wrong. Since we build the engine and ship it to Dodge, we are not in a position to know the affect of all these other factors.
Keep in mind that a new truck, with new wheel bearings, brakes, transmission, driveline, etc. , may not perform as expected, since these components contribute to MPG. We suspect the mileage will improve after the first few thousand miles after all these components "wear in". A slipping automatic transmission for example would be a major contributor or even a defective odometer. The engine RPM should be an indicator of whether the transmission is slipping, however.
We have talked to hundreds of Dodge owners (1998. 5 to 2003 truck engines) and they have told us MPG figures from 8 to 28 mpg, depending on the above variables. The guy getting 8 mpg was very upset that he could not run 80 MPH, with 35,000 pounds gross weight. On the other end of the spectrum, we tend to question 28 mpg, but believe many are getting in the low 20"s (empty). A sudden increase in fuel consumption might indicate a plugged air filter, if there is excessive black smoke or possibly an automatic transmission problem.
From what other customers have told us, a two-wheel drive, single wheel truck could expect mileage to be 15 to 20 mpg (empty/no heavy load) running at normal highway speeds (some models and conditions may do better). Loaded or pulling a trailer, the mileage may drop to the 8 to 15 mpg range. Duallies and 4 wheel drives or running above normal highway speeds or pulling excessive loads can reduce MPG figures significantly.
We defer RAM mpg fuel economy questions to the Daimler-Chrysler folks, since we only make the engine. We can talk about inherent engine efficiency, but tank fuel economy MPG depends on many factors besides the engine. We noted one comment from the recent USA Today article on the new Ram trucks:
How thirsty? Heavy-duty trucks are not required to display fuel economy numbers. During the test drives, a 3500 Quad Cab with single rear wheels and high-output Cummins showed 16. 4 mpg on its fuel economy computer in 'unladen' driving on hilly two-lane roads. The trailer-towing 3500 with high-output diesel got 9. 8 mpg.
The 5. 7- liter gasoline V-8 truck that spent all day demonstrating the off- road course showed 10. 2 mpg on its readout. The 5. 7 V-8 in a two- wheel-drive, regular-cab Ram recorded 15. 5 mpg in 600 highway miles. The V-10 was not tested.
We thank you for your interest in Cummins products. Please let us know if you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized Dealer or Distributor Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider, feel free to use Cummins North America Dealer Locator, which can be found on Cummins website:
I think all of us with lousy milage should e-mail both DC and cummins and ask them why they are going backwards on mpg's. With the price of fuel getting crazy, I feel, no, I know I am getting the double wammy! Ouch! 
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Issue 128 – Digital Version
Digital Magazines
FREE!
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Renew
Subscribe
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Back Issues
Subscription Status
Address Change Form
Buyer's Guides
Ram Diagnostic Trouble Codes
The Perfect Collection
The Perfect Collection Vol. II
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What Makes Us Tick?
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