I've posted before about the gas mileage with my 2005 Dakota Quad Cab 4.7 V8 29,000 miles. My city gas mileage has been horrible since winter (8 to 9 mpg). However, my highway mileage has been good (18 to 22 mpg). My city driving is usually limited to 2 miles at a time, because everything is close to home. Before the winter I was seeing about 13 mpg city. I have not had any check engine lights or codes, and I replaced my spark plugs and air filter. Any ideas as to what can cause the bad city mileage, or is this normal since the engine really isn't getting much time to warm up? Any ideas or suggestions?

 

The very short trips could be part of it, also winter blend gas tends to give crappier mileage.

 

I agree with you Altair.
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Matty H,

Don't feel bad buddy. I'm in the same boat as you. I drive about 1 1/2 miles everyday to work. WINTER TIME WAS AN AWEFUL ONE! I was getting the 9-11 mpg like you were. Spring has now began and I am finally starting to see the 12.9-14.1 mpg coming back. I get anywhere from 18-21 mpg on the highway depending on conditions.

I believe the window sticker average for a Dakota is 14 city and 19/20 highway....so givin the normal weather (here in the GREAT STATE OF IA!) it's about normal for this time of year....and it's just plain ****ty during the -15 below zero mornings of winter.

I haven't done anything to mine engine or component wise either....and the only thing I'm planning on is new plugs...going Autolites.

So GOOD LUCK....and I'm feelin the pain at the pump with ya....along with ever other Dakota owner on here.

MoparPower00

 

Between the city driving, and the shortness of the commute, I can see those mpgs, especially in winter. Your engine's going to run horribly inefficient when it first starts up in the cold, and, with the commute being only a few miles, it never warms up. That's when you get your worst mpgs...8 to 9 sounds about right. Now that it's spring going into summer, it's already warm (relatively) and you're getting better mpgs.

 

Especially if you're only going two miles. It really should warm up..

 

I bet you'll find to that your exhaust wont't last as long, either. It never burns the condensation out of the pipe with the short trips. You need to add alittle highway to your trucks diet

 

Try Walking!

 

I would but I work at 5AM almost every morning LOL!