Dodge Ram Gas Mileage: 1994 – 2012

32 thoughts on “Dodge Ram Gas Mileage: 1994 – 2012”

1. this article lists the current cummins as a v8 diesel, it’s neither a V or an 8 it’s a straight 6. but cummins is currently developing a 4.2L v6 and 5.6L v8 which most likely will be going in the durango and ram 1500.

2. Many thanks for the heads-up, Matt … and sorry about that typo. I just made the fix.

   It sure will be nice to have that new Cummins diesel under the hood of both the Durango and Ram 1500. Durango gas mileage needs a good bit of improvement … it’s absolutely frightening when running e85 … in city it’s in the single digits. A thrifty torquey Cummins running biodiesel is exactly what this country needs to move these beasts.

3. what about the hemi?

4. Biodiesel:

   I couldn’t agree more with the previously expressed thoughts about the new Cummins Diesels and Biodiesel being a great solution for this country. The only problem is in the RAM 2500 Cummins/Dodge only rates the Bluetech 6.7L Engine for B5 Biodiesel.

   That is basically 5% biodiesel and 95% dinodiesel. Not a vast improvement for those of us that would like to run on B100. Anyway, maybe they won’t make the same mistake on the new engines for the RAM 1500s.

5. Cummins has approved this engine to run on B20. Why Dodge doesn’t approve it is strange.

   BTW, the 1500 is available with the hemi.

6. I just bought a 2006 3500 Ram with Turbo Cummins.
   I haul a 20 X 8 X 8 ft high trailer. When I carry the trailer should I put it in haul and tow mode? Because I get no better then 9.9 mpg empty what can I do it’s breaking me? I only have 8,000 miles on it what can I do to improve the mileage what about chips will they void my warranty? Please helpppppppp $100.00 dollars a day to operate.

7. look up cumminsforum.com, theres so much info on there and the people will help you out!

8. Watch out with chips in the 6.7L! I was reading all kinds of horror stories because of the new particulate filter and the EGR.

9. Can’t believe you are getting less than 10 mpg in a cummins. We have a 96 3500 4wd dually that consistently gets 14.5 loaded or unloaded. We work the truck daily towing an 18 foot trailer (all steel) and 2-3 500 gallon tanks and two gas powered motors and pumps or a fifth wheel for recreation!

10. The 95 3500 dually has a 5.9L cummins and im gettin close to 24 mpg

11. I have been researching how to improve my gas mileage for my 09Ram Hemi. I know about the cold air intake & exhaust system upgrades. I find it hard to find info on chip enhancement systems for my Ram. Can you point to inexpensive, reliable systems to improve gas mileage? Thx.

12. I have a 1999 Dodge Diesel with a Cummins engine (4×4) 2500 p-up, I only get about 14 mpg, plus it has started to surge–what can I do???? Please help.

13. I have a 2010 2500 c/w 6.7 cummins and I only get about 14 mpg I’ve only got 14000 miles on it at this time considering chipping it any request

14. I am astonished at the large variance in mpg (ranging from 10 to 24mpg) with the cummins diesel reported by contributors. I have a 1998 2500 with the 5.9L 24 valve Cummins and get 24mpg on long highway trips and 20 mpg towing a 28 foot 5th wheel recreational trailer including trips in the Canadian Rockies.

15. If you chip any truck 08 or above companys void all, and even if you remove it they now can tell if and when it was flashed and will not pay, even if you buy a used truck with only 20,000 mile you may think you have 80,000 more miles of coverage and buy it, but it breaks down the person before you put a chip on it and you never knew, dealer now checks and see’s it was flashed they will not pay for repairs, removing the chip does not help and they will check before repairing, As well dealer are starting to check trade in trucks and if it was ever chipped will nock off 5000 to 7000 on trade because not covered any more. be careful.

16. My 1994 2500 5.9L Diesel gets amazing gas mileage on the freeway for weighing 6,000 pounds – 25mpg. In town, though, it’s a little less @ 19mpg. Does anyone know if it possible to chip this truck?

17. how do i get better gam mileage of my 97 dodge haff ton

18. I bought A 2008 2500 diesel and I am getting shitty mileage 9.7 city and 13 hwy towing is just as bad 7-9 did i get a lemon or what dodge says there is nothing wrong with the vechicle. biggest porblam is I love my dodge trucks Help anyone

19. My 1992 Dodge D-250 Cummins is still running strong. I always have it fully loaded with tools and supplies. And everyday all over so California I am getting 20 mpg. I will never let this truck go. No smog , best truck I have ever had on fuel power. Just a all around good work truck.

20. i have one problem with this add. the talk about a v6 or v8 cummins? cummins only makes inline motors so if its a v6 or a v8 its not genuine cummins just like the 6.7 liter isnt a genuine cummins. thats why they have problems. i have a 1992 dodge d350 and i get 20 mpg on highway and 17 around town. the new ones dont get that good of gas mileage cause of all the emission control on them. ive heard of upwards of 28 mpg with a 1996 dodge 2500 with stage one injectors bigger turbo manual transmission and raised gearing. as far as 1994-1997 cummins diesels the sell a plate that adjust the injection pump and 98 and new need a chip. 1989-1993 you can just adjust the injection pump without spending any money and gain 50 hp and 50 foot of torque. the older you go with a cummins the longer they will run. the ones they put in 89-93 are the same they use in farm equipment core drilling crans.

21. if heard some things about the 2002 and newer diesel dodges that they have to break in first befor the gas mileage improves.

22. I have a 2006 dodge ram 3.7L auto trans. best mileage I ever got on open highway not city is 15 mpg. any ideas how to improve it.

23. @Chet – Weight and aerodynamics work against most pickup trucks when it comes to gas mileage, and the Ram is no exception. If it’s not delivering the mileage that it should, start with a common tune-up (spark plugs, filters, etc.) … that’s the easy stuff. The injectors may need to be cleaned or there might be something else contributing to the problem (equipment racks, carrying extra weight, etc.). Highway cruising speed, driving style, and conditions have a significant impact on fuel economy.

    Once you have the truck running up to spec, you can try some things to boost mileage higher, like adding an instant fuel economy gauge (to help you develop a light footed driving style), along with a set of low-rolling-resistance (LRR) tires when it’s time for a tire change. General, Continental, and Michelin may have LRR tires to fit your Ram.

24. My 2006 Ram 2500 with the Cummins diesel has got 24 to 27 mpg hwy since it was new, running empty depending on the driver and 12 to 20 towing 10,000 lbs also depending on the driver . As a CDL truck driver I feel it is important to tell everyone mileage in any diesel is obtained in two places on take off and on max rpm.

    If you drive your Ram like a gas powered ride it will get poor mileage. If you take off slow and keep the RPMs under 2000 on the hwy u should have no prob achieving 20 plus miles per gallon with the Cummins. Most big diesels make their max torque and hp between 1400 and 1750 RPMs when u exceed this you will go faster but you will burn fuel that’s why most big rigs are speed limited from the factory. The Ram is not limited because people wouldn’t buy it.

    As a foot note, my dad takes off really slow and rarely goes faster than 65. He recently took my truck on a 350 mile trip and achieved 27 miles per gal on average. I drive the truck daily and as long as I don’t make jack rabbit starts {which is hard due to the fact that the Dodge takes off so well lol}. I have no prob getting 22 mpg however I have changed my hwy habits to a 2000 rpm limit I set for myself this is right at 70 just a little under. That little adjustment makes a lot of difference with all diesel engines and really makes very little difference in travel time.

    Do the math 1 hour on the hwy at 70 = 70 miles at 75 =75 an extra 5 miles and in time only about 8 min difference about the amount of time it takes to smoke one cigarette. Hope this helped.

25. I question claims of good fuel mileage for 2003+ Dodge Cummins because so many rely on the inaccurate overhead fuel mileage reading. You can’t rely on it. To calculate fuel mileage you must hand calculate. Two wheel drive trucks will obviously achieve better fuel mileage. Visit the Dodge Cummins related forums to learn more.

26. Listen to man that said slow take off and under 2000 rpm. I own one, I have driven them for years and yes I am an old man.

27. cuanto kilometraje por litro da una ram charger v8 (mexicana) 1999 5.7 litros gracias

28. What kind of mileage is the 2003 dodge 2500 5.9l cummins getting highway and city?

29. I currently own the 2010 ram 2500 with the 6.7 diesel crew cab 4×4 with 30k miles on it; in town fuel mileage is anywhere from 9-14 mpg empty, highway -empty is from 14-19 mpg’s around 70-75 mph. Towing an 8000lb camper trailer-bumper pull around 65 mph I get around 10-12 mpg. No sign of mpg improvement but got plenty of power. No problems thus far.

30. No one is mentioning Axle Ratio. I assume the various Axle Ratio’s will have a big impact on fuel milage.

31. I just bought a 2012 2500 with the 6.7 and 6 spd stick. Awesome, is the word I would use, so much power and smooth. Of course I am still learning how to drive it, I was driving a 98 1500 5.2 for the last 8 yrs or so and loved it. Also a great truck but needed more power since I bought a bigger fifth wheel. I religiously track my mileage and the 6.7 is steadily improving, today it worked out to 19.6 mpg (imp) mixed driving. I do use the mileage indicater to adjust my driving style so I can get into proper habits but I do find I can go to a higher gear at lower speeds and that seems to help as well. Did I mention this truck is awesome. Mike

32. Sorry forgot to mention, axle ratio is 3.73 so at 100kms per hour it revs at 1700 in 6th gear.

    Mike