You are here: Forums Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Real World MPG Numbers

Dodge Dakota Real World MPG Numbers

160 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2008 at 5:20 PM

You are in the Dodge Dakota Forum. Your Host is kcram

What is this discussion about? Dodge Dakota, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck

Messages Page 1 of 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 16 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#1 of 160 Dodge Dakota Owners: MPG-Real World Numbers by KarenS HOST Jan 26, 2005 (5:59 am)
Post your MPG and compare with other Dakota owners MPG numbers here. Replies to this message: tootall1 (Apr 03, 2005 8:33 pm)
#2 of 160 by dustyk Jan 26, 2005 (4:01 pm)
2003 Dakota Club Cab Sport Plus, 287 (4.7) V8, 545RFE automatic, 3:55 limited slip differential:   Average at 37512 miles, 16.45 MPG   Highest tank - 21.76 MPG (summer, highway)   lowest tabk - 12.79 (last week, sub-zero temps, all city driving)   From 5/29 to 9/27, my summertime fuel mileage average was 18.05.    Driven calmly the 4.7 will deliver the EPA mileage and better. The amount of driver impatience, however, will have a direct and corresponding negative effect on fuel consumption. But the 4.7 is a real nice motor!    Regards, Dusty
#3 of 160 Dakota Mileage Report by sunburn Jan 26, 2005 (7:07 pm)
2002 Dakota Quad Cab, 4x4, 4.7, 45RFE automatic, 3.92 limited slip:   Best tank: 19.0 (summer, all highway 70 MPH)(This has only happened once, best highway MPG since then is 17.8)   Worst tank: 11.8 (summer, all city)   Highway min/max/average: 16.4/19.0/16.8 (70 MPH)   Mixed driving min/max/average: 13.9/14.8/14.4 summer, 12.8/13.8/13.6 winter (Mixed driving is about 50% highway, 50% suburban/rural. Most trips are 15 miles or less.)   Reported averages are with Redline synthetic lubricants in differentials and transfer case. Mileage increased approx 0.75-2.0 MPG after switching.
#4 of 160 Dakota Mileage Report by sunburn by iowabigguy Jan 26, 2005 (10:11 pm)
Thats about what my 2003 Hemi Ram Quad does (grin)
#5 of 160 2000 QC - 4.7 - 5 sp - 4x4 by spike50 Jan 27, 2005 (4:40 am)
2000 Dakota Quad Cab, 4x4, 4.7, 5sp, 3.55 limited slip, 31x10.5-15 tires, HD electric, stock air intake and exhaust systems, tonneau cover most of its life, now running "naked", southcentral Pennsylvania (snow sometimes)   Best tank: 21+ (spring, mostly flat highway along Susquehanna River for 200 miles 60-65 MPH on cruise control, with tonneau cover, with nearly worn-out GY RT/S).    Worst tank (s): 8.2 - 9.4 mpg (all hauling motorcycles of 4-wheels on a trailer, flying at 70+ mph on hilly Rt 80 across northern Pennsylvania, mostly with the GY RT/S, in and out of strip mines, logging roads, etc, all included in that tank of gas).    Mixed driving min / max / average: 8.2 / 21.2 / 16.2 (driving is about 40% highway, 60% suburban/rural. Most highway trips are 500 - 1000 miles round-turn with a load)    Reported min / max / averages are mostly based on original lubes. Redline synthetic lubes were installed in differentials, transmission, and transfer case in July 2003. Mileage may have increased with the Redline products but new tires (Bridgestone Dueler AT - Revo), in Nov 2003, introduced a 1-2 mpg drop on average.   Total miles: 65,173 Total gas $: $5,979.02 Total gals: 4,027.5 Avg mpg: 16.2 Avg $/gal: $1.48 Avg $/mile: $0.092   79.2% or 266 fill ups (336 total fill ups) produced mpgs between 15 - 18 mpg. Most common occurrence is 16 mpg at 59 fill ups. I have changed the spark plugs 2x (Bosch platinums & plain Autolite coppers). Also changed air filter 1x.
#6 of 160 MPG by tcsmpsi Jan 27, 2005 (8:16 am)
2005 Dakota Quad Cab V-6 automatic 2WD all standard equipment, 2200 mi.   Latest check revealed 14.3 mpg, flatland, 85% in town with a lot of stop and go, with approx. 6, 10-20 minute still running (waiting for children) segments for that tankfull.   So far, have gotten as good as 20.6 mpg for combination city/highway driving.   Always conscientious of braking and starting, with occassional 'bursts' in all type road/situations to know what the vehicle is capable of in emergency.   Prior to the '05, I ran a 2001 Dak Quad Cab, standard equipment (except for handling package), V-6 standard transmission 2WD.   The '05 automatic has thusfar shown just a slight edge over the '01 in MPG.
#7 of 160 helpful info by saabgirl Jan 28, 2005 (5:35 pm)
I think the Dakota review said there's only a 1 mpg difference between the 3.7 six and the 4.7 eight, so buyers may as well opt for the oomph of the eight. But in practice it sounds like the disparity is considerably greater than that. As Dusty (?) said, you can drive an eight for economy ... but the temptation to hear that pleasing V8 roar is hard to resist, I'll betcha. Heck, it might be worth it sometimes. Also, doesn't the eight require premium fuel? Thanks for the info. Replies to this message: tcsmpsi (Jan 29, 2005 6:35 am) saabgirl (Jan 29, 2005 4:10 pm) dustyk (Jan 29, 2005 8:01 am)
#8 of 160 Re: helpful info [saabgirl] by tcsmpsi Jan 29, 2005 (6:35 am)
Replying to: saabgirl (Jan 28, 2005 5:35 pm) I know those who have/had the 8's in Dakotas and their actual mileage has shown to be notably less than what I have experienced with the 6. I seldom pull large loads and am not that enamored with the slight performance boost of the 8.   There is the initial cost variation of the 6 and 8, the additional cost of maintenance and the (though slight it might be---however, with rising fuel...) increase in fuel costs.   Between my wife and myself, we average 4000 miles a month on our vehicles. With our (so far) last fledgling teenagers at home, having grandchildren and being homeowners, we needed a pickup which was as economical, passenger oriented, safe and tough as we could find. The Dakota quad has fulfilled that perfectly.   I suppose the last 'need' I had for throaty sounding/performance oriented vehicles was fulfilled with my last '57 Chevy with tricked out 327, etc., etc.   Getting used to this new auto transmission in the '05 has been interesting. Of course, the last truck I had an auto in was a '79 Adventurer, which was much more direct and 'to the point'. Replies to this message: saabgirl (Jan 29, 2005 4:10 pm)
#9 of 160 Re: helpful info [saabgirl] by dustyk Jan 29, 2005 (8:01 am)
Replying to: saabgirl (Jan 28, 2005 5:35 pm) Past 4.7s did not require premium fuel. Starting in '05 there will be an optional 4.7 High Output that will. The regular 4.7 will still only need regular.   Bests, Dusty
#10 of 160 Re: helpful info [tcsmpsi] by saabgirl Jan 29, 2005 (4:10 pm)
Replying to: tcsmpsi (Jan 29, 2005 6:35 am) >>we needed a pickup which was as economical, passenger oriented, safe and tough as we could find. The Dakota quad has fulfilled that perfectly.<<   Yep, that's what appeals to me about the Dakota Q Cab, too. (I had a black '57 Chevy hardtop with the 283, 4-barrel and dual exhausts. I suppose cars are "better" now, but still ...)

Messages Page 1 of 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ... 16 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Pickups Dodge Dakota Dodge Dakota Real World MPG Numbers