ANOTHER new guy with an MPG question

[tjaburke8]

Hi all,
I've wanted a truck for a while now and FINALLY got a Ram 1500 Lonestar Crew Cab with a 5.7L HEMI. I absolutely love it, and I'm having 0 buyer regrets!

But of course, there is the never-ending curiousity about better gas mileage. I was determining whether or not to get a bed cover, so I did some research. For every article I find that says bed covers improve mpg, I can find an article that says it's a myth (most articles that say covers improve MPG are on sites trying to SELL bed covers).

I've read more into various forums and, aside from bed covers, I see 3 things continue to pop up.
1) Cold air intake
2) Computer programmer
3) Free flow exhaust system

Although, after looking into these I've found many disagree with them as well.

I don't know enough about engines to make a best-guess decision for myself. So, any help?? ASIDE from the obvious - slowing down, light foot on the gas, using cruise control....what are some options? Are there any options worth the money it will cost?

Yes, I know I bought a HEMI, and really - I'm not complaining at all. I love my truck and will probably never drive anything else. I just thought if there's room for improvement, why not do it now while it's still new???

Any...ANY...CONSTRUCTIVE suggestions/help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Pull Ya]

There seems to be about an equal number of people on both sides of this question. The ones that spent alot on mod's and will tell you they get way better mileage and the ones that didn't spend the extra money that say the mod's won't help you. I have a bed cover and I didn't see any noticeable improvement in mileage. I also have a home made CAI system and didn't see that much of an improvement in mileage. Magnaflow muffler, na, not that much. I don't have a tuner so I can speak about that. IMHO, you already named the most important things to increase mileage, slow down and the weight of your right foot.
Jay

 

[Chewy]

Have you watched the Mythbusters episode that tested tailgate up and down? It may enlighten you! You can find it on YouTube. I've had a bed cover in the past and I bought it for one thing, to keep the stuff in the bed out of the rain and snow. I saw no noticeable difference in MPG.


Sent from my iDevice using data nodes and algorithms.

 

[TXKID]

You're honestly not going to see too much of differences in mpg with mods in my experience. Yes they will help you some but not like everyone hopes for

 

[jasf]

Here's real world numbers for you. I just made the exact same 400 mile round trip 2 weekends in a row. Last weekend 19.8 mpg with a cover on. Today 20.2 without.

 

[blrmkrl83]

There's so many variables in mpg it's really difficult to say if something actually gets you better mileage or not. Besides that if you are driving to see what kind of mileage an add on gets you you're probably going to drive a little easier than normal. That being said if I raised my overall average mpg from the 14 it is now to 15, driving my 25,000 miles a year, I would save $416 in 1 year with gas at $3.50 a gallon. So if I spent $350 on a Vararam and it increased my mileage I could be money ahead in a year. Hmm... Gotta go talk to my wife.

 

[raptor1797]

Nice try blrmkrl83 ... think she will see you comming from a mile away. As far as increasing your milage, your best and worst friend is your right foot.

 

[SilsHemi]

Better gas mileage with any vehicle depends on how you drive it. Drive it like Grandma and you'll probably get better gas mileage. That's pretty hard to do with these trucks. Too much fun driving them hard. Enjoy your 15 mpg.