Hello-

I am new to this forum so bear with me.
I recently purchase a 2003 Dakota Quad Cab, 2wd, 4.7 V8, Stock.
I love this truck and am extremely happy with it except it getting terrible gas mileage. 14mpg on the highway!!!!!!
I drive very easy, go 2-5 mph over the speed limit.
Friend of mine has the same truck and gets 17-19 of the highway/

Any ideas or tips on how to get better mileage. Please help.

Thanks in advance.

- Ben

 

The biggest thing you can do is go easy on the gas pedal. I know this is hard but just go easy on the gas pedal it does make a difference.

 

biggest thing about these trucks are the spark plugs. you need to go with the factory plug or the autolite 3923. if there are any type of platnum plug it wont run right. something about dodge motors. i put a plat plug in my 05 4.7 and lost 45/50 miles to a tank of gas. went with the autolite 3923 and it shot back up. i get about 380 miles to a tank of gas and the best was near 425. i always use the cruise on the highway 65/70 miles per hour and it makes a big diff.

 

ur o2 is most likley shot

 

Travis-

I assume you mean the O2 sensor. Easy to replace?

Thanks
Ben

 

Yup easy to replace. You can try by cleaning them first if you want.

 

you cant clean a bad o2 sensor, you can check it with a multimeter however if you want...

 

Thanks for the input. I'm going to check the plugs and replace the O2 sensor.

Probably add a K&N drop in filter. Think its worth the $45????

 

Deffinatly worth the money. K & N is the sh*t when it comes to less restrictive filters..

 

depends on what "bad" is... a slow to respond sensor can be brought back by cleaning. I've done it more than a few times in the last 3~4 years and have had great sucess doing it.

if the sensor is dead, swap it.