Surprised by Great MPG

[jray]

After 15 years of driving a 2003 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 H.O., I just didn’t think it could get any better. I loved the old truck and was convinced the new trucks got horrible MPG. Nothing could be further from the truth.

My new Ram now has about 1800 miles, definitely not broken in. yet it produces very impressive mileage on the highway. On a recent road trip of approximately 380 miles I observed 21.8 mpg with the cruise control set @ 71 mph. An actual fill up at the pump, hand calculated the mileage at 21.756 mpg. I was surprised that the dash display of mpg was so close to my hand calculation.

Now I’m curious as to what a broken-in Cummins at a slower speed might produce.

Wish these new trucks were a little less expensive. This just might be the last new truck I buy.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Run a few tanks and try to fill to the top each time then report back.

 

[houghtonic]

I was getting similar numbers before I started modifying the truck. Then I went and lifted it and put on 35” tires. I still get about 18 mpg at 70 to 75 mph speeds on flat land so I’m not too surprised at your numbers. Enjoy the truck. You get your best mpg on flat land when you are just into 6th. I think that would be around 60. I don’t drive that slow so I couldn’t tell you exactly what to expect but probably 1 or two mpg better.

 

[OggyOggy]

Ditto all above. Additionally, I've gone the route of unplugging the EGR, have about 15,000 miles that way and saw a MPG AVG go up ~3 MPG.

 

[FrozenDEF]

My best tank since new: 17.6mpg. Got almost 13,000 miles now, and averaging 13.8mpg in my 2018 2500.
If I set the cruise at 55 or 60 I can't make 18mpg on the hwy.

You guys must all drive downhill both ways or with a tailwind.

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[jray]

My best tank since new: 17.6mpg. Got almost 13,000 miles now, and averaging 13.8mpg in my 2018 2500.
If I set the cruise at 55 or 60 I can't make 18mpg on the hwy.

You guys must all drive downhill both ways or with a tailwind.

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I would normally agree with you, the mileage numbers seem too good to be true. I’m am also skeptical regarding high mileage reports. I rarely find the in cab mileage calculators accurate and the hand calculated numbers really surprised me.

Yes the route traveled was mostly flat and my RPM’s hovered around 1500.

I’m very familiar with topping off and hand calculating my mileage. My 2003 Dodge in-cab calculator was way off, as much as 3 mpg.

 

[Cummins2014]

After 15 years of driving a 2003 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 H.O., I just didn’t think it could get any better. I loved the old truck and was convinced the new trucks got horrible MPG. Nothing could be further from the truth.

My new Ram now has about 1800 miles, definitely not broken in. yet it produces very impressive mileage on the highway. On a recent road trip of approximately 380 miles I observed 21.8 mpg with the cruise control set @ 71 mph. An actual fill up at the pump, hand calculated the mileage at 21.756 mpg. I was surprised that the dash display of mpg was so close to my hand calculation.

Now I’m curious as to what a broken-in Cummins at a slower speed might produce.

Wish these new trucks were a little less expensive. This just might be the last new truck I buy.

Although I have seen 21-22 , the norm overall will be 17-19. Towing depending on weight 8-12, with 10 being the norm. City driving 14-16, anything much different is a faulty calculator

 

[Cummins12V98]

^^^^^ honest mileage report.

 

[jray]

^^^^^ honest mileage report.

Really don’t appreciate being called a liar.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

I don't think he was talking to you - I think he was referring the post right above his. Cummins12V98 and Cummins2014 have a running feud that typically spills into other posts.

Now why they have the feud - I'm not sure what started it.

Many things affect mileage. I did see 20+ once when my truck was newer - before I added the cap, tools, etc.

 

[Cummins2014]

I don't think he was talking to you - I think he was referring the post right above his. Cummins12V98 and Cummins2014 have a running feud that typically spills into other posts.

Now why they have the feud - I'm not sure what started it.

Many things affect mileage. I did see 20+ once when my truck was newer - before I added the cap, tools, etc.

You are correct , I think he was referring to my post about mileage, and I THINK he just may have agreed .

 

[jray]

I don't think he was talking to you - I think he was referring the post right above his. Cummins12V98 and Cummins2014 have a running feud that typically spills into other posts.

Now why they have the feud - I'm not sure what started it.

Many things affect mileage. I did see 20+ once when my truck was newer - before I added the cap, tools, etc.

Yeah, you may be right.

The whole point of my post was, I don’t ever remember getting more than 21.5 mpg with my 03. The 03 had no catalytic converter, no egr, and only 2 injection cycles. This new truck with all its smog is impressive.

I will say that my in town around town mileage seems lower with the new truck. I have not yet hand calculated it, but the gauge seems to average around 16.7 mpg.

 

[Cummins2014]

Yeah, you may be right.

The whole point of my post was, I don’t ever remember getting more than 21.5 mpg with my 03. The 03 had no catalytic converter, no egr, and only 2 injection cycles. This new truck with all its smog is impressive.

I will say that my in town around town mileage seems lower with the new truck. I have not yet hand calculated it, but the gauge seems to average around 16.7 mpg.

I agree, they are impressive in more ways than just good fuel mileage . I have no doubt that you got what you said . There’s the one that will treat you like you don’t know how to top off the tank , and hand calculate .

I think the point was , it’s tough to see that 21.5 on a regular basis.

 

[Cummins12V98]

View attachment 108989

Really don’t appreciate being called a liar.

Well I really don’t appreciate you saying I called you a liar! I had nothing in mind except to say that his report is what most will have.
If I call someone a liar I sure will do it directly!!

 

[Cummins12V98]

You are correct , I think he was referring to my post about mileage, and I THINK he just may have agreed .

Pretty much!

 

[jray]

Well I really don’t appreciate you saying I called you a liar! I had nothing in mind except to say that his report is what most will have.
If I call someone a liar I sure will do it directly!!

I have no idea what you meant, but to suggest one is an honest report, is to imply someone else is dishonest. I call things as I see them. I also know how to hand calculate mileage.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Your a mind reader. I explained my post but that does not matter I guess!

 

[jray]

Your a mind reader. I explained my post but that does not matter I guess!

I swear, it's like I'm playin' cards with my brother's kids

 

[Cummins2014]

I swear, it's like I'm playin' cards with my brother's kids

And we know how Wyatt straightened that guy out

 

[mikemac]

After 15 years of driving a 2003 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 H.O., I just didn’t think it could get any better. I loved the old truck and was convinced the new trucks got horrible MPG. Nothing could be further from the truth.

My new Ram now has about 1800 miles, definitely not broken in. yet it produces very impressive mileage on the highway. On a recent road trip of approximately 380 miles I observed 21.8 mpg with the cruise control set @ 71 mph. An actual fill up at the pump, hand calculated the mileage at 21.756 mpg. I was surprised that the dash display of mpg was so close to my hand calculation.

Now I’m curious as to what a broken-in Cummins at a slower speed might produce.

Wish these new trucks were a little less expensive. This just might be the last new truck I buy.

I also had a 2003 19-20 was common...I now have a 2018 with only 1200 miles on the clock the meter says 18 on the 1st tank...20 mpg on the 2nd tank...3rd tank is at 21 mpg ...this is the best truck ever...