6 mpg better than Hemi in C&G tests

[VernDiesel]

In 200 mile 75 mph hwy & local tests same gear same configuration the ED averaged 6 mpg better than the Hemi. Still would take 86,000 miles in their example to recoup the additional cost. If that’s the only benefit you took into account. Ram said elsewhere a tank of fuel should take it over 1,000 miles which worked out to 33 mpg Hwy. To me It means more on how far you get on a tank when towing. With my 2014 I routinely go 350 miles when towing a 23 to 30’ Airstream on the Hwy. (Cruise set on 65 mph)

2020 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel Hits 24 MPG on the Highway in C/D Testing

Though it still lacks EPA certification, the light-duty Ram EcoDiesel shows promising fuel-economy benefits.

www.yahoo.com

 

[1Zach1]

I look forward to more real world testing, I was really hoping for closer to 30mpg. Maybe it was just this testing or the truck configuration.

 

[VernDiesel]

It probably will be 33 EPA Hwy. That was their experience at higher speeds. You just have to actually take the time to read it.

 

[mhb1638]

For the price of the Eco itself plus the added fuel cost over regular gas, yes...I can see how it would take 86K to recoup the benefit. So unless you drive 100 miles a day, I don't see many people recouping their expenses within the first several years...and most trade after 3-4...making the buy a bad one. Just my opinion

 

[SilverSurfer15]

FWIW my old 14 2wd truck in FL would do about 30mpg at 55mph. Speed up to 70 ish and down to like 23-27 just depending on the terrain and all that. Which for me, is still about 9-10 better than any hemi truck I’ve had (2 different ones on that same drive at 55 would only do ~19). These are all 4th gens.

I don’t think the numbers will be much different, but you never know. I did have one of the first ones made so I’m sure there’s a lot of improvements that have been made all around by now.

 

[airgas1998]

and the added expense of maintenance and def...

 

[VernDiesel]

If the economy difference running with an empty bed & nothing in tow is what you’re basing whether it’s worth it don’t buy one you don’t get it.

 

[go-ram]

For the price of the Eco itself plus the added fuel cost over regular gas, yes...I can see how it would take 86K to recoup the benefit. So unless you drive 100 miles a day, I don't see many people recouping their expenses within the first several years...and most trade after 3-4...making the buy a bad one. Just my opinion

.
In simple dollars-and-cents thinking, that's true. As VernDiesel points out, the economics are there for someone who uses the truck to make a living. But the facts are, Americans usually buy what they want, not what they need. A lot of people buy 4WD because they want it, but never actually use it. Who actually needs a panoramic sunroof in a pickup truck? Leather seats? Air suspension? 12" screen? Two-tone paint? Electric running boards? Clearly, economic justification is completely out the window for probably 80% of the options people choose. It's want, not need, with no regard to any legitimate economic justification

Why can't people get it through their heads that engine option is, for the majority of buyers, JUST ANOTHER OPTION THEY WANT.

 

[brody.cepeaux]

When I was taking my ram specialist certification when the 1st generation of eco diesel was coming out (Grand Cherokee), the training team spent a lot of time trying to convince us that the R.O.I for an eco diesel would be easily realized. What I have seen in the marketplace is that once that engine has about 160,000kms on it, the truck value plummets like a sinking rock. Because of the massive cost of maintaining the vehicle. And lets face it, this aint no Cummins motor.

The problem is that the EcoDiesel is absolutely plagued with issues due to the emissions system and the complicated engineering. When one component fails it may only be a few bucks to buy the new component, however the man hours needed to do a tear down to get to the problem for the fix is the serious issue. EcoDiesels are a great idea, however the realworld application that we are seeing here in canada is not worth the extra. $250 oil changes, DEF fluid, more expensive fuel and the added maintenance to a diesel.

Also this is the most common setup that arrives at the dealership "on the hook" or being towed in on a tow truck. They tend to die and strand people. If you drive a serious amount of highway driving and put on 100-200kms/day this is the truck for you. City driving will destroy this engine. Ive seen 5 years of history of that problem when the Grand Cherokee brought this engine to the north american market.

With what I know, what ive seen for real world problems, if I have a client coming in asking for an eco diesel, I will actually do everything I can to try to talk them into a gas engine. Ultimately its their choice but I dont want the phone call after the ecodiesel causes them grief.

 

[Bluesurf]

What an awesome looking Ram! Fantastic.

 

[VernDiesel]

EDs have not “plummeted” in value according to KBB etc. here in the states I don’t know about your prices in Canada.

As to the “massive cost” to maintaining the diesel. When new in 2014 the dealership charged me $125 every 10k for a full synthetic oil change per warranty. Post warranty I do it myself for time & convenience with approved Rotella T6 full synthetic for $65 including 10k rated filter. Mopar fuel filter is $30 online every 30k miles and a 5 minute spin off spin on job. See YouTube. At the truck stop pumps you can find DEF for 2.69 a gallon. The 8 gallon tank lasts 10k miles for a cost of $21.52. Might be cheaper to maintain over its 100k warranty than a Hemi with its common issues. Now actual hard part repairs would be more expensive with a diesel post warranty.

Emissions issues. Full disclosure I have a GDE tune which turns off pointless EGR, wasteful pilot & post injections and better regen management. I did still have an EGR cooler failure out of warranty. I resolved it permanently with a delete kit with no idiot lights due to the tune. Again full disclosure that would not be government approved for highway use. But it has made for a much better running than stock experience with next to no trivial but pesky check engine lights to steer you in for dealership friskings. Often from non diesel certified “mechanics” that don’t actually know how to or want to properly diagnose but rather use WiTech to justify parts swapping whether it’s warranty or consumer paid. Low actual hours to book hours makes both the tech & the service department good money.

I would agree very short daily commutes especially in a cold climate and especially on a non tuned ED is not a good recipe for long term trouble free operation. Hence you should point that out as to appropriate motor choice in a Ram purchase as you ask them about their intended use. Conversely for your sales prospects that plan to use it to put on big mileage annually especially if they tow regularly this could be the best Ram motor choice.

I just towed an Airstream travel trailer from Ohio to Las Vegas am on my return route home and turned 599,000 miles. My 5 year personal experience with the ED has been a good one. But then I didn’t need a salesman to know which engine would be the most appropriate for my use. You might consider right tool for the job approach and still give them triplicate of choice. It shouldn’t be all about what color & options they like. The ED is a nitch motor to compliment the Hemi & Pentastar. It’s only best suited or best choice for at best 10 percent of 1/2 ton sales. Professional sales people should know more about the products their selling than the prospective buyer. I hope you sell a lot of Ram trucks this year. I don’t care which motor is in it just help guide them to the best choice for their needs.

 

[go-ram]

EDs have not “plummeted” in value according to KBB etc. here in the states I don’t know about your prices in Canada.

As to the “massive cost” to maintaining the diesel. When new in 2014 the dealership charged me $125 every 10k for a full synthetic oil change per warranty. Post warranty I do it myself for time & convenience with approved Rotella T6 full synthetic for $65 including 10k rated filter. Mopar fuel filter is $30 online every 30k miles and a 5 minute spin off spin on job. See YouTube. At the truck stop pumps you can find DEF for 2.69 a gallon. The 8 gallon tank lasts 10k miles for a cost of $21.52. Might be cheaper to maintain over its 100k warranty than a Hemi with its common issues. Now actual hard part repairs would be more expensive with a diesel post warranty.

Emissions issues. Full disclosure I have a GDE tune which turns off pointless EGR, wasteful pilot & post injections and better regen management. I did still have an EGR cooler failure out of warranty. I resolved it permanently with a delete kit with no idiot lights due to the tune. Again full disclosure that would not be government approved for highway use. But it has made for a much better running than stock experience with next to no trivial but pesky check engine lights to steer you in for dealership friskings. Often from non diesel certified “mechanics” that don’t actually know how to or want to properly diagnose but rather use WiTech to justify parts swapping whether it’s warranty or consumer paid. Low actual hours to book hours makes both the tech & the service department good money.

I would agree very short daily commutes especially in a cold climate and especially on a non tuned ED is not a good recipe for long term trouble free operation. Hence you should point that out as to appropriate motor choice in a Ram purchase as you ask them about their intended use. Conversely for your sales prospects that plan to use it to put on big mileage annually especially if they tow regularly this could be the best Ram motor choice.

I just towed an Airstream travel trailer from Ohio to Las Vegas am on my return route home and turned 599,000 miles. My 5 year personal experience with the ED has been a good one. But then I didn’t need a salesman to know which engine would be the most appropriate for my use. You might consider right tool for the job approach and still give them triplicate of choice. It shouldn’t be all about what color & options they like. The ED is a nitch motor to compliment the Hemi & Pentastar. It’s only best suited or best choice for at best 10 percent of the 1500 sales. Professional sales people should know more about the products their selling than the prospective buyer. I hope you sell a lot of Ram trucks this year. I don’t care which motor is in it just help guide them to the best choice for their needs.

.
The voice of reason. Well said.
.

 

[StuartV]

The problem is that the EcoDiesel is absolutely plagued with issues due to the emissions system and the complicated engineering.

Thanks for the insight on the 2nd Gen ED.

Do you know anything about the 3rd Gen?

 

[StuartV]

If the economy difference running with an empty bed & nothing in tow is what you’re basing whether it’s worth it don’t buy one you don’t get it.

I want an EcoDiesel. I don't tow anything and no real plans to buy a trailer or camper.

I just want it for the better range. I want to stop for fuel less often. I don't mind paying more upfront to have lower daily running costs.

I bought my 4th Gen (w/Hemi) new and drove it for 10 years. Put 193K miles on it. The last few years I have been working from home and still putting on roughly 20K miles per year. I do lots of weekend road trips. Usually with a bed full of scuba tanks and related gear.

I think a new EcoDiesel, probably with a GDE tune, would feel like a nice improvement (for me) over my current '19 w/Hemi and eTorque. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE my new truck. I just think I would like a new one with an EcoDiesel even more. Even though I don't really tow anything.

My current truck has 3.92 gears. If I eventually trade it for an EcoDiesel, I think I would get the 3.21 gears, so I suspect I would get a pretty significant improvement in mileage. Even more by adding a GDE tune. And with a GDE tune, maybe still be as quick (or quicker) than the truck with the Hemi. With WAY more torque than the Hemi setup.

Over the first 4000 miles, my current truck has averaged 14 MPG (per Fuelly). If an EcoDiesel got me 20 for the same driving, that would be pretty awesome.

 

[VernDiesel]

I think also I said or put on big miles annually or something to that effect. Range is another good reason. I have different times run 700 miles on a tank running all interstate. You do fuelie check out the ED numbers on their.

 

[Downytide]

I want an EcoDiesel. I don't tow anything and no real plans to buy a trailer or camper.

I just want it for the better range. I want to stop for fuel less often. I don't mind paying more upfront to have lower daily running costs.

That is me, I somewhat regret that I didn't get the large gas tank, but the price was right so I bit the bullet.

If I can get 1600km (1k miles) out of a single tank, that would be AMAZING, I sometimes have to drive from Ontario to Indiana, on avg I have to stop 3 or 4 times total for fuel but if I can only stop once, that and I don't have to worry about have a full tank when going camping.

 

[2019REBEL]

I use to get 1200KM+ on my 2014 V6 Pentastar Outdoorsman on the highway. Only reason I had to stop before filling up is I had to pee.

 

[bgmshrm]

I use to get 1200K+ on my 2014 V6 Pentastar Outdoorsman on the highway. Only reason I had to stop before filling up is I had to pee.

do you have an aftermarket 50 gallon tank ?

 

[moosem]

do you have an aftermarket 50 gallon tank ?

1200K = 1,200,000. That’s a lot. I would have to pee too.

 

[2019REBEL]

1200K = 1,200,000. That’s a lot. I would have to pee too.

Oops forgot the "M".... ...corrected