Hard to find the words for the title of this post.

Here's the deal: my truck is getting 13-14 MPG in the city, and around 20 MPG on the highway. This is with VERY conservative throttle use at or below the speed limit. The highway mileage is super, but the city mileage is sucking. I expected 15 MPG city during the break-in period, and up to maybe 17-18 city after break-in. The truck is not meeting my expectations, and I'm trying to devise a strategy to improve my mileage. Details are below.

I brought my truck in to the dealer last week to have the tires inspected for warranty replacement because there was dry rot on all four (with only 1500 miles on the clock!), and while it was in I asked the dealer to do any required flash updates and recalls, specifically TSB #18-005-06 to help get better mileage, and the vent tank recall.

First they said that my truck was fully updated even though it was built in January 2006. Then they said that the tank vent recall didn't apply to diesels at all - which was obviously a blatant lie, or simple incompetence. -1 for credibility for trying to feed me that line of BS.

I asked them to provide more details, and they finally said that Chrysler has a system with which it updates trucks for recalls in depot before they get to the dealer, and my truck had probably been updated there.

They approved my tire warranty issue, and I left the dealership without a lot of argument about the TSB and recall because I thought I'd take the truck home and physically inspect the tank vents to see if the recall indeed had been done. If it had been done, then I would have a little more faith that they weren't giving me a BS line.

Turns out the tank vent recall had indeed been done (I threw extra fuel filters on there anyway), so it's possible that the TSB #18-005-06 was also done. The issue here is that I know recalls and TSBs are handled completely differently, and even though recall work may have been done at the depot, they may still have not reflashed the truck.

The mission here is to get better mileage. My strategy:

1. Inflate front tires to 80 PSI
2. Install Rokktech sensor and advance timing 2 degrees
3. Determine if my truck has had TSB #18-005-06 and try to get it flashed if not already updated

The question:

What can you recommend to get step #3 accomplished? The dealer won't reflash if there's no problem.

As a derivative question, anyone know a good service dept. in Northern Virginia that would give me the flash?

Many thanks,

Dave

 

80 PSI may help, but I think you’ll find the ride harsh (I run 60 around town, 70 on road trips with some weight in the bed). IMHO, 14 MPG in town isn’t bad for an automatic. Re the TSB’s, I’ve had them done on my truck and they placed a sticker with the TSB number and “Authority” on the radiator bracket/frame…I think that is required by law whether done at the dealer or depot. It could be that your Jan ’06 engine has the latest programming ….not sure exactly when the cut-off point was.

 

I agree. Your truck might have been built with the new flash already in it so there might not need to be anything done to it.

I also gotta say that 14mpg in town isn't bad with an auto. The high stall of the TC's makes for a high revving engine without much acceleration so that kills the mileage.

 

My 06 is also getting about 15 MPG with mostly in town driving. I too was expecting better because my 2000 had a 6 speed and got 18 in town, 22 highway. As it breaks in, it should improve, but I guess it won't be getting what my 6 speed did.

 

I'm with BB on this one...when the factory convertor is unlocked, it sucks pretty bad! I picked up 2mpg in town by using my lockup switch...I get to 30mph, and lock the convertor...keeps the enigne from revving 2K RPM to make 30mph!

Also remember these trucks are heavy...once you get them rolling, it easy. But they take a bit to get rolling

Chris

 

Interesting responses, thanks guys. So maybe a RC and VB upgrade would be the way to go, to get that powahhh to the wheels a little better and increase efficiency.

 

i bought my truck to tow not because i thought it might get 18mpg around town. im lucky to get 12mpg in town not that im complaning but it weighs 7500# what would you expect....

 

I barely get 15 "in town" and my in town is rural! Thats driving it real conservatively and very little idle time.80 psi in front tires is NOT recomended.Besides it will beat you and front end parts up.Only time I've ever run 80 psi in REARS was on SRW trucks with a heavy trailer hooked.On my dually 65 front and 50/55 rear.

 

My truck has 24k miles on it now. The mileage has steadily improved since new. Everyone reports mileage improving as the engine breaks in. If you are not towing anything heavy, expect 20k or more to break in.

 

How can one tell if the vent recall has been done to his truck???
the dealer said it had been done, but I'm not sure.
sorry for the thread jacking

 

Just stick your hand up on the top of the tank....there is a 90 degree vent nipple on the front and back and they should have a 1/4 inch rubber hose on them. If so, invest another $5 and buy two lawnmower fuel filters and put them on the end of the hoses....

 

thanks! end thread jack

 

When empty I've noticed no difference in mileage with tire pressure at 53psi or 80 psi. 80 psi will wear out the tires faster.

 

why would you settle for 12mpg though?

my 04 gets ~16 around town. 17 if I am good, 15 if i jackrabbit with traffic.
it's 7200 lbs, auto, 4:10's

brought home an 06 tonight, showing 12.5 on over head
that is just poking around town to eat dinner.
auto & 4:10's also.

don't think i will trade for that truck.