Dusty I owe you a beer, if you ever make it down to Texas let me know, I will buy you one, or three...=)

another quick question, my temp gause seems high to me, when I was changing my headlights I noticed it only seems like half of the grill allows air throw for the radiator, the bottom part looks like it is filled with that bumper styrofoam stuff. Is that normal and what is the normal range, since it is not numbered I am not sure how to tell how hot it is running.

 

I AM in Texas dude, last time I checked, anyway!! LOL!!!

I'm in NE San Antonio, about 2 miles north of Fort Sam Houston.

The foam stuff is normal, and summer in Texas makes all engines run hot. My SRT-4 is as hot as a firecracker when I get home from work after a 5 mile drive. My owner's manual says not to worry unless the needle hits the upper marker above the middle. I always prop the hood open after I get home anyway, lets me work around the engine sooner...

 

I have a 2004 SXT and when I first got it I noticed the same thing with gas mileage. I drive mostly city streets. I was getting like 19, but after I got around 1500 to 1600 then I started to get better gas mileage, and then after my first oil change it got even better. The last time I filled up I got about 24 mpg'd but it has been very hot so I have been running the AC, plus I have a tendency to use my lead foot. And when I actually do hit the highways, I definatly get more mileage out of it. That has been my experience so far.

 

I think that the 03-04 sxt also has a way steeper fifth gear ratio than the older cars, this will make the car go faster on the highway, but fuel mileage will suffer due to lower rpms at like 65-70

My 01 Se gets 38-39 mpg on the highway. My buddy's 03 sxt, 28.

you tell me.....


Jeff
Philly

 

I generally get around 28-30 mpg driving in the city mostly, a few miles on the highway @ around 70-80. I don't know how you are getting so low of mileage. I'm sure if I layed off the gas more I could do even better than I do. I'm usually close to the 300 miles when the gas light comes on. Thats generally when I fill up, if not before that. Lately I have been running Shell V Power gas (93 octane) and my mileage seems to have increased a little bit. But generally I don't drive it that hard, but I do wind it up somewhat often and I still pull pretty awesome mileage especially for driving almost only in the city.

And btw...at 80mph engine is toolin along at 3000 rpm. It does not suffer at 70mph, it gets crazy mileage at 70mph if you keep it at that. Mine does anyways, maybe your car is weird, or maybe mine is?

 

I just realised, your name is acid_mojojojo!!! That is awesome...I take it you watch Powerpuff Girls?

 

Well teh kids watch it, and as kids do they like to pretend, so while they are powerpuffs I get to be the bad guy.
Sorta stuck.

As for the car, I drive mainly highway as well. The fouled plug thing worries me, as does the no check engine light. I have tried the techron and topped it off with the 93 octane gas (Chevron with techron) and I will see how this cleans it out. I wish I got anywhere close to 300 before the light came on, mine comes on about 180. I cant even really get over 300 with a WHOLE tank of gas. First time I took it back to the dealer (bought it from a certified dodge dealer, they swore to me that they checked it out completely and that they changed the oil and everything) they told me that I had a fouled plug and the wire was arcing. They replaced the single plug and the wireset. But if it was misfireing like that you would think the check engine light would come on. Grrr this sucks.

 

This may be a really sound like a stupid question but how long has it been since you changed/checked your air filter? You probably already have but if not that would be the first thing I would check.

 

I have changed the air filter, it was the first thing I did when I got it home. I still want to change all of the spark plugs too, I am a bit mad that they only changed one when they did it. From what I hear from multiple sources the regular Champion plugs work best with neons so I am going to go that route. I am considering new wires, but I want to make sure the resistance is lower than the factory wires ( I had a friend who tested some after markets and they were worse than the dodge factory parts) I want to get a cold air intake, but I am trying to decide which to go with, and if I want to go with the short ram or not. (taking suggestions here)
I just used a standard stp air filter, I was going to go with K&N, but if I get the cold air, most of them come with one and I did not want to spend that money twice (lets face it I am not rich or I would have gone after the SRT-4 hehehe)

 

Iceman intake works the best. If you're just replacing filter get a K&N.