I have a 1989 dodge dakota 2wd auto 3.9l

This truck is getting like 12-13 mpg how can i get better gas mileage out of it something has to be wrong
plugs, cap, rotor, ignition pickup, coil, air filter, fuel filter, pcv valve, and oil changed less than 1000 miles ago

 

What is your gear ratio that has a lot to do with it.

 

Your average driving is also a major factor.
Do you go up alot of hills? Do you hammer it from stops? How far do you drive daily? Does your truck have time to properly warm up during your daily commute?

 

well gears are stock, and I drive like a 90 year old lady unless somebody pisses me off

 

Check ALL of the fluids.. If anything is low it will rob the power. Wheel bearings, make sure brakes arent sticking at all. Buy a couple cans of seafoam and try that.

 

My 2000 Dakota doesn't get very good mileage, I was told that's about the norm for Dakotas that old, so I changed all fluids and I am pretty sure its gets better gas mileage. I still have to change air filter maybe today, and still figuring out how to change the fuel filter thing? Anybody know how, please get with me. Thanks.

 

That's about what i'm getting with my '93 3.9L. Or at least that's what i was getting before the 5 inch lift and 33 inch tires. haha

 

This and do the gear ratio, you will surely get a difference in mpg.

 

The two biggest changes to help the gas mileage on my Dakota (went from 12MPG average to a current rolling average centering about 19MPG) was to replace the dying O2 sensor, and replace a plugged catalytic converter.

I also repaired the EGR, replaced the throttle body (or, as Chrysler calls it, the "Electronic feedback carburator), did a full tune up (points, plugs, cap, rotor, wires), and ... replaced the broken driver's side exhaust manifold.

And new brakes and bearings in the front.

But the BIGGEST for me was the O2 and the cat.

RwP