Mileage drop over time

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Grad12

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Ok, I'm willing to admit, I just have no idea what's going on and I'm willing to admit I may be a victim of snake oil. My mpgs have been steadily decreasing for about 30 000 kms. Here's what I've done to my 2014 3.6 (it's got 120 000 km)

New sparkies 5000km ago.
K and N drop in filter (used and cleaned for 115000km)
Throttle body spacer (used for 100000km)
Moved cities (driving is the same but have been driving that for 10000km)
I use RP oil and change every 6000km


I'm getting an average now of 19 mpg, I used to get 24+ all the time. What gives? Are my cats slowly clogging? Should I try removing the throttle spacer? Add a cold air? I'm wondering if more smog creates worst mpg and how to combat that. I need that mpg back.

Any ideas or experiences are appreciated.
 
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Grad12

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I also just changed my rear dif fluid. It was changed at the dealer with RP and it was only done 5000km ago.
 

jmd4100

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I also just changed my rear dif fluid. It was changed at the dealer with RP and it was only done 5000km ago.
If you have a 1500 getting 24+ mpg you must be driving like a 96 year old woman lol. I have a friend with the pentastar and he gets 16 city 18 highway. Could very well be that your cats are clogging up. Drive that thing like you stole it for a while. Pick up a couple Chevron Techron fuel cleaners and pour both in when filling your tank. I usually use 3x what the bottle says. Had to do the same with my HEMI. I used to get 22 on the highway 14 city and that dropped to 15 highway and 11 city. I drove it like I stole it on a long road trip 3/4 throttle and full throttle for a good portion. You go through gas like crazy but I'm right back at 22 highway (it's actually still 21 but close enough) and I can still get 14 in the city.

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Hemi395

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Did you change elevation when you moved? That could contribute to the mileage difference....
 

68PowerWagon

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If you have a 1500 getting 24+ mpg you must be driving like a 96 year old woman lol. I have a friend with the pentastar and he gets 16 city 18 highway.

Oh come on he has to get better than that with the 3.6?! Does he drive it in 3rd gear the whole time? :confused: My 2500 with the 6.4 gets 16 highway & about 13-14 city in the summer. With the winter blend I get 12-13 city & about 14 highway.
 

jmd4100

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Oh come on he has to get better than that with the 3.6?! Does he drive it in 3rd gear the whole time? :confused: My 2500 with the 6.4 gets 16 highway & about 13-14 city in the summer. With the winter blend I get 12-13 city & about 14 highway.
No that's what he gets. He does drive like a you-know-what and uses 87 which I believe is correct for that engine. I use 89 in my 5.7 hemi. I'm getting 16-17 highway here on long island in the winter. I didnt know the 6.4 was that good on gas... she has a 2019 classic 3.6 red quad cab 4x4 idk what rear end he has. I have an 07 5.7 with the 545rfe (5 speed auto) and I wish the highway was better. My dad had a 19 redesign 1500 big horn 5.7 and he was getting 25 on the highway going from long island to the city. Only a dream for my truck. I can get 22 downhill coming down from upstate NY cruise set at 60-65.

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88ROOK

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just get yourself a vararam and tuck in as close as you can and draft off a semi and you'll right back 24mpg no problem...well thats what i read from another member on here with a 5.7
 

tap4154

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Ok, I'm willing to admit, I just have no idea what's going on and I'm willing to admit I may be a victim of snake oil. My mpgs have been steadily decreasing for about 30 000 kms. Here's what I've done to my 2014 3.6 (it's got 120 000 km)

New sparkies 5000km ago.
K and N drop in filter (used and cleaned for 115000km)
Throttle body spacer (used for 100000km)
Moved cities (driving is the same but have been driving that for 10000km)
I use RP oil and change every 6000km


I'm getting an average now of 19 mpg, I used to get 24+ all the time. What gives? Are my cats slowly clogging? Should I try removing the throttle spacer? Add a cold air? I'm wondering if more smog creates worst mpg and how to combat that. I need that mpg back.

Any ideas or experiences are appreciated.

My 2018 V6 1500 gets about 19 MPG average combined, I can't imagine getting 24 combined. If I take a freeway-only trip it gets about 23-24.
 

jmd4100

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just get yourself a vararam and tuck in as close as you can and draft off a semi and you'll right back 24mpg no problem...well thats what i read from another member on here with a 5.7
Yes I went upstate with my friend in front of me carrying an 11k lbs trailer. I stayed about 30 feet or so behind and averaged 26 in my 07 5.7 5 speed

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88ROOK

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Yes I went upstate with my friend in front of me carrying an 11k lbs trailer. I stayed about 30 feet or so behind and averaged 26 in my 07 5.7 5 speed

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LOL
 
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Grad12

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If you have a 1500 getting 24+ mpg you must be driving like a 96 year old woman lol. I have a friend with the pentastar and he gets 16 city 18 highway. Could very well be that your cats are clogging up. Drive that thing like you stole it for a while. Pick up a couple Chevron Techron fuel cleaners and pour both in when filling your tank. I usually use 3x what the bottle says. Had to do the same with my HEMI. I used to get 22 on the highway 14 city and that dropped to 15 highway and 11 city. I drove it like I stole it on a long road trip 3/4 throttle and full throttle for a good portion. You go through gas like crazy but I'm right back at 22 highway (it's actually still 21 but close enough) and I can still get 14 in the city.

I use Lucas oil upper cylinder lubricant every fill up, I would figure it stays clean, but I worry about the cats. I'm not sure if I can get it way up in temp in the winter in Canada.
 
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Grad12

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Should I even mix injector cleaners? Would the Lucas be clogging those cats? I'm gonna have some fun with it this week and see if it makes a difference.
 

tap4154

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Ok, I'm willing to admit, I just have no idea what's going on and I'm willing to admit I may be a victim of snake oil. My mpgs have been steadily decreasing for about 30 000 kms. Here's what I've done to my 2014 3.6 (it's got 120 000 km)

New sparkies 5000km ago.
K and N drop in filter (used and cleaned for 115000km)
Throttle body spacer (used for 100000km)
Moved cities (driving is the same but have been driving that for 10000km)
I use RP oil and change every 6000km


I'm getting an average now of 19 mpg, I used to get 24+ all the time. What gives? Are my cats slowly clogging? Should I try removing the throttle spacer? Add a cold air? I'm wondering if more smog creates worst mpg and how to combat that. I need that mpg back.

Any ideas or experiences are appreciated.

Are you using a reusable/cleanable air filter? I'd put in just a standard paper filter and see what happens.
 
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Grad12

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Are you using a reusable/cleanable air filter? I'd put in just a standard paper filter and see what happens.

Good idea, but what I don't understand is that I've been using the reusable filter for 100000+km. I clean it once a year and it looks almost brand new. Why the difference over the last few oil changes?
 

tap4154

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Good idea, but what I don't understand is that I've been using the reusable filter for 100000+km. I clean it once a year and it looks almost brand new. Why the difference over the last few oil changes?

Just a thought. Maybe they don't really get that clean and eventually restrict air? New disposable ones are cheap, I just got a Purolator One at Pep Boys for $15, and it's thicker than the stock one as well. I kept the original over 25K miles and it's fairly dirty.

Ram Air Filters Top.jpg Ram Air Filters Bot.jpg
 
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Grad12

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Funny. I drove it hard for a good 4 hours yesterday. High speed, speed variation, idling for a few minutes to get the heat up. My readout is back to normal ish. I might have had some clogged cats that got cleared. I'm happy.
 

jmd4100

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Funny. I drove it hard for a good 4 hours yesterday. High speed, speed variation, idling for a few minutes to get the heat up. My readout is back to normal ish. I might have had some clogged cats that got cleared. I'm happy.
Good man lol. Keep doing that, dont get pulled over, and your truck'l be as good as new


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