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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2005
20:29:28
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 Subject: how to get good gas mileage?
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i have a 93 dakota, 318, 4x4, automatic, and the extended cab. how, oh how, do you make these things better on gas? will and electrical cooling fan help at all? any ideas would be great!
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2005
21:05:51
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Electric fan and under drive pulleys help both increase performance and gas mileage. A good tune-up should come first.
Today I just showed my girlfriend that I could improve the mpg on her 01 Dodge Stratus from 27.5mpg to 32.6 mpg by driving like a sane person. She has never seen me do that. It simply meant that I couldn't exceed 65 mph and had to keep a very close eye on the computer console. During the entire trip it felt like I was continuallly backing off the gas rather than pressing on the pedal. In other words a very very light touch.
I've had some luck with my Dakota too, but I can't seem to keep it up for very long and I have my foot into it. Even if I'm very careful, I don't seen getting more than 1 or 2 mpg more.
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/09/2005
21:12:18
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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well i just did plugs cap and rotor. wires were clean as hell. runs really good so, i think next in line is the fan job. i already got 2 huge fans i just dont know which one to put on it. and where can i find underdrive pulleys at?
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2005
11:49:53
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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At the Under Drive Pulley store of course.
Just kidding, try this -
http://www.socaldakota.com/performance_mopar_dakotadurangoram_engine_asppulleys.html
There are plenty of places that carry them. Cheaper ones too.
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87 4x4 dak
Dodge Dakota
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4/11/2005
19:04:05
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Just some things that can make a small difference from cheapest to most expensive.
1. Put your tailgate down. Makes a noticable difference on the highway and costs nothing.
2. Make sure your tires are fully inflated. Underinflated tires can make a noticable drop in fuel milage.
3. Tune up. New air filter, plugs, wires and whatever is needed at that interval.
4. Electric fan
5. Free flowing exaust
6. Underdrive pulleys
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Kaderdak
GenIII
4/11/2005
20:39:46
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Above posts are all pretty much right on. I got rid of my massive stock clutch fan, got some free flowing exhaust and intake, and just recently scored some "used" March underdrive pulleys on ebay for $75. On a good day with my tailgate down I can make 18 on the interstate with a 5.2L that has 125,000 miles on it.
** '97 Dakota 5.2L 4x4 w/3.55(my best ebay purchase yet) **
** Homebrew CIA, Dynomax Catback, March Underdrive Pulleys, Transgo Kit **
** Borg Warner Brass Cap/Rotor to Taylor 8mm wires to NGK plugs **
** Homebrew dual electric fan setup with 180* thermostat **
** Sitting on BFG 31 x 10.50's **
** Tons more once I'm not a poor college student :) **
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
00:32:33
|  RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Replacing all of your lubricants with 100% synthetic, keeping your tires inflated (I know I'm repeating this but, have you noticed how many people drive around with nearly flat tires), driving like a sane person more often and using your cruise control as often as possible. I've found that using the C/C is much more accurate at maintaining speed and it doesn't have the tendency to get "lead foot" like I do. Plan ahead when you're driving, don't accelerate toward a red light, coast instead. Basically, if you're going to have to stop or slow down, don't have your foot in it. I think studies have shown that a tonneau cover helps mileage the best compared to tailgate up or down.
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
06:58:44
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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If you have a computer console that has a MPG read-out, you will find that cruise control is definately not the way to go. On my Dodge Stratus I consistently get better mpg without cruise. When the cruise is on you can literally watch the mpg fluctuate wildly as it constantly hunts for just the right setting to maintain the exact speed. The only time it does a fair job is on very flat ground.
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sicminds
GenIII
4/12/2005
09:04:46
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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yeah i agree with n56629, cc is not the way to go. I get 2 mpg better when not using the cruise in my 99 4x4 below
click me
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JerryM
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
17:30:53
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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I agree keeping your vehicle tuned up, correct tire psi and not stomping on the gas pedal are your best bets.
I don't feel the price you pay in expensive mods (kn air filters, chips, pulleys, throttle body's, etc) really pay off in the long run.
Just my opinion though, like assses everybody has one.
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01Motorsport
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
20:02:44
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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jay, I had a '92 5.2 RC once. It got 17.5 mpg overall with a 3:55 auto. Some of the things I did were to remove the "bug deflector" plate blocking the air inlet tube at the headlight area, K&N drop-in, Bosch Platinum +4 plugs, Fram 163 PCV valve, a high flow catalytic converter, and Flowmaster 70 with 2 1/4" duals. I usually ran a 66/34 mix of 87/93 octane, until I added a MP 25HP PCM which needed 93. A clean throttle body and correct tire pressure are the best day-to-day checks for mpg stability. One advantage yor GenII has is weight; about 200 pounds lighter than GenIII. Consider a good M+S tire with a less aggresive 4x4 tread, if you don't off-road much.
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ricardcapecod
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2005
21:43:35
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Hi N56629. I make mine your words. For our level of foot lightness and sensitivity, cruise control is just too agressive. It is better to drop 5 to 10 mph gradually, on a half mile hill, releasing the pedal very slightly as you go up, and just do the opposite when going down. 50 to 70 mph is more effective than straight 60. This over head computer is one awesome toy.
Some guys say that don`t matter how they drive, they get the same MPG. In my case, even a tought of my foot affects the consumption. If you have the computer, play and learn w/ it.
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
01:07:41
|  RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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N56629, You're not making any sense, maybe you meant to say something other than what you think you said. The overhead console fluctuates wildly unless on very flat ground? What the heck do you think it's going to do if the road isn't flat? The overhead console has both "instant" and "average" mileage readings, if you're disturbed by constant changes in overhead console mileage readings, maybe you should select the "average MPG" reading instead. The cruise control is much more accurate than your foot and if anyone thinks they're getting 2 mpg better mileage by using their foot instead of the cruise control, you're delusional. I'm not talking using the CC in city traffic or stop n go situations but, on the interstate or any road or highway that doesn't require you to stop often. I drive a lot, like over 2,000 miles a month just for work. The CC has one job, maintaining a set speed, it's not competitive, it doesn't get urges to speed up or get lead foot syndrome. I use to drive with just my foot but, once I discovered that using the CC correctly will help mileage, I use it a lot. For those of you that think you have a better solution using your foot, say "Hello!" to the Wizard for me because you're living in the land of Oz!
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ricardcapecod
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
17:00:55
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Rob C, The fact that you are not able to be more efficient than the cruise c, doesn`t mean that no one else can. The reason i don`t use cruise c when i`m testing, is just because it is very agressive, and it really subtracts around 10% of my gas consumption on flat roads and 15% or more on hilly roads.
As to the amount of miles you drive, it doesn`t help if you don`t learn some things.
That fluctuation on the instant consumption is just that,(instant cons., not average). Average is a somatory of all those readings, divided proporttionally by the time each number was on.
The comp. knows how to do it.
After all learn that if you can`t, definitly, a bunch of others CAN.
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87 4x4 dak
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
17:01:14
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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Based on Personal experience I have to say that for me cc has gotten worse gas milage than using my right foot. On the same exact drive, same time of day and even same car, milage on a 120 mile trip went from 36 to 40 miles per gallon in my moms honda, I hate it but its nice for longer trips to use half the gas, even though this was one of the shorter trips I make. Part of it might be I was traveling though very hilly stretch of highway, since I have noticed cc is reactive as oppose to myself anticipating the road ahead, which in hilly terane makes a big difference. Other people may experience different results due to the area and driver. In a state like North Dakota or Nebraska I cant imagine anything but cc getting the best milage, but I travel over a pass in Western Montana that slows my truck down to 55 going up, and its pointless for the truck to try to go 75 up it, all it would do is waste gas. I travel at least 800 miles a month on highways and in my area I can get better milage without cc. Thats just my oppinion, and unless Im in a flat place my cc is staying off.
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jay
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
17:50:45
|  RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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i get the best mileage when the key is turned off
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Wise Guy
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
19:36:22
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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I lowered my front end to fool into think that it's always going down hill.
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Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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4/13/2005
22:53:20
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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ricardcapecod, not only are you delusional but you seem to be a N56629 groupie. You're not too bright either. You think you're more efficient than the CC but, the fact is you aren't doing the same thing the CC is doing. You gradually slow down 5 to 10 mph going up hill then speed up going down hill? What do you do if there's no down hill? Since you can't figure out what I'm talking about, let me explain. There are roads that go up hill for miles, the only way to go down hill is to turn around or finally reach the summit and start going down. If you slow down going up hill, is there a point where you decide you're going to maintain a certain speed or do you just keep slowing down until you stop? Don't try to tell me what I've learned or not learned, YOU DON'T KNOW! What I know is that driving behind you would be very irritating. Maybe the 2 things you "anti-cruise control" people haven't considered is 1. You have crappy cruise controls. 2. Your truck isn't producing enough torque.
BTW, congratulations! you've managed to turn a "How to get better mileage" thread into "Let's attack the guy who suggested using cruise control" thread.
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2005
07:08:46
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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"The overhead console has both "instant" and "average" mileage readings, if you're disturbed by constant changes in overhead console mileage readings, maybe you should select the "average MPG" reading instead. The cruise control is much more accurate than your foot and if anyone thinks they're getting 2 mpg better mileage by using their foot instead of the cruise control, you're delusional."---Rob C
I can indeed hold the instant reading more steady with my foot than the cruise control can't. If you can't, I would say that is personal problem. I will let you be the one to stare at the "average mpg" readout. I imagine you like watching grass grow too.
Oh, btw, on rolling ground I hold constant throttle pressure and let my speed float, unlike the cruise control which is constantly changing throttle pressure to maintain a set speed. Obviously you have never tried it and only want to vent your opinion.
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Kaderdak
GenIII
4/14/2005
10:10:07
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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It's pretty straightforward guys......when I drive back home in Kansas I use CC for hundreds of miles at a time. When I'm driving over passes in Montana I don't. I'd rather lose a few mph going uphill at 2000 rpms in OD than have CC drop me down into third so I can gain a few mph back at 4000 rpms while driving up the side of a mountain.
** '97 Dakota 5.2L 4x4 w/3.55(my best ebay purchase yet) **
** Homebrew CIA, Dynomax Catback, March Underdrive Pulleys, Transgo Kit **
** Borg Warner Brass Cap/Rotor to Taylor 8mm wires to NGK plugs **
** Homebrew dual electric fan setup with 180* thermostat **
** Sitting on BFG 31 x 10.50's **
** Tons more once I'm not a poor college student :) **
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N56629
Dodge Dakota
JOIN HERE
4/14/2005
10:45:56
| RE: how to get good gas mileage?
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"Hi N56629. I make mine your words. For our level of foot lightness and sensitivity, cruise control is just too agressive. It is better to drop 5 to 10 mph gradually, on a half mile hill, releasing the pedal very slightly as you go up, and just do the opposite when going down. 50 to 70 mph is more effective than straight 60. "
Exactly, but Rob C couldn't figure that out. I noticed that he attempted to find an exception to your suggestion, but it doesn't invalidate it. He doesn't seem to know the difference between rolling terrain and hilly terrain. Long hills are no different than flat ground. It requires steady or constant throttle pressure just the same as flat ground and not a steadily falling speed.
One would have thought that that was obvious.
LOL!!!!
"Some guys say that don`t matter how they drive, they get the same MPG"
My Buick Regal GS gets 29-31 mpg no matter how I drive it.
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