I purchased my first Dakota and its a 99' R/T over the weekend. I didn't realize what a gas hog it was and before I knew it the gas mark is almost on E. Unfortunately my baby didn't come with a owners manual and I have no idea what octane I should put in the truck.

I've searched all over the net and all I could find is debates between the Durango's & Dakota owners over unleaded/premium. Some use unleaded and some use premium. I've seen some people write saying the word "premium only" is on the gas cap and other owners saying they don't have that. My truck doesn't have premium posted anywhere on the truck either.

I also read, putting the wrong octane can lower the performance and some people say you can hear strange ticks in the engine. I'm so confused. 50% say use 91-93 Octane and 50% say use 87 Octane.

What does the owners manual say? What is recommended?

I have Flowmasters, chipped ECU and K&N air filter. That's it. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

If it is chipped, I would suggest running at least 89. I use 89 in my truck (although I should use 93) and I have the occasional valve clatter, but only at WOT and under full boost. For a pretty much stock truck, 87 or 89 would be just fine. The theory that 93 makes more power than 87 is true, but only if the engine is built or you are not N/A. In your case, the truck doesn't "need" 93.

 

Thank you very much. Would you happen to know where I can get parts for the R/T? I would love to have a repair manual too.

 

MOPAR sells quite a good deal of stuff, some of the best intake manifolds and headers on the market. You might try KRC performance and Hughes Engines as well. Both companies have a wide selection of stuff and are fairly knowledgable.

 

Autozone or Advance will have the Haynes repair manual.

 

I grabbed that 2000 FSM last night. Good stuff if you know how to navigate the menus!!

 

I took your advice and filled the truck up with 89. It runs just fine so far. I really appreciate your time and opinion. The only thing my interior needs is an arm rest for it has cracks. I need to also get the front fender flare thing like my rear has. The darn thing is missing, lol.

No offense, but the Haynes manuals are horrible. I like Chilton. Just my opinion.

 

I need an armrest for mine too. It looks like the sides exploded. And for some reason, the previous owner used a cream colored A-pillar trim piece from either a 01-04 Dakota or a Durango. You can see the white paint on the pillar between the trim and dash. Really odd...

 

Haynes really do suck. Chilton is much better, but nothing beats the factory repair manual.

On another note and good way to tell if your using the proper octane is put the truck under load going up a steep hill. If it starts to ping a bit, you might want to consider going up in octane. Some pinging may be present, but if you have the knowledge to know Haynes suck, I'm sure you can tell the difference between some normal light stress induced pinging and abnormal pinging.

 

CC that is a safe assumption BUT I do not like my haynes but I, quite clueless to the finer points of the inner workings of engines.

What is the BEST manual for our trucks? For my bimmer it is a bentley. Im just wondering cause I have a few projects Id like more info on before I start