Help! Need better gas mileage

[sadlerb_98]

Hello all:
I have a 2001 Ram 1500 Quad Cab SLT 4WD w/5.9L, 4 spd. automatic, 46RE transmission, & anti spin axle. The window sticker doesn't say what ratio. The sticker says the truck should get from 12 to 17 MPG. I average 11.77 MPG. The truck has just over 27K miles and I use regular unleaded. I have a cap on the bike that is cab high so I can't try the tailgate down method.

Thanks in advance.

Bob

[BleedDodge]

So what are you complaining about?

[sadlerb_98]

I still get below 12 on the highway. That is my complaint.

[BleedDodge]

Is your check engine light on?

[sadlerb_98]

Hey. No, it isn't on, but knowing my luck it is burnt out. There aren't any modifications to the truck. Thinking back to my most recent 3,000 mile trip across the U.S. I seem to remember the truck getting 14 or 15 MPG maybe. I have read all the threads here concerning mods to improve gas mileage. I check my tire pressure at least once per week. I did get an alignment about 3K miles ago and it did help me get out of the single digit range. Just looking for other ideas.

Tx,
Bob

[BleedDodge]

There must be something wrong with your truck. I think you should have it diagnosed, as it could be possible that the check engine light is burnt out. Something must be making it get bad mileage like that. I assume you drive the truck fairly decent right? You don't have it to the rugs all the time do you?

[indyram]

Keep your foot off the gas so hard.

[sadlerb_98]

I have an appointment next week for the differential service. I will ask them then to check it out. I don't drive that hard. My wife says I drive like an old man. There are times when I have to give it some gas to get around someone.

Let you all know how it turns out.

Thanks,
Bob

[seniorbigs]

3.55 is most common axle ratio. Look in your manual and check what fuel is required. You should be using 87-88 octane if I remember right. Try that and see what happens. Common complaint for the 5.9and 5.2

[DeCon]

That is pretty Bad, I have a V-10 4x4 and I get 12-13 hwy.

[sadlerb_98]

I do have the 3.55 axle. I found that on a sticker in the glove box. I changed the spark plugs yesterday along with the oil and some other things that needed to be done.

I am going out of town all of next week so I will post results when I get back.

Thanks,
Bob

[BleedDodge]

What shape is the air filter in? Is it clean?

Do you have a different size of tires than the truck came with? There must be a reason as to why your mileage is that bad, although it could be attributed to some defect in the motor itself.

Anything is possible. Let us know how things go...

[slantsixness]

Worn cam lobes?
Seen it cause poor MPG after awhile....

Just a thought, I doubt you'll tear it down to find out.

[Dodgeintheblood]

If you haven't tried it yet put a few bottles of injector cleaner through it. I have used this several times on different outfits, put several in at one time and run it as nomal usually makes a difference first tank. I'm getting 17 to 18 mpg (thats using real math) on my 2001 with a 5.9, with over 100,000 miles, only mod was the stock 3" exhaust from my dads Cummins Diesel. (he went to 4")
We did remove the Cat also, found a simple way to get around the 2nd O2 sensor put most a 1000 miles on it with no codes...

[seniorbigs]

Dodgeintheblood, what is the somple way around the rear O2? Thanks