What is the Average MPG for a Ram 2500 with Cummins Diesel?

The Ram 2500 is a ¾-ton, heavy-duty pickup truck built to handle payloads up to 4,000 pounds and tow trailers weighing up to 20,000 pounds. The idea of such a truck being fuel efficient might seem unrealistic, but compared to other trucks in its segment, the Ram 2500 Diesel is notably fuel efficient thanks to its Cummins Engine's fuel-saving technologies. The Ram 2500 mpg stands at 19 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway without hauling or towing. Therefore, even with daily use, this truck's fuel costs are bound to be manageable. 

The Ram 2500 Diesel is driven by a 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 engine that develops 370 horsepower and 850 lb.-ft. of torque. All Ram 2500 Diesel models also feature a heavy-duty 6-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.       

1. What Factors Affect the Ram 2500 MPG with Cummins Diesel?

Here are several factors that can affect the Ram 2500 mpg: 

• Weight: When carrying or towing loads, this truck's engine has to work harder to build momentum on the road, so more fuel is spent. 
• Aerodynamics: When cargo items are stacked up high on the cargo bed or if the truck is hooked up to an RV or trailer, the flow of air around the truck is obstructed, causing turbulence that opposes the truck's forward motion. This puts a more significant strain on the truck's engine, resulting in poorer fuel economy. 
• Tire Pressure: The air pressure levels in your truck's tires can also affect fuel economy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states that under-inflated tires can reduce a vehicle's fuel economy by 0.2 percent for every one psi drop from the recommended tire pressures. The converse also holds that a truck's fuel economy can improve by 0.6% and 3% when its tires are inflated to the appropriate pressures. 
• Maintenance: Given the nature of a Ram 2500 Diesel truck's tasks, ensuring that its moving parts are well lubricated can positively affect its fuel economy numbers. This can be achieved by not missing any of the recommended mileage maintenance intervals. Regular maintenance also entails replacing faulty engine, fuel system, powertrain, or drivetrain components and replenishing all fluids when required. All the above will also enhance your truck's fuel economy. Cummins Inc. says you should replace your engine's oil and oil filter every 24,000 km (15,000 miles). 
• Driving Habits: It is worth noting that bad driving habits, e.g., hard braking or rapid acceleration, are also bound to lower your Ram 2500 mpg diesel ratings by 10-40 percent when driving in the city or on the highway. Therefore, you save money at the pump when you drive modestly. 

2. How to Improve Your Ram 2500 MPG?

Yes, it is possible to improve your Ram 2500 Diesel mpg. Here are three surefire ways to do that:

1. Turn Off Your Air Conditioning 

Studies have shown that an air conditioning or climate control system can increase a vehicle's gas mileage by 8-10%. However, it is worth mentioning that the gains in fuel economy achieved by turning off your truck's A/C system can be canceled away by rolling down the truck's windows because open windows increase drag. Therefore, if you have to open your windows after turning off your climate control system, don't roll them down all the way. 

1. Use Cruise Control

You can also achieve better Ram 2500 Cummins mpg by driving at a consistent speed. Maintaining a reasonably consistent speed when driving manually is also possible, but you will always have moments of involuntary acceleration and deceleration, which translate to increased fuel consumed. Therefore, engaging your cruise control system when driving this truck is the way to go if you want better fuel economy. The latest Ram 2500 Diesel models also offer an optional adaptive cruise control system that kicks things up a notch. This system has the functions of a conventional cruise control system but adds the ability to automatically slow down and speed up the vehicle when close to traffic. Using radar to sense when the truck is approaching another car, this system automatically applies brakes to maintain a pre-programmed following distance and then restores the original cruising speed when that vehicle moves away.    

1. Get Rid of Clutter

Truck owners sometimes leave items of different kinds in or on their trucks for extended periods, not realizing that the weight of those bags, boxes, toolboxes, cargo pallets, etc., adds up. That extra weight increases fuel consumption because it puts a more significant strain on the engine. Please make a point of periodically decluttering your truck and removing the things that don't have to be in or on it.        

3. FAQs

Is the MPG of the Ram 2500 consistent across different driving conditions?

No, the Ram 2500 Diesel mpg remains inconsistent across different driving conditions. For example, the truck is also bound to have lower fuel economy when off-roading because more power is used to deal with the traction issues brought about by loose-surface roads.

Does towing or hauling heavy loads significantly affect the MPG of the Ram 2500?

The Ram 2500 Diesel uses more fuel when hauling or towing heavy cargo. It is estimated that every 100 pounds of extra cargo or weight you put on a truck increases fuel consumption by 2%.

How does the MPG of the Ram 2500 with Cummins Diesel compare to its gasoline counterparts?

According to Cummins, a gallon of fuel will go 20-35 percent farther on this truck than a similarly-sized gasoline-powered truck. Therefore, you will save more at the fuel pump with the Ram 2500 with Cummins Diesel.