| From | Message |
JamesEvans
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
13:18:35
|
 Subject: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
Hi,
I have an 05 QC with the 4.7 V8. I have been getting 16 mpg pretty regularly. I get 17 mpg highway going 65 mph. We just purchased a small travel trailer, 19' long, about 4100 lbs. On my first two tanks of gas pulling the trailer, all highway, going 60 mph, I got 9.5 mpg, and 10.5 mpg. Is this pretty typical? Anything that can be done to improve milage in general, and while towing in particular? So far a love the truck, but I am wishing I had gotten the bigger engine. Going up long steep grades my speed drops to about 40 mph.
Thanks,
James
|
ptschett
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
13:57:06
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
I've experimented with my pickup a bit (05 CC 4.7 4x4 w/ 3.55 gears) and found that my soft tonneau cover seems to be worth about 1 MPG on the highway. At a constant 65 with no load I average about 19.5 per the computer. I also tried tailgate-down, uncovered and tailgate up, uncovered -- tailgate-down was about 18 mpg and tailgate-up was about 18.5.
|
JamesEvans
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
14:08:21
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
I also have the 3.55 gears, Automatic, 4x4. I have noticed that the computer overestimates milage. It will say I'm getting 17.0 when in fact I'm getting about 1 mpg less. It also seems to be averaging overthe last couple of tanks. When I hooked up the trailer, the console continued to indicate 16.2 well into the 2nd tank of gas. By the third fill-up, it was down to 15.8, when in fact I was getting 10. It sounds like you are getting a couple of mpg better than me. I do have a cab-hi cap that weighs about 200 lbs. Thanks for the info...
|
Mason
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
15:25:22
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
It does average over the last few tanks.
'04, 4.7, 545-RFE auto, 3.55 gears, 265/70-R16 tires.
O/D off = 20+mpg at 60. 2300rpm.
O/D on = maybe 17mpg at 60. 1600rpm.
As far as speed dropping going up hills, the gear selector doesn't stop at 'D'. At 40mph with O/D off under load, the torque converter will unlock. Might as well drop to the selector to '2' to minimize heat generated in the tranny.
Try it just once. You'll see.
|
smokeum
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
15:36:05
| RE: 4.7HO V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
I just bought a 2005 Dakota Laramie quad cab, with 4.7 HO engine, 3.92 axle, 5 speed auto. I got 18 on highway over 300 miles, but in town I am getting abut 13.4, thats with A/C runing too, on medium grade gas.
|
Crow318
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
16:08:47
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
Best thing you can do is get a set of 3.92 or 4.10 gears. Your mileage should remain the same unloaded and you should get better numbers when towing. Listen to Mason. With OD off he gets better milage. On these trucks that is not uncommon.
And the average mileage on your computer is deffinately a running average.
|
Kowalski
GenIII
6/28/2005
16:55:28
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
I always got about 15 mpg (not trying for good milage) until I went to 4.10 gears - now its almost 16. I'm surprised your towing milage is so low - mine only drops to 11 while towing a 5000 lb fifth wheel camper (more weight but less sail area than you); in July I'll learn how it does with the lower gears. Don't be afraid to flog it up the hills, the 4.7 loves to rev. I assume it only drops speed because you're not giving it more gas; otherwise something is seriously wrong. I can gain speed on large hills/small mountains if I want to; the power is there. No need to manually shift out of drive (or OD), just put your foot into it !
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
JamesEvans
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
6/28/2005
17:23:12
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
I was towing from Ogden Utah to Pocatello Idaho and back. There are two or three serious passes to go over. In addition to the trailer we also had two bikes on the top of the cap, and the AC was on. I didn't have it floored, but I was still jumping between 2nd and 3rd and was up around 4400+ rpm a good bit of the time. I did not really notice a difference with the tow button pushed or not. It seems like at 60 mph, or straight and level, in OD, I'm running at about 2200 rpm.
I am interested in getting the higher gear ratio. Not really something I would like to do myself. Is this something I should go to the dealer for or should I look for a specialty shop for this kind of thing? How much should this run?
|
Kowalski
GenIII
6/28/2005
18:49:46
| RE: 4.7 V8 Milage
IP: Logged
Message:
While the # is higher, it is called a lower gear ratio - 4.10 to 1 engine revolution. It is best done by someone who specializes in this type of work. This ratio will raise your rpms. The 4.7 has a lighter valve train, lighter pistons too, than the older style v8s. If you just give it more gas to let it rev, you will be fine.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
|
| | P 1 |
|
Post a reply to this message:
Username Registration: Optional
All visitors are allowed to post messages
|
