My New Ram 2500 6.4 MPG Update

autorot8 wrote:
Local dealer let me take one out for a two hour test drive. I reset the trip computer before leaving the dealership. When I returned it indicated around 14 mpg. This was a mix of freeway, city, hills. When I returned it had around 100 miles on odometer (forgot to look what it was before I left). I should be taking delivery of mine in about 8 weeks.

That's not bad at all. That's a lot of truck to push around. It's gonna be a long 8 weeks!

otrfun wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...:B

Brother-in-law has a Prius with over 400,000 miles (purchased new) that's still going strong. Driven hard in LA rush-hour traffic all its life. I drove it a few months ago. The steering, suspension, and brakes still feel tight. Got 44 mpg when newer. Mileage has dropped to 40 lately. Original engine, tranny, hybrid batteries, etc. He's spent roughly $40,000 on gas at CA prices. If he'd been driving his 1/2 ton gasser (Chevy) his gas bill for 400,000 miles would have been over $100,000 (again, CA prices)!! BTW, they contacted Toyota when they rolled over 400,000 miles. Toyota sent them a nice, personally signed congratulatory letter and two gold keychains. Maybe a TV spot is in their future :)

That's not uncommon. They have a very good track record. FWIW, dropping mileage can be an indication of a bad cell in the high voltage hybrid battery or a bad 12v battery tucked in the right rear quarter panel. If he's never changed the 12v battery, I would suggest it. It's probably long overdue. It's like a regular car battery except much smaller. It runs the computers and accessories. If it's failing the engine runs more to compensate.

jmtandem wrote:

We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...

The OP is planning to tow a 30 foot fifth wheel around the nation. I am not sure the Prius can do that no matter how great the gas mileage. The truck's battery is around $100, the battery in the Prius is in the thousands if not under warranty. Save gas, spend on a very expensive battery some day. It is all trade-offs. A VW Jetta TDI is probably a better product --at least as good a product for mileage and way less expensive as batteries go.

I guess it depends on what you tow and what you plan to use it for. The OP didn't ask about a Prius or a diesel. BTW, the battery in a Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid is around $1200. It weighs right at 100 lbs and can be changed at home with hand tools. The rumors are false. The Prius has proven to be very reliable for hundreds of thousands of miles on the original battery. I owned a VW diesel years ago. Great mileage but the car had a few repairs along the way. I replaced the head at 180k miles and sold it to a college student.

Local dealer let me take one out for a two hour test drive. I reset the trip computer before leaving the dealership. When I returned it indicated around 14 mpg. This was a mix of freeway, city, hills. When I returned it had around 100 miles on odometer (forgot to look what it was before I left). I should be taking delivery of mine in about 8 weeks.

Double Post.

Hannibal wrote:
We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...:B

Brother-in-law has a Prius with over 400,000 miles (purchased new) that's still going strong. Driven hard in LA rush-hour traffic all its life. I drove it a few months ago. The steering, suspension, and brakes still feel tight. Got 44 mpg when newer. Mileage has dropped to 40 lately. Original engine, tranny, hybrid batteries, etc. He's spent roughly $40,000 on gas at CA prices. If he'd been driving his 1/2 ton gasser (Chevy) his gas bill for 400,000 miles would have been over $100,000 (again, CA prices)!! BTW, they contacted Toyota when they rolled over 400,000 miles. Toyota sent them a nice, personally signed congratulatory letter and two gold keychains. Maybe a TV spot is in their future :)

We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...

The OP is planning to tow a 30 foot fifth wheel around the nation. I am not sure the Prius can do that no matter how great the gas mileage. The truck's battery is around $100, the battery in the Prius is in the thousands if not under warranty. Save gas, spend on a very expensive battery some day. It is all trade-offs. A VW Jetta TDI is probably a better product --at least as good a product for mileage and way less expensive as batteries go.

Hannibal wrote:
We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...:B

Drive a Prius or pay more for gas? Yea that's easy, serve up some more dino's.

We stopped by the Toyota shop today to look at a Prius to replace our Fusion. Wife likes the Nautical Blue or Sea Glass. They're rated for 51 city, 48 hwy. Some folks report over 60mpg while some report mid 30s. Not sure what it has to do with the 6.4L Hemi in a HD pickup but, just for comparison...:B

Dodge guys, don't trust your overhead MPG meters. They're often wildly optimistic. And just because it's accurate one time doesn't mean it is the next tank.
OTOH, if a 6.4 is getting 12.2 mixed then I think thats pretty dang good.
I'd like to hear about how it does towing as well.