First Ram!

[laynemoore]

Hey everyone! I am new to the forum and new to Dodge! I just bought a 2009 1500! I love everything about it!

I do have a couple questions though. Being a college kid I am a bit concerned and honestly OCD about mpg. I knew when I bought the truck that I wasn't going to get the best but who doesn't like to get better if they can, right?

So…what are some options to get the most mileage from it? Intake? Modifications to the exhaust? I've read that people see an increase when they put a bed cover on? Im not real heavy on my foot but I do like to have a fun now and then lol!

I've always been a diesel guy and I always had a programmer in my trucks, so are there kind of programmers or tuners out there for gas trucks? If so, are they any good??

I love the truck and I'm beyond excited about it, all I want to do is drive it lol.

Thanks in advance for all the comments and advice.

 

[Ramguy65]

Welcome and congrats on your new truck! There are a few things you can do for a little better gas mileage. True dual exhaust, intake, ported throttle body and a tuner. I had Superchips, 85mm ported throttle body an S&B intake and a 14" Magnaflow on my 09 and saw around 2-3mpg increase in mileage on the highway. Didn't change much in the city because I couldn't keep my foot off the gas!

 

[laynemoore]

Thanks for the advice ramguy65! You talk about a true dual exhaust. What do you mean by that? My truck already has dual pipes, is one just for looks and doesn't serve much purpose? I haven't really gotten underneath to look at anything. Also, this may be a dumb question but why would a different TB increase mpg?

 

[JohnD72]

Your exhaust has a single pipe running into one muffler, then dual pipes from the muffler to the tips. True duals have separate pipes from the manifolds all the way out.

 

[Cruizer]

Welcome and congrats on the truck. As far as MPG and trying to squeeze a little more out of your truck, you have to weigh cost into it. Anything you can do to squeeze out another mile or two per gallon, will probably cost more than you'd save over a year or so.

That and the mods that do boost MPG, also usually boost performance. Which if you stomp on the skinny pedal to feel said performance boost, there goes your MPG.

If you want to mod your truck anyways, your first two mods for MPG should probably be cold air intake and a tuner, though people say tuners can get you in trouble with warranty work. I'm currently lookin' at the Diablo tuner myself, but because I'm trying to squeeze out more HP.

Now lets see some pics.

 

[audio1der]

^ That is a great point about weighing out the money you spend on mods to achieve better MPG. the intakes on our trucks are really efficient with a cold air scoop from behind the foglight/lower facia area.
the only "mod" that has made a difference for me is the "Big 3" ground upgrades. CAI, PTB, muffler, nothing. Even lowering the truck a couple inches didn't provide a measurable MGP gain.
I'd suggest making sure your tires are properly inflated and that the truck stays well maintained; clean oil & air filter. Beyond that, it will take YEARS of driving for a "MPG mod" to pay for itself.

 

[Sparkyy]

Welcome to RF!

Show us some pictures of your truck.

 

[laynemoore]

Ill post some pics today!

 

[AirborneSilva]

Welcome to the Ram family, this is my third Ram - all with Hemi's! I have found personally that no matter what mods I put on, be it a tuner, a programmer or true dual exhaust (or on one Ram all three), the MPG's didn't change a bit, well at time they got worse but that was due to a gravity distortion over my right foot at times Just enjoy it!!!

 

[DavidRam]

I like what ^^^ said!
Welcome to the forum! I am a newer Ram owner too.
Every time I looked into doing something to improve my mpgs, I found something instead that would improve my acceleration and that = fun!
I vote for fun!