Consumer reports Ram 2500 diesel gas mileage

[jackjoh]

Just read the Consumer Reports car issue. They list the Dodge Ram 2500 fuel mileage as 13 MPG. On my trip to Phoenix last month my 2006 averaged 22.6 MPG which included all driving. I know they do not like American cars but this seems a little ridiculous. Around town here I average just over 19 and pulling the 5th wheel I average between 12 and 14 depending on the terrain.

 

[LT.]

Just read the Consumer Reports car issue. They list the Dodge Ram 2500 fuel mileage as 13 MPG. On my trip to Phoenix last month my 2006 averaged 22.6 MPG which included all driving. I know they do not like American cars but this seems a little ridiculous. Around town here I average just over 19 and pulling the 5th wheel I average between 12 and 14 depending on the terrain.

If they were quoting a 6.7 I might believe it. The 6.7 is a fuel hog.

LT.

 

[TkMeHomePlease]

I guess i would rather them quote under and get higher then higher and get under..

 

[Hickey]

Just read the Consumer Reports car issue. They list the Dodge Ram 2500 fuel mileage as 13 MPG. On my trip to Phoenix last month my 2006 averaged 22.6 MPG which included all driving. I know they do not like American cars but this seems a little ridiculous. Around town here I average just over 19 and pulling the 5th wheel I average between 12 and 14 depending on the terrain.

My results mirror yours. Mine is a 2009 2500 auto. I did unplug my egr valve though.

 

[Kirk]

My dad has a 6.7 mega cab 2500 with an auto. He gets bad mileage (I think) He probably gets about 17 mpg going 70-72 empty. Pulling he gets probably 2-3 mpg worse than my '03. What did you do to yours to get that good of mileage? You mentioned unplug the EGR?

Thanks

 

[blznnp]

those reports are better than what i get in my 08 f350, so i would be happy if i got what they report.

 

[jackjoh]

I have made no changes to my 06 and purposely bought the 5.9 liter because I did not want to be a Guinea pig for the new 6.7 liter engine. I would have liked the new 6 speed transmission but it was not available. I always buy automatics because they are more forgiving and actually easier to drive off road after I learned on a stick.

 

[LT.]

those reports are better than what i get in my 08 f350, so i would be happy if i got what they report.

Don't be too fooled by your lack luster fuel mileage. The 6.4l Power Stroke is capable of doing much better. As long as you are willing to part ways with the emissions.

I have made no changes to my 06 and purposely bought the 5.9 liter because I did not want to be a Guinea pig for the new 6.7 liter engine. I would have liked the new 6 speed transmission but it was not available. I always buy automatics because they are more forgiving and actually easier to drive off road after I learned on a stick.

I bought my 2006 for the exact same reason. I waited four years before I replaced it with my current 2010 mega.

LT.

 

[Hickey]

My dad has a 6.7 mega cab 2500 with an auto. He gets bad mileage (I think) He probably gets about 17 mpg going 70-72 empty. Pulling he gets probably 2-3 mpg worse than my '03. What did you do to yours to get that good of mileage? You mentioned unplug the EGR?

Thanks

There is a ton of info on the diesel forums about this if you are interested. The EGR valve will close when the engine is under heavy load. This is because the engine needs more oxygen, and the EGR circulates exhaust back through the motor when it is not under load. Unplugging the valve keeps the EGR closed. It will also throw a soft code and turn you Check Engine Light on.

I did a lot of research before unplugging mine. I did it at 700 miles and I have 28k on it now. When I take the truck in for service, I plug it back in and clear the codes first.

 

[blznnp]

Don't be too fooled by your lack luster fuel mileage. The 6.4l Power Stroke is capable of doing much better. As long as you are willing to part ways with the emisdions
LT.

if I was able to keep my truck registered at my house in WA I would take it off since I don't need emissions in my area there

 

[LT.]

if I was able to keep my truck registered at my house in WA I would take it off since I don't need emissions in my area there

It really is a shame that the emissions equipment is required to some extent. I have always wondered just how much cleaner the tail pipe emissions are with all the gear in versus having it all removed. It seems to me that if your vehicle is getting better mileage without it wouldn't that be better for the environment? We would use less fuel to get the same job done. Just thinking out loud here but, it seems like not only would we use less fuel but, we would spend less to get the same job done. Using less fuel must be an advantage somewhere. I just don't know if it is enough to out weigh the dirtier exhaust emissions.

LT.

 

[blznnp]

Here in the valley it might be bad. We don't have the smog back in WA like it is here. Plus if I took the emissions stuff off my warranty would be no go. I would forget to put emission stuff back on before going in.

 

[spencurai]

People still listen to consumer reports? I stopped paying attention to those idiots when I opened my garage door and found both of my suzuki samurais leaning against the wall.

 

[LT.]

Here in the valley it might be bad. We don't have the smog back in WA like it is here. Plus if I took the emissions stuff off my warranty would be no go. I would forget to put emission stuff back on before going in.

True but, all the problems I have seen on the 6.4l are mostly due to the emissions equipment. Same goes for the 6.7l Cummins. We have a UPS driver that has the dreaded 6.0l Power Stroke in his delivery truck. He has 350,000+ miles on it and no issues. When I looked at the engine he had no emissions equipment on the truck since it does not fall under a light truck. I figured that if a vehicle in that line of work can last like that then it must be a good engine. Add to that since he has no emissions equipment and no failures I think it is safe to say that the emissions equipment may very well be to blame.

LT.

 

[anderson750]

It seems everyone else is getting better mileage than me. I have an 06 3500 with auto & 5.9L with a cold air intake, Edge Juice and turbo back exhaust without cat. Unloaded on the highway I only get around 17-18 mpg on the highway and 15-16 in town..

 

[blznnp]

True but, all the problems I have seen on the 6.4l are mostly due to the emissions equipment. Same goes for the 6.7l Cummins. We have a UPS driver that has the dreaded 6.0l Power Stroke in his delivery truck. He has 350,000+ miles on it and no issues. When I looked at the engine he had no emissions equipment on the truck since it does not fall under a light truck. I figured that if a vehicle in that line of work can last like that then it must be a good engine. Add to that since he has no emissions equipment and no failures I think it is safe to say that the emissions equipment may very well be to blame.

LT.

My brother has the 6.0L power stroke in his work truck and loves it. they are great engines except for the head bolts and egr. I believe those are the main problems. but other than those, i think they are good engines. I love my 6.4, the mpg is the only thing that sucks but like you say, if I could just take the emissions stuff off, i have heard of a good amount of people that gain 5mpg with the DPF delete and programmer.

 

[jackjoh]

From all these posts it looks like I will keep mine. Do not know why it is so good and the others so bad but glad I got a good one.
Just figuring: because gas is about .50 cents cheaper than diesel a gas engine would only have to get 19.4 MPG to cost the same per mile if the diesel gets 22 MPG. or about 10% less. Very round figures.

 

[LT.]

It seems everyone else is getting better mileage than me. I have an 06 3500 with auto & 5.9L with a cold air intake, Edge Juice and turbo back exhaust without cat. Unloaded on the highway I only get around 17-18 mpg on the highway and 15-16 in town..

What gear ratio are you running? I would guess it is the 3.73 as those are the most popular. The secret to good/great mileage on a 5.9 cummins is to keep it in its happy place. Usually some where between 1600 and 1800 rpm's. This makes the truck slower as I bet with the 3.73 gears in drive 1800 rpm will net you around 65 mph. I figured this assuming you were still using the 48 model tranny. This would equate to good highway speed but, too slow for the interstate. The newer 6.7 cummins has the newer tranny behind it. The newer tranny makes the rpm's at 1800 while going 75mph down the road.

LT.

 

[anderson750]

What gear ratio are you running? I would guess it is the 3.73 as those are the most popular. The secret to good/great mileage on a 5.9 cummins is to keep it in its happy place. Usually some where between 1600 and 1800 rpm's. This makes the truck slower as I bet with the 3.73 gears in drive 1800 rpm will net you around 65 mph. I figured this assuming you were still using the 48 model tranny. This would equate to good highway speed but, too slow for the interstate. The newer 6.7 cummins has the newer tranny behind it. The newer tranny makes the rpm's at 1800 while going 75mph down the road.

LT.

You pretty much nailed it on the head. 65 mph = 1800 rpm = tc lockout

 

[LT.]

You pretty much nailed it on the head. 65 mph = 1800 rpm = tc lockout

Proof that it is better to be lucky than good. Or, maybe it is proof that sometimes the sun does shine on a dogs back door.

LT.