Dodge diesels-- Is this a secret ???

rich_ncal · Jul 27, 2006

What is the typical gas mileage for the newer diesel Dodge trucks under various conditions?

DavesTractor · Jul 28, 2006

rich_ncal said:
What is the typical gas mileage for the newer diesel Dodge trucks under various conditions?

I have a 2006 Cummins dually crewcab 4x4 with a 6-speed. I only have 8K miles on it. I can't seem to do better than 14mpg empty with the cruise on 70mph. Pulling a good size load, I generally see 11-13 at 55mph. I'm disappointed in the empty mileage.

HGM · Jul 28, 2006

DavesTractor said:
I have a 2006 Cummins dually crewcab 4x4 with a 6-speed. I only have 8K miles on it. I can't seem to do better than 14mpg empty with the cruise on 70mph. Pulling a good size load, I generally see 11-13 at 55mph. I'm disappointed in the empty mileage.

I have no experience with the Dodge, but fuel quality can play a HUGE part in it... Try a good additive, Ford sells one

in the Motorcraft line, Stanadyne, Raycore, and of course Power Services all seem to work well.. I recomend trying different doses to find whats right for your specific application.. The New ULSD should help with the overall quality issue, but storage is a big factor as well.. Just a thought on your fuel economy..... These additives increased my economy by 1.5-2MPG on average..

As for the precautions that come with the power adders, if you blow the headgaskets on a Ford, there are head studs out there now.. High dollar, but eniminate that weakspot when overboosted..Agreed, EGT is critical..

scesnick · Jul 28, 2006

If you have a stick shift you will most likely be buying a new clutch soon. [/QUOTE said:
This is assuming you run the crap out of your truck. I do not do 4wd. 3rd. gear launches in my $40,000 truck. If you run your truck like you have a little bit of sense I don't see where putting a chip in it would cause and serious damage.
This does not mean i creap along like an old lady either. I just don't abuse the truck.

scesnick · Jul 28, 2006

DavesTractor said:
I have a 2006 Cummins dually crewcab 4x4 with a 6-speed. I only have 8K miles on it. I can't seem to do better than 14mpg empty with the cruise on 70mph. Pulling a good size load, I generally see 11-13 at 55mph. I'm disappointed in the empty mileage.

Sounds like you have 4:10 gears and not to mention CTD's need a little break in time to really see the good mileage. Your mileage should improve with the slower speed of 55 mph.
The is a reflash you could get done that I have heard is improving some 06' owners mileage but I can not remember which one it was.
it seems like in my 05' if I cruise over 65 mph my mileage starts to suffer.

jinman · Jul 28, 2006

DavesTractor said:
I'm disappointed in the empty mileage.

Wow! Dave, I had no idea the mileage had dropped that far. I turned over 333k miles on my odometer this morning on my way to work. My '96 12-valve has gotten 21-22 mpg average and close to 23 hwy since I bought it.

My guess is that it will still be doing that when the Dodge body rusts away from the frame.

RobertN · Jul 28, 2006

DavesTractor said:
I have a 2006 Cummins dually crewcab 4x4 with a 6-speed. I only have 8K miles on it. I can't seem to do better than 14mpg empty with the cruise on 70mph. Pulling a good size load, I generally see 11-13 at 55mph. I'm disappointed in the empty mileage.

My '01 2500 4x4 gets about 17 empty running the Sac Valley at 70mph. I have 4:11's with an auto, so I take a hit in mileage.

A buddy has a '06 3500 dually with auto and 4:11's. He gets a little better than me, but he put aftermarket exhaust and air filter on it.

DavesTractor · Jul 28, 2006

scesnick said:
Sounds like you have 4:10 gears and not to mention CTD's need a little break in time to really see the good mileage. Your mileage should improve with the slower speed of 55 mph.
The is a reflash you could get done that I have heard is improving some 06' owners mileage but I can not remember which one it was.
it seems like in my 05' if I cruise over 65 mph my mileage starts to suffer.

I have 3:73 gears. At 55mph empty I can get 17mpg, best. It is the G56 6-speed which has a lower top gear. I still think I should be getting 16-18 at 70 mph empty. I had it reflashed, but it hasn't helped. I'll put a few more miles on it and see if it helps. It has pulled some big loads already, so it should be well on it's way to being broke-in.

Any other 2006 6-speed Dodge guys that care to comment on fuel mileage?

Farmwithjunk · Jul 28, 2006

rich_ncal said:
What is the typical gas mileage for the newer diesel Dodge trucks under various conditions?

'04 2500, HO Cummins, Automatic, 4-door, 8' bed, 4WD, 4:10 rear, trailer package, "grampa driver". 12 to 14 in town, 17 to 19 hwy empty. Towing 20'+5' (14,000 gvwr) gooseneck (typically with 7500 to 8000 cargo) drops to 10 to 11 in town, 12 to 14 hwy. Hilly country, rural interstates w/ 65 MPH speed limits mostly. Almost 60,000 miles with very little variance in milage from day 1.

I don't know any 2 people that get the same milage out of 2 simular diesel trucks. Great deal to do with personal driving styles I do believe.

scesnick · Jul 28, 2006

another tactic for better mileage that is highly debated on a CTD forum is larger tires. Personally I think going to a taller tire say a 285/70/17 would give you some better mileage by lowering the RPM's a couple hundred while @ 70 mph. Granted your mileage would most likely suffer at city driving.
Opening up the air box, removing the restrictive muffler and theEdge Juice helped my mileage for sure.