2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel = 28 MPG

[LTC8K6]

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!

I'm not driving at 52mph on I-40 or I-95.

Not even in a big banana.

(filling it up to the brim by burping all of the air out of the fuel system)

That is often bad to do in a gasoline powered vehicle, it tends to mess with the evap system, but it is probably okay in the diesel.

 

[Kaido]

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.

Yeah, I remember when we got our Civic, the first Honda Fit EV rolled into the lot. I was super excited about it, but none of the salesman had a clue. My buddy jumped on the deal when they were released, but he ended up having to get one from another state because they sold out so fast ($239/mo 3-year lease w/ no gas = amazing deal!), and even the salesman in the neighboring state had no clue about it. They are there to make commission, so yeah, there are some barriers to getting something new or custom unfortunately.

 

[Throckmorton]

And they have apparently reverted to having a cool down period before shutting the turbo-diesel off.

Stopping The Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown.
After full load operation, idle the engine three to five
minutes before shutting it down. This idle period will
allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat
away from the combustion chamber, bearings, internal
components, and turbocharger. This is especially important
for turbocharged diesel engines.
NOTE: Refer to the following chart for proper engine
shutdown.

Wow, enjoy CO poisoning when you do that in your garage

 

[iamwiz82]

Wow, enjoy CO poisoning when you do that in your garage

Diesel puts out no where near has much CO.

 

[Greenman]

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.

I also have a load issue that figures into the equation. My normal everyday load out is 700 to 1000 pounds. That kills the mileage on a gas engine, doesn't much affect a diesel. I have no way to determine what that difference will be, so I'm ignoring it.

 

[Greenman]

Wow, enjoy CO poisoning when you do that in your garage

Since my truck will have racks and won't fit in a standard garage, it's a none issue.

A bit off topic, but I just did a search for lumber racks and noticed that every single one of the bolt together verity is incorrectly designed.
They all have a side rail thats several inches taller than the cross rails, makes it pretty tough to load with a forklift.

 

[Kaido]

Land Rover is bringing diesels to the US:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/11/land-rover-diesel-range-rover-sport-detroit/

Pretty good economy for a big SUV:

Land Rover has announced that its 3.0-liter, turbodiesel V6, sold in Europe as the TDV6, will be sold in the US market Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. The new engines will elevate the economy figures for the typically thirsty SUVs to an estimated 28 miles per gallon, Land Rover reports.

 

[996GT2]

Land Rover is bringing diesels to the US:

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/01/11/land-rover-diesel-range-rover-sport-detroit/

Pretty good economy for a big SUV:

I don't think anyone with the cash to buy a $90,000 Range Rover really cares all that much about saving a few bucks on fuel.

Not that they are actually going to save any money, because right now premium unleaded still costs a good chunk less than diesel in much of the US. Then there's the fact that the diesel engine will probably carry a price premium over the base gas engine and require more money in terms of maintenance costs.

So the only tangible benefits of the diesel are the longer range between fill-ups and the greater torque. There's not really a fuel economy/savings argument that can be made for a diesel.

 

[Greenman]

Ram is going to have a tough time pushing those ecodeisels, the equation used to come out in favor of gas when it was $3.50 a gallon, at $2 bucks it isn't even a question anymore.

I ended up not getting either the Ram diesel or the Ford ecoboost. The Ram dealers were too stupid to bother with, and I missed the cut off date for ordering a Ford. I was going to wait until the beginning of this year and order a 2015 Ford, then the engine in my old truck ceased. So I went and picked up the only truck in the area that fit my needs, and it had a 5l V8.

 

[skyking]

My choice for diesel is really about the towing and torque, and I do mostly use my truck for towing and work. I never commute with it. I have other diesel rigs for that

 

[Greenman]

My choice for diesel is really about the towing and torque, and I do mostly use my truck for towing and work. I never commute with it. I have other diesel rigs for that

You're a bit unique in that regard. For most folks, pickups are the new SUV's. They want them huge, so huge you have to buy the optional ladder to climb in the bed. They want four doors, they want a car like ride, and they want that weird hole in the back where you can put stuff to be as small as possible.
Bells and whistles don't make it anymore, now you have to be able to start it and operate the 3 zone climate control system from your phone or tablet. They want horsepower, they want lots of lights, and wheels so flashy they'ed embarrass Snoop Dog.

There are acres of trucks like that on lots all around me, and they're legion out on the freeway. With fuel prices tumbling, I expect the trend to get even worse.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Ram is going to have a tough time pushing those ecodeisels, the equation used to come out in favor of gas when it was $3.50 a gallon, at $2 bucks it isn't even a question anymore.

I ended up not getting either the Ram diesel or the Ford ecoboost. The Ram dealers were too stupid to bother with, and I missed the cut off date for ordering a Ford. I was going to wait until the beginning of this year and order a 2015 Ford, then the engine in my old truck ceased. So I went and picked up the only truck in the area that fit my needs, and it had a 5l V8.

Don't worry about it. Gas prices aren't going to remain at this level for too terribly long.

 

[LTC8K6]

Don't worry about it. Gas prices aren't going to remain at this level for too terribly long.

I think the Saudis said we would not see oil reach $100 a barrel again.

I think they realized that if the price is high, other sources of crude become profitable, and they lose revenue.

 

[nerp]

The Saudis are hoping to squeeze other oil producers to death by forcing prices low and they have the money, time and political control to do it for as long as they want. I think the lower prices could be the norm for some time, but nothing is gospel.

 

[NuroMancer]

The Saudis are hoping to squeeze other oil producers to death by forcing prices low and they have the money, time and political control to do it for as long as they want. I think the lower prices could be the norm for some time, but nothing is gospel.

Winner!

Oil will go back into the 80's later in 2015

 

[LTC8K6]

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/2015-ram-1500-ecodiesel-adds-hfe-model-higher-130724994.html

2wd HFE model coming.