Just traded a '98 GMC Sierra for a '02 Dakota Q cab 4x4 (the AWD transfer case). I have the factory sticker which gives the EPA estimates of 14 city and 18 highway. This has the "next generation" 4.7 V8, and auto tranny. The computer says I am getting about 14.1 mpg. Have not had it long enough to do the 2 fill ups and divide those gallons into the miles.</P>


I do like the truck a bunch or I would never have bought it, but I just sort of figured a smaller truck witha smaller (and newer) engine should do better than my x cab 1500. What can I expect assuming I don't always have my right foot into it?<IMG src=smileys/smiley25.gif border="0"></P>

 

Wrong forum

 

Shogunn, I'm a newbie. Where should I ask this question?

 

I know your a newbie, thats why I moved it to the correct forum. Just letting you know for future reference. <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">

 

what were you getting before???

 

The GMC with the 5.7 Vortec gave me around 17, but I have a lot of hills and curves here. At lower altitude and on straight and level it would do better, as I am sure the Dakota would. My daughter has an '02 Durango RT with the 5.9 and it gets more than my 14.1. She has a friend with a Durango 4.7 and it gets less than 14! </P>


If I have to live with 14.1 I will just have to do that. But as this is a new truck to me, I just want to be sure there isn't something wrong that could be corrected. I need an emissions test soon and that might tell me something.</P>

 

<FONT face="Times New Roman, Times, serif" color=red size=2> 2003 ram 1500 quad hemi...sticker 14mpg city 18mpg hwy....real life.....9mpg city 13.2 hwy....and that is with out putting it to the floor. Want to no something even funnier? Have a 02 ram 1500 quad 5 speed 4.7 3.92 axle17inch wheels, 265 goodyears, work truck that gets even worse! 8.5 city 12.6hwy with out the trailer even worse with,an this truck has no power accessories its a base st with a mat no carpet. Wife's durango same story.(but all the options...but i have a hemi!)Sould have got the cummins!</FONT>

 

Andy, while you have not offered much encouragement at getting better MPG, perhaps you made my day with your story. Anyway, here is another..</P>


I have a '99 Corvette which like the hemi has a 345 hp engine. Now I know comparing this with a hemi is not like comparing apples and oranges, but more like apples and steaks. Anyway, in my6 speed 'vette the computer says 28.+++ mpg, and I do push it hard in the first two gears, then go to 6th. (Both 5 and 6 are overdrive) Testing it on a 1000 mile trip showed the computer to be a bit generous. It was more like 26.5 but thats driving 75-80, and passing at 100+ just for the fun of it.</P>