Horrific Gas Mileage Hemi eTorque

[Newguy]

FYI, when talking with FCA customer service staff today they noted there's a TCM(?) number 21-050-18 that involves etorque. She wasn't able to fully explain what it does and I haven't verified, but it's a software update involving etorque models and updates certain things like shift points and other things. Maybe this will improve mileage? Not sure if anyone else has had this done.

 

[Newguy]

FYI, when talking with FCA customer service staff today they noted there's a TCM(?) number 21-050-18 that involves etorque. She wasn't able to fully explain what it does and I haven't verified, but it's a software update involving etorque models and updates certain things like shift points and other things. Maybe this will improve mileage? Not sure if anyone else has had this done.

Just noticed more updates before my post. Forget my post.

 

[josepy121380]

Dealership said there were no updates available for my truck seeing it was built so recently. So I am at a loss now. However they took it for a ride and said they were getting 19mpg. So I guess I will go pick it up and see. They told me it was built 10-3-18

 

[Edwards]

I'm over 4,000 miles on my eTorque and while I'm still getting used to getting better city mileage than highway, I've noticed that my foot makes about a 1 MPG difference around town. If I drive it with enthusiasm in the suburbs I get right at 16 MPG. (Now this isn't flooring it by any means, more midway between grandpa and a 16 year old.) Conservatively, I get 16.8-17. I only ever put 89 octane in it.

Just for grins after reading some posts here, I filled up with HEB 93 octane (state grocery store/religion for those up north) and have been taking careful notes so I can calculate whether 93 pencils out with any mileage increase. Haven't finished that tank yet to run hand numbers but I have been very surprised that the onboard MPG number has me at 18.3 with all city/suburban driving. The onboard MPG has been very close to hand calculated numbers on my rig.

 

[newram]

So I had the 3 TSB’s done this afternoon related to TCM, PCM and hybrid controller. The TSB’s are 21-050-18, 18-077-18, 08-39-18 all released 10/23/18. They immediately came up on dealers computer as Rapid response fixes that they should address. The truck now shifts a bit differently up and down and I do definitely notice it seems to roll more freely on grades and when I take my foot off the gas. I will update fuel economy after a tank or two. I have averaged 15.3 (hand calculated) through the first 2000 miles. Fingers crossed for some improvement.

I had exactly the same done today and have the same improvements.

 

[Hammer1]

I had exactly the same done today and have the same improvements.

I had 3 done today as well but they were 130, 131 ,132 all rapid response

 

[Cdcrawford25]

I had 3 done today as well but they were 130, 131 ,132 all rapid response

I think that is their internal numbers, but yes same thing. That is what my paperwork showed as well.

 

[Cdcrawford25]

I had exactly the same done today and have the same improvements.

I am optimistic regarding those TSB’s. I took 150 mile road trip today mostly highway in hilly PA and WV and got 20.1 on the EVIC. That by far is the best I have seen. My very best hand calculated tank has been 17.4. I like others have seen the EVIC been fairly accurate. Sometimes .8 high, sometimes right on and sometimes within .2. Maybe these flashes are what we have been waiting for...

 

[Hammer1]

I am optimistic regarding those TSB’s. I took 150 mile road trip today mostly highway in hilly PA and WV and got 20.1 on the EVIC. That by far is the best I have seen. My very best hand calculated tank has been 17.4. I like others have seen the EVIC been fairly accurate. Sometimes .8 high, sometimes right on and sometimes within .2. Maybe these flashes are what we have been waiting for...

My truck was built 9-18 same color and specs. Hoping for positive results as well.

 

[grinch72]

89 is Premium here. Manufacturer recommends 87. The 5.7l doesn't have unusually high compression. It's also winter, so high temps are likely not much of a contributing factor right now.

Where did you see that the manufacturer recommends 87? My manual Cleary says 89 octane is preferred.

 

[riccnick]

For the Hemi, eTorque or not, 89 or better is recommended while 87 is "acceptable" and will not damage the engine.

 

[grinch72]

I have an eTorque built on 10/03/18 so I'm assuming I don't need the mentioned TSB's above. I drive mainly city, short drives, less than 5 miles one way and I have been avi'g around 16. On long highway drives with the cruise set to 70 I avg 21. I'm thinking that's not bad compared to most horror stories I've been reading.

 

[Hammer1]

I have an eTorque built on 10/03/18 so I'm assuming I don't need the mentioned TSB's above. I drive mainly city, short drives, less than 5 miles one way and I have been avi'g around 16. On long highway drives with the cruise set to 70 I avg 21. I'm thinking that's not bad compared to most horror stories I've been reading.

The above post says they were released 10-23 so you may need it but I'm not sure

 

[grinch72]

The above post says they were released 10-23 so you may need it but I'm not sure

If you read them they state they are for vehicles built on or before 10/01/18 or MDH 1001XX. My vehicle has an MDH of 1003XX

 

[CouchAssault]

If you read them they state they are for vehicles built on or before 10/01/18 or MDH 1001XX. My vehicle has an MDH of 1003XX

based on your mpg i'd say you're unaffected. on my august build i get 16mpg at 70mph and 19.5 at 55mph.

 

[RamCares]

400 miles on my new 19 etorque. 11.2 to 12 mpg. Came from a Sierra. Not very happy at the moment. If its not better after this tank of fuel its going to the dealer. I have a crew cab black edition big Horn. I love the truck other than the Mileage.

Dealership said there were no updates available for my truck seeing it was built so recently. So I am at a loss now. However they took it for a ride and said they were getting 19mpg. So I guess I will go pick it up and see. They told me it was built 10-3-18

Hi josepy121380,
If you continue to experience low mileage and would like to have this addressed by your dealer again, please feel free to send us a private message as well and we will gladly look into this concern for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[josepy121380]

Hi josepy121380,
If you continue to experience low mileage and would like to have this addressed by your dealer again, please feel free to send us a private message as well and we will gladly look into this concern for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

Appreciate it thank you

 

[Edwards]

I'm over 4,000 miles on my eTorque and while I'm still getting used to getting better city mileage than highway, I've noticed that my foot makes about a 1 MPG difference around town. If I drive it with enthusiasm in the suburbs I get right at 16 MPG. (Now this isn't flooring it by any means, more midway between grandpa and a 16 year old.) Conservatively, I get 16.8-17. I only ever put 89 octane in it.

Just for grins after reading some posts here, I filled up with HEB 93 octane (state grocery store/religion for those up north) and have been taking careful notes so I can calculate whether 93 pencils out with any mileage increase. Haven't finished that tank yet to run hand numbers but I have been very surprised that the onboard MPG number has me at 18.3 with all city/suburban driving. The onboard MPG has been very close to hand calculated numbers on my rig.

Hand calculated that tank with 93 and got 17.8 (suburban driving) which is 1.3 MPG better than with Shell 89 octane. Doing the math, it cost $6 more to fill up and got me 39 more miles, but that only saved me $5.46. Unless the 93 octane drops in price it doesn't pencil out to use it - but it was nice seeing the higher MPGs.

 

[SMS Limited]

I have around 4500miles now on my limited 4x4 etorque, I averagely get around 11.5-12 mpg combined on city and highway always running Chevron 89 octane, I have been getting around the same regardless of when it was stock, or after I added off-road 33’s and a bed cover and different intake filter and cat back exhaust. If I’m really heavy footed it will be around 9mpg’s I have a pulsar tuner coming later today and I will calibrate for tire size and see if that makes any difference.

 

[cmdr bobert]

I refueled (put in 89 octane) Monday AM and have been hand calculating mileage since. Another 150 miles and the trip meter says I'm getting 9.8 mpg. My hand math says 10.3.

Have appointment with dealer Monday; when I called the dealer I purchased from, the service department said they'd updated the RAM with all TSBs before I drove off the lot, so we'll see.