Increase Your RAM’s Mileage With 5 Simple Tips

Key Takeaways

  • RAM is known for its powerful and strong vehicles, but their fuel efficiency is nothing to write home about.
  • Maintain the tyre pressure of your RAM’s tyres so it stays well-balanced and doesn’t burn too much fuel.
  • Drive smoothly and steadily.
  • Keep a check on your engine oil. Change it when needed. 
  • Keep an eye out for leaks in your RAM and get them repaired right away if you find any.
  • Replace components like your engine air filter and spark plugs to improve fuel efficiency.
  • You can also always buy a new exhaust system to improve your RAM’s mileage.

RAM, or Dodge RAM, is an automotive brand known for its heavy-duty, powerful, and reliable vehicles, ranging from pickup trucks to light and heavy-duty trucks. RAM trucks’ lacklustre fuel economy is a disappointing trade-off for their outstanding strength and durability.

Hence, knowing a few tricks to improve your RAM’s mileage can be useful, given the increasing fuel cost. You can do several things to enhance your RAM’s fuel efficiency. It is a good truck, but it could be even better with a few tweaks like improved spark plugs, a new air intake system, and routine and correct upkeep. 

This article will walk you through several tried-and-true methods for increasing your RAM fuel economy without breaking the bank.

Maintain the Proper Tyre Pressure 

You need to be conscious of how well-inflated your tyres are first. If you maintain appropriate tyre inflation, your RAM’s mileage can rise by 3.3%, while underinflated tyres can reduce MPG by 0.3% for every one psi decline. Under-inflated tyres increase drag, making your RAM use more gasoline and making it risky to drive.

The suggested tyre inflation pressure for your RAM can be found on a sticker pasted to the driver’s door jamb. Check your tyres’ psi level frequently and keep them filled to that level. All four tyres must be inflated to the same pressure for your RAM vehicle to remain balanced. 

Improve Your Driving Methods

Your driving methods are another thing you need to be mindful of. Your RPM will increase, and more gasoline will be burned if you drive erratically or aggressively. As much as you can, drive at a constant, steady speed, pressing the gas pedal only when necessary. 

Additionally, it would help if you always used the cruise control function to maintain your driving speed on the highway to maximise fuel economy. Driving with cruise control uses less fuel than travelling without it because it enables automatic and consistent throttle modulation.

Last but not least, make sure you’re driving steadily and smoothly. Avoid sudden acceleration from stops and “jack rabbitting” your RAM when you start it. If you see a stop sign coming, coast up to it rather than harshly stopping. 

You can also lessen friction on your RAM by closing the windows at speeds greater than 45 mph. Remember that your engine uses about 50% of its power at highway speeds to combat drag. These small details greatly affect your RAM’s fuel economy; according to the US Department of Energy, they can reduce your fuel economy by up to 33% when cruising at highway speeds.

Change Oil and Inspect for Potential Leaks Frequently

Engine oil runs out eventually, and if you’ve owned a car for a while, you know that sludge and dirt have an unpleasant way of accumulating in your oil tank and harming the performance of your RAM. Although changing the oil in your vehicle is a necessary maintenance task, it also negatively affects your RAM’s fuel efficiency. We’d advise you to replace your oil as regularly as possible.

We’d suggest routine maintenance services and oil changes every 5000–6000 miles to improve your Dodge’s efficiency. Make it a practice to inspect your oil tank and refill it when needed regularly. 

In the same way, check your truck for any possible leaks and fix them immediately if you discover any. This holds for your transmission fluid, antifreeze, or brake fluid in addition to oil and gasoline. Your RAM truck’s fuel efficiency will suffer from any leaks. To get good mileage, ensure your Dodge’s fluids aren’t leaking.

Check Your RAM’s Engine Components

Your engine air filter may be the primary cause behind your underwhelming MPG ratings. Change your air filter to a free-flowing one, such as a K&N one. Cold air induction filters are standard on RAM vehicles and make no difference to the truck’s fuel efficiency. 

On the other hand, a free-flowing air filter is made to push more air into the engine, boosting horsepower and allowing you to reach highway speeds more quickly. Although changing filters isn’t inexpensive, you’ll save money over time when your RAM uses less fuel than before.

You can also invest in high-quality spark plugs for your Dodge. The best example is E-3 spark plugs, which are made to increase mileage. If correctly maintained, they also reduce the likelihood of stalling, misfiring, or underwhelming engine performance, which results in a higher MPG. 

Instead of the E-3s, you can also purchase a fresh pair of spark plugs for a difference in your RAM’s mileage, but for the best results, we recommend opting for premium plugs.

Maintain Your RAM’s Exhaust System

As years pass, contaminants that clog your engine exhaust can overpower it. This lessens its efficiency because it prevents toxic vapours from escaping your RAM. These gases have a high temperature, and the longer they stay in your RAM’s engine system, the more work it will have to do and the more easily it will overheat.

Therefore, investing in a brand-new exhaust is wise because it will keep your motor cool, eliminate harmful vapours, and improve fuel economy. A new exhaust will increase your fuel economy by 2–5%. Top-of-the-line, more costly exhausts could also increase it by 5–8%, but they are very pricey.

The Flo Master cat-back dual exhaust system is the best for the job. It lessens back pressure on the exhaust and enhances engine efficiency and, consequently, the RAM’s fuel economy.

Conclusion 

Driving a heavy-duty, powerful RAM truck has its benefits. However, there’s no denying that RAMs have a long way to go regarding fuel efficiency. Hence, it’s best to know several ways to keep your RAM’s mileage in check; they’ll always come in handy. 

Still trying to figure out how to improve your RAM’s mileage? Or are you looking for engine components to replace your RAM? Well, look no further. Here at Auffenberg Chrysler of Herrin, you can choose from various parts and services certified for your RAM. Our team of experts can guide you through the changes you should make to your truck for better fuel economy.

So what are you waiting for? Visit us at 1821 South Park Ave, Herrin, IL, or schedule a service with us now.