how to improve gas mileage

firefighter · Apr 9, 2014

is there a way to improve the gas mileage on my 99 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 5.9 gas 51000 miles and it has 285 65 17 mud terrain tires on it which is causing the speedometer to be 10 without buying a programmer. As of right now I'm getting eight miles to the gallon need to get better don't want to have to trade it in

WhiteExpress · Apr 9, 2014

That's LOW miles for a '99!

I'd start with a premium Cap n Rotor, good wires and a set of copper plugs.
Clean the Throttle Body (the IAC gums up)

Peer into the intake manifold and see if it's oily, might need to replace the plenum gasket.

Might want to just replace the front O2 sensor(s) too.

Large part of getting decent mileage out of a big truck is a light throttle and lower speeds. If you're trying to keep up with everyone off a stoplight, you'll never see 'good' MPG.

smarsmar101 · Apr 9, 2014

Buy a Kia.

B-g-K · Apr 9, 2014

Have your speedo adjusted, I'm betting the odometer isn't correct either. You're traveling a bit further because of the bigger tires for each mile it reads. Throws off your mpg calculation. Or I could be wrong.

Bluesmoke91 · Apr 9, 2014

Lose the mud tires.

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Merc225hp · Apr 9, 2014

No tuner is needed to adjust the speedo, the dealer can change it for you with their equipment. This applies to all 2nd gen trucks 98.5 and up, 98 and down all you do is change the gear in the tranny/xcase.

Note from my files; If you change your tire size and your dealer hasn't a clue as to correcting the speed/odo, point him to the Chassis Diagnostic Manual, section 29A. It's all there.

Casper · Apr 9, 2014

Drive downhill a lot.

firefighter · Apr 9, 2014

Ok I'm not trying to beat any body in a race with my truck ill see if changing the distributor cap news in the mud tires and changing the plugs and wires will help I just needed to have to get up and go when I want it to because I am a volunteer firefighter do you think going with the 265 70 16 all terrain tire be good

firefighter · Apr 9, 2014

I can put half a tank and go 30 miles and then I'll be empty

B-g-K · Apr 9, 2014

So you're getting like 3 mpg?

firefighter · Apr 9, 2014

In town

dodge dude94 · Apr 9, 2014

You're supposed to have a 26 gallon tank, so half is 13.
That's 2.3 mpg. WTF. Something is bad wrong here.

B-g-K · Apr 9, 2014

How many gallons does it take to read a half tank? Maybe the gas gauge is inaccurate. Does tnge has tank leak? Lol

ChillyPhil · Apr 16, 2014

Dang, and I thought my 9.8mpg was bad!

Odyssey31 · May 22, 2014

firefighter said:
Ok I'm not trying to beat any body in a race with my truck ill see if changing the distributor cap news in the mud tires and changing the plugs and wires will help I just needed to have to get up and go when I want it to because I am a volunteer firefighter do you think going with the 265 70 16 all terrain tire be good

I get about 15-17 in my 98 Dodge ram 1500. I have 265/75/16 and they look pretty good on the truck. If you're truck is lifted that'll make the mpg worse too.

how to improve gas mileage

firefighter

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WhiteExpress

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smarsmar101

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B-g-K

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Bluesmoke91

2nd GEN Site Mod

Merc225hp

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Casper

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firefighter

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firefighter

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B-g-K

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firefighter

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dodge dude94

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B-g-K

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ChillyPhil

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Odyssey31

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