Tire pressure can cause up to around 4 mpg difference. My tires can handle up to 44 psi, and i keep them at roughly 40 (youll see the best mileage at about 5 psi under the reccomended max). The ride can lose a tad bit of its smoothness if you are running at about 33-35 psi, but it's not going to be like day vs night.


Waiver: *You probably know most of this already, I'm just throwing out some ideas. I don't mean to be demeaning on anyone's intelligence!*

 

What size V8 engine do you have?

I know that the 2000 dak comes in a 4.7 ltr and a 5.9ltr V8 engine.

I have the 4.7ltr and I have always driven it trying to maximize mile fuel milage. There are lots of things anidividuale could do in the way he manages hisown drivng technique with respect to milage economies.

If I am not mistaken you should have a trip computer/display in your vehicle. Keep it on instantaneous milage and watch what it does while you drive in real time. It will tell you how bad or how good you aredriving with respect to maximizing your milage.It will also confirm that the lower you keep your rpm's the greater your gas milage.

One of the things I do isthat from a stop light I try to get up to my cruise speed as quickly as possible then I quickly set the automatic cruise control for that speed. I seem to get better milage than if I slowly get up to my cruise speed and try to maintain it manually.

I find that the best milage for my 4.7ltrclub cab 4x4 truck on the local roads is to be at 35-37 mph on cruise control. You will note that the rpm is holds at about 1200-1300rpm. On the highway I do 55mph if people are behind me and about 50mph if there is no one behind me. The rpm will be about 1400-1500rpm on cruise control. I do not accelerate if I am going up a hill. I wait till I crest the hill then acelerate on the way down if i need to increase speed.

I also keep an eye on waht the stop lights are doing well in advance of getting to the intersections. If the light is red I start coasting. This saves gas also. I try to time my speed to a stop light so that I do not come to a complete stop too.

I have plenty of other techniques but I don't want to take up this forum with a long post.

What I am trying to say is that there is stuff you could do with respect to your own driving techniques that will save you gas.

I get about 18 city and and 23-24 highway with my truck. Hope this helps.