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Jim
Dodge Dakota
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1/29/2004
23:42:50
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 Subject: Increasing MPG
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I would like to know the top 3 things to increase MPG.
02 QC 5.9
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Greg232
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
06:30:47
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Buy a car instead. I get 13mpg on my 03 CC 3.9 auto. But, I love the truck wouldn't trade it for the world.
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BD
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
11:40:00
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Three BEST things for gas mileage:
1. go easy on the accelerator. drive like grandma.
2. FIPK
3. Flowmasters
Three WORST things for gas mileage:
1. jackrabbit starts
2. 180 degree thermostat
3. bigger throttle body
Some things you can do for fuel efficiency can have detrimental effects elsewhere. For example, you can leave the overdrive turned on while driving in the city, but the more frequent gear shifts will shorten the life of the transmission.
While I'm thinking about it, removing the tailgate, getting a tonneau cover or getting an airgate does nothing for fuel efficiency. Our trucks are designed so that aerodynamically, there is a null space created in the bed; so don't let anyone tell you that the tailgate creates drag.
99 club cab 5.2 4x4
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
13:28:31
| RE: Increasing MPG
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http://www.dodgedakota.net/boards/gen/341.html
Of particular interest is the fact that a tonneau cover decreases the drag coefficient. From empirical data, I saw almost 2 mpg increase after I put my Peragon cover on. I've also seen a handful of experiments on the web that have tested this. But, contrary to intuition, removing the tailgate, installing a net, or leaving the tailgate down, when compared with leaving the tailgate up actually increases the drag coefficient, thus decreasing MPG.
Eric - http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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oyotaco
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
13:28:59
| RE: Increasing MPG
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when there is a dodge emblem on the hood there is no such thing as "good" gas mileage. I have a 02 QC 4.7l and am lucky to get 14mpg with a tail wind. But I have a 24 gal tank to compensate. If MPG was a concern, maybe a 4 cyl mini truck would have been a better bet.
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jaggy
GenIII
1/30/2004
16:58:40
| RE: Increasing MPG
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I also noticed a 2mpg increase with my toneau cover. 4.7 QC 4x4.
I have heard that a camper shell is supposed to be even better for mileage.
Side note, I don't know that you will notice as much of a fuel savings with the 360 as we with the 4.7 are noticing. Give it a try and let us know.
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Lurkin
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
17:44:02
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Looks like I'm going to need to be the nay-sayer. I saw no MPG difference when I installed my Extang soft cover. QC, AWD, auto, 4.7
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Dr. D
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
22:03:17
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Message:
#1. AMSOIL Synthetic Lubricants from bumper to bumper.
#2. AMSOIL Flowzair air filter in place of the factory paper filter.
#3. Install a pulley underdrive system if one is available for your truck.
Wish that I could give more but you asked for three.
Dr. D
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eddy
Dodge Dakota
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1/30/2004
23:33:16
| RE: Increasing MPG
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" I have a 02 QC 4.7l and am lucky to get 14mpg with a tail wind. But I have a 24 gal tank to compensate"
I hear ya.... I got 04 QC 4x4 V8. When I drive my normal style 12 is the norm. On the one tank where I REALLY babied it, did a ton of highway driving, And the weather warmed up to over 40 degrees, I managed about 14.5 or so. Im hoping maybe the fact that I bought the truck right before it got cold out has to do with this, and maybe 15 overall won't be soo difficult in Spring and Summer. But whatever happens happens. 12mpg dont bust the budget and it can't get much worse than that, and all the great things about this truck to me more than make up for the bad mileage. Just seems ironic, some people probably go for DAKS hoping to see a fuel consumption advantage over the full sized trucks and end up getting the same mileage as 3/4 tonners.
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
01:49:46
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Ya gotta wonder about the whole "big picture" when modern engines do worse than old carb tech. I know they're cleaner, but when a 5000lb Ramcharger gets 15-16 mpg (318 2v) sticking up in the air on mudders, it really begs the question....wtf?
Even my old '89 Dak with aerodynamics like a brick averaged 15mpg, and I drove the crap outta that thing. Stepping back further, my first car, a '69 Charger, had a warmed 318 that'd smoke the Dak, but it regularly got 19mpg. Makes no sense.
Anyway, keep it in good tune.
Adjust the throttle cable to allow the tranny to upshift sooner. This cuts into performance, but it works.
Make the engine more efficient with performance mods. Better flowing intake and exhaust are the best places to start.
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???
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
10:48:19
| RE: Increasing MPG
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CAFE CAFE CAFE .... or a lack thereof
Trucks are the only vehicles keeping Chrysler alive in the U.S. Raising CAFE would kill the company.
Japan has captured the U.S. auto market because of Big Three MISmanagement. Raise CAFE and they will won the truck and suv markets as well.
Our nation needs a 25-mpg CAFE standard for pickups and SUVs, but politics prevails and nothing will happen. Congress will do nothing to jeopardize the remaining pickup and SUV markets.
It's easier to spend a few military lives protecting Mideast oil for the gas-guzzlers, than to lose re-election funds and votes.
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AmsoilSponsor
DakotaEnthusiast
1/31/2004
10:57:23
|  Amsoil Synthetic Oil = Increasing MPG
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Thank you Dr. D., now let me elaborate ...
FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel economy can be very difficult for the consumer to accurately gauge. If you fill up at a warmer part of the day one week compared to the previous week you can sometimes see a huge fluctuation in MPG just based on that. Also, the pump may have stopped pumping sooner this week compared to last, making it "seem" like you used less (or more) gallons of fuel.
It has been proven by Amsoil (and other leading oil manufacturers and suppliers) through use of industry accepted fuel economy tests, field demonstrations (and as witnessed by most of our customers), that switching to synthetic oils and lubricants can (and does) improve fuel economy (mpg).
VISCOSITY
Also, you did not mention what oil viscosity that you are currently using. Depending upon your driving habits, conditions, and climate ... switching viscosities can improve fuel economy also. I've observed a MPG increase when switching grades (5w-30 vs. 10w-40).
Tighter government regulations and increases in engine manufacturers’ demands are calling for more fuel efficient lubricants. Amsoil Synthetic Motor Oils reduce friction and drag better than petroleum oils, resulting in significant fuel economy increases.
In a recent 1.2 million mile demonstration, AMSOIL Lubricants showed a 4.5% increase in gas mileage. Other tests have shown increases of as much as 15% under certain weather and driving conditions. Yet, because every vehicle is different, as are driving habits and conditions, it is difficult to accurately project an exact increase.
__________________________________________________
To request a FREE Amsoil Catalog click the following link.
Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com
AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
12:23:35
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Still one of the most overlooked factors: correct tire pressure. Check every 2-3 weeks. Cold weather reduces tire psi.
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flejl
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
14:02:06
| RE: Increasing MPG
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I have an 02 Dak, 4.7 V8, 2WD, and a 5spd. I drive the truck about 110 miles a day round trip to work and pull 20-22 mpg all year long. The only thing I have done to the truck is add a toneau cover. I normally shift gears at around 2500RPM, and most of my driving is on the highway with speeds between 70-80mph. I really can't complain about my mileage.
Oh yea, I dod have the same Dak combo with a 3.9V6, it would get about 24Mpg if I kept the speed below 70mph, but wne tdown hill fast if I wnt above that.
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geodak
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
14:44:40
| RE: Increasing MPG
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I have an 02 4x4 cc 3.9 5spd. Cruise control on at 70mph I get 22mpg. Only mod is Bosch platinum plugs. Use Valvoline 10-30 oil. Don't understand all the poor mileage complaints. My father has had 2 v6 autos and a friend is on his second 5.2 both get great mileage. Friend admits if he can keep his foot out of it. My old chevy 3/4 would get 10 on a good day.
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rt13
Dodge Dakota
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1/31/2004
17:50:21
| RE: Increasing MPG
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tire pressure and alignment are two very overlooked things. if your alignment is barely off, prolly wont affect it, but if you are driving with your tires perpendicular to each other... lol
i get a nice 18-19mpg highway in my 99 r/t, 13 city. im one of the lucky ones.
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BMan
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2004
10:07:29
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Some of you people are probably complaining about US gas mileage while the rest of you are getting good CDN gas mileage. The difference is the US gallon is 3.78 liters to the 4.55 liters of the Imperial gallon that Canada uses. My 18 US gallon tank is 22 Imp gallons. This basically says that my 18mpg sucks, but looking at it in Canadian mileage, 22 ain't that bad. I've seen 23 US mpg at 50mph steady. Thats 27.6 miles per Imp gallon in my '98 Dak Sport but that's at a steady 50mph, no stopping or passing according to the onboard computer.
Back and forth to work in the winter, as low as 13US to 16.5mpUSg That sucks. I want an average of 30 in my V8 all the time. :D
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Matt03Dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2004
13:39:36
| RE: Increasing MPG
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We shouldn't be complaining. Get a Ranger with a 4.0 ohc V6 and the EPA rating is 16-21. And S10 with a 4.3 is about the same.
What many forget, is that MPFI was added to increase hp, not to increase mileage. the guy who commented that his old Ramcharger with a 2-bbl carb got the same mileage. Yeah, and it made all of 150hp. Pay close attention here:
HP requires fuel to generate it. More HP=more fuel. More fuel=less mileage.
My 03 CC 2wd 4.7 auto with just 2000 miles is getting about 15mpg in mostly stop ang go driving.
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WS-1500
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2004
13:55:47
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Message:
1. Drive the speed limit.
2. Correct air pressure in tires.
3. I use Amsoil Series 2000 rear end oil 75W-90.
Have an '03 Durango that gets 13-17 mpg but my fullsize 1500 (3.9 five speed) gets 17-21 mpg. The average mileage is 19 with mostly highway use.
Almost forgot to mention that Lucas UCL fuel treatment actually gives you about 5% better mileage. It will at least pay for itself to use it if you buy in larger quantities (by the quart or gallon at the truck stop).
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gen1dak
Dodge Dakota
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2/01/2004
15:33:47
| RE: Increasing MPG
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Hey Moron. "The Guy" here. Engines run on air, not gas. MPI wasn't added to increase hp, but does provide more precise management of fuel, which allows better emissions control, and ironically, this should result in better mileage, not worse. As a side benefit, smaller engines make more hp than they once did while meeting emissions standards....thanks to more precise individual cylinder management of fuel. Throw out the emissions standards, and they'd still be using carbs. As for the RamCharger. It'll still pull 8000lbs without breaking a sweat, and the tranny doesn't puke the first time you stand on it. Now get back on the porch.
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gchemist
Dodge Dakota
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2/02/2004
05:05:14
| RE: Increasing MPG
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1. Tonneau cover.
2. Headers, highflow cat, modified air intake, K&N filter (engine breathing)
3. Gears, tire combo in the most effective power range of torque.
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