just got a 2004 dakota quacab 4.7auto, 4x4, 30kmiles all completely stock,runs great but gas mileage sucks!! I don't drive it hard, but 12 -12.5 seems awfully bad or am I expecting to much? I've spent a bunch of time reading posts here about the options to do , air intake, muffler, chip or program which I really don't want to do since I want to use reg gas. What would be the best bang for the buck as far as increasing mileage? Btw already changed plugs and air filter.

Ron

 

umm idk im getting 15 tops right now with my d, but my mom was getting over 16 w/ it before i got it(she drove it for 5 years) so idk whats causing the drop bc im not lead-footing it around

 

Clean your intake manifold with Sea foam, check tire pressure, bed cover, etc.

 

most cost effective gas milage improvements are the way you drive and maintaining it. 30,000 is way to early to think about a tune up, a good intake kit will help a tonneau cover will hep and a high flow exhaust will help thats about where it ends aside from weight reduction

 

well a tonneau cover is out, im driving a durango, just their foum is dead and since its basically the same im staying here, it has 66000+ on it w/ origional plugs, the air filter has been changed, idk what else has been done, but its on brand new tires and the pressure is correct so idk what else to try except getting off of ethanol-gas mix

 

well I've got the tonneau cover, I guess the intake or exhaust would be next. Any ideas on which one would show more of an improvement over the other? Also with only 30k on the clock would it need a manifold cleaning?

Thanks for the help so far.

Ron

 

Just filled up awhile ago and checked mine for the first time. Not too shabby (I think) @ 14.4. This was a mixed tank of some WFO, stop and go, highway, and pulling our6x12 utility trailer with Rhino onboardon a couple 30 mile trips. A/C was used about 10 percent of the tank (I like to feel the wind blow). I think that 16 to 17 is not out of the question with a light foot.

 

I've found that a driver mod or location mod will affect the gas mileage the most . What type of driving are you doing? Unless it is all city, then your numbers are a bit low. Here is a summary of my 04 4.7L 4x4 QC mileage that I have been keeping track of:

City (Boston): ~12 mpg
50% City, %50 traffic highway: ~15
90% Highway @ 70-75 mph: ~16-17
90% Highway @ 50-60 mph: ~19-20

Ascend about 1,500 ft vertical over 20 miles @ 60 mph: 15.5 mpg
Descend about 1,500 ft vertical over 20 miles @ 60 mph: 21 mpg

Also, I have the highway gears (3.55) that help out a bit with mileage...