New to 2012 Ram 2500 Crew Cab and New to Diesel

[RUSSELL5000]

New truck owner, new to diesel. Selected the Cummins after a lot of reading (asking people no good - whatever they have is best, everything else junk).



Loaded up two kids, two dogs, one wife, and all kinds of stuff and went back and forth to Florida - 1,000 miles each way. Where 65 mph posted drove 68 with cruise - where 70 mph posted drove 73 with cruise. Highway mile fuel usage average for down and back of 2,000 miles was 18. 1 mpg (calculated).



Don't use to commute, two drives each weekend. Mix of street and highway - usually lower speeds of around 50 mph - 60 mph - all-time average on that (about 1,200 miles) is 16. 2 mpg.



I should say that I drive like grandpa.



First oil change at 3,200 miles - used Shell Rotella T3 15W-40 and Fleetguard Stratapore filter - both choices thanks to technical literature from TDR. The oil was very black - is that just because diesel or because of the EGR and emissions control?



I have read a lot of posts regarding fuel economy, emissions control, etc. To a newbie like me, it is just amazing that the giant truck can feel so good, cruise so well, and get 18 mpg. I am not sure what others expect, but other than thinking I should change the oil more often than the manual says, I couldn't be more pleased with the truck.



Next up is towing the camper - we'll see how that goes.

 

[HBarlow]

Russell,

Welcome to TDR and to Ram-Cummins ownership. It sounds like you are already becoming well informed about your truck and are likely to be a satisfied owner.

Black oil is normal for all diesel engines. I was where you are in early 2001 when I bought my first Dodge-Cummins. I had the same question.

The more time you spend reading back through threads that interest you the greater your satisfaction with your truck will be.

Are you aware of May Madness in Pahrump, NV coming up in a week or so or the Cummins-TDR rally sponsored by the Cummins MidRange Engine Plant in Columbus, IN this summer? All are invited to both.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

HBarlow,



Thanks for the insight on oil. I change the oil on my cars, boat, and snowblower/lawmoer - never seen oil so black and so was concerned. I learned some from the first change and think that I will have a good system in place for the next go round. Mostly I learned that three gallons of oil comes out with a lot more force than five quarts - seems obvious now, but surprising when I pulled the plug out of the pan.



My older son and I are going to the rally in June in Columbus, IN.



Thanks again.

 

[BILLUA]

Russell, Congrats on the truck and welcome to the forum.

I too was surprised at the rate of the oil draining out of theses trucks. I would suggest a Fumoto drain valve to make oil changes much easier. They can be found for under 30 bucks.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Here is a little follow-up on how the truck is working.



Have mostly been around home lately - nothing to note other than nice to drive the truck with the dogs sitting next to me.



Took a trip down to Pittsburgh and back on Sunday to watch a baseball game - class trip for my 8th grade son. - a little over two hours on the interstate with speed limit posted at 65 mph. Topped off the tank before leaving. Followed folks down in a caravan - speeds were up and down between 68 mph and 78 mph - varied a lot, or at least seemed to vary a lot to me. Topped off the tank when we arrived: 16. 8 miles per gallon.



We left a little early (bottom of 8th inning, down by four runs). Set the cruise control at 68 mph and just rolled on home. Topped off the tank when we arrived: 19. 1 miles per gallon.



I have heard the 2013 models with the revised emissions and use of DEF/SCR are supposed to do better in terms of mileage. On the other hand, I am pretty pleased with what I am getting - so far, truck is meeting or exceeding every expectation I had.





Also - I have a Fumoto drain valve sitting in a nice wrapper ready for installation at the next oil change.



I like my CTD Ram.

 

[HBarlow]

It's hard not to like them. Well, everything but the purchase price.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Another follow-up on how the truck is working.



Took a trip down to Columbus, OH and back last weekend to God-daughter's high school graduation (Memorial Day weekend). Lots and lots of police presence on the highway - drove with cruise exactly at speed limit. With some amount of city driving In Columbus, the roughly 600 mile trip resulted in 18. 8 miles per gallon.



So, read a lot of posts regarding frustation with mileage on these trucks. I have a friend with a Honda Pilot that isn't getting any better mileage than I am - and look at the gigantic Ram truck in comparison to the Honda Pilot.



I like my truck more with each drive!

 

[Rattler]

Your truck seems to get about what I see on my 2011 Russell. I can manage 18 empty on the interstate, 16 daily commute, and high 13's pulling my open car trailer with one of my cars on board. And yes, these are great trucks. I really liked my 99, but the difference in refinements is night and day. Enjoy.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Just got back from the 2013 TDR CMEP rally and further road trip with one of my sons. The TDR rally was just great.



This trip resulted in an opportunity to drive different roads for a number of hours each. This is what I have observed as far as mileage goes; this is based on refueling and calculating:



If I am running around 55 mph (two lane state or county roads) I am getting 20 mpg to 21 mpg with RPM at 1,400 to 1,500.



If I am running around 65 mph (interstate speed limit in Ohio and Pennsylvania) I am getting 18 mpg to 19 mpg with RPM at 1,500 to 1,600.



If I am running around 75 mph (keeping up with traffic in states where the interstate speed limit is 70 mph) I am getting a little bit over 17 mpg with RPM at 1,7000 to 1,800.



My truck has a 3. 73 : 1 rear axle ratio.



In some respects I wish I had waited for a 2013, especially considering what I learned at the CMEP rally. On the other hand, I only use the truck (and foresee only using the truck) on the highway; either empty or pulling a travel trailer. I can tell when the truck goes into regen (you can watch the mileage drop down for that period on the EVIC) and it eats the fuel. That, combined with the need for more frequent oil changes, makes me think that a 2013 with the DEF/SCR and revised DPF placement approach would be better.



On the other hand, I am just having the greatest time with this truck and the mighty Cummins! It seems to me the mileage on this 2012 truck is pretty good - I am very pleased. I suppose things can alwways be improved - but, what a great truck as it is!

 

[Missouri Mule]

You seem to be getting better mileage then most. But you are using it like it should be, running down the highway! The regenerations will slow down once you start pulling a trailer, the 6. 7's were made to work.



Oil turns black because it has additives in it to absorb soot.



Good Luck with your truck!