Better Gas Mileage?

[idahododgeguy]

Hey all, So I'm not sure if this is general or if I should be posting in engine section or something but I have a question none the less. I have a 2000 Dodge 2500 4x4 5.9 gas, auto and 4.10 gears. I'm looking for any way to get better mileage out of it besides switing gear ratios. It only averages about 13 and that's pathetic, if anyone has any tips or has done anything to these to make them suck less fuel please let me know.

 

[LilRamMan]

Exhuast, CAI, Tuner. Those will all help somewhat in performance as well.

 

[Stangshcky12]

Bigger tires

 

[infernoredram]

Honestly that's not too shabby when taking it's a 3/4 ton into consideration. My 4.7 1500 on 35's got the same. I'd have to agree with Cody also, take advantage of the 4.10's!

 

[Okiespaniel]

Bigger tires will add unsprung weight and tank your mileage. Takes more power to turn 'em!

I'd try a tuner. I picked up about 1 mpg city and 2 mpg highway. None of my other mods did squat for mileage.
Also make sure your alignment is good, your tires maxed with air pressure, and keep your oil changed.

Wow...13 mpg! I wish! 12.8 is the best I've recorded.

 

[Sagebrush2500]

Keep out of the throttle... just a couple launches will destroy a tankful of diligent attempts to conserve.

 

[LB3711]

drop the gear ratio will be the biggest help. get stock sized tires, put the truck to bone stock. by the time you get an Exhuast, CAI, Tuner you have spent more than your trying to save. Make sure you have good spark plugs and a good air filter, your brakes are working properly and not dragging.

or sell the truck and buy a 4 cylinder lol youll go from 13 mpg to 30+ mpg

 

[Stangshcky12]

Thinking about what your saying more it doesn't seem to me that you need a 3/4 with a 360 and 4:10s?

 

[Okiespaniel]

I'd agree with the above posts....except I wouldn't drop the gear ratio...I have a similar enough truck (if his is stock) except for gearing and he's getting better mileage WITHOUT any mods. And yea if you don't really need or want the truck, sell it. Don't dump a wheelbarrow full of cash into it unless you plan on keeping it and tolerating the mileage. You can't make a Honda out of a barge.

Of course you have to understand that top mileage for these trucks when new was only about 14-16 average. They were never mileage champs...but gas was only $1.68 a gallon too!


I figured I'd pay for my tuner in about a year with the mileage increase I got.


BTW, have you checked or had you vehicle tested for a blown plenum?

 

[ramhunter9]

I was going to say plenum also .. good call ^^

 

[Okiespaniel]

You know Dave...I had the blown plenum blues too...well not the blues but the pings...and when I fixed that, including a timing chain replacement...it didn't do squat for mileage.
Apparently it affects some vehicles more than others.
I'd just pulled up some old roadtests and specs trying to research another project and I believe average mpg for gassers with the 5.9 was around that 14 -16 mark. So for a 12 year old truck with average mileage and decent maintainence 13 mpg isn't a bad mark.

If the OP returns and reposts, it might be nice to know a bit more about the truck. Is it "stock"? Meaning unlifted, no motor mods, cosmetic gee gaws...etc.
The mileage, type of driving, is it filled with "work stuff". You know, things that affect mileage.

 

[smiley]

I think for 5.9L and 5.2L that is right where it should be with 4:10's in a 2500. You are never going to get great MPG out of 318 or 360 just not a strength of those bad boys. They will however outlast pretty much anything out there except maybe a diesel.

 

[SmokedRam]

Alter your driving style...

 

[idahododgeguy]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Kinda tells me what I already suspected. I'm not going to sell it because I farm and live where the winters are terrible so I need my trailer puller and 4wd lol. I guess here's hoping gas prices come down to where they should be

 

[V-10 RAM]

Every time I try to get better mileage out of a Dodge I only get better performance & worse gas mileage. I changed from 4:10 to 3:55 in an 1st gen 360, 4 speed 2x4 & everything got worse, so don't change gears.
A tuner maybe your only way to get better mileage. I know a guy with an 08 Hemi 4x4 & he got about 2-3 mpg better with a tuner.

 

[nitto]

Im getting arounf 12-13 on mine and mines a v10 but I have exhaust and stuff done but idk

 

[PinkCamoDodge]

I get better gas mileage by not driving too often, heehee

Jus kiddin.

 

[WhiteExpress]

That's what I'd see out of mine around town, very very consistently. Best of luck!

 

[ParrotHead FA]

I can get 26-27 mpg out of my 98 ram 1500 at 65 mph on the highway, but, I did a ton of minor mods to the engine and exhaust, including true duals with no mufflers or cats, ram air intake, altering the operating temp, timing advance and spark curve, ignition system upgrades, etc. But, i bought my truck new and will probably keep it for many more years to come. Interestingly enough, it seems there's always a point where power and fuel economy come together, speeds above and below 65 mph roll off that great gas mileage pretty fast, and as one person already pointed out in this thread, taking advantage of the added power with a few burnouts or jackrabbit starts will bring down the avaerage pretty quick.
Dave

 

[05singlecabHEMI]

My buddy has a 1996 360. Has about 50+performance mods and gets about 20mpg highway. And about 10city with 3.92 gears and has about 280k miles
Only advice i can give is change your driving habbits. Also every now and then add some additive to your tank. Couldnt hurt.