2004 Dodge HD-Gas Mileage - Montana Owners Club

Sue · 11-19-2004, 03:48 AM

Hi,
I only have 3500 miles on my new truck. I drive to work in about 5 minutes and make daily trips to the barn which is about 20-30 mins away depending on traffic. It's alot of stop n go traffic.

My question is what kind of mileage to you guys get. I know my engine is NOT broke in yet, but I think I am getting TERRIBLE mileage.

I haven't made any highway trips without the horse trailer attached so I have nothing to gage it by.

Thanks in advance!

sreigle · 11-19-2004, 06:04 AM

Sue, with that kind of driving you'll probably get the worst mileage the truck can be expected to get. Add to that the cold temperatures requiring more fuel until the truck warms up.

Sue · 11-19-2004, 07:09 AM

Thanks Steve, Your posts always make me feel better

You know what I went thru with my other truck, I appreciate you taking the time to post.

sreigle · 11-19-2004, 08:58 AM

We just turned 2,900 miles on ours so not a lot of data. Watching the trip computer, yesterday I got 18.1 overall driving to Topeka and back at 70mph in rolling hills. About 180 miles total including some city. That includes driving through downtown Kansas City in pretty heavy/slow traffic since we're east of KC and Topeka is west.

Mixed big city (Kansas City), city streets and freeways, it's getting 16-17. But when I had maybe 40 to 50 miles of nothing but stop and go, traffic lights and traffic, on city streets, I was getting 13.5 to 15 max. I was using "normal" amounts of throttle, whatever that means. Not trying hard for better mileage and not doing redlight drags, either.

If this one is like the last one it will slowly improve until it peaks around 30k miles or thereabouts. The axle is 3.73 gears (axle ratio can make a little difference also).

I think the Cummins usually gets the best mileage among the big three in any given situation.

jerryb · 11-19-2004, 01:52 PM

There is a computer reflash to improve mileage on the Cummins 600, if you ever need to go to the dealer for anything you might have them hook it up and check it out, you can also get it to high idle with the cruise control.

stiles watson · 11-19-2004, 03:10 PM

Every car or truck I know about would get it's worst mileage under the conditions you are having to use yours. Short runs and stop n' start are murder on mileage. When I am out on the road running at 60-65 mph, I get 20-22 mpg (65-70 it drops to 18-19). When I do mixed driving, I get 16-18 mpg. When I do the neighborhood thing I get 12-13 mpg. Towing Monty, I get 10-11.5 mpg.

My wife's car is a Honda Hybrid Civic. When she followed me 350 miles as we ferried the Monty to our home, she got (no kidding) 55 mpg, but when she only drives it in the hood, she only gets about 33 mpg. Which makes my point about neighborhood driving being hard an all vehicles.

Sue · 11-19-2004, 03:21 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jerryb

There is a computer reflash to improve mileage on the Cummins 600

Jerry,
What kind of mileage do you get on yours. I notice it's a 04 Dodge. Forgive me, but is your 2500 a Heavy Duty??? How many miles is on yours.

I know about the upgrades, but I hesitate to do that as on my last truck seems like the problems complied more with them. I just want a truck to drive and feel it out right now. Does that make sense?

c5racer · 11-19-2004, 05:31 PM

Up in the cold country they are probably selling winter diesel fuel, which will also mean less mileage.

jerryb · 11-20-2004, 12:07 PM

My 04 gets 20+ mt and about 12 towing the 3280, but mine is an early 04 with out the smog equipment the 04.5 will get worse mileage but have 30 more h.p. The reflash is no problem, some who have had it think they have less power but better mpg.

Sue · 11-20-2004, 02:19 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by jerryb

My 04 gets 20+ mt and about 12 towing the 3280, but mine is an early 04 with out the smog equipment the 04.5 will get worse mileage but have 30 more h.p. The reflash is no problem, some who have had it think they have less power but better mpg.

Huh?

c5racer · 11-20-2004, 04:58 PM

The 2004.5 went on sale 1-1-2004. On the engine is a plate telling you which model you have. 2004 305hp, 555 torque or 2004.5 325hp, 600 torque.

Virgil · 11-21-2004, 02:08 AM

As I live in a very cold area of the country, I had the dealer flash my engine to activate the cold high idle. It speeds the engine to about 1200 RPM and if it doesn't warm up fast enough, it shuts off fuel to 3 cylinders and uses the remaining 3 firing cylinders to "drag" the other 3 generating more heat. When i first heard it do that,it scared the bgees out of me,,lol. It sounds terrible. On short drives, I make sure the engine has generated enough heat to blow good wqarm air through the heater vents b4 I shut it off. I figure if the air is warm, the engine is warm. An yes,, you drop a mile or 2 per gallon with winter blend. Usually here they mix 75/25 or 60/40 #2 with #1. I usually add an anti-gelling as i am not sure of how precise their blending is.

Montana_281 · 11-21-2004, 12:57 PM

I drive a 2003 Dodge Heavy Duty with the Cummins. I was very discouraged with mileage for the first 14,000 miles. Recently I made a 2700 mile trip without the Montana and it started with 16 miles to the gallon driving into a 35-40 miles per hour wind. After this I did not get less than 20 miles to the gallon. It runs better and the mileage has improved since I got 13 mpg when it was new. Towing I get 12 to 13 miles to the gallon. I am happy with the truck but I am trading it for a new Ford 3500 SRW with the Powerstroke because of the extra room in the back seat, the great automatic transmission, and the integrated brake controller. It should be here right after the first of the year. Happy travels

Dwaine Wagner

sreigle · 11-21-2004, 01:31 PM

Dwaine, good post. Even though we don't have the Dodge I wanted to add my voice to yours about mileage improving with breakin. On our '99 and '03 (one gas, one diesel, neither Dodge) mileage started out a bit low and slowly improved, peaking somewhere over 30,000 miles. The current truck is similar to the one you have on order, just turned 3,300 miles today, and I'm watching it slowly improve on mileage as well. I posted on this Dodge thread because I'd bet all brands will improve during breakin in at least a somewhat similar manner.

Sue · 11-21-2004, 02:20 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dwagner
I am happy with the truck but I am trading it for a new Ford 3500 SRW with the Powerstroke because of the extra room in the back seat, the great automatic transmission, and the integrated brake controller.
Dwaine Wagner

Ya, Ford does have the LARGE back seats. That was one of the reasons we chose Ford for our lst truck. Good Luck with it, I'm sure you'll love it.

Sue · 11-24-2004, 02:09 AM

Took my truck in yesterday for it's oil change, and the tire pressure was 40 lbs off. I don't know how that can be cause every time I haul I check the pressure. Then again last horse show I was at was in September. Maybe that is part of the reason for the terrible mileage too.

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