My name is Ryan, I just joined the board today. Anyways I am just wondering if what I'm experiencing is normal.
I bought my 98 Dakota 4 cyl. last night so I'm not completely informed on these trucks, but it seems to get horrible gas milage, (or possibly the sensor in the tank is bad) but I have 65 miles on a full tank, and the sensor is reading about half. I dont know how that is possible for one. For two when on the highway I feel as though I have absolutely NO power to propel me to go 70. I practically have to downshft (5 sp) to be able to even get going 70, and even then its hard to keep it at 70. I dont know if this is the result as a much needed tune up, or if it is just because its a 4 cyl. heavy truck? Please someone give me some input so I can try some things. I dont know how long I'll be able to put up with this. Also what is the fuel tank capacity? The fuel light was on last night, and I filled up and only put 7 gallons in!!!???
I bought my 98 Dakota 4 cyl. last night so I'm not completely informed on these trucks, but it seems to get horrible gas milage, (or possibly the sensor in the tank is bad) but I have 65 miles on a full tank, and the sensor is reading about half. I dont know how that is possible for one. For two when on the highway I feel as though I have absolutely NO power to propel me to go 70. I practically have to downshft (5 sp) to be able to even get going 70, and even then its hard to keep it at 70. I dont know if this is the result as a much needed tune up, or if it is just because its a 4 cyl. heavy truck? Please someone give me some input so I can try some things. I dont know how long I'll be able to put up with this. Also what is the fuel tank capacity? The fuel light was on last night, and I filled up and only put 7 gallons in!!!???
Champion
sounds like your fuel guage is off for #1, and #2, the 4 cylinder is such an under powered engine for these trucks, its the same 4 banger in the jeep wranglers, and even in the jeeps it feels under powered
Professional
fOx672 is correct-dodge never should have put a 4 banger in the dakota-it is just too heavy.i believe the manual says the tank is 22 gallon,but i could be mistaken.figure-18 or 22.
Champion
yea you probabally have 3.92 rears to supplement the lower power output of the engine already, not exactly sure, 4.10's would help a bit but your fuel economy is gonna drop to hell, i bet its already bad, and you either have a 17 gallon or 22 gallon tank, my money is on the 17 gallon for the fact its a 4 banger, my friends have had dakotas with the v6's and complained with the 5 speed, it was a pita to maintain speed in 5th gear, imo, trade it back for a v6 *cheaper* or go with a v8, i have a v6 with the automatic, yea its a bit sluggish but she gets out of her own way
Record Breaker
Dont feel bad. I have an 06 dakota with the V6 3.7L, and sometimes I feel like I cant get it over 70mph either lol.