My ranting about the 600 mileage is based on two points. One: I have been driving the CTD's exclusively since 1990 and the worst, unloaded, mileage I have ever seen is 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway. All my 2nd gen trucks average 17 city and 24 highway. This would be better I am sure if my employees paid for the fuel. But thats another story.

The two 03's I have owned have both gotten excellent mileage. 17 mpg in city and around 24 mpg highway, if I don't go over 74 mph. All figures hand calculated.

Point # 2: I pay a lot of attention to what is said on this forum and those getting reasonable mileage from their 600's, such as yourself, seem to be the definate minority. The rule seems to be that the mileage is in the dumps and DC's answer is "they can find no codes". And, no code means no fix and that equates to a ticked off customer.

I guess what it all boils down to is this. Those that have been driving other brands and have switched to Dodge, may think 12, 13, or 14 mpg is pretty good. Thoses that have been with Dodge for longer than the 04.5 model run are mighty disappointed and more than a little upset with DC and Cummins over this poor economy.

I agree completely with Thames, I am not anxious to drop $40K on my next truck and the engine economy be a roll of the dice. I am not due for another truck till December of 0-5. So hpefully this will be fixed.

Come on DC get it fixed!!!!!

 

> I'm getting 15-16...

If that's all city mileage then it's reasonable for a 4x4, but if that's highway (or even city/highway) then it's not too good...

 

> I'm getting 15-16...

No offense, but if the best my truck got was 15 or 16, I would be really cheezed off. My last gas 4x4 got that (granted, a half ton).

15 is about the worst hand calculated my current truck has ever gotten, mostly short trips in 25 zones. Generally it gets around 20 or 21.somthing on the freeway.

 

My 03 ho equipped exactly the way my 600 is got an average of 5mpg more than my 600 .The 03 was bought back and truly was a pos .But that being said how is it right that dodge can replace the 03 with something that isnt comparable.i was one of the first to take possesion of the 600 I waited 4 months for it .If i had known the economy was this bad i wouldnt have bought it .Im not calling any body a liar but anybody with a 600 auto 4wd that is getting 16mpg and better either drives like granny, has no hills to climb ,goes down hill to and from work or they havent read the sticker on the valve cover properly ,theres must say 305 hp. i know four guys with the 600 every one has economy issues

 

I tried driving with a egg under my foot and didn't do much for me.

 

hey guys, im glad i found this place.. i was getting ready to buy 2 new duallies 4X2 6 speed with the cummins and i found this site while doing some last minute research. I am selling my ford f450 mainly because of the 6 m.p.g. i get while towing. I tow 12000 lbs about 100k per year. the cost of fuel is putting me out of business. i thought i found the cure with 2 new dodges, but i am horrifed to hear the stories about the 500 vs. 600. How can I make sure i am buying 2 500's? are they still available? will it say on the window sticker which it is? if i cant get 10 m.p.g. while towing 12000 lbs, i am in trouble... HELP !!!

 

Reading these posts makes me thankful I bought an 03 rather than waiting. I get 17 mpg in town and 20 on the road, unloaded. If I owned a fuel guzzler right now, with the outrageous price of fuel, my truck would spend almost all of its time in the garage.

 

I got 443 miles with mixed driving and just dumped in almost 34 gallons of fuel in my DC's latest and greatest

 

When I started this thread I was trying to make up my mind exactly what I wanted. I finally bought a 600. I love the truck - it rides and drives great. I am disappointed in the mileage though. I have about 1400 miles on the truck and so far I am averaging 10-12 in town and about 15.5 on the highway. I drive pretty easy so this is about the best it can get now. Hopefully the mileage will improve with time. I don't think I will ever get the 20 or better I was hoping for. My brother bought a 1500 4X4 with a hemi and he gets about the same mileage that I do. At least here in East Texas diesel is about 22 cents a gallon less than regular.

Next week I am going to take a trip to South Texas, about 1200 miles round trip, and will have a better idea about my mileage then.

 

I love my 2WD. Sure there are times I could use 4WD, but my wife has an AWD Santa Fe, and with our jobs we don't have to go if we can't.
What do you want the truck for? I got mine to tow in weather above freezing. That is pulling a fifth wheel during the seasons we like to travel.
I also drive it in my work, looks like this year will be about 26,000 miles.
I enjoy the independent front wheel sup. that comes with the 2WD, and I like the fuel mileage.
Mine sits low, I think it looks sporty, others raise theirs even higher than a normal 4WD, they have a different look, a heck of a lot beefier than mine.
The tires that came on mine are no good for snow and mud. Since I do not tow or haul havy loads in snowy weather, I put a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks on mine for winter, one of the best snow and ice tires made, comprable to studded tires. Yeah that is an extra expense, but the original tires will last longer.
I have always had 4wd, but we plan to travel with the camper, unhook it and travel some more, I went for ride handling and mileage.
That is not the norm-I had to order it.
And yeah 4wder's going from 4WD to 2WD I have been stuck. But I'm learning.

 

I have a 2004 3500 2WD Single rear wheel-w-"anti slip" rear axle and get 18-19 mpg. I found this truck on the lot on Dec 31 and got a major write off and 10K off the sticker cause they needed to make their end of year numbers. The owner of the dealership always kept a couple of duallys on the lot but orderred this truck and another w/o checking off the dually option so they cam through as SRW. It is SLT-w-leather. When I went to the dealer they looked at me like I was a complete fool for not wanting 4X4. True the resale is higher but truer I DON'T NEED IT. I keep a vehicle for well over ten years and resale doesn't mean squat to me and I can't stand all these 4X4's that go off road2 times every five years. It is a waste period. I took mine through some fairly rough although firm trails and had no traction problem and was actually looking for some problem areas just to test it. The best thing is how it handles. I can take turns faster than I thought I'd eve be able to and had it well over 70 on an "on" rampcloverleaf-w-no problem. The limiting thing on the handleing is what is in the bed that can slam around and cause damage. IMO if you buy 4X4 for resale and plan on keeping the truck w/o going off road, boat trailering or drag racing (4X4 is very good for this)you are wasting your money and loosing out on mileage and a better handling truck.

 

At least here, and for me, 4X4 was a must have. We get freezing rain on top of packed snow here, and the truck will also go to elk camp carrying two sets of chains. It seems you have to have 1500 pounds or more in the back before it can get around at all in ice and snow in 2WD.

Still, if I lived some place without a winter, I would have considered 2WD. Resale value alone would not justify the expense, and extra fuel.

 

I've broken 20 on an easy run at ~ 65 mph running empty on the highway. My overall HAND CALCULATED mpg since purchased new is below (see sig). That includes warm ups, city and about 1000 miles towing a 6400 lb car hauler.

I feel awful for you guys with poor mileage. I also don't understand how there can be that much of a percent difference between the early and later ones - driving habits aside! DC/Cummins must have changed something. If they did then why can't they fix the older ones???

Honestly, I'd also sell if the best I could get was 13 mpg, but I'd also buy another Dodge with a Cummins manufacturerd after 2/2/04!

 

...as for staying on topic and my comments on 2wd/4wd, I'd get 2wd if I lived in a place that got very little or no snow like Florida. They ride better, less maintenance, less expensive to purchase, better fuel economy and are lighter.

Living in the Northeast, I wouldn't even think about getting a 2wd pick-up doesn't matter who its made by. They are just too light in the butt to be driven in the winter time...unless you have another beater truck for the salty days of winter and only use the 2wd for the summer months!

 

I love my jan/03 no vibration 14 to 15 around town at 7000 ft and on the highway 20 plus it just took me 10 k to lear how to drive it right