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Dodge Magnum MPG-Real World Numbers

36 messages,  Last post on Jul 26, 2008 at 10:31 PM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Magnum, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Wagon

Messages Page 4 of 4

#27 of 36 Re: Gas Mileage [2005maggie] by jacklionel

Apr 04, 2008 (10:31 pm)

Replying to: 2005maggie (Apr 04, 2008 3:19 pm)
I have been running injector cleaner and gasoline stabilizer through my 2006 AWD. Mileage around town is now about 15-16 (the revised EPA city mileage is 15 mpg). At around 65-70, I get around 22, which is the new EPA highway mileage. So one of the sensors (probably the oxygen sensor) must have been fouled by varnish after sitting around for two years.

#28 of 36 Re: Gas Mileage [2005maggie] by jacklionel

Apr 04, 2008 (10:38 pm)

Replying to: 2005maggie (Apr 04, 2008 3:24 pm)
Your '68 charger weighed only 2,500 pounds? Where did you get that figure?
 
I would bet that it weighed at least a 1,000 pounds more than that.
 
My Magnum is nearly as fast as a stock '87 Buick Grand National, which is as advertised. With AWD, you don't get any wheelspin/sliding action, which makes the car seem tamer than it really is.
 
My impression of the hemi is that it feels more like an old '60s V-8 than anything I've driven in a long time. But the "snap" that your '68 has is largely due to the high compression ratio it has. Is your '68 a stick? That would make it seem even wilder by comparison.
 
I'll tell you this: when I put my foot down, traffic disappears pretty fast in my rear view mirror, and in the few brief "jousts" I've had so far, no one has pulled on me (I don't actually race on the streets anymore; it's just too damned dangerous).

#29 of 36 Re: Gas Mileage [jacklionel] by 2005maggie

May 20, 2008 (11:47 am)

Replying to: jacklionel (Apr 04, 2008 10:38 pm)
Thanks for your comments!
My 68 Weighs 3,800lbs. The magnum Weighs 5,100 according to the door sticker. Compression was increased to 10.1 in the Charger. So you are correct on some point that I have already factored in. I have driven 3 new hemi's and find every one of them has the same lag when accelerating at certain speeds and then the motor kicks in WOT after a momentary delay. At that point it is satisfying but that is the worst 340 I ever drove. And I have driven many high HP cars.i.e Porshe 930 Andile inter cooler waste gate turbo.98 Corvette 350HP. Many 65-69 Mustangs. And now poor maggie
Gotta love the car despite it's lack of EXPECTED power.
Every one I speak with is happy with the performance. Has any one ever driven a real 340hp car before to rate to this one?
 
I may have to chip the ECM to get some more hamsters out of this car.
 
Happy driving to all!!!!

#30 of 36 Re: Gas Mileage [2005maggie] by 2005maggie

May 20, 2008 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: 2005maggie (May 20, 2008 11:47 am)
CORRECTION Maggie is 5,500 lbs not 5,100 and 3,800lbs for the 68 charger. So my number were correct when I originally stated 1,700 pound difference between the two. I hate second quessing myself when someone offers incorect figures based upon their knowlege.My numbers didnt equal the Charger at 2,800lbs as stated by my friends here.
 
Thanks for trying!
 
I am going to beat the shit out of this car tonight an see what she has to offer.
FYI: I have only lost a mild race to one car. Newer Porshe Cayman or 911. I took him from 60-110 and then he kicked in and took a half car leadfrom 110-125. I think I could have maintained lead if I were to get used to the auto stick to gain ground. But the Charger would have eaten him up.. Yum Yum Yum.
 
Thanks to all!!

#31 of 36 Re: Gas Mileage [2005maggie] by jacklionel

May 21, 2008 (7:46 am)

Replying to: 2005maggie (May 20, 2008 2:16 pm)
Whoa-whoa-whoa.
 
Where in the world did you get that a Magnum weighs 5,200 pounds? It would only weigh that much if it were carrying 1,300 pounds of load.
 
The V-6 Magnum that Consumer Reports tested back when weighed, I believe, 3,950 pounds. A Dodge Ram pickup Hemi might weigh 5,200 pounds. Add in the hemi, 5-speed and AWD, and loaded with other options, and it's about 4,200 pounds.
 
(If you were talking about a 1972 Cadillac, then 5,200 pounds would be correct. But cars were huge back then. Just check the weight listed in any Magnum , Charger or Chrysler 300 road test (see below)).
 
I was guessing that the 68 Charger weighed at least 3,500 (the 2,500 pounds cited plus the 1,000 pounds additional I stated). So your figure of 3,800 certainly sounds reasonable.
 
But if you're going to challenge someone else's information, you'd better get your ducks in a row first.
 
Just where did you get a curb weight of 5,200 pounds for the Magnum? That is SO WRONG!
 
Here are some other sources:
 
The Family Car website:
 
2005 SE (2.7 liter V-6) = 3,855 SXT (3.7 liter V-6) = 3,903 RT AWD (Hemi) = 4,142
 
roadandtrack.com = 4,200
 
canadiandriver.com 2008 RT = 4,179 RT AWD = 4,393 SRT8 = 4,260
 
thecarconnection.com 2006 SRT = 4,260
 
motortrend.com 2008 SRT = 4,250
 
autos.yahoo.com 2008 RT AWD = 4,393
 
U.S. News 2008 Chrysler 300C RWD Hemi= 4,046
 
So the cited weights vary slightly (also, it looks as though the weights have increased slightly since 2005). But the highest (admittedly a stretch) is less than 4,400. 5,200 pounds is just silly.
 
By the way, after flowing several tankfulls through my Magnum with drygas, injector cleaner and gasoline stabilizer, my mileage has stabilized (pun intended) at 17 MPG around town, with perhaps just a sprinkling of highway mileage. So it appears as though my initial fears re a N.O.S. 2006 with aged gasoline were well-founded. It’s good that it was so easy to remedy.
 
As for throttle response, my Hemi is quicker than anything I have driven in a long time, but it won’t match that of a 60s-era high-compression V-8. Recently, I read somewhere that there was another reason for slow revving in modern cars, having to do with the computer control.

#32 of 36 My duck is back in his row. by 2005maggie

May 22, 2008 (5:43 am)

Well Maggie performed as I expected with a challenge to a Volkswagen Jetta with a turbo kit. He lost but the car was a challenge to overtake coming from behind. Off the line the car is very impressive however it fails to impress mid and especially at higher speeds. Today I got it up to 128-130.
Between 110-130 there is nothing there. Just a slow creep to 130.
 
To my friend. I have re-checked my ducks and find on was not in its row. I have reprimanded this duck and he promised to stay in row in the future. According to my door sticker my Maggie does weigh 4,142. The 5,500 figure was actually the GROSS weight rather than taking the CURB weight.
 
So back to the fuel rating.
 
Best numbers 23 highway driving like granny in the breakdown lane with no traffic and worst 17 highway opening it up in stretches of my 96 mile round trip with some occasional challenges.
 
That’s it for me problem solved poor gas mileage driving it moderately as the car should be. And poor mid range and no upper end.

#33 of 36 Throttle Lag? by jacklionel

May 28, 2008 (12:13 pm)

I’ve seen a couple items elsewhere on the net regarding the slow throttle response of the hemi, and how you could re-set the TPS by slowly depressing and releasing the accelerator pedal with the ignition on, engine not running. Frankly, I ‘m mystified.
 
I went down to the garage, fired up the Magnum, and could not detect any lag at all when blipping the throttle. End of problem.
 
I have heard that the computer controls of modern cars can lead to throttle lag. I just don’t see it in my car. Perhaps I’m just lucky.
 
I’ve said this before, and probably no one will care what I think, but if you are talking about street racing, it is just too damned dangerous these days (I’ve done a little, but not for years). First, there is just too much traffic in most places I frequent. Secondly, the law is serious about enforcing traffic violations these days, including wildly exceeding the speed limit. And they don’t stop at merely suspending your license and fines. They will throw your ass in jail. And God forbid anyone is seriously injured or even killed during one of your races, you are potentially looking at a long prison term. Think about how much fun that will be. You will be literally trying to cover your ass there.
 
Keep in mind that your Magnum has an event data recorder (EDR) on board, continually recording things such as vehicle speed, engine RPMs, throttle position and a host of other data. In the event of a crash occurring during your racing, this information can and will be used against you in a court of law, helping to send you to said prison. At least your ’68 Charger won’t tattle on you.

#34 of 36 Re: Dodge Magnum: MPG-Real World Numbers [jacklionel] by bbfd86

Jul 01, 2008 (10:44 am)

Replying to: jacklionel (Jan 27, 2008 12:00 pm)
I have a 2005 R/T AWD with 57,000 miles on the odometer. I live in Rochester, New York. I get 16-19 mpg around town depending on how slow I drive. On the highway I get 19-20mpg cruising at 75 mph. I once got 24 mpg on a long, flat road with a tail wind at 55 mph. The mileage is below the advertised figures, but that has been the case with every vehicle I have ever owned. I knew buying the Magnum would be expensive in terms of gas, but it is so much fun to drive, REALLY comfortable on long trips (I'm 6'4" tall) and very safe (AWD, ABS, ESP and all those airbags). My las car was a 2000 Saab Aero Wagon. The Magnum is much more fun.

#35 of 36 Mileage 2006 AWD 5.7 by highlander01

Jul 01, 2008 (7:44 pm)

In the city avg. 17 mpg and on the hwy if I stay at 65 I can squeek 25 mi per gallon.
In ND I use the blended gas 10% ethanol 89 oct.
 
We test drove a 3.5 liter and found it to be under powered and the gas mileage was about the same so we went with the Hemi. I feel it was the right choice for us and the driving conditions for what mother nature dishes out here on the northern plains.
 
I bought the car for road trips and we love it! Went on a trip to Denver with two other adults and all were happy with the ride.
 
50 k and still sounds like the day we brought it home from the dealership.

#36 of 36 Re: Dodge Magnum: MPG-Real World Numbers [pf_flyer] by migrain1

Jul 26, 2008 (10:31 pm)

Replying to: pf_flyer (Jun 12, 2006 9:07 am)
06 RT AWD gets an avg of 17.5 with mostly town driving. Was around 16, but better with a K & N intake added. Much better power too. Does much better if you keep it under 2500 rpm and put it in neutral at stop lights.
  If I drive it like I want to, about 12 is what you get!

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