04 2500 Quad Cab 4x4, 6spd, ISB 305 Ho Cummins, 3.73 rear with BFG 31570R17's installed.

Run to Dallas Auto show this past weekend. 65-68mph, 1800-1900 rpms, overhead console showed 18.8-20.5 mpg. Once refueled at home, used calculator to actual miles traveled, and it worked out to 19.8 mpg.

Gas was $1.57 and Diesel was $1.51 near Ft Hood.

Glad I bought in October before the 600's came out...

 

Because it's a Cummins and it's gonna last a gazillion miles and, more importantly, it pulls like a Budweiser Clydesdale.

As far as mileage goes, has anyone factored in the cost of diesel fuel vs. gasoline? Last night I filled up my Acura at a brand-x gas station and still paid $2.31/gal (uses premium). Diesel #2 at a local Shell is $1.95/gal. That's nearly an 18.5% increase in price. Apply that to 16mpg and it comes out to just about 19mpg. If you're going to compare against a gasser, I think you have to factor in the cost of gas. Granted, this is a floating number due to market fluctuations and not all gassers use premium, but the point is that it's usually cheaper for Diesel (at least where I buy).

One more point for those who tow with these trucks. I used to tow with a Ford 460 before buying my 2000 Ford PSD. The unladen gas mileage was abysmal but while towing, it was unspeakable (we're talking something on the order of 5-6mpg). The first time I pulled with my buddies, me with my PSD and they with their gassers (similar trucks to my old ride), their jaws nearly hit the pavement when they saw how little fuel I took and how less expensive it was. During the summer on HWY 395 in the Eastern Sierras, the difference between gas and diesel is probably the highest of the year.

Anyway, I wouldn't be dissatisfied with 16mph combined at all, especially after reading some of the posts around here. The best I got with my 7.3L PSD was about 19-20 hwy and that was a lighter truck.

Neil

 

I never got over 16 on my 2002. If I get 16 on my 2004.5, I will be happy. I will remove the CAT though just to be sure.

 

Latest numbers:

70% highway, 30% city. Numbers in first post were mostly city.
Distance 601.7 km 115.76 l >19.26 l/100km overhead comp. 19 l/100km, 373.9 miles 30.58 US gal >12.22 miles/ US galon over hed comp 12.4 Miles/ US galon.

Got reflash done this morning, didn't help the noise, but fuel seems to be little better about 13 mpg (only on 50 miles), injectors were checked and pump pressures all within factory spec.

Anyone else with numbers???

Regards Jack.

 

Man, that really stinks. A pre 04.5 with the HO and 4x4 3.73 gear should be getting at least 15 in town and around 18 or 19 hwy. US Gallons.

I average 17 in town and 22 highway with my 03 HO, 48RE and 3.73. I don't baby it, not trying to get mileage & it's computed by hand. I never look at the on board computer.

 

$1.95 a gallon for #2!! I feel alot beter paying $1.59 here in Michigan now!!! OUCH!!

 

Yea, $1.59 is about what it is down here in the Carolinas.

 

Check the TDR forum for lots of threads on 600's MPG. I just did my first fill and calculated 15.7mpg. This is about 25% stop and go freeway/city traffic, 30% hilly rural and 45% freeway. I would suppose once it gets broken in, I'd be in the 16-18 MGP avg. range. Just what I was hoping for. I also have a Mazda B4000 4.0 with Automatic and avg. about 15-17 mpg so I'm happy to make the shift to the Dodge.
IMHO I do not think you buy this truck for fuel economy it is a large truck designed to haul or pull loads. If you want economy and no smell or clatter get a four banger toyota/nissan/...etc if you want great fuel economy get a toyota prius.

Dan

 

Dan thank you for your comment.

I have to disagree with you on fuel economy in regards to Cummins equiped trucks, as per any diesel it is inherent if you dont work it you get good fuel milage, those truck have been proven to deliver just that over last then years or so, so are dozens of different makes arround the world.

We are paying premium to get just that, if I would be getting 15-16 mpg I would be a happy camper, unfortunately that's not the case, that is why I try to work it out with my dealer.

Issue of noise is also something that most of the world have solved and hopefully DC can to, in near future, they are going in the right direction and association with Daimler provides lots of new technology.

We should expect more from our auto manufacturer's not less, that's how they have to work to improve product, not just sell you what they want, because your choice is very limited (big 3).

Regards Jack.

 

Just my opinion, and some may loose there mind's over this one... but, given numbers like 12-16 mpg empty... My money wouldnt be going to buy a 600 for sure! I'd be looking REAL hard at an SRT-10 with airbags under it, or much more likely!!! tracking down an 04 still on the dealers lot.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH BEFORE YOU START TYPING!!!

 

I' with you BDude, there is no 04.5 or later model in my future till this mileage issue is resolved. All this nonsense about breaking it in and working it to get mileage is just that nonesense.

Break in may net you a fractional increase in mileage and the harder you work it the less miles you get. IE: if you tow a 12K lb rig you should expect mileage to be down aroun 10 or 12, pre 600 engine. WIth the new motor, I'd hazard to think what it might be.

Shame on DC.

 

I just got home from a camping trip with my 600 pulling about 7000 pounds. I averaged 9 Mpg. My PSD would get 15 on the same trip with the same trailer. Hopefully DC comes up with something.

 

I HAVE BEEN A FORD PERSON ALL MY LIFE AND LOVE THEM, I BOUGHT MY FIRST DODGE BECAUSE OF THE REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH THE 6L PSD, AND DON'T GET ME WRONG I LOVE THE TRUCK AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT FOR THE MPG. A FRIEND OF MINE BOUGHT A NEW FORD ABOUT THE SAME TIME I BOUGHT MY NEW DODGE, AND ME BRAGGING ABOUT THE 600 FT TORQUE AND HOW HIS FORD MADE LESS POWER THAN MY LITTLE OLE 6 BANGER AND POKING FUN AT HIM ALL THE TIME ENDED THIS WEEKEND. WE WENT FISHING, WE BOTH HAVE ALMOST EXCATLY THE SAME BOATS 20 FT. CRESTLINER'S ABOUT 4000 LBS LOADED. NEITHER OF US HAVE DONE ANYTHIING TO OUT TRUCKS BOTH STOCK. ON THE COMPLETE TRIP OF ABOUT 650 MILES ALMOST ALL INTERSTATE RUNNING AT ABOUT 75 MPH MOSTLY FLAT BUT WITH SOME LONG PULL HILLS MY DODGE THAT I WAS SO PROUD OF AVERAGED 11.3 MPG HIS LOW POWERED 6L PS GOT 15.6 AND ON SOME 0F THE LONG HILLS THE FORD STEADLY PULLED AWAY. BOTH AUTO AND WITH 3.73 GEARS. I'M DON'T BRAGG TO MUCH ANYMORE AND WILL PROBABLY BE LOOKING TO TRADE BACK UP TO A FORD NEXT YEAR IF I CAN UNLOAD THIS (NEW 600) BY THEN NOBODY WILL WANT THEM

 

I have had my 600 with 373s and a 6 speed for 3 weeks now. My first tank was 18 mpg all stop/go and logging roads. My 2nd tank which is only down 1/4 appears to be substantially better. The overhead is showing 18.5 and the first tank showed 15.5. My hand calculated miledge is Canadian mpg and I guess the overhead is US mpg. The engine mfg date is jan 8 04 and no reflash that I know of was done. This truck runs very smooth and has a lot more power than the 03 that I had driven a month prior although it had the auto. I am extremely happy with this truck. I am sure there will be a fix for the ones with poor miledge as several of the owners I know have the same or better economy than I have.

 

My last tankfull came out at 17.6. This was hand calculated and was over 360 miles on a run from Chas to Charlotte. Truck has about 2000 on it now and it goes. The MPG has been slowly increasing as I get more miles. First tank was 15.1 and that was featherfooting it. The more miles the better it runs. I don't expect to equal the MPG of the 03 that I had but I didn't buy it for that. And, those who don't like the MPG of these new EPA trucks just wait for the next round sometime around 06 or 07 when we go thru all this again.

Cheers
Gordon