She is right. This is from the owner's manual:

"The FUEL SAVER MODE message will display above the average fuel economy in the EVIC display. This message will appear whenever the Multi-Displacement System (MDS) (if equipped) allows the engine to operate on four cylinders, or if you are driving in a fuel efficient manner."

 

Now that I have my Durango, I drove around running a few errands yesterday. I can see the avg gas mileage for me was running between 14 and 19. I used my cruise control a LOT. Going 70 down the highway feels like I am only going 50!!! Much better ride than my old 2002 Intrepid!! To prevent myself from getting a ticket I am using cruise control whenever I can and I bet that is helping my gas mileage.

 

I know what you mean. I've caught myself (luckily not caught by the cops!) rolling along at 80 or 85 before realizing I was going fast.

I have a 2012 V6 AWD & average 20mpg - Highway is normally 25 or so but if I really hyper-mile it on the interstate I've seen it pull 29.9!! Ha - craziness for a 7 passenger SUV.

 

When I got my 2012 Hemi Citadel a month ago, I was disappointed that mileage was no better than my 2005 Hemi Durango. On that I had a K&N and had opened up the exhaust, but no MDS on 2005's. I'd average 17.3 to 18.6 with a 75/25 mix of highway/city driving (27k miles/yr). I once got 22.5 MPG on a 600 mile round trip, including some city driving.

On my 2012, it's been averaging around 17.3 or so. I put a K&N air filter on it the day after I took delivery. My engine must be breaking in at about 2,500 miles since the mileage seems to be increasing, maybe up around 17.6. I may go with a CAI and want to open up the exhaust as long as I can avoid a drone. Had hoped the MDS would make more of a difference though.

One frustrating thing I noted is that I could go weeks on my 2005 without seeing the mileage vary. On my 2007 Hemi charger and 2012 Hemi Durango, it changes every few minutes. Around 2006/2007 they apparently changed the algorithm to analyze a shorter history. I suppose if it changes quicker, it encourage more frugal driving to try to get the best mileage, and to "punish" you quickly for getting on it. You get to see faster reward for efficient driving.

 

When I averaged 22mpg at 75 on a 45 mile trip the other day, I was extremely pleased. One of the benefits of living at sea level and very level terrain.

I have been able to drive it around town, keeping it in the green arc, and see 16-17....my wife OTOH brings it down to 15-16. I think she likes hearing that exhaust note more than I do!!

Anyway, considering the Excursion that our RT replaced pretty much got 13city/14-15 hwy no matter where we drove, how can I not be pleased? In the end, it's a 5000lb vehicle, so I'll just be content that it gets better than our last SUV.

 

I've got a 2012 R/T Hemi. When i first bought it i was only seeing 17 hwy at best when babying it. Now that i have switched to Mobil 1 full synthetic and K&N drop in filter im easily achieving 19-22 hwy which to me for this car is great. But coming from a 08 passat tuned getting 39mpg anything is a disappointment lol.

 

On my 2005 Hemi D2 I opened up the exhaust and added a K&N at 2k-3k miles, and saw about a 2 or 3MPG increase which I attributed to the mods. Now with my 2012, I did the K&N on day 1 and at about 2,500 miles I note that the mileage is increasing. I now believe that though a K&N and open exhaust help, the major increase comes from engine break-in which happens after a few thousand miles.

 

I agree. Engine break in makes a difference. As well as the computer learning your driving habits & adjusting for it.
While the k&n will make a real difference in a carborated car the computer controls the new dodge. It will read how much air is going in & adjust the fuel. Having more air available doesnt automatically improve mileage, you get the most bang for your buck by changing the mapping. I'm not talking down the mods, they are tried & true, just saying the puter decides how lean to run.

 

the CAI improves efficiency on modern cars more by flowing more easily than the stock intake, this reduces the energy used to pull air in which puts that extra power through the drivetrain.

 

I have my sights set on a Legmaker Hammer CAI, looks sweet.