Gas-Just about to Spring On 2013 acc 4x4 4 cyl

I have read many gas threads.

I have a teenager that is about to start driving. I know I will hear "Dad I need gas money" so Im coming off a 2012 Ram Crew cab. I get 10-13 around town and 18-20 on the highway. It costs me about 95 bucks to fill up. As you can see I get close to the MFG rating, but any push of the engine whether city or highway and the mileage is effected. I towed my camper (which is also on the chopping block) across the country to Yellowstone and only got 8 mpgs. Expensive trip.

I want to ask one simple question. Will this move save me money in gas ? Its hard for me to believe that going from the big 8 to a 4 cyl wont save me some bucks. But this is really only a question that existing owners can answer ..

The second question is related to gear ratio ..

Again the truck is a 2013 Access cab 4x4 4cyl auto. Below is a line from the brochure. In all the gas thread Ive read, I do not see any mention of the gear ratio. What Im getting at is - if you are running 4.10s around town, the gas mileage will suck !!! The forth column refers to my flavor of truck.



RATIOS


4x4 transfer case (high/low) – 1.00/2.57 – 1.00/2.57 – – 1.00/2.57 1.00/2.57

Axle (manual transmission) (4-cylinder) 3.31 4.10 3.31 –/4.10 – – –/– –/–

Axle (automatic transmission) (4-cylinder) 3.58 4.10 3.58 3.58/4.10 – 3.58 3.58/– 3.58/–

Axle (manual transmission) (V6) – – – –/3.73 3.15 – –/3.73 –/3.73

Axle (automatic transmission) (V6) – – – 3.73/3.73 – – 3.73/3.73 3.73/3.73

Thanks a lot ahead of time for the input !!
Chris

 

Another question to ask is are you trading in the Ram and at what cost? Instant savings at the pump may not outweigh the longer term penalties of a trade in. At least not for awhile.

 

Naaa ... not when I have another vehicle to add for the kid and another to follow in 2 years ... not to mention that the Ram depreciated 5k in a year !