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bmac
User
Jul 3, 2007, 7:27 PM
Post #1 of 4
(2454 views)
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Poor fuel economy
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I have a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with an 8.0L V10. I know I should expect terrible fuel economy but I'm only getting 6 miles per gallon! This vehicle has been maticulously maintained. Regular oil changes, tune ups, fuel injection flush, etc. There are no codes stored in the computer and it runs beautifully!! Is this mileage normal? I never put much thought into it until my buddy told me he gets 9 mpg in his 1983 chevy tow truck with a gas pig 454. (and thats when he's towing a car!) If this is normal I'll live with it cuz even though I'm not much of a dodge lover, I do love this truck. Thanks in advance for any and all help!!!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 4, 2007, 5:00 AM
Post #2 of 4
(2450 views)
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Re: Poor fuel economy
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Granted this wasn't intended to be a highly fuel efficient vehicle but 6mpg is too low. You say it runs well so what are the other factors? Has the driving changed - like a commute that is all stop and go or something different like that? Make sure tires are at the spec listed on door jam, and eliminate any unnecessary weight of stuff you may have with you.
I have nothing but what should be pigs and so see under 10mpg and have to forgive it when they have done multiple errands just 1-3 miles at a time. Also keep up with checking the mpg. Just one check now and then isn't accurate. My own vehicles depending on the speed of and type of fuel pump at gas station can fill up and click off with up to 2 gallon differences which really throws off the calculation either way.
Had a friend/customer from the last time fuel price went up get stuck as she always got $15 dollars of fuel per week and didn't pay attention to how many gallons but did run out of fuel because of the habit of going by dollars not gallons.
It's worth paying attention to as if it really is using more fuel than it should that will cause problems.
Did have a couple examples of gas stations not selling accurate gallons (caught for cheating) and there would be a motivation for cheating like that even though they are supposed to be checked regularly. It happened to a family member who managed to put 3 gallons more fuel in a car than its listed capacity??
T
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bmac
User
Jul 4, 2007, 11:39 AM
Post #3 of 4
(2448 views)
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Re: Poor fuel economy
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Thank you very much for replying. I have been getting 6-8 mpg the whole time I've owned this truck and nothing seems to have made a difference. I do have new tires on it that I check regularly and I dont always buy my gas at the same location. I dont pull or haul anything on a regular basis and short or long trips dont make any difference. I have been a mechanic for 15 years and I am currently the manager and lead technician for a very large repair facility so I've had alot of headaches but my own cars seem to give me the biggest! I wouldn't be asking for help unless I ran out of ideas and believe me I have! I truely appreciate any help and I've got to say I love the help you give people all the time. I'm glad theres something out here like this. Thanks again Tom.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jul 4, 2007, 1:12 PM
Post #4 of 4
(2445 views)
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Re: Poor fuel economy
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Hey, thanks for the kind words
I still think you are getting too little mpgs. I've been bad with pigs my whole life. I own a C/K 2500 5.7 and it does 10 locally and no problem getting 17 hwy. I plow snow with it and don't bother to check as half the time you are backing up which doesn't even record miles and who really cares when it takes a gallon to plow a huge driveway vs shoveling it?
Two 66 T-Birds were great cars and passed anything but a gas station -- 9-12 at best an they said 98 octane or better at the time. Regular was 93 octane but I think the rating system was different too. Two 73 Cadillacs 11-13 or so, 69 Continental 6-17 depending, 77 Town Car 9-11 and never better, 79 Town Car could do 18 hwy with 400 engine. Current 88, (2)89 Town Cars will easily get over 20 mpg and I've measured 26 on an 800 mile trip with no slowdowns or traffic. The battle with the 70s cars was strictly a problem with the fast demand to make smog controls the ruined fuel economy and power but by your 98 they have really come a long way to get the mileage, power back and spit fresh air.
It's disappointing that you can't do better than that but it just may be normal for that truck.
Good luck,
T
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