Think I messed up!

[debt]

Traded in my '07 Dodge Ram 3500 Laramie for a '11 Ram 3500 Longhorn edition. Should have kept the '07 with the 5.9 motor...Went from getting 19-21 mpg to barely 15 mpg! Hoping it gets better as the motor gets broke in. Anyone know if this will happen or am I stuck with 15 mpg?

[Scotty89]

The gas mileage does usually get better as you drive. My grandpa started getting around 13-15 with his and after he got some miles on his truck it went up to around 19. Keep in mind the mileage will depend on the driving habits too. And FYI the mileage reading on the truck isn't the most accurate thing to go off of. I was told the best way to do it is to keep track of the mileage weekly and average the readings at the end of the month.

[debt]

Thanks Scotty-it's a diesel-but you give me hope This is our 4th one, & I guess I just forget about the breaking in period...I loved my 5.9 in the '07 & debated a long time before I traded, but got a good deal & figured I try the 6.7.

[Scotty89]

The 6.7 is basically a 5.9 block with some modifications. I am not a fan of the DPF system on the 6.7 but over all they have been a good engine so far

[aleekat]

I'm baffled. After 40+ years of driving and working on vehicles, I have never heard of "breaking in" to get better gas mileage. Would you be so kind to elaborate on how this is suppose to work?

[Scotty89]

I'm not for sure of the exact dynamics of it. But i do know that with today's vehicles the computers in them learn the drivers driving habits. Like how you accelerate from a stop sign and so on. The more you drive the more it learns. You also have systems like Variable Valve timing where it changes timing to improve fuel mileage. The computers have to learn what to do and when to do it and depending on the vehicle you have several different systems that can effect fuel economy. And if i remember right on some vehicles they even change the shift points for the transmission to improve fuel economy.

[aleekat]

I don't believe it actually learns drivers' habits. It will "learn" to give best emissions, and some improvement in gas mileage.
Went from getting 19-21 mpg to barely 15 mpg! Hoping it gets better as the motor gets broke in. That's actually an increase of 25%. I don't think that is doable.