Anyone ever squeezed 24MPG out of their Hemi Ram?

[hatersaurusrex]

I just did yesterday.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get more than 20 but I dialed it down to where the engine would stay in ECO mode most of the time and rode for 3 hours - the results are pretty impressive.   After 2.5 hours I hadn't even eaten up a quarter tank of gas.

[hatersaurusrex]

And for the curious - it's a 2011 Crew Cab Sport 4x4 on 89 octane Shell pump gas.  Mildly hilly terrain from west to middle TN.  5 speed auto (I hear the new 8 speeds get even better MPG's at highway speeds)

No topper or tonneau, tailgate up (thanks mythbusters) - tires at about 38PSI each - no engine mods other than a (probably worthless) K&N CAI.   Pretty sure the stock CAI pushed just as much air but it impresses the ricers.

[68X426]

My new 2014 Hemi Ram 4x4, with the 8 speed, is rated at 15 and 21.  The very first tank got 22 mpg, mostly highway.  We tentatively have a road trip soon to Utah.  If it happens I'll aim to match the 24 you got.

The eight speed is for real.

[hatersaurusrex]

My new 2014 Hemi Ram 4x4, with the 8 speed, is rated at 15 and 21.  The very first tank got 22 mpg, mostly highway.  We tentatively have a road soon to Utah.  If it happens I'll aim to match the 24 you got.

The eight speed is for real.

Yeah the '11 models are only rated for 18 highway and I squeezed 6 more MPGs out - so you might get well into the mid-20's if you baby it.

I think the 5 speed is the only thing keeping me from getting even better numbers- in 5th the ratio is just short enough to make it kick out of ECO around 70MPH or so and it pulls about 2K RPM.  If you can keep the motor between 15-1800 RPM I've noticed it stays in ECO for far longer, and building momentum down long hills and coasting back up can mean only long hill pulls bring it out of ECO.   Just a tiny nudge of the pedal on the way down and a tiny backing off on the way back up.

When I started I was using the cruise control to do it, but by turning it off and modulating the pedal slightly to drive it, I noticed the number started climbing.  Once I was up to 22 I decided to see how high I could get it.

I don't know what the difference between real MPG and what the evic says - but 1/4 of a tank for 2.5 hours of driving tells me it's pretty good either way.

[70 sublime]

About the only think cruise control is good for is keep from getting speeding tickets  set it and forget it

I have a 2014 hemi 4X4 quad cab that has about 5000 miles on it now

A couple of weeks ago we went on a road trip and it was 5 hours round trip (to look at a Charger  )
By the time we got home and looked I was just at over 22mpg
The cruise was on for about 1/2 of the trip (too much traffic for the other 1/2)
If when driving with the cruise on the eco light is not on very much

Around home I do the very same thing speed up a little down the hills to coast up the other side without moving the gas pedal and the eco light will stay on but you do slow down some

Too bad there was not a cruise control option to just keep the gas pedal where you have it instead of the speedometer where you had it

[twodko]

That's impressive mileage and you and Dan have 4wd trucks. I've always used cruise control for ticket avoidance mainly but also thought I got better has mileage. After reading a few posts here about getting better gas mileage without using CC I haven't been using it too much. My Ram is a 2009 hemi 2wd that I just filled up yesterday.rime opportunity to see how much mileage I can squeeze out of a tank. The truck gets about 400 mile per tank of fuel. Does that sound about right?

[flyinlow]

That's impressive. My '04 has never done better than 18 MPG on the road. Maybe it's time to trade up.

[Dino]

I got an average of at least 40 mpg in the Charger when I didn't put it in park and the sob started rolling down the driveway...does that count?

[hatersaurusrex]

That's impressive mileage and you and Dan have 4wd trucks. I've always used cruise control for ticket avoidance mainly but also thought I got better has mileage. After reading a few posts here about getting better gas mileage without using CC I haven't been using it too much. My Ram is a 2009 hemi 2wd that I just filled up yesterday.rime opportunity to see how much mileage I can squeeze out of a tank. The truck gets about 400 mile per tank of fuel. Does that sound about right?

That does sound right - I get about 400 per tank normally.   In this case I'd already come almost 170 miles and according to the EVIC had 410 more to go with what I had in the tank.   I'm not sure I believe I'll be able to get 550+ miles out of a tank, but I can sure try.

[WINGR]

I just did yesterday.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get more than 20 but I dialed it down to where the engine would stay in ECO mode most of the time and rode for 3 hours - the results are pretty impressive.   After 2.5 hours I hadn't even eaten up a quarter tank of gas.

Hi. can you please tell me what gear you have in your 4x4 Hemi Ram? I am considering getting one and have been trying to decide between the 3:21 or the 3:92. Of course I would rather have the 3:92 but am also wanting to get some decent mileage. Also what to get on the expressway when doing at least 70mph?

Thanks,
WINGR/Steve

[69_500]

Do not have a Ram, but average 24.5 over last 6000 miles in our 05 Durango with the Hemi

[68X426]

My 2014 Ram Hemi 4x4, with the TorqueFlite 8HP70 8-speed transmission, has the 3.21 gears.  I think that ratio is standard equipment, and you can't order the 3.92.  The 3.92 option is only available with the 6-speed (I think).

The ratios for the 8-speed look like this:

1- 4.71
2- 3.14
3- 2.10
4- 1.67
5- 1.29
6- 1.00
7-   .84
8-   .67

The final ratio in 8th gear is 2.15. 

My calculator says that with the stock 33" tires, the motor is turning 1423 rpms at 65 mph.  That is freaking low.  I think the tranny may not even find 7th or 8th gear until 70 and 80mph.  I'll be testing it.

In first and second it is a genuine kick-in-the-ass.  You'd never know it had 3.21s.  And we cannot feel any shifts, nothing to be felt.  Takes getting used to.

I expect even better mileage once a camper shell is in place and taller tires are added, while maintaining the ground pounding power.  The 8-speed is quite the advancement, how else can you get 22 mph out of 400+ horses in a 6000 pound beast. 

[miller time]

i know its totally different, stock i got upwards of 25+mpg at 55mph or so no ac
but my 05 3500 dually cummins 24 valve 6spd stick, stock, with a bully dog programmer, (paid $150 for it used and up to 140 hp and 210 torques) and at 45-50mph wth ac on im reading upwards of 33MPG if i dont dump diesel smoke on the gassers and its told me over 45MPG without AC, and that just on preformance, not extreme, which is more power and better timing
when i got the programmer the guy installed it for me, really easy, i left his house, hit a stop sign, got up to 30mph and stepped on it slowly and at 35mph i broke the duallys loose and started spinning on dry pavement, needless to say im a VERY happy boy
but still get crap over 75mph, and by crap i mean 18-14, but still beats a new '12 6.7 cummins auto, and i can dump smoke on anyone i want whenever i want, and yes it is fun to dump diesel smoke
but my stock clutch HATES ME, so i learned to keep it happy

[Todd Wilson]

Until you do the math at the gas pump the console read outs don't mean a thing. None are accurate at all. I had a Chevy Impala Rental car for a month (worst month of my life) and I could get its console to show stupid MPG by moving the pedal around.


Todd

[68X426]

Until you do the math at the gas pump the console read outs don't mean a thing.

I'll agree.  I did the math, 291 miles and 13.09 gallons equals 22.23 miles per gallon.  Topped off, no short pumping.

The console read 22 mpg.  But I don't assume accuracy for years to come either.

Filled up today and got 18.1 mpg.  The wife had it for the week and ran lots of errands around town, stop and go.

[70 sublime]

I just did yesterday.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get more than 20 but I dialed it down to where the engine would stay in ECO mode most of the time and rode for 3 hours - the results are pretty impressive.   After 2.5 hours I hadn't even eaten up a quarter tank of gas.

Hi. can you please tell me what gear you have in your 4x4 Hemi Ram? I am considering getting one and have been trying to decide between the 3:21 or the 3:92. Of course I would rather have the 3:92 but am also wanting to get some decent mileage. Also what to get on the expressway when doing at least 70mph?

Thanks,
WINGR/Steve

I have 3:21 gears in my 2014 4X4 hemi truck with the 6 spd auto
The truck before this one was a 2011 4X4 hemi 5 spd auto with 3:92 (my first new truck ever)
The 2011 was fast .  Never lost a stop light battle with it (just flip it into 4X4 and the other guy had no chance   )
I never felt like the motor was reving high on the major roads but the mpg was not great
With my 2014 just after I got it I noticed it would not pass cars as well (pull out to pass a slow car and pull back in front)
I think more of what was happening was that being the 6 spd it had to shift down one more gear (which takes a little more time) to get up and go
After having this one now for a while I do not miss the 3:92 as much (a distant fond memory) as I am getting better mpg
The next driveway up the road from my place is just over  1/4 mile and the 2014 is going faster than the 2011 did at that point on the road if you keep your foot in it

[ITSA426]

I've got an '05 RumbleBee, before the MDS went into Rams.  Love the truck but I could only get 24 mpg if I pushed it downhill 12 miles.  Four wheel drive, 3.92 gears, 20" tires and a buttload of attitude.  I don't use it as an air hauler though.  If I'm driving it, it's being a truck.

[ITSA426]

I've got an '05 RumbleBee, before the MDS went into Rams.  Love the truck but I could only get 24 mpg if I pushed it downhill 12 miles.  Four wheel drive, 3.92 gears, 20" tires and a buttload of attitude.  I don't use it as an air hauler though.  If I'm driving it, it's being a truck.

[69charger2002]

Until you do the math at the gas pump the console read outs don't mean a thing. None are accurate at all. I had a Chevy Impala Rental car for a month (worst month of my life) and I could get its console to show stupid MPG by moving the pedal around.


Todd

This is generally SOOO true. I have never had a ram trip computer be accurate, and i've had 15-20 rams over the years. They always err on the favorable side by 2-3.. Even my few cummins rams that i thought were getting 23-24 mpg would end up getting 20-21 actual once i filled it up the same way and divided the 600 miles by 30 gallons.. never gotten over 20 mpg out of a 1500 ram for a full tank. EVER. not saying you guys are lying by any means. But even my 2012 Hemi ram 2wd crew best i got was 18.5 and i was cruising 70 on flat roads in Louisiana/Mississippi the entire trip.

[hatersaurusrex]

I just did yesterday.  To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever get more than 20 but I dialed it down to where the engine would stay in ECO mode most of the time and rode for 3 hours - the results are pretty impressive.   After 2.5 hours I hadn't even eaten up a quarter tank of gas.

Hi. can you please tell me what gear you have in your 4x4 Hemi Ram? I am considering getting one and have been trying to decide between the 3:21 or the 3:92. Of course I would rather have the 3:92 but am also wanting to get some decent mileage. Also what to get on the expressway when doing at least 70mph?

Thanks,
WINGR/Steve

Mine has 3.55'\s

I get about 20 if I'm doing 75MPH or so - mostly because anything around 2K RPM and the ECO mode kicks off.  The 3.21 might be just tall enough where you could get around that.

[Old Moparz]

I've got an '05 RumbleBee, before the MDS went into Rams.  Love the truck but I could only get 24 mpg if I pushed it downhill 12 miles.  Four wheel drive, 3.92 gears, 20" tires and a buttload of attitude.  I don't use it as an air hauler though.  If I'm driving it, it's being a truck.

Same set up here, except mine has 17" wheels. The best MPG I ever recall getting was about 17 hwy on a trip to Carlisle at 70 to 75 MPH. Around town it's single digits. I bought it to tow so I never expected to get any better than this.

[green69rt]

I don't have a Ram (Chevy) but trying to get high mileage out of these rolling shoe boxes is very dependent on speed.  Small 2005 Colorado with a I4 and I can get 27 as long as I keep the speed right at 62 with a very light touch on the gas.  My truck probably has a smaller frontal area than a Ram so that explains a lot.  Cruising at 75 puts me at 22 or even less, so speed and frontal area has a lot to do with things.  The new multi speed tranys probably help a lot but still a long way from my wife's Acura that gets 36-37 at 70.

That said, getting anything over 20 with the weight and big horsepower is remarkable.  Only big truck I had was a Ford and I suffered thru years of 14-17 MPG.

[gschmidt211]

I just sent you a PM.  DO you know what gear set is in your truck.  I ordered mine with the 3.55.

My new 2014 Hemi Ram 4x4, with the 8 speed, is rated at 15 and 21.  The very first tank got 22 mpg, mostly highway.  We tentatively have a road trip soon to Utah.  If it happens I'll aim to match the 24 you got.

The eight speed is for real.

[gschmidt211]

I had such high hopes for my truck, but I am just starting to see 17.5 with my 2014.  Up until now, I was seeing about 16.8 consistently.  I have 3400 miles on the truck and I am a lot disappointed with the mileage so far.  I bought it with the 3.6L 8 Speed 4X2.  The sticker states 17/24 with an average of 20. 

The hemi trucks were rated for 15/21 and I was debating the hemi truck.  I had a 2005 hemi and traded that in as the gas was getting to be a bit too much.  Now with the better advertised mileage, I figured it was time to give it another shot.  If the mileage doesn't seem to improve as the weather gets a bit better, I am not sure what I will do.  I may have to trade it in on a hemi.  If I am going to get the mileage anyways, I might as well have the engine to go with it. 

And if others are seeing improved mpg with the hemi, it was probably the way to go anyways.

We are going to Carlisle in July, however, I will be towing, so it will not be a good comparison for mileage, but I will see how she does.  If the first year bites for mileage, I will have to consider trading her in.

[WINGR]

Thanks for the help everyone, still not sure which way to go yet but know that that it should be a 8-speed trans with the Hemi for sure.

WINGR/Steve

[Todd Wilson]

MPG is an interesting thing.............Certain conditions will provide for really good MPG for a vehicle every once in a while. My 95 Ram 1500 with a 360  used to get 15-16mpg on the interstate long haul driving. I got 20mpg one time with it on a trip and that was the only time it did that. An occasional 17mpg but not often.   My 2005 2500 Cummins  I have really be watching and its an amazing machine compared to my old 95.  It will get 22.5mpg at 65mph all day long every day when not running winter fuel.  Screwing it down at 75mph on the interstate drops it to 20mpg and 70mph usually gets it to about 21mpg. Running it at 55mph kills the mpg on it. The rpms are right on the tork cliff and it hangs at 19-20mpg which still isn't bad for the truck but interesting to see what speeds do to it. Driving slower isn't always the best for MPG but running em hard doesn't help either. Putz'n around town with it has given me 16-18mpg averages with the exception of the winters using winter fuel and idling and then its down to 12-14mpg.  I am in the flat lands of Kansas so I am probably lucky compared to others for flat long stretches of road instead of other areas with curves and hills. I use an app on my iphone to record service/fuel stuff and its interesting to see the mpg average over time. There were certain months where it got about 3-4mpg less then my wifes little car running around town. And for a 4 door 2500 truck that's not bad at all.


Todd

[Silver R/T]

8 speed must really help, wish I could get 8spd in my 01 Cummins Ram.

[Kern Dog]

I've had the overhead console read as high as 24 mpg while driving 55 on flat ground. 2007 Ram 1500 5.7 with MDS. 3.55 gear 2wd Reg cab. I just cant tolerate that slow of a pace. I feel like I'd fall asleep if I stayed driving at that speed.

[Silver R/T]

I went camping last weekend and I pulled up at camp office/administration. I see older guy approach my truck and I thought he was park ranger at first. I opened up door and he says "Your truck is sure loud, and all these newer trucks are loud, way louder than mine" I was relieved knowing that I wasn't in trouble but then I'm thinking how is my truck loud, it's all stock 2001 Cummins 24valve 5.9L.
I see he parked his truck next to mine and I asked him which year is it. He says "oh it's 2004" I reply back "well mine is 2001"
He says "oh you kept yours in real good condition then, looks well cared for"
Then he says that his 2004 is 2WD and he gets 24mpg (which I find hard to believe, he probably goes off of computer-which usually lies)
He proceeded to tell me how he likes Dodges and used to be a Ford truck guy and once Ford dealership tried to screw him over, he went to Dodge dealer and got himself a Dodge and has been a Dodge guy since then.