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S. K.
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2007
09:23:08

Subject: Down shifting trouble/gas mileage
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I just got a 2003 with a 4.7, it down shifts all the time at what I think are unnessisary times. Like when I'm going up a long, not steep, hill and totally empty or just to maintain cruise control or just to increase speed slightly to get around someone in traffic.

Does anyone else have this issue? I can only get 13mpg in town and on the interstate. Is this normal?



choochoo
Dodge Dakota
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9/23/2007
18:47:23

RE: Down shifting trouble/gas mileage
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Nope. Mine is a 2004 QC 4x4 4.7 auto 3.55 axle
Up to 22 mpg hiway. It does downshift out of OD on hills because it is a "double OD" (two of them). The lock-up torque converter will disengage then each OD in order.

If you do decide to get the tranny fluid changed, check for burnt smell/dark fluid, then flush and refill with only Mopar fluid ATF +4.

Check tire pressures too. Keep them even and at least to specs or a couple psi higher.



DSW
Dodge Dakota
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9/24/2007
09:31:18

RE: Down shifting trouble/gas mileage
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Yup, like choochoo said the 545RFE tranny in your 03 is going to downshift a lot. My 00 with a 45RFE (4 speed) would hold OD much better than my 03 with a 545RFE (5 speed). I liked how the 45RFE reacted to slight inclines and not shifting out of OD, better than the lower cruise RPM and constant down shifting of the 545RFE.

As far as your mileage goes, my 00 2wd CC got 18-20 hwy, the 03 2wd QC gets 17-19 hwy, both mostly hwy miles. On the other hand, the mileage on my 01 Durango, 4wd, 4.7, 45RFE gets 14-16MPG hwy and averages 12-13MPG 50/50, city/hwy.

If your getting 13MPG highway on a 4.7 Dak, something is wrong.



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