CCCRRRAAAAPPPPYYYY Fuel Mileage

[BBlyman]

I am getting very crappy mileage... . 13. 3-14 mpg only and getting about 400miles to a tank... is this correct for an 05 ram ctd? Only mods right now are no muffler. Air Intake should be in next week. I am changing my fuel filter this weekend. I do about 50/50 highway/city traveling on a daily basis.



Is there a way to get better fuel mileage? Does my computer need to be flashed. I do hear a ticking (yes I know ctd make noises) sound out of the engine, so I may drop it off to the dealership to have it looked over while its still under warranty.



Thanks

Bob

 

[DieselFiend]

Unfortunatley, your fuel milage numbers are about right. It sucks and this was a major complaint when I first got my truck. The smarty bumped me up another 2 MPG but I'm not sure it would pay for itself. There is a flash for fuel milage/white smoke. I had mine flashed and it made a difference for about 2 or 3 weeks then I was right back where I started.

 

[Msilbernagel]

The little things can add up, and are worth looking in to.

Tall tires/wheels cost mileage, as does increased truck height.
Low tire pressure costs mileage.
Synthetic lubricants in the transmission and rear-end can help.
Keep your brakes adjusted correctly.
I don't know that you have dual-wheels, but that can cost some.

How you drive, obviously, makes a difference. The 50-50 driving means a significant amount of accel, which will account for some of what you see.

Perhaps, with the auto, the best money you could spend is to buy a good torque converter. I understand that the factory units are rather sloppy. Check around with others who've upgraded the TC, and see what the impact has been on mileage. My guess is that it is significant.

Good luck,

Mark

 

[BHenn]

Your mileage is right in line with mine. I don't think it is that bad for this big and powerful of a truck, but I am also a little disappointed. That was one of the selling points for me; increased MPG over gas powered trucks. I suppose I am getting maybe 2-3 MPG better than a V8 gasser, but was hoping for more of an advantage.



Brent

 

[RCarrillo]

Absolutley get a ATS 5 Star T/C with lock up control,it will help BIG TIME. RikaRio

 

[KSears]

yea mileage on these newer trucks suck ,, my first diesel was a 90 w-250 5 speed ,, about 19-21 all the time , 12 -14 towing, the new trucks are very disappointing in that regard, best I've gotten empty in mine is maybe 19, so far , with about 23k miles logged on,, last time towing was about 9-11,,,,

I had an 03,2500 6 speed with3:73 gears and it was a little better, I expected to lose some with the 4:10's but not this bad,,,,,,,,

 

[HSpiering]

Me to!! These things are not good MPG:{ Got 19 mpg average first 10k on my 94 4x4 std cab. Got 5k on my 06 and 13. 5 14. 5 is about it. Strange thing when I pull my trailer I get about the same (14mpg). With my 94 I got 14. 6 mpg with a trailer. I hear doing some mods will make it better but the pay back to get a couple more mpg may not be worth it.



__________________________

06 4x4 std cab

 

[DieselFiend]

Yeah well let us all give a great big shout out to the EPA for the crappy fuel milage and the outragious diesel prices.

 

[MCummings]

hhhhooooowwww mmmuuccchhhh yyyooouuu iiidddllleee aaalllsssooo aaaaaffffeeeccttsss yyyooouuurr mmmiiilleeaaggee.





Merrick

 

[robmints]

50-50 also. 15. 5 empty this past summer. 14. 5 empty now. Change oil at 4k (first one was dealer, second was Rotella, third was Delo), FF @ 8K (bought at dealer), AF @ 12k (bought at dealer) intervals. Haven't gotten to 16K yet, am going to change the rears and trans (just a pan dump and filter) then. Running mopar additive since October or so.

 

[RRB]

'06 3500 mega cab, singles on rear, 3:73gears. 14. 5 towing, 16. 6 around the county & 18+ on interstate, even better if I keep my speed under 65mph. I'm all stock & only 4500miles. I thought my milage would get better after 10k or so. I just lucky?

 

[robmints]

'06 3500 mega cab, singles on rear, 3:73gears. 14. 5 towing, 16. 6 around the county & 18+ on interstate, even better if I keep my speed under 65mph. I'm all stock & only 4500miles. I thought my milage would get better after 10k or so. I just lucky?

You might be lucky, or you just might get to like the go pedal more the more you drive it. I know that is one of my problems with the mileage going down.

 

[InfernoB]

Don't forget the High Horsepower, winter driving with power robbing defroster, and keeping your foot out of it.

In the ROC, we have just got to the point of not needing heat anymore in the morning. My local MPG went up about . 7. (This will go down soon do to A/C usage). Best/worst in 1-1/2 months of ownership is 18. 3/12. 7. I have about 3800 miles on it.

Overall I'm pleased with the MPG.

 

[MPerez]

My 06 has right in at 97,000 on it already, and the last six tanks I've managed to get right at 19. 9 MPG. And get about 650 miles per tank. Driving consistently like an old lady (or at least the way trucks towing trailers are supposed to drive by law). 60 MPH and cruise on whenever possible, with a Quadzilla XZT installed (65hp/165torque fixed). I just got a Smarty and will be testing that for about 6K miles in the next month or so. I'm going to run it at level one... The temptation to try more is... difficult to resist.



To test I fill to the top every time then hand calculate. The overhead promises 23-24 MPG... Ha!



FWIW the 06 is otherwise stock, except for gauges.

 

[jelag]

I've got 3 3500 duallys pulling trailers and working... . we've found that if you stay on top of the valve adjustments the engines seem to run better and stay at the top of the MPG chart... . the 05 I'm driving this week is pulling a 10K lb trailer and if I'm getting 12 - 14 I'm doing good...

I can say that of all the trucks I've owned the Dodge Cummins so far has been the most cost effective to own, based on new cost, and upkeep compared to the other brands... . I'm hoping the 4500 and 5500 will be as cost effective as I have 2 Fords to trade soon... .

 

[CBogner]

I don't know the reason why but some trucks are just better than others for mileage. My 05 auto 4x4 quad always averages 19. 9mpg per tank under normal driving conditions not extreme cold. When i first bought it ( with all of 25 miles ) i was dissapointed in the innitial mpg, mid 17s, but i was coming out of my 02 4x4 auto reg cab which was getting 22+ with an Edge comp and 5" exhaust. Then i woke up and realized that i had a long way to go to properly break this sucker in ( 55000 miles now ). So i guess what im trying to say is GET SOME REAL MILES ON YOUR TRUCKS then see what happens.



PS I drive 90 miles a day roundtrip to work uphill, downhill, some city but mostly 2 lane highway at 60 to 65.

 

[GHarman]

Just a thought. If you are running empty, nothing in the bed, remove the tailgate! Store it in a safe place. Get some breakin miles on it while driving without that big air dam. Running an empty pickup with the tailgate up is like trying to fly an airplane with the flaps down. Then try all that other stuff. GregH

 

[opjohnny]

Winter blend and ultra low sulfur fuel is going to bring the mileage down. Can't compare to a lighter 1st gen either.

 

[BBlyman]

Thanks for all the info. Sounds like the combination of winter fuel and a heavy foot is my problem. Looks like I'll just have to slow it down a little.



Once I get the fuel filter changed and air ntake installed I hope things will work out.



Bob

 

[mberry]

Just a thought. If you are running empty, nothing in the bed, remove the tailgate! Store it in a safe place. Get some breakin miles on it while driving without that big air dam. Running an empty pickup with the tailgate up is like trying to fly an airplane with the flaps down. Then try all that other stuff. GregH

This is abolutely not true. It will cause you to lose MPG.



For me, I changed my air filter to a drop in Amsoil EAa189 (I think) and put their synthetic 15-40 back in and my mileage has gone up 2. 5 MPG. Yes this is hand calculated. This is slightly more than amount I lost when I switched back to dino oil last year since I was still using the Fleetguard air filter. I have also changed all of the other fluids in the drivetrain to (hopefully) better quality synthetic than factory. Flame suit on!:-laf