Owners of the 2017 Ram 1500 4WD with the 3.6L V6 knowingly accept a combined 19 MPG. This isn’t a truck purchased for fuel efficiency bragging rights; it’s a workhorse for weekend warriors, homeowners tackling DIY projects, and anyone who occasionally needs to tow or haul substantial loads while benefiting from four-wheel drive capability. These buyers prioritize capability and comfort over saving money at the pump, understanding the demands placed on a vehicle of this size and weight.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates for the 2017 Ram 1500 4×4 with the Pentastar V6 are 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. The city figure reflects the stop-and-go driving and idling inherent in urban environments, conditions that tend to penalize larger vehicles more severely.

The highway number demonstrates the efficiency potential of the eight-speed automatic transmission, allowing the engine to cruise at lower RPMs when maintaining steady speeds. Smart use of cruise control on long highway drives can help you meet or even exceed this estimate. Even slight increases in speed can significantly reduce fuel economy with a vehicle this large.

Annual fuel cost

According to the EPA, the annual fuel cost for the 2017 Ram 1500 4WD 3.6L V6 is estimated at $2,300. This figure is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using the national average fuel prices at the time of calculation.

Your actual fuel costs may vary depending on your driving habits, the type of fuel you use, and local fuel prices. The EPA uses a standardized formula that assumes 55% city driving and 45% highway driving when calculating this annual figure.

Real-world expectations

Achieving the EPA’s stated MPG will depend heavily on driving style, load, and terrain. Regular towing or hauling will significantly decrease fuel economy, and aggressive acceleration will also penalize your MPG.

Driving a 4×4 pickup truck with a 3.6-liter V6 in a fuel-efficient manner means adopting a smooth, deliberate driving style. Avoiding jackrabbit starts and anticipating traffic flow can make a noticeable difference. Tire pressure is also critical. Keeping tires properly inflated according to the sticker on the driver’s side doorframe will reduce rolling resistance and improve fuel economy.

How it compares

Compared to its competitors, the 2017 Ram 1500 4WD 3.6L’s fuel economy is relatively similar. For example, the 2017 Ford F-150 4WD equipped with the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 is rated at 19 MPG combined, while the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD with the 5.3L V8 achieves 18 MPG combined.

Even with the larger V8, the Silverado manages comparable fuel economy. Some buyers may gravitate towards the bigger engine to get the performance they need without seeing a major penalty at the pump. For potential Ram buyers who are concerned about fuel efficiency, comparing all Ram fuel economy data across models and years can be useful.

Tips to maximize efficiency

The eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2017 Ram 1500 is designed to optimize fuel economy. Use it. Avoid manually downshifting unless absolutely necessary, as the transmission’s programming favors higher gears at lower speeds to conserve fuel.

Trust the transmission to do its job, and resist the urge to override its decisions. Minimize idling whenever possible. Modern engines consume fuel even when stationary, and prolonged idling, especially in cold weather, can significantly impact fuel economy. If you anticipate being stopped for more than a minute or two, turn off the engine. This is especially important in stop-and-go traffic where even brief periods of idling add up.

Remove unnecessary weight from the bed of the truck. Carrying extra tools, equipment, or other items adds to the overall weight of the vehicle, requiring the engine to work harder and consume more fuel. Regularly clean out the bed to eliminate any unnecessary load. This simple step can provide a small but noticeable improvement in fuel economy during your daily driving.

Monitor your driving habits using the vehicle’s information display. The Ram 1500 provides real-time fuel economy feedback, allowing you to track your MPG and identify areas for improvement. This information can help you make more informed driving decisions and optimize your fuel consumption. Compare your fuel consumption to other 1500 MPG across all years.