2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel = 28 MPG

[LTC8K6]

All diesels have required this for the last 35+ years if there turbo'd so it's nothing new, what is new however is how they don't seem to have a system to do it automatically.

This woulda been a great option for me since I carry around 500 lbs in tools and material and drive 2-3 hours a day for work, unfortunately due to company politics we have to buy 3/4 tons which are impossible to maneuver in parking lots and my current quad cab 2500HD with the 8ft box is retardedly long.

I read a few owner's manuals and only the Chryslers seem to require a cool down period at less than heavy loads. Chrysler has cool down periods even for light loads.

The Duramax and Powerstroke manuals say the cool down is only necessary if you have been pushing the engine hard.

I have no problem with the cool down period if the engine has been pushed hard.

Also, I am really just questioning the Jeep/Ram manual, since I doubt anyone waits a minute or two to shut their engine off if they weren't hauling anything heavy.

 

[thedarkwolf]

You are really more worried about this than you need to be. It isn't a diesel thing. It is a TURBO thing. I'll say it again. Driving slowly around your neighborhood before pulling into your driveway is enough. Driving around the parking lot at work/store to get to your spot is enough. The only times you really need to worry about it is if you park immediately after higher speed/pulling a load and turn off the car. My old 89 dodge caravan turbo had the same crap in its manual and I can guarantee nobody bothered doing cool downs on that thing. Turbo was still fine on that at 130k when I pulled it to replace it with a bigger one. Turbo is also fine on my jetta TDI at 223k miles and I really doubt it has received to many cool downs over the years either. I'm sure most manuals say something about checking your tire pressure every time you get gas too. Having your tire blow out on the interstate at 75mph and flipping down the road should be a bigger worry and very few people are checking their tire pressure every fill up either.

 

[LTC8K6]

You are really more worried about this than you need to be. It isn't a diesel thing. It is a TURBO thing. I'll say it again. Driving slowly around your neighborhood before pulling into your driveway is enough. Driving around the parking lot at work/store to get to your spot is enough. The only times you really need to worry about it is if you park immediately after higher speed/pulling a load and turn off the car. My old 89 dodge caravan turbo had the same crap in its manual and I can guarantee nobody bothered doing cool downs on that thing. Turbo was still fine on that at 130k when I pulled it to replace it with a bigger one. Turbo is also fine on my jetta TDI at 223k miles and I really doubt it has received to many cool downs over the years either. I'm sure most manuals say something about checking your tire pressure every time you get gas too. Having your tire blow out on the interstate at 75mph and flipping down the road should be a bigger worry and very few people are checking their tire pressure every fill up either.

I am already well aware of the typical cool down period after a hard run. Not really even talking about that at all.

I am also really not worried about the light duty cool down periods for the VMM engine in the least, except as an inconvenience.

I am only concerned with the owner's manual for the Ram and Jeep, which specifies varying cool down periods according to how the vehicle was driven, rather than only specifying the typical cool down after a hard run, like the Duramax and Powerstroke manuals.

I doubt a Jetta or Cruze manual says much about cool down periods.

The owner's manual for the Ram and the Jeep says what it says. It says to let it cool down for one to five minutes depending on the load, from light to heavy.

If I owned one, I would be following instructions, not worrying about it.

I would not be worrying about people on boards telling me I don't need to follow the owner's manual, either.

My tire pressures are just an EVIC selection away.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Most newer turbo cars apparently use an electric pump to keep the water circulating after you shut them down which is why they don't have cool down times listed in their manuals. Looks like the diesel trucks don't for some reason. My 04 TDI doesn't either.

Straight out of the 6.7 Technical Supplement...

STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to the off position.
To prolong engine life (especially after extended high speed, high
ambient temperature, or high GVW/GCW operation, such as heavy loads
and/or heavy trailers), it is recommended that a hot engine be idled for
3-5 minutes which will allow the turbocharged engine to cool down. For
more information on GVW/GCW, see Vehicle loading – with and
without a trailer in the Owner guide

Just found that on some web site from 2012. Maybe dodge is just more thorough

 

[LTC8K6]

Most newer turbo cars apparently use an electric pump to keep the water circulating after you shut them down which is why they don't have cool down times listed in their manuals. Looks like the diesel trucks don't for some reason. My 04 TDI doesn't either.

Straight out of the 6.7 Technical Supplement...

STOPPING THE ENGINE
Turn the ignition to the off position.
To prolong engine life (especially after extended high speed, high
ambient temperature, or high GVW/GCW operation, such as heavy loads
and/or heavy trailers), it is recommended that a hot engine be idled for
3-5 minutes which will allow the turbocharged engine to cool down. For
more information on GVW/GCW, see Vehicle loading – with and
without a trailer in the Owner guide

Just found that on some web site from 2012. Maybe dodge is just more thorough

Well, I have already said that the Duramax and Powerstroke manuals say that...that's normal. The Ram/Jeep manuals say a whole lot more.

 

[ElFenix]

so, in terms of energy, this is like getting 25 mpg and in terms of cost this is like getting 21 mpg.

 

[996GT2]

I paid more for premium today than I did for diesel last week, this is in Michigan. I suspect that many of the engines in trucks nowadays have a preference for 89 octane at least,

Yeah, as I said, I think how much sense a diesel truck makes depends on where you live. If you live somewhere where diesel doesn't cost much more then gas, then sure, I could see the point of paying a little more for a diesel truck to save money on gas in the long run. But if you live in my area where diesel is a good 30% more expensive, then it makes no sense at all.

 

[skyking]

Most of the time I am towing a 10,000 pound travel trailer with my diesel. I get from 13 to 15 MPG while towing. A gas rig will struggle to break 10, and be a miserably slow drive in the mountains. It is simply not comparable to a gas truck in any meaningful way, the way I use it.
The empty truck performance is not why I have a diesel.

 

[Greenman]

Most of the time I am towing a 10,000 pound travel trailer with my diesel. I get from 13 to 15 MPG while towing. A gas rig will struggle to break 10, and be a miserably slow drive in the mountains. It is simply not comparable to a gas truck in any meaningful way, the way I use it.
The empty truck performance is not why I have a diesel.

That's pretty much the entire point of a diesel pickup. Using one as the family car generally isn't economical.

I've really come to like Ram trucks, and the 1500 diesel looks like a winner for a work truck. My only reservation is the engine. I'm not aware of any Italian made engine with with a stellar record for reliability.

 

[LTC8K6]

Still seems to me that if you actually are regularly pulling heavy loads, you probably don't want a 1/2 ton pickup to pull them, let alone one with only 240 horsepower and no more torque than a gas V8.

A construction site work truck pulling light to moderate loads once in a while, yeah.

 

[drnickriviera]

Still seems to me that if you actually are regularly pulling heavy loads, you probably don't want a 1/2 ton pickup to pull them, let alone one with only 240 horsepower and no more torque than a gas V8.

A construction site work truck pulling light to moderate loads once in a while, yeah.

I wouldn't make that conclusion. They keep upping the ratings of the 1/2 tons.

Compare the 01 ram 2500 diesel I have. With the automatic it's rated at like 235hp, 430 or so torque, tow rating around 10k lbs. That's almost identical to the Ram 1500.

I think my 2500 would still be a better tow vehicle because of it's size, but I doubt the 1500 would have a problem in the 6-8k range. That's a good bit of weight.

 

[skyking]

my truck had 180 hp and 420 ft pounds when I got it. I'd be happy with 240 diesel HP in a new truck.

 

[Greenman]

Still seems to me that if you actually are regularly pulling heavy loads, you probably don't want a 1/2 ton pickup to pull them, let alone one with only 240 horsepower and no more torque than a gas V8.

A construction site work truck pulling light to moderate loads once in a while, yeah.

Depends on how heavy the load is. If you regularly tow a 6000# pound trailer a half ton is fine.
The horsepower is a non issue, 240 is plenty. The torque is another issue entirely. A gas engine generally makes it's best torque at much higher rpm's than a diesel. Most produce their peak torque around the 4500 rpm range, most people don't like the sound of an engine screaming at peak rpm's all the time.

 

[LTC8K6]

Depends on how heavy the load is. If you regularly tow a 6000# pound trailer a half ton is fine.
The horsepower is a non issue, 240 is plenty. The torque is another issue entirely. A gas engine generally makes it's best torque at much higher rpm's than a diesel. Most produce their peak torque around the 4500 rpm range, most people don't like the sound of an engine screaming at peak rpm's all the time.

The VMM engine makes it's torque midrange, very similar to a VVT Hemi, I think.

I'm sure it's a great truck. The Ram trucks are very good.

I think it will be abysmally slow pulling near it's rating though, but that may not matter.

It will take at least 5 years to break even on the costs over a Hemi, and nearly 20 years over a Pentastar, according to reviwers.

And the engine performance and reliability remains unknown.

 

[skyking]

The VMM engine makes it's torque midrange, very similar to a VVT Hemi, I think.

I'm sure it's a great truck. The Ram trucks are very good.

I think it will be abysmally slow pulling near it's rating though, but that may not matter.

It will take at least 5 years to break even on the costs over a Hemi, and nearly 20 years over a Pentastar, according to reviwers.

And the engine performance and reliability remains unknown.

Wrong yet again.

The 3.0-liter diesel puts out 240 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 420 pound-feet of torque at 2,000 rpm, and will be paired with the company's TorqueFlite eight-speed transmission.
Compared the diesel's numbers to its brethren in the Ram stable: The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 makes 305 hp at 6,400 rpm and 269 lb-ft at 4,175 rpm, returning 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8 produces 395 hp at 5,600 rpm and 410 lb-ft at 3,950 rpm, and gets 15 mpg city, 22 mpg highway.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/26/2014-ram-1500-diesel-quick-spin-review/

Until you have moved some loads with a diesel you can't understand the difference.
I'm sure if you hook up a hemi truck to the same size trailer it will win the race easily with this diesel engine.
But nobody drives that way, and the amount of fuel you use in a gasser under load is sickening, after you have had a diesel.
You need to go test drive a 2500 I don't care which brand, and you will feel it even empty. You'll get the idea that it won't care what trailer you hook up to it. It won't be fast, but it will be irresistible in comparison to a screaming gasser.
My18 year old 250,000 mile 12V cummins makes more torque as the RPMS go down under load. It is hard to describe, but it made 720 Ft/Lb @ 1000 RPM on a commercial truck dyno when they drug it down with load. It idles at 800 or so. Ponder that for a moment, what kind of torque does it have at idle?
This means that if you are in a gear at 1800 or better, it will take a virtual cliff to make you shift down to another gear.

 

[TopCat502]

As others have said the 28mpg is misleading.

Here in TX, diesel runs 20% to 30% more then regular unleaded. So assuming 20% extra diesel cost the 28 diesel mpg is equivalent to a 23 mpg gas engine. That's nothing special.

This diesel merely matches the current 3.5L ecoboost in torque and equivalent cost adjusted mpg. I imagine the 2015 lighter weight F150 will add 1 or 2 mpg to its EPA rating and surpass the diesel this fall without the price premium you have to pay upfront for a diesel

I can't see this diesel model selling in meaningful numbers after the initial wave of gotta-have-it buyers.

Unless you haul heavy loads frequently, the model to keep an eye on from a mileage efficiency standpoint could well be the upcoming 2.7L ecoboost. 360 lb/foot of torque coupled with 29 mpg would be a nice sweet spot for the average truck buyer
http://www.torquenews.com/106/new-27l-ecoboost-v6-will-make-2015-ford-f150-most-efficient-truck-us

 

[Kaido]

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is now available with the EcoDiesel: (same 240 HP, 420 torque)

http://www.jeep.com/en/2014/grand-cherokee/

3.0L diesel engine, 30 MPG highway (22 city), 730-mile range, 7400-pound towing capacity on the 4x2 RWD. Car & Driver has a review:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-ecodiesel-v-6-first-drive-review

The 4x4 model gets 21 city, 28 highway, with a slightly smaller 7200-pound towing capacity.

 

[LTC8K6]

The 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee is now available with the EcoDiesel: (same 240 HP, 420 torque)

http://www.jeep.com/en/2014/grand-cherokee/

3.0L diesel engine, 30 MPG highway (22 city), 730-mile range, 7400-pound towing capacity on the 4x2 RWD. Car & Driver has a review:

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2014-jeep-grand-cherokee-ecodiesel-v-6-first-drive-review

The 4x4 model gets 21 city, 28 highway, with a slightly smaller 7200-pound towing capacity.

It finished 4th out of 5 in the comparo.

http://www.caranddriver.com/compari...-diesel-2013-bmw-x5-xdrive35d-comparison-test

 

[Kaido]

CleanMPG hypermiled the RAM EcoDiesel up to 38.1 MPG:

http://green.autoblog.com/2014/05/09/hypermiling-ram-1500-ecodiesel-38-mpg/

Wow, super detailed article!

 

[Greenman]

Impressive numbers. I'm trying to buy a Ram diesel right now, though the dealers are doing their level best to avoid selling me one.

 

[Kaido]

Impressive numbers. I'm trying to buy a Ram diesel right now, though the dealers are doing their level best to avoid selling me one.

Too new or what? I'd love to pick up a Jeep GC diesel, but (1) they're crazy expensive for simply adding "diesel" to it, and (2) commenters are still reporting transmission issues on the 2014 models. For a little extra you could get a base Tesla, haha. The Dodge diesel is definitely a lot more economical starting from the base EcoDiesel model.

 

[Greenman]

Too new or what? I'd love to pick up a Jeep GC diesel, but (1) they're crazy expensive for simply adding "diesel" to it, and (2) commenters are still reporting transmission issues on the 2014 models. For a little extra you could get a base Tesla, haha. The Dodge diesel is definitely a lot more economical starting from the base EcoDiesel model.

One dealer didn't know Ram offered a diesel in the 1500, I had to show them on the Ram website. They couldn't figure out how to order it and sent me on my way. Another dealer was much the same thing, working with one now who says he can make it happen.
Around here, if you're not going to roll off the lot with whatever they have in inventory, they just aren't interested in talking to you. Ordering a truck takes near half an hour, and they don't see a commission check for ten weeks. I'm also not getting all the gadgets that they make a ton of money on, so there just isn't any incentive to bother with me. As far as the salesman is concerned, I'm just a jerkoff who's keeping him from moving a truck right now.

 

[heymrdj]

We've got two RAM dealers here in fort wayne, 1 with 1 Eco Diesel, and the other with 3 ecodiesels. I went and checked them out yesterday jut to see what they looked like, that motor is a 4K option. That's a lot of gas money, but then again, as many miles as I drive every year, it could be worth while. I might go test drive one just to see how it handles. I was surprised to see they kept the same dual exit bumper exhaust that they give the hemi.

Greenman, I have ran into that many times. I found the one dealership with an awesome guy I always work with. He'll get whatever I ask, order or on lot.

 

[Greenman]

Even with the premium cost of diesel, it still works out about $750 a year better for me than gas. The upgrade cost is a little steep, but diesel engines aren't cheep.

 

[heymrdj]

Even with the premium cost of diesel, it still works out about $750 a year better for me than gas. The upgrade cost is a little steep, but diesel engines aren't cheep.

Yeah I'm seeing like 18-25K miles a year, I need to run the math, but I think at current fuel prices, the diesel would be worth it, even for mostly unloaded trips.