Sniffing Around...

[winesalot]

Hi. I currently own a 2001 Ram 2500 with a Cummins Diesel for my winery truck and a 1997 Subaru Legacy as my commuter car to the pesky day job. The Subaru has served me well but has 320,000 miles on it. I am getting close to quitting my job and going full time in our winery. When I do I am looking to sell the Subaru and buy a 1/2 ton truck for may daily driver.

I am thinking a Ram 1500 with four doors is the truck I want.

I have spoken to two friends that have them and the guy with a 2012 5.7l says he gets nothing better than 17 mpg and the other has a 2014 5.7 and gets 21 mpg. I am not overly concerned with 4 mpg difference but would like to know if there is a reason for that? Different transmissions in those years..etc.

Generally I'd like to get to know these trucks via this forum so that I can make a eyes wide open decision when it's time. Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Alan

 

[NorthwestGuy]

I would say that driving style probably accounts for most of that. I have a lead foot and never get maximum mpg out of any vehicle that I've owned.

 

[MidwestJ]

2 wheel drive vs. 4 wheel?

Different transmissions?

Gearing?
Tires?

Many variables

 

[JohnnyMac]

Agree with NWGuy. Probably mostly driver style. I suppose 2wd vs 4wd could play into it as well. I get about 26 all around with my Eco-Diesel (Also a 4 door 1500) so that's an option as well.

 

[GsRAM]

Agreed, as stated...Could the 12 be a 6 speed trans and the 14 an 8?

Beyond that, driving style, commute, highway vs city driving all play a role.

Around town my 2500 6.4 is 10 or 11 average this time of year.

That's mostly city though.

 

[quietpeen]

the 2012 definitely does not have the 8 speed.

 

[huntergreen]

Depending on how you use the ram 1500, check out the ecodiesel and the V6 Pentastar If mpg is important to you.

 

[Pull Ya]

Usually people that buy Hemi's aren't looking for super good gas mileage. It may concern some but most of us are looking at other things except good gas mileage. If mileage is at the top of your list I think you may be disappointed.
Jay

 

[mboymopar]

2012 3.55 rear end gears 6 speed.
20” wheels
13-14 city 15-16 highway.
Welcome to the site from west Michigan

 

[MidTennMtneer]

If you don't need V8 power, go 3.6 Pentastar. I'm averaging almost 19mpg. And honestly, the thing will throw you back in the seat easily.

I'm getting better mileage in this thing than I did in my Frontier.

 

[jasonw]

The 8 speed (option in 2013 and newer trucks) makes a lot of difference.
Gear ratios make a little difference, mostly at highway speeds.
Style of driving makes the majority of the difference, as others stated.

Get the perfect combination of 3.21 gears, 8-speed, and easy driving habits, and even with the Hemi, you'll see over 20 regularly.

Even in my heavy Longhorn, with 3.92 gears and Hemi, I can see over 20 if I get stuck driving 55-65 through construction zones and the wind isn't against me.

 

[winesalot]

Thanks everyone for all the great responses. I think what I was asking without knowing it was answered with the 6spd vs 8spd transmissions. Like I said, I am not overly worried about a few mpg difference but am interested in learning all I can.

 

[KeithStone76]

If you don't need V8 power, go 3.6 Pentastar. I'm averaging almost 19mpg. And honestly, the thing will throw you back in the seat easily.

I'm getting better mileage in this thing than I did in my Frontier.

What this says.

Sent from my moto e5 play using Tapatalk

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I have an 11 5.7 crew cab 4x4 6 speed and 3.55s and a 16 5.7 crew cab 4x4 8 speed and 3.21s. the 11 gets averg 18.5 freeway, 14 town if i drive sensibly. in 4x4 the mileage drops approx 2 mpg, mostly in town.

the 16 gets on average 19.2 freeway and 15.4 in town. in 4x4 the mileage drops approx 2 mpg, mostly in town.

in auto 4x4 at speed on the freeway, little to no mpg difference as the atuo only kicks in when rear wheels slip.

both of these MPG averages are on stock wheels and crap year (goodyear SRA) tires. Heavier wheels will impact MPG.

To answer your question. Lots of variables, however the one you have most control of is HOW you drive and it makes a WORLD of difference.

the real world difference is minor, IMHO

 

[Kap1]

I've got a 2013 with 8 speed and only get about 14 mpg average in 50/50 highway city driving.

As others mentioned, you'll probably be disappointed if mpg really matters to you if you get a hemi. I think that us hemi owners let go of mpg a while ago and don't even notice it anymore we enjoy the power and sound of the hemi

 

[ctdodge]

2012 3.55 rear end gears 6 speed.
20” wheels
13-14 city 15-16 highway.
Welcome to the site from west Michigan

Love your avatar!!!