i have a 96 dodge ram with the 5.2 (4x2) i have a lid on the back (for better mpg) and when i found out i was getting about 7 mpg (topped off tank and let it run out of gas it had 192 miles more on marker) well after i got a glasspack for the muffler to increase flow cus they said it was clogged or something like that but it is still giving me the same. my pops says its because im always flooring it and making it burn out but i still dont think i should be getting such low mileage thanks
oh it has a non stock 5 speed tranny and tires are a bit bigger than recomended
2007-07-25 08:39:50 · 9 answers · asked by fonzy 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
26 gallon tank 192/26=7.3 or so
2007-07-25 08:43:25 · update #1
Well, if you are flooring it and burning out then that is why you are getting such bad gas mileage.
With a 5.2 v8 you will be lucky to get 15mpg with optimum engine fuel efficiency. The truck is 11 years old so I know there is plenty of engine wear, and if you are driving like a crazy teenager then you are not helping the engine maintain its proper working order (compression/blowby, etc)
When you floor it the injectors open all the way up. Which is gonna drain quite a bit of gas to get off the line. Also glass packs do not increase horsepower or fuel economy. They are only really only designed to make it loud. If you want to see performance and fuel economy increase then you will need to get a performance muffler and catalytic converter. Also try a high flow intake or just a better air filter. If the engine has to fight the intake to get the air in then it will use more gas to do so. Free up the flow and then engine spends more of its power on moving the truck rather than fighting the intake and exhaust.
Is the tranny geared higher or lower than stock?
Larger tires mean the engine has to work harder to move them.
Try these and for gods sake try to drive like a normal person for a whole tank and I bet you will see your mpg be more around 12-15.
2007-07-25 08:54:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have the smaller diameter glasspack, you will be causing harmful backpressure.
Some of the makers call their strait shot muffler "Hi Flow" but that doesn't make it so...
I ended up replacing my Turbo 'packs and getting better everything. Performance and mileage. I had the 2 or 2.5 inch inlet/outlet. One of the best mechanics I have ever known told me the engine was fighting itself.
There is a reason that the higher priced mufflers are higher priced... The engineering and tuning.
Also, make sure your catylytic convertor is not plugged.
Replace the stock paper air filter with a high flow filter such as the K&N
2007-07-25 16:40:35 · answer #2 · answered by wi_saint 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the shop say the muffler was clogged or the cat was clogged. A clogged cat is VERY common on these trucks, which well rob a lot of power. Another thing to look at is if the plenum gasket is still good. The way to do this is to take off the air filter and look down the throttel body and look for pools of oil. You also may need to replace the O2 sensors. These are all common to cause major power and milage loss.
2007-07-25 16:32:13 · answer #3 · answered by rookierancher 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you've got some problems with your engine control computer and/or sensors, I've got a 96 ram 5.9 4x4 automatic with 3.54 gearing & 160k miles that weighs 5500 lb. I get 13.5 or 14 in the winter on short trips stop & go driving 17 + on the highway in the summer. are you sure your odometer is reading correctly, its also computer controlled (no speedometer cable) you should get at least 325 miles on a tank even doing burnouts. spend the money at a good diagnostic shop to find out whats wrong, you will save enough on gas in a year to pay for it. or try driving a known distance & see how many miles your trip meter says to check your odometer.
2007-07-25 18:30:08 · answer #4 · answered by Who Dat ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let off the gas!
My 1995 Chevy 4X4 gets 8 mpg with 35" tires and 4:88 gears. (it is geared real low)
If I drive it real nice, I can get 10mpg, but who wants to drive like an old man!
Bigger tires will decrease gas mileage, and so will burn outs.
JUMP IT!
2007-07-25 15:46:12 · answer #5 · answered by mybuttstinks2001 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question, this is a very heavy vehicle, driving it hard will burn some gas, doing burnouts and flooring it I am surprised you manage to get even 7 mpg.
2007-07-25 15:52:11 · answer #6 · answered by cimra 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the muffler is clogged so is the catalytic converter.That's your gas mileage problem?
2007-07-25 21:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
save gas
2007-07-25 15:47:40 · answer #8 · answered by playa 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
so dont floor it so much damn.....
2007-07-26 09:43:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋