2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission MPG stinks

[ramman2u]

I just picked up my new to me "02 2500 ext cab and I'm only getting 13 mpg with it . From what i have been reading every body else seems to be getting 18+ mpg . what could be wrong with my truck what should i check ? there is 50,000 on it and its bone stock. please help

 

[MCharlebois]

the best milage i have ever gotten was just a couple tanks ago------18. 7 buy hand--82k on the clock with ... ez adds milage if you can baby it

 

[ramman2u]

thanks for the info,(the ez is on my list as soon as i can save $$ along with some other mods)

 

[elamb]

I always get 18. 5 to 19 mpg. Just came back from vacation and it got 20. 5 mpg (Not towing). Avg. speed was between 65 - 70 mph. I would do like Dl5treez said and you might find the problem.



Good luck

Eric

 

[John - K5AWO]

Throttle pedal modulation is the primary culprit for poor milage. It takes discipline to keep from jockying that throttle around.



I try and make very slow and determined movements on the go pedal. Impress yourself instead of the ricers... . just let the red light rabbits do their things. You are going to make the next light just like they did, only cheaper!



My truck is averaging about 16 in metro area driving (50-50 freeway, side streets). When I drove from Mesa-Las Vegas and back, I followed a bottle rocket running over 90 mph by GPS. My mileage on that trip fell below 11.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

We need to see how your truck is equipped - 2x4 or 4x4? What rearend ratio? Manual or auto transmission?



A 4x4 with 4. 10's in the city will get poorer MPG than a 2x4 with 3. 55's - and yes, driving style will have a major effect on MPG.



Just got back from a RV trip towing a 24 ft. 7,000 lb fiver in mixed mountain/level terrain - got an indicated average 17+ mpg...

 

[ramman2u]

i checked every thig all my filters were changed by dealer befor i picked up the truck my boost boots are all tight i have 4 wheel dics brakes so i dont think they can be out of adj ? and all tire pressures are right on. (the e-brake is not draging i also checked that) i tryed to reset that apps sensor last night at work but its still to soon to tell if its helped?

 

[ramman2u]

just up dated my profile maybe the info below will help some ?

 

[EBoyts]

For what its worth, I have found surprisingly better MPG by just driving slower on the highway. My truck is also a recent purchase (bought mine this past Spring) and after being mildly disappointed with the mileage I was getting (averaged about 17-18 mixed driving)-- I tried driving slower (after reading the tip on TDR). This is what I found:



I made two Denver to Kansas City round trips, each trip totalling about 1300 miles.



D to KC : Cruise set at 68-70, MPG=18. 6

KC to D : Cruise set at 68-70, MPG=18. 9; average=18. 75



D to KC : Cruise set at 60, MPG=25. 0

KC to D : Cruise set at 60, MPG=21. 9; average=23. 45



I practically never drive 60 mph, and it was a little painful sometimes to go that slow, but I did it to find out what would happen. I don't recall the winds during the first trip-- but I know on the second trip that I never got more than a slight crosswind.



I wasn't pulling anything, and load was empty on leg 1; light load of lumber on leg 2; bed 1/2 full of tools and equipment on legs 3 and 4. I was very surprised at the results I got. When driving 60, I noticed the engine RPM stayed just over 1500-- I'm a little curious if this is close to the peak on the torque curve, and maybe that has something to do with it- anybody know?

 

[Harold_U]

Hi Guys;

Here is my 2 pennies worth on this subject.



Dl5treez's father has it on the button. I am 63 and I drive like it when I am pulling my 13K trailer or not. 60-65 mph most of the time and I average 21-23 mpg consistantly without my trailer, 55-60 @ 15-18 mpg pulling, Calif. to Vermont and back.



ramman2u, I think that you need to check the valve adjustments, if your driving habit is not real agressive.



Try a few tanks driving like Dl5treez's dad does just to check this out. This should tell you for sure.



Harold

 

[smcstay]

I recently purchased my first Dodge Cummins Ram and am unimpressed with my fuel economy as well. 99 4X4 Auto 3. 55. I do not tow anything and regularly run with an empty bed. I do not run fast or accelerate hard. My best mileage to date is 14. 1. I bought mine used and I have no idea whether this thing has been "chipped" or not - but I will be looking into that soon. The biggest single reason I went with the Cummins was fuel economy. My previous truck a 4X2 Chevy 350 Auto with a 3. 73 would get about 13 - 15 in the winter and about 11 - 13 in the summer. I'm basically doing no better than I was. I have been doing some research on this, and beyond what has already been suggested by others in this thread; you might look at: http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/troubleshooting/24v_trouble.htm. There is a section here detailing some things to try when your fuel economy is poor. I have not tried these things yet, because I've not had the time; but I'm certainly going to give these suggestions a try when I can. If you try them and they work - let me know. I am one of 4 people in my company with the Dodge Cummins, and I am the only one NOT averaging 19 mpg this summer. Something is clearly not right with my truck. If I do get my situation resolved, I will be happy to share whatever solution works for me. Good luck with your truck, please keep in touch.

 

[ramman2u]

I have been relly ez on the throttle this week just to see if it is my driveing habbits but 80% of my driveing is all highway 60 mph . i do about 25mi one way to work. its to soon to tell what kind of mpg im getting but its not looking like its going to be much more than 15 mpg ? how often should the vavles be adjusted i only have 50,000 on the truck ? will the dealer do this under warranty ?

 

[ramman2u]

sorry i ment spell valves

 

[EBoyts]

On 24 valves the maintenance interval is 135k (that's the "B" schedule from the owner's manual).

 

[RAxelson]

Well, for what's it's worth, my 99 4x4 with the 3. 55 rear gets between 20-22 on a trip. I agree with some of the other posters about speed though. I did notice a serious drop in MPG when driving over 65. I also tend to use the cruise control alot. I also do not tow. Around town here in Delaware, I usually get 14. It's alot of stop and go traffic light stuff. Mine has a tad over 53K on it. This is my first diesel, but definatley not my last. My friends who have the "other" diesels would kill for the mileage we get.

 

[jtwcummins]

MPG is SO dependent on the right foot. In 7. 5 yrs I average 13-14 in all stop and go and 17-18 hiway at just over 70. This has only changed for 1 tank, right after the Banks stuff I had fun and got about 10mpg in town, stopped that! If I cruise between 75 and 80 on the road mpg drops fast, so I don't. I have a couple of friends who got CTD after riding in mine. In all cases they got crap for fuel economy so I went for a ride with them. Man were they heavy on the go pedal, almost floored on a hill with black smoke pouring out and slowing down, trans must have got a little warm. As has been said, if you back off on level ground as much as possible to maintain speed and don't go crazy on a grade mpg stays good and very little speed is lost.

Also, in stop and go they wanted to give way to much fuel, a diesel dosn't drive like a gasser. I had one try feathering and smoothly go to 1500 rpm in heavy traffic and let trans, all autos, do its job. When on expressway going to about 2000-2200 and not farther when taking off and you will keep up without any problem and probably have to back off when TC locks.



It is the egg under the pedal that gets the best economy, and inertia, takes alot to move 7000 lb barn from a stop and go fast.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by jtwcummins

MPG is SO dependent on the right foot... ... I had one try feathering and smoothly go to 1500 rpm in heavy traffic and let trans, all autos, do its job... ... ...

JTCummins,



You just so perfectly described my technique. I have learned what RPMs I need to go 35, or 45, or 55 for the city streets. When the light changes, I just ease into the throttle slowly trying to get the 1-2 upshift to occur at 12-14 mph. Once in 2nd gear, then I ease on down steady but slow until the RPM I want is on the tach. Then I just hold it steady and wait for the transmission to sling shot the pickup to speed.



I also use the cruise control every conceivable place I can. Typically it will be at 38 mph because that is where the lights are timed for Mesa.



In Phoenix, the lights are timed for 45, so I set the cruise at 43. I can drive thru 6-8 lights in a row without ever stopping in heavy city traffic.



It is avoiding those traffic light stops that bring the MPG up in the city. I would prefer to cruise at 35-38 and not stop, rather than be on someone's bumper the minute they have to hit the brake because they out ran the light and have to sit and sit and sit... ... .

 

[DirtyDodge]

02 4x4 auto 3. 55 285/75-16s. Mixed drivind and average highway speed of 75mph with cruise control usaully average 17. 5 mpg hand calculated. I just switched all my drive train fluids to synthetic and am hoping to pick up a tiny amount.

Derek

 

[dacook]

Another aspect to look at is the break in period. I did not see 22-23 mpg until 100k.

at 50k i was 18-20. I drive 60-65, and seldom nail it<only when a psd is approaching