2012 Mileage thus far SRW 3500 Crew Cab 4x4

[Ben S]

One of the things that concerned me when purchasing this truck was how badly my mileage would be affected vs my 06 5. 9l. I have the 800lb torque HO engine with 3. 73 diff.



So far I have about 2200 mi on the truck and driving it 35 mi round trip to and from work (unloaded of course). Speeds ranging from 25 mph to 55 mph (7 mi each way) with stoplights in between I have recorded a low of 14. 6 mpg to a high of 16. 1 mpg. This is handcalculated at each fill up. I don't bother with the computer. My average mph is 30mph on this circuit.



My 5. 9 l was not that great on fuel when I first bought it and on the same trips I would get between 15. 5 and 17. 1 mpg so I'm not that far off. The 5. 9 l also did a little better on fuel once I got beyond 30,000 mi.



It will be interesting to see if the 6. 7l does the same thing with more miles on it.

 

[ddivinia]

Good deal. Was your 5. 9 a SRW also?

D.

 

[Ben S]

Yes, 2500 Mega Cab 4x4 3. 73

 

[AH64ID]

Not too bad, thou that kind of driving is really hard on the 6. 7 since it doesn't have enough time to get hot.

 

[ddivinia]

How is old vs. new?

Worth the upgrade?

D.

 

[TimButterfield]

Just for comparison, here is a set of numbers for my new (still unloaded) 2012 ST CC LB 4x4 AT with HO and 3. 73. I filled up in Sturgeon Bay, WI, drove 242 miles home to Des Plaines, IL (Chicago 'burb), and filled again. The odometer turned over 1,000 miles on that trip and it managed 19. 0 mpg on that tank doing just over the interstate speed limits. Here's my fuel stats page: 2012 Ram 2500 CTD/AT (Dodge Ram 2500) | Fuelly It reflects my mostly stop and go suburb driving.

 

[Ben S]

Ok, more updates...

I am averaging right at 15. 5 mpg for my daily city driving to work. If I idle a lot my mileage really goes down. I've seen 13. 3 mpg when I had to idle for 20 minutes.

I did a single long trip of 6 hours round trip with speeds between 45 and 60 mph and HAND calculated I got 21 mpg. I really couldn't believe it so I checked it three times... lol!!

Unfortunately my change oil light came on at 3360 miles. I was and was not shocked. Used to be an Amsoil guy but with oil changes this frequently $$$ I am using Walmart oil as per the Turbo Diesel Register oil comparison. . API CJ-4 rated 15-40w at 11. 66 per gallon.

Factory installed oil filter would not come off and I broke an oil filter wrench on it so the dealer$hip had to do it. Tried to get it warrantied but no luck.

 

[Ben S]

How is old vs. new?



Worth the upgrade?



D.

New truck interior is FAR better with Uconnect and Nav. WAY more power is fun. I like the new quieter and deeper sound of the 6. 7 vs 5. 9. 3500 rides a little stiffer vs 2500.



However, if I could I would trade back in a minute. Miss the old truck and Mega Cab because it had way more useful storage IMO. Don't enjoy the every 10 minute oil changes of the new truck.

 

[DFranks]

I have the same truck as you... Stop Idling the truck for 20mins at a time. If you have to idle it, at least turn on your high idle feature. Once a week take that thing on the HWY and floor it a couple of times. Get into a habit of turning your EB on, untill it at least get's to operating temp. I leave my on all the time.



I had an 06 2500, and I would not trade back. I have more power a little better fuel mileage, and the fit and finish of the interior is way nicer. With the EB and 6speed it tows my 34. 5' TT very nicely. My wife likes how quiet it is over the old truck.



FWIW I won't be doing any deletes either, with 800lbs of torque and 350hp it's good the way it is.

 

[Ben S]

Only had to do an extended idle once but man did the mileage drop on that tank.

What is the deal with driving around with the exhaust brake on unloaded?

No deletes here either. This HO Cummins has some serious power and I would not have another brand of diesel.

 

[RustyJC]

What is the deal with driving around with the exhaust brake on unloaded?

Among other benefits, it moves the nozzle ring on the VGT to the minimum flow position whenever the exhaust brake engages which helps prevent sooting and sticking of the nozzle ring. Using the exhaust brake all the time was also recommended to me by my dealer's lead Cummins technician when we bought the truck.



Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

Start truck, push tow haul and exhaust buttons every time. Your turbo, brakes and transmission will like it.

 

[Okie-Go]

I use mine all the time as well. My 06 had 253k with the original brakes on it. That was with the manual and 3. 73's.

Okie

 

[Surefire89]

Not too bad, thou that kind of driving is really hard on the 6. 7 since it doesn't have enough time to get hot.

Just curious ive herd this before, how do you figure this? These engines seem to be at normal operating temps 200* or so in a matter of minutes especially if driving it.

 

[AH64ID]

Just curious ive herd this before, how do you figure this? These engines seem to be at normal operating temps 200* or so in a matter of minutes especially if driving it.

It all depends on how much EGR the motor is feeding itself. A 6. 7 is quicker to warm up than a 5. 9, but it still takes a bit to heat up 1,000 lbs of cast iron. When your not towing it takes longer. The oil takes longer than the coolant to heat up as well.

 

[ddivinia]

I noticed on my 2012 that I dont have to be in tow mod to turn the exhaust brake on.

D.

 

[RustyJC]

I noticed on my 2012 that I dont have to be in tow mod to turn the exhaust brake on.

Neither does the 2011. The EB and tow/haul are two separate functions, each with its own button, that can be engaged independently.



Rusty

 

[HBarlow]

The smog issue is not related to engine coolant temp but to hours of operation at highway speeds vs. short trips with stop and go driving.

Highway driving with at least modest loads will allow normal regeneration cycles to be completed. Short trips and lots of stop and go driving will not.

 

[AH64ID]

Neither does the 2011. The EB and tow/haul are two separate functions, each with its own button, that can be engaged independently.



Rusty

They have been independant in every 6. 7 I have been in.

 

[RustyJC]

I wasn't about to say that was the case with all 6. 7Ls since I haven't been in all 6. 7Ls.



Rusty