2017 ECO diesel fuel milage claims

[BernardMcPhillips]

Hi all
Just recently got a 2017 ram 1500 Laramie eco diesel and it has around 2800 miles on it. So i have been keeping tabs on the milage. The sticker has 19- 27 (with 22 in bolder letters
between the two).
The gage has shown a maximum to date for the best trip average of of 22.5 mpg but usually around 17- 19.5 for most trips, but when checked at the pump for each of these trips I calculate an average of 2 mpg LESS.
I am a short hill away of around 1000ft. From the freeway, so there is some in town driving. Since I am retired I do a lot more in town with the occasional freeway jaunt of 1or 2 hours. I am in Berkeley Ca. Btw.
I must admit the gage is impressive at showing “real time” usage (sort of like the prius) and I’m wondering what sort of algorithm is used to calculate this ongoing mpg. But one good hill can mess up that 22.5 real fast. I do have a rack and an empty box on the truck.
I have been keeping track of the milage and I am wondering if anyone can reassure me that in time I may actually come close to the milage touted on the sticker. Ie the 29mpg. I’d imagine if i was headed downhill with a tail wind with the AC off, there might be slight hope. I have tried to really take heed of takeoffs and accelerator habits (sort of like those prius folks) to try and squeeze every drop of diesel out.
Anyone have any feedback to the time/milage frame where I might start to see a difference?
How does the onboard milage calculator work?
Does anybody get the milage touted by Ram/EPA?
Compared to my 2008 dodge cummins 6.7, I am happy to be getting a little more mpg but hey deals a deal. I do love this new one with all the bells and whistles. Hate the mirrors, but that’s another battle.
Thanks, Bernard

 

[JJJ]

The fuel economy will improve once you get some more miles on it. I average 24-25 MPG mixed driving and can reach 30 MPG on a highway trip.

 

[sag2]

You really need to take a little highway (only) trip and see what you get. Also remember that the mileage on the sticker is not really an actual real life number, but a sort of calculated number based on the emissions cycle. When I used to meet with customers for fuel economy concerns I filled the tank with the pump clicking off two times. Hit the freeway and drove 50 miles one direction with speed control set at posted speed, turned around and filled at same pump with two clicks off, and calculated the mileage. I can't ever recall not meeting the sticker highway mileage. You can't do a city drive because there are just too many variables.
To answer your question on the cluster fuel economy, the PCM counts the time the fuel injectors are open, what the fuel pressure is at the time, and makes a calculation of how much fuel is injected through each injector, then adds them all up. If you think about it to be as close as they are to hand calculated mileage is pretty amazing.

 

[BernardMcPhillips]

Thanks JJJ and Sag2 for the info.
Guess I’ll keep her for a while more. I do need to get out on the highway a little more but I sure am enjoying relaxing around the old back 40. Now i just fill her up every two or three weeks. Nice being retired. A little poorer but worth it.
I will keep up the documenting part and see what the trend is. Being from Berkeley, I just want to justify and brag about my ECO diesel (and be honest of course), but for as much miles as i plan to put on her in a year, not sure if it’s worth *****in’ about. Priciples aside. Especially since i take my ‘08 6.7L with my little Lance 811S on the big trips.
Thanks again for the input.
Bernard

 

[HPSimpson]

I tow 18' boat and mileage is 22 to 24 mpg depending on highway conditions, once in while drive without trailer 28 to 31 mpg with cruise control on highway, good luck with your new truck.

 

[CToney]

I finally went on a long trip. 12.0L/100kms on the way to the mountains into the wind and I averaged 9.7L/100kms on the trip on the way down with the wind to the rear. I was happy with the mileage finally. Wind is a big factor in my mileage. I try not too pass everyone, drive the speed limit and accelerate slowly. Ecoboost Expedition with roof storage was 16L/100km on the way up. Nothing to complain about except for the price of diesel fuel in Alberta. $1.259/L or $4.76/USgal. Gotta pay the carbon tax!

 

[RonD]

At 3000 miles 50-50 highway city I am at 25 mpg, not bad at all

 

[SDalgleish]

I've got 27,000 on my 2016 4x4 EcoDiesel. I dive it 60 miles each day mostly highway averaging about 70 mph and get between 25 to 27 mpg.

 

[CToney]

The 2016 has a different ECM program and TCM program. Fuel mileage suffers a bit on 2017s. Don't get your ECM updated at the dealer.

 

[slowmover]

MPG is ALL miles and ALL gallons. Use phone app Fuelly or a notebook.

Tank by tank subject to error and pretty well meaningless.

It’s the annual average that matters, as the only reason for MPG is as predictor.

A 3-5000 mile tally is your accurate snapshot.

Then convert that average to the cost of fuel per mile. My average in an ‘04 CTD (about 50/50 town and country) has been 21-mpg for years. One takes that total and looks to reduce the miles & gallons on the usual errands. The percentage change in getting the same work done but using less fuel.

One can break it out for specifics. I average 15 in Texas and the surrounding states pulling my 35’ travel trailer. At today’s price it’s about 17-cpm (cents per mile). One plans vacations that way.

That number plus the above savings pays for leisure travel.

Goes without saying that the more consistent one is, the better the results. A diesel pickup is expensive, therefore it needs a plan. Change of habits. Fresh approach.

There’s no savings in driving as badly as before and expecting the miracle motor to cover it.

 

[4570]

Any one here running the 17 inch tire with the stock Goodyear Wranglers .I'm curious what tire pressure your running .The door says 43 psi but I find a better mpg with at least 45 and then they heat up to 50 .

 

[CToney]

I am running stock 17" Goodyears on my 2017 Outdoorman. I wanted to run lower pressure as the truck is never loaded much but monitor doesn't like it nor does the mpg.

 

[RonD]

I run my stock 17" wheels at 35 lbs for a better ride, I started at 40, then lowered all 4 tires 1 pound a day the TPMS doesn't have a problem with that, I haul nothing of weight in the rear so its light, 40 pounds is to hard of a ride

 

[slowmover]

Any one here running the 17 inch tire with the stock Goodyear Wranglers .I'm curious what tire pressure your running .The door says 43 psi but I find a better mpg with at least 45 and then they heat up to 50 .

“Ideally” one doesn’t want a 10% pressure rise after 1.5-hrs steady state on highway. 5-7% is the goal.

As to MPG, braking, steering, ride and longevity, IMO it’s near the lowest value which achieves the above.

Higher (even highest; sidewall maximum) will be “better” for MPG. But not for safety.

As trucks are worst vehicles on road for safety, use a certified scale to measure per axle. Ideally, all four positions. So long as one stays within vehicle manufacturer range, the Load & Pressure Table applicable to that tire lLoad Range for zeroing In on target.

Heaviest tire per axle determines pressure.

Test is as above.

On my ‘04 CTD, I’m within 40-lbs at all four corners (7,940-lbs with max fuel plus driver) for solo driving. I can use 50-psi, but have found that 60 FF and 55 RR works well for solo. And I see well above 100k mile life on Michelin LTX.

Tire type and mainly tread design are biggest factors on an item which driver can change OEM spec. Closed shoulder, highway rib is by far and away the best for economy.

Worth 2-mpg to the annual average, or greater. (That’s not per tank, but the more difficult calendar year total tally of all miles and all gallons.)

 

[VernDiesel]

Mine averages 22-23 around town, 28-30 at 65 mph, 22-23 at 80 to 85 mph, 15 towing a double axle Airstream or 14 with a double axle box TT at 65. Mine is a 4WD with tune & 3.92. I couldn't believe it used less fuel than the 4 cylinder work car that it replaced. Checking fuelly you can see hands down these things get better mileage than any other full size pick up.

Shortly after buying this truck I ended up contracting to deliver Airstream TTs from the Mfg local to my home here in Ohio to dealerships through out the country but mostly over the mountains and all over the the west coast. Out west we contract with Forrest River and Fineline boats. So I try to stay loaded going both directions sometimes also taking Harleys snowmobles and other motorcycles etc back to Chicago before dropping down to our staging lot in northern Indiana. Truck tows all day every day just like a semi. So I guess I have a unique usage experience.

Truck has 414,000 on it so far but at 371k it pushed out a head gasket and what made the most sense to me was to replace the engine as I could get it for $5500 and it came complete with new fuel pump injectors turbo everything plus a very valuable to me 24 month unlimited mileage warranty good at any Ram dealership nationwide. R&R was $1,500 and it was only down two days. Downtime is money. Transmission is original and a hugh improvement over the old 6 speed. Overall I have had very good luck with this truck and its a joy to drive.

 

[BernardMcPhillips]

4500 miles and still counting.

hi verndiesel
Yes i’m still trying to get 19mpg at the pump. As i mentioned in my original post, the dash guage shows around a consistent 2mpg difference(MORE ie) than at the pump. And yes i do double click to top off. Haven’t been on any big trips for a while. Been filling up every couple of weeks. So mostly around town with the occasional 20-30 mile across the bay.
I really have to sit down with all my receipt totals since i got the truck and nail her down. So despite all the good words from all of your replies, I am still a little leary of the claims. “The proof is in the pudding” as we say in Scotland and someday I am hoping to be proved wrong in MY truck. I mean it does say 19mpg for city driving. Maybe i need to get one of you to come and show me how it’s done.
Anyways, as i said “4500 and still counting”.
I do like my truck still, regardless of the milage. Just irks me that the advertising doesn’t live up to the actuality.
Thanks for chiming in all the same,
Barnyardo

 

[VernDiesel]

Winter diesel? Biodiesel? Try Propel if you can. They have a free phone app with GPS locator.

 

[HPSimpson]

Driving across the Bay Bridge at slow speed you really need to take a trip away from the traffic and you will see the difference, I tow every week to Monterey Peninsula get 22 to 24 mph concisely. Once in a while take trip to Bakersfield without trailer, 28 to 31mph, so yes depends on the head wind's in the valley, good luck.