Ram1500 EcoDiesel V6 revealed!

[fordmantpw]

Unless you store your truck in a continuously heated garage, with your described driving, it is spending virtually all it's life with the engine never up to temperature.

Pre-emission or not, that is really hard on any diesel, and likely part of your lousy mileage. If you haven't already, it's probably a good idea to get UOA done, as this is Severe Duty usage in terms of engine oil.

Agreed - your story is a good example of a bad application for diesels. Living in Death Valley, perhaps an exception.... :laughing:

Rgds, D.

And that's what I've been trying to point out! I've contemplated buying another vehicle as a daily driver, but it's really not justifiable since I only drive a total of 7500 miles/year. I do plug it in in the winter, so that helps, but still, it rarely gets up to temp. I do follow sever service schedules, and my oil is usually changed at 4k miles or less, every 6 months.

 

[3930dave]

And that's what I've been trying to point out! I've contemplated buying another vehicle as a daily driver, but it's really not justifiable since I only drive a total of 7500 miles/year. I do plug it in in the winter, so that helps, but still, it rarely gets up to temp. I do follow sever service schedules, and my oil is usually changed at 4k miles or less, every 6 months.

If you can monitor Transmission and Engine Oil temperature, then use a radiator cover on the front of your truck. Scangauge II should give you those readings if not available stock, and are a great thing to know for summer towing too.

Good to see you are staying on top of the oil, as condensation and fuel dilution are likely a factor for you. If it was mine, I'd make a point of going for a long(er) drive, at least once a week. :2cents:

Rgds, D.

 

[fordmantpw]

If you can monitor Transmission and Engine Oil temperature, then use a radiator cover on the front of your truck. Scangauge II should give you those readings if not available stock, and are a great thing to know for summer towing too.

Good to see you are staying on top of the oil, as condensation and fuel dilution are likely a factor for you. If it was mine, I'd make a point of going for a long(er) drive, at least once a week. :2cents:

Rgds, D.

Yeah, I try to add in long drives when I can. Spring through fall, we try to get a camping trip in once a month at least, so that helps "clear the cobwebs out" too.

I probably should look at a radiator cover as well, especially when it gets really cold (which is rarely below zero...normally single digits here in MO).

 

[BitTractor]

During testing, our judges were surprised by the qualitative and quantitative results when comparing the diesel V-6 with a typical gasoline-powered V-6 or V-8. Our testing represents the type of hard driving to which the toughest of owners will subject their trucks. We tow, we accelerate from a stop, we accelerate at highway speeds, we throw in some climbs for good measure, and we simulate a truck's best/worst days. When all was said and done, the EcoDiesel returned an observed 15 mpg at the test track, while the GM V-8s and the lone Toyota 1/2-ton V-8 were all in the single digits. The Sierra V-6 managed only 10 mpg. The Real MPG testing confirmed our findings, with the Ram towering over its 1/2-ton competition by at least 8 mpg city, 7 hwy. If you still doubt the advantages of the diesel engine, this might be more a spiritual than intellectual quandary.

2014 Ram 1500 is Motor Trend's 2014 Truck of the Year

 

[3930dave]

Yeah, I try to add in long drives when I can. Spring through fall, we try to get a camping trip in once a month at least, so that helps "clear the cobwebs out" too.

I probably should look at a radiator cover as well, especially when it gets really cold (which is rarely below zero...normally single digits here in MO).

-30C here this morning..... rad covers (IMO) aren't optional around here, and they do make a difference. Depending on the driver, and local weather, the only real risk with Rad covers is over-heating, esp. on Trans. That's why medium-duty+ trucks have automatic rad louvers..... saves fuel big-time.

Rgds, D.

 

[dodge man]

I know my diesel without a doubt gets better mileage in town then my gasser did, maybe 3mpg. On the highway, about the same.

With the new Ram 1500 diesel, I keep seeing where people keep throwing around tow numbers. If towing heavy is a factor, I'd think most people would step up to the Cummins.

 

[buickanddeere]

OK, enlighten me. Explain to me just exactly how the numbers on fuelly will give me an indication of what I should expect in my type of driving? How? How does it show what my city mileage will be? It doesn't. It just shows me the average of all trucks that meet the search criteria. If you want to compare gasser to diesel overall, sure, it works great for that. If you want to compare gasser to diesel under certain conditions? Nope, since you don't know what each tankful has been used for. If you can't get that, I can't help you.

Given the 20% spread of diesel costing more than gasoline. Rare is the application where the cost per mile is cheaper with diesel. Hauling a trailer load of cattle or hay to the other farm or to market isn't enough driving to break even on the fuel and the extra oil & filters a diesel uses.
Way back in the 80's the 6BT Cummins was better than the 60's, 70's and 80's gasoline engines. Last time I looked however we are into the 8th year of EPA diesels with particulate filters etc. nearing 2014.
Today the DI gasser is the simpler more reliable engine that doesn't cost anymore at the pump per mile. No upfront diesel option either.
The primary market left today for diesels is either fleets that don't want gasoline tanks, gas vehicles and gas fuel theft problems. A very few hard core haulers who drive 2000 miles a week with 26,000 lbs . Or a retired person with a 13ft high fifth wheel RV traveling coast to coast twice a year. Then there are the public nuisances who have a teenie little willy. They drive a jacked up muddier tired diesel with a chrome stack and a tuner.
You can thank the save the world liberals in the EPA who ruined the glory days of the 6BT and ISB prior to common rail.these epa's Who hate meat eating Christian white males who hunt and drive trucks. The tofu eating EPA twits are trying legislate vehicles off the road.

 

[buickanddeere]

I did not see any indication that the Motor Trend test included the Chev DI gassers instead of the older port injected engines. The Chev 5.3 also provides a surprising improvement over the 6.2's mileage.

 

[fordmantpw]

Given the 20% spread of diesel costing more than gasoline. Rare is the application where the cost per mile is cheaper with diesel. Hauling a trailer load of cattle or hay to the other farm or to market isn't enough driving to break even on the fuel and the extra oil & filters a diesel uses.
Way back in the 80's the 6BT Cummins was better than the 60's, 70's and 80's gasoline engines. Last time I looked however we are into the 8th year of EPA diesels with particulate filters etc. nearing 2014.
Today the DI gasser is the simpler more reliable engine that doesn't cost anymore at the pump per mile. No upfront diesel option either.
The primary market left today for diesels is either fleets that don't want gasoline tanks, gas vehicles and gas fuel theft problems. A very few hard core haulers who drive 2000 miles a week with 26,000 lbs . Or a retired person with a 13ft high fifth wheel RV traveling coast to coast twice a year. Then there are the public nuisances who have a teenie little willy. They drive a jacked up muddier tired diesel with a chrome stack and a tuner.
You can thank the save the world liberals in the EPA who ruined the glory days of the 6BT and ISB prior to common rail.these epa's Who hate meat eating Christian white males who hunt and drive trucks. The tofu eating EPA twits are trying legislate vehicles off the road.

Agreed! And around here, diesel is 30% higher than gas.

I drive a diesel because I love the way it tows my fifth wheel. Do I need it? Nope! Is it much more relaxed than towing with a gasser? You bet! And for me, the fuel economy isn't a big deal since I drive so little.

 

[Ford850]

Did anyone read the article? This Ram has a payload of "859 lb". How can they award this truck of the year, when it has the least capability? It can't legally haul 5 men in the cab, with an empty bed. Crazy.