I recently bought an '05 Dakota SLT Quad Cab with the V8.
After 6 or 7 tanks, I'm getting 13mpg for mileage. I'm disappointed in that number.
I previously has a '98 SLT V6 and normally got around 16mpg.
I realize that the V8 is a bigger engine, of course, but that shouldn't get me that much worse mileage because it isn't working that hard to move the truck.

Granted, it's been friggin cold here (SE WI) since I bought it right before Christmas. I have a remote starter on it, so I fire it up 5 minutes before I leave from work. I typically don't start it in the morning. That little bit of idling shouldn't make much difference, right?

I've been using 87 octage gas, because my manual says that 89 might not help and might even hurt my mileage. One tank or two, might be 89 though.

My typical driving is 3 miles through a little city (4 stop lights, about 4 minutes) then out into the wild for the last 6 miles, then backwards on the way home.

Any ideas?

 

thats about right for the little amount of driving you do, i get near 22 mpg on the highway and 17/18 around town. i also have quite a bit done to my truck to help this out. fill up the tank one day and find a stretch of highway and just go, keep it at 65 if you have cruise. i saw joe in new jersey one weekend from ct, fill the truck up and got over 425 miles to a tank of gas. so the little amount of driving you do is killing the mileage

 

Mine is a 4WD and the best I have ever gotten is 17 mpg at about 62 miles per hour. Typically in the city, middle 14's to very low 15's.

 

15/17 Hwy , 70 MPH+ 13/14, City 13/14. 2005 SLT Plus Quad 4.7HO 4x4. My 2004 is exactly the Same with same Mileage the only difference is EC/LB.

 

I am right with Super, 20-22 HWY and 17-18 City... if I am in town and I continuously tromp on it, it gets around 12-14mpgs Its most likely the short trip

 

mostly short trips for me... but on the weekends i average like 80 miles and i get like 16mpgs, most of the time city/highway its like between high 13s and 15s.......

 

The only time I get 13 is when all my driving has been in town that tank (usually 3-5 miles a trip). Mixed 65/35 town/highway I usually get around 15. I've also got a lead foot, I'm sure I could get better numbers if I went easy on it or tried some hypermiling techniques but that's just not as fun

 

thanks for typing for me Bolt. Ditto on the numbers for me.

 

haha no problem man

 

I am about right with TCDiesel. Our HOs are gas mongers and mine is AWD. I don't drive like Ms Daisy or anything but I rarely stomp on the gas, I try to accelerate moderately, and I try to coast as much as possible at lights to try and keep momentum. By doing this I get 15.something on average through town. I can get 16.2 but that is less frequent due to me enjoying my HO sometimes. Highway is my disapointment, I get 17 on average, 18.5 is a rare occurance and those are averaging 5mph faster than the speed limit.
All of this is without any mods, the truck is stock....for now