Sudden MPG Drop

38650 Views 32 Replies 16 Participants Last post by dravas, Feb 28, 2015

Hershey

Discussion Starter · Nov 15, 2014

Previously, I've stated that I wasn't completely happy with my fuel mileage. To date, my best mileage has been 25 MPG highway. I believe part of that is due to the speed limits in this part of TX being mostly 75 & 80 MPH. I now have about 4700 miles on my Lariat Long Horn 4X2 and my MPG has suddenly dropped. I was getting a solid 22-23 MPG for daily commuting. Now, my MPG is down to 18-19 MPG for the same drive. What could be causing this? Nothing is changed, no towing, no EVIC warnings, nothing. I've got that gut feeling I have a lemon with a nice helping of douche nozzle customer service. The selling dealer wont return my calls or even book a service appointment to look into it. Have I made a $50,000 mistake by going with this Ecodiesel vs. the reliable and proven VW/Audi diesel I was originally looking at? ****, I think I've heard of less issues with the Chevy Cruze diesel!

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Hershey

Discussion Starter · #21 · Dec 4, 2014

As soon as I purchased this truck I drove it 200+ miles home - all highway. The EVIC never went above 25 mpg. I've since made the same trip several times & while using cruise control, I've NEVER exceeded 25 mpg highway. Now, I have raw diesel exhaust entering the cab & it's drinking def like water. The mileage came up a little after I put a touch more nitrogen in my tires to 41 psi (pressure was all over the place previously). The local dealer can't look at it until Jan 2015 & I'm waiting on a callback from one that's 200 miles away to see if they can do it sooner.

I opened up a case with Chrysler also. In my opinion, with just 5000 miles, these trucks are rolling lemons. I've seen FAR too many Ecodiesel owners with the same issues at similar miles. Sorry, I said it, but that's using logic & not jumping to conclusions. I've never seen a dealer tell customers they had to wait 30+days just to get into service & then wait weeks for parts after diagnosis! To me, this is insane & I regret this purchase. I've had my share of lemons before, but never waited for service & ALWAYS was given a vehicle to drive while any service was being performed (outside of routine maintenance.

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Hershey

Discussion Starter · #22 · Dec 9, 2014

I'm now down to 21-22 mpg highway. It just keeps getting worse...

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10%More

· #23 · Dec 9, 2014

Hershey,

Not sure why your dealer is so bad. That dealer is a disgrace.

Also not sure how you meet so many Eco. owners that have so many problems. I have met a few but none had any problems. I read these forums too. Read all kinds of things. If I did not read, my personal experiences would tell me these engine packages are perfect.

As for fuel mileage, I have an extra fuel tank. Recently did a hand calculation after about 400 miles of towing a loaded 8ft. open trailer and then another 500 more miles of running around. I do not remember the exact mileage or fuel consumption but clearly remember that for the over 900 miles my EVIC read 24.1 and my hand calculation was 24.2mpg. Made sure I topped both tanks off also.

Another memory tells me the fuel cost for those 900+ miles was around $74. Think I paid $3.14 at Walmart so it was just around 24 gallons also.

While you seem seriously bummed out I and everyone I ever personally spoke with that has one, flat out LOVES the engine package.

Now as for those darn electronic, computer control modules...they scare me too but ALL the new vehicles have that crap.

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gadfly2

· #24 · Dec 20, 2014

hand calc'ed at 17.8 MPG today... mixed driving. Dealership still cant find any issues that could be affecting this. I am trying to drive as conservative as possible, and cant believe these numbers. I paid for fuel economy and I am not getting it, still has the terrible looking stock rake, the only change was from 20 wheels to 17 wheels with blizzack tires at the same diameter.

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Haulin

· #25 · Dec 21, 2014

RAM needs to address this.
I just really hope they're actively working on this since once the competition catches up... their losses will just gain traction.

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Katoom250SX

· #26 · Dec 21, 2014

gadfly2 said:
hand calc'ed at 17.8 MPG today... mixed driving. Dealership still cant find any issues that could be affecting this. I am trying to drive as conservative as possible, and cant believe these numbers. I paid for fuel economy and I am not getting it, still has the terrible looking stock rake, the only change was from 20 wheels to 17 wheels with blizzack tires at the same diameter.

I don't think 17.8 is great, but I hand calculated 19.8 today on my last tank. That was 337 miles of mostly city driving. It actually say probably 10% highway....the rest city and county roads. In my last truck this time of year, I'd be somewhere in the 13 range, maybe close to 14. Heck, it's winter.....all of the variables have a direct link to the decreased fuel economy. I'm not gonna get wound up about my fuel mileage. Now that being said, next spring if I'm not back to my 23 average maybe I'll start looking for answers. I know my aftermarket rim/ tire combo hurt me slightly.

As far as the rake goes, I don't think you have a leg to complain on....you bought the truck with it. If it bothers you, put a leveling kit on it, make it look more aggressive and lose another mile or so a gallon.

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Hershey

Discussion Starter · #27 · Dec 22, 2014

My truck is now in the shop for an undetermined amount of time. I was given another Ram 1500 to drive & this one has a Hemi. I was real skeptical of the mileage they claim the Hemi gets on the highway. Well guess what? The sticker is RIGHT! This thing has tons of power, sounds great and...it gets 20-21 mpg while running 75-80 mph! My Ecodiesel was barely getting that! Ram has a lot of explaining to do on their mileage claims for this Ecodiesel!

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Katoom250SX

· #28 · Dec 22, 2014

Heck see if they will trade ya.

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Hershey

Discussion Starter · #29 · Dec 22, 2014

Katoom250SX said:
Heck see if they will trade ya.

Not bragging, but that would be a BIG step down. We have decided that if they can't get all the gremlins fixed in a reasonable time, we are completely done with anything Ram ever again. I'm still in shock how some dealers are backlogged for 4 months on service! How does that happen? Why would Ram want that kind of a dealer in their franchise network? I do know that during Chrysler's bankruptcy, many, many very good, but small dealers were kicked to the curb in favor of mega dealers. I think that was a very bad move, as mega dealers only care about profit and really don't give a crap about their customer's needs.

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Accused

· #30 · Dec 23, 2014

Hershey said:
Not bragging, but that would be a BIG step down. We have decided that if they can't get all the gremlins fixed in a reasonable time, we are completely done with anything Ram ever again. I'm still in shock how some dealers are backlogged for 4 months on service! How does that happen? Why would Ram want that kind of a dealer in their franchise network? I do know that during Chrysler's bankruptcy, many, many very good, but small dealers were kicked to the curb in favor of mega dealers. I think that was a very bad move, as mega dealers only care about profit and really don't give a crap about their customer's needs.

Thats the structure of the entire company. FCA is TERRIBLE when it comes to logistics. the 4 month service backlogs aren't because of volume or techs unable to work, its a legitimate kink in the supply chain that is keeping parts out...

Sergio has a reputation for putting the hard squeeze on suppliers to meet an unrealistically low price point, if Motori wasn't a subsidiary of FCA I would begin to wonder if this is a bit of blowback..

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jackhandee

· #31 · Feb 23, 2015

I am having the same issues, I was getting 24,25 all summer. My milage has now droped to 16-18 no ware close to what is claimed. I had a case manager for several months through chrysler, they closed my case with no reslove. I tried trading my eco and one dealer did not even want it on his lot due to all the problems they have been hearing about them. The dealer I baught it from has been no help and offered me 33,000 on a trade 6 months after I purchesed the vehicle which listed at 49,000. These trucks are garbage and with the poor costumer service I will nver buy another Dodge product again.

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Equus

· #32 · Feb 28, 2015

Sorry, but I am with 10% on this one. NO complaints. I average 24-25 mpg city, 29-31 highway, it has dropped a couple mpg with this recent cold snap, but I ain't worrying yet. Not a single issue since July and 12,000 miles.

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dravas

· #33 · Feb 28, 2015

jackhandee said:
I am having the same issues, I was getting 24,25 all summer. My milage has now droped to 16-18 no ware close to what is claimed. I had a case manager for several months through chrysler, they closed my case with no reslove. I tried trading my eco and one dealer did not even want it on his lot due to all the problems they have been hearing about them. The dealer I baught it from has been no help and offered me 33,000 on a trade 6 months after I purchesed the vehicle which listed at 49,000. These trucks are garbage and with the poor costumer service I will nver buy another Dodge product again.

With city I averaging 21-19 (depends on my lead foot) - this is with stop light to stop light Houston westimer traffic.

When I go camping - I can get my mpg up to 26 (usually hauling a trailer when I go camping). My old manual transmission 2002 F-150 V6 got at best 18 empty hwy, 13-15 city, 9-13 bed loaded,, 5-11 heavy trailer

The truck is rated for 19-28 city for a 4x4 and that's what I am getting. If you dont tow get a Ford Eco Boost they are faster get about the same mileage, but if you slap a trailer on the back dont expect your mileage to be higher than 15.

I had the Dodge electrical gremlins but I knew that going in.

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