How to Improve the Gas Mileage of a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500
by Colette McCormick
A 5.7 liter HEMI Magnum engine powers the Dodge Ram 1500, a light duty pickup, and delivers 345 horsepower. Many owners of the Dodge Ram are happy with the handling and its spacious interior, but some describe the fuel mileage as poor. According to Fuelly.com, you can expect to get an average of 12.7 miles per gallon. However, you can improve these figures and get more for your money.
Step 1
Remove any excess weight. Don't drive around with lots of things in the back of your truck that you don't need, because you are just wasting gas.
Step 2
Put the tailgate up. Driving around with the tailgate down affects the aerodynamics of the truck, and you will use more gas.
Step 3
Keep the engine well maintained. Check the air filter regularly and change it when its bright white color starts to fade. Make sure that the engine oil never goes below the minimum mark on the dipstick and keep the fluids topped up to the recommended levels. An engine that is running efficiently will save you gas.
Step 4
Check the tires regularly and keep them pumped to the level recommended in your owner's manual. Over-inflated tires are just as bad as under-inflated ones. Both will mean that you use more gas.
Step 5
Keep your speed down. The Dodge Ram has a powerful engine for its size, and the temptation may be to drive it too quickly. Driving at 80 miles per hour uses a lot more gas than driving at 30.
Step 6
Anticipate what is ahead of you. Don't drive right up to the queue of traffic in front of you and slam on the brakes. Apply the brakes gently well-ahead of the queue and try to avoid stopping at all. It will save you a lot of gas
Step 7
Install a performance chip. A performance chip works by automatically adjusting the air flow and fuel burn in your engine and can be added to any engine that has a fuel injection system. Check online or in your local paper for a garage that can do this for you. You can do this upgrade yourself if you have enough automotive knowledge, and you can pick up a chip suitable for your engine from your dealership.
References
Writer Bio
Colette McCormick started writing in 2006 and has had work published in books, newspapers and magazines. She has recently written travel articles for "My Weekly," a leading weekly magazine in the U.K. McCormick was educated in Sheffield, England and gained A levels in economics and politics.
