[edlupp]

Can anybody help me out? I am only getting 13MPG Hwy on my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 4X4, 5spd Standard, Quad Cab, long Box with 298000km on it. I put in my tank 53.7 Liters and drove for only 300kms and thats with warming up my truck for not longer than 5 min everyday, its always plugged in for at least 3 hours before starting. The temperature out here is anywhere from -20 to -35. Everything is stock on this truck!! Tire pressure is good and air filter gage sits at 0%.
Ive been told they should get something like 16 City/19-25 Hwy.
Any idea about the causes?

 

[milesdodgeboy]

Can anybody help me out? I am only getting 13MPG Hwy on my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 4X4, 5spd Standard, Quad Cab, long Box with 298000km on it. I put in my tank 53.7 Liters and drove for only 300kms and thats with warming up my truck for not longer than 5 min everyday, its always plugged in for at least 3 hours before starting. The temperature out here is anywhere from -20 to -35. Everything is stock on this truck!! Tire pressure is good and air filter gage sits at 0%.
Ive been told they should get something like 16 City/19-25 Hwy.
Any idea about the causes?

Well the mpg figures you see people reporting are speculative because each truck is different. If your outside temps get as cold as you say, the fuel in your area probably is the winter blend. That coupled with the fact that you're 4x4, quad cab, and a long box dictates a 7000ish pound truck in stock form. That and it sits tall and is long. Not really going to see great mpgs out of that.

 

[edlupp]

The problem is that not only people reporting that, just bought the recent issue of Diesel World and a guy with exactly same truck but with some mods, like 100HP injectors and stuff to increase the power on it is getting 19MPG. I've went through the internet in truck reviews and they claim almost the same numbers +-2MPG. At Dodge dealership they couldn't provide me with this information (but no wonder in Canada).
My father is driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD with 5.9L, 6Spd, Mega Cab, Short box also all stock and he is getting 26MPG while pulling a car on dolly behind him.
Yes my truck is a 6600 pounder.

 

[Doc8]

The problem is that not only people reporting that, just bought the recent issue of Diesel World and a guy with exactly same truck but with some mods, like 100HP injectors and stuff to increase the power on it is getting 19MPG. I've went through the internet in truck reviews and they claim almost the same numbers +-2MPG. At Dodge dealership they couldn't provide me with this information (but no wonder in Canada).
My father is driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD with 5.9L, 6Spd, Mega Cab, Short box also all stock and he is getting 26MPG while pulling a car on dolly behind him.
Yes my truck is a 6600 pounder.

As much as I hate to swing the bat I'm going to. There's not a chance that your dad is getting 26 mpg HAND calculated while pulling a car a dolly. The computer might say that but there's simply no way he could get above 17 or 18 towing.

 

[Big Set]

The problem is that not only people reporting that, just bought the recent issue of Diesel World and a guy with exactly same truck but with some mods, like 100HP injectors and stuff to increase the power on it is getting 19MPG. I've went through the internet in truck reviews and they claim almost the same numbers +-2MPG. At Dodge dealership they couldn't provide me with this information (but no wonder in Canada).
My father is driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD with 5.9L, 6Spd, Mega Cab, Short box also all stock and he is getting 26MPG while pulling a car on dolly behind him.
Yes my truck is a 6600 pounder.

I find it kind of hard to believe that your dad is pulling a car on a trailer with a mega cab and still getting 26 mpg....that is a little far fetched. Please tell us how on earth he is achieving this feat.....26 mpg would be GREAT even if we were driving empty........

 

[rockrash]

I have had times when mine only got 17 hwy for a tank full. I was running it pretty hard and windy as crap (head wind). I generally get 20.5 average at 72 mph. If you are running #1 diesel or even a blend, there is less BTU's of energy per gallon than with #2 diesel. Your power and mileage will suffer. I have a Military 6.2l rated 150 hp on diesel and 135 hp on kerosene. depending on road and weather conditions this sometimes happens. I have a friend with a 97 12v, 4wd,5 speed, 3.54 gears and he averages 18.
I could see 13 if you are fighting a headwind and have a heavy foot. drive like you have an egg on the pedal and slow down. See where you are then. I once ran 765 miles on a single tank. Cruise set at 62 mph just to see. That was with 31 gallons at fill up to the cap. Around 24.7
By the way, if i reset my computer at each fill up it has been with 1/10b accurate on mileage vs hand calculations.

 

[rockrash]

A failing IP I believe will cause poor mileage as well, but generally down on power once this happens. Any codes set? Turn the key on and off three times in succession, leaving the key on on the third time. Let it run through ecm and pcm codes.

 

[dieseljay74]

Can anybody help me out? I am only getting 13MPG Hwy on my 2001 Dodge Ram 2500, 4X4, 5spd Standard, Quad Cab, long Box with 298000km on it. I put in my tank 53.7 Liters and drove for only 300kms and thats with warming up my truck for not longer than 5 min everyday, its always plugged in for at least 3 hours before starting. The temperature out here is anywhere from -20 to -35. Everything is stock on this truck!! Tire pressure is good and air filter gage sits at 0%.
Ive been told they should get something like 16 City/19-25 Hwy.
Any idea about the causes?

Don't forget the craptastic winter fuel most stations run now....there goes your mileage. I saw mine go from 17 to 15 in a week

 

[BernieL]

There is quite a difference between Imperial gallons and US gallons. Some of us are from north of the border and still use the Imperial gallons calculation. My truck does 850 km on about 100L of fuel during the summer on the highway taking it easy. Winter it drops to 700 to 650 km per 100L. I hate winter fuel!
02 2500 4x4 auto 3.55 gears 265/75r16 tires edge ez

 

[Sandman76]

You may get some better mileage with a mild programmer that will advance the fuel injection timing and get some more power too. Winter blend diesel does hurt milage for sure! Please fill out your signature with what you got, it helps us help you quickly.

 

[milesdodgeboy]

The problem is that not only people reporting that, just bought the recent issue of Diesel World and a guy with exactly same truck but with some mods, like 100HP injectors and stuff to increase the power on it is getting 19MPG. I've went through the internet in truck reviews and they claim almost the same numbers +-2MPG. At Dodge dealership they couldn't provide me with this information (but no wonder in Canada).
My father is driving a 2006 Dodge Ram 2500HD with 5.9L, 6Spd, Mega Cab, Short box also all stock and he is getting 26MPG while pulling a car on dolly behind him.
Yes my truck is a 6600 pounder.

I hope you don't believe everything you read in those mags. There is a lot of misinformation in them. Getting 26mpg towing a car? No way in hell he's getting that. If I take it easy I can squeeze real low 17mpg. If I drive normal it might be 15mpg if I'm lucky.

You say that you are getting 13mpg and I can fully believe that. If you were in the single digits I'd be concerned. Seriously the 4x4 and the fact that 4x4's sit higher mutilates mileage. The mileage is also affected by tires, terrain, and most importantly, driving style. In my opinion if someone is getting somewhere between 13-18mpg that's normal, and anybody that reaches high teens to low 20's has a truck that was made "just right.":thumbsup:

 

[Osar]

A few things that commonly cause poor mileage...

Dirty air filter (search BHAF for improvements)
Torque converter slipping (common with stock transmissions)
Dirty or bad MAP sensor
Truck in limp mode due to DTC (causes loss of power too)
Winter fuel blend
Improper tire inflation
Fuel leak
Restricted or plugged exhaust

 

[smokin texas goat]

I dont get the best of milage in my ride maybe 15mpg drivin normal, but if i wanted to get milage up in the twenties and even thirties i woulda bought a diesel jetta or a fuel efficent car. Not a 6,800 pound smoke wagon. I think i speak for most of us on the site.

 

[Construction Hillbilly]

same here if i drive my normal in town i get around 13-15 and on the highway i can get normaly 15-17 . mine is a 2wheel drive with dual rear wheels but i carry alot of extra stuff in the bed all the time. it took some time but i just excepted the milage as normal for me. it still beats the gas burning v-8 i had i couldnt get better then 12 out of it the way i drive.

 

[wthomas]

Could a slipping clutch cause mileage to go down? Mine has gone from 18 to 14.5 since the beginning of summer til now. I put a new clutch in but I havn't gone through a tank yet to see if it made a difference.

 

[edlupp]

Sound like u guys don't believe it! Ok my fathers Dodge is a 06 Dodge with a common rail in it and the stock MPG computer does show that. I was going with him from Quebec to Winnipeg, its around 100 bucks to fill up (93 cents per liter), so on the whole tank we could get around 1200kms far. I am my self from Germany and all i was driving out there are Diesels. I would see 13 MPG if i would have a freaking Chevy or Gmc V engine but guys common this is a Inline 6 Cummings.
One thing to mention IF 26MPG ON A 5.9L CRD IS FICTION FOR YOU THAN I GUESS I AM IN THE WRONG PLACE!!!

 

[edlupp]

Osar

Whats a MAP sensor?
Whats a DTC?

 

[edlupp]

Looks like youre pretty close to the MPG i've posted.
No i am not a heavy footer, 12MPG thats driving at 90 KMH and no jerkin.
i mean i do have a bit experience driving a truck the economical way but my number just made my day.

How do u get the codes read out? The check engine light is off.
Do u just use the Check Engine computer to read them?

 

[Sandman76]

Computer codes:

Cycle the igition key starting with off: ON OFF ON OFF ON and leave on but it has to be done within 5 seconds and the codes will read out on your odometer display.

 

[edlupp]

Thanks!
Is there a site or a list with all the possible codes?