switched to 89 octane for my 2004 dodge RAM 2500

[eb145]

I wanted to get a little more power out of my 5.7 L Hemi 2004 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4. The truck worked kind of hard pulling my TT up steep hills and I am not over any of my weight ratings - although pretty close to the GCWR. Tow/Haul mode helped but doesn't seem to get it quite right.

So I read about this topic on various forums (including dodge truck forums), and it turns out the simplest thing was to try 89 octane gasoline for a couple tankfuls.

For me, the switch definitely helped. Going up hills on the way back from my 350 mile round trip this weekend was definitely better.

In my case, Dodge recommends 89 octane, but it can run on 87 octane. Now I know why 89 octane is recommended for my truck - because it works better!

I was thinking of changing axle gears but that is expensive (4x4) and I was thinking of getting an engine tuner to get more power, but they are not very effective with gasoline engines - unless you get a tuner that is set to 91 Octane (but then you need to burn 91 octane). That is how I learned that the truck comes tuned for 89 octane but the computer can "deal with" 87 octane but reduces performance.

Ed

[gcloss]

Most of the time I run the 87 octane in my Ram 2500. I have all of my trips planned out until October, so about one fill up before I go camping, I'll put in 89 octane and run 89 octane when towing. The computer will attempt to delay the timing with 87 octane to eliminate spark knock. That results in a lack of power when you need it the most.