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00dak
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
11:19:26

Subject: RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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By now you guys should of realized that no matter how sexy our trucks may be, no matter what you thought when we got our V6's they get worse gas milage than the V8's ever will. Reason being: It is to weak of a motor to efficantly move our trucks. Don't get me wrong, it will move the trucks fairly effortlessly or so it seems. I love the hell out of my Dakota and will drive it do the day it dies. But if I wanted fuel economy I should of gotten a V8. I know a couple of people that have V8 Dakotas and all around they get about 2-3 mpg better than me. Reason for V6......cost efficiant when buying but it will pay for itself in gas really quick. By the way, 13.5 mpg city and 18 mpg highway, that is driving without my foot stuck to the floor.



TuckerLudlow
Dodge Dakota
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10/07/2003
22:29:42

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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I'm getting 16-17 around town in my '02, automatic. Dropped in a K&N filter. Had dino oil in it when I got it a couple months back, but put Mobil-1 in it when it had to go in for a warranty repair to the pan. So far, that's all I've done.

Finally was able to put together a road trip up to the NC mountains to check highway mileage this past weekend, and it gave me 23.1 on the road. I'm pretty happy with that, but I think that a good ignition system will help a good bit, too. As soon as the warranty is up, that and AMSOIL throughout are the next things that I'll try.



Whyr
Dodge Dakota
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10/08/2003
15:10:07

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Seems like the best thing you can do to get better gas mileage is NOT to buy an automatic!

2001, 3.9L, 5 speed, average 25mpg



jOE
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2003
01:58:45

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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I hightly doubt you get a consistant 25mpg. Not that many cars get that, needless to say they have better aerodynamics and less weight, front wheel drive, and less cubbic inches. Maybe 25mpg down a long hill. My old sunbird that weighed around 2700lbs with a 2.1v6 rarely got 25mpg, more like 22mpg.
Joseph



99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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10/09/2003
11:55:28

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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I used to consistently get 28mpg highway with a '90 Firebird 3.1 V6 - my 2x4 CC V6 Dak gets a solid 22mpg highway @ 75mph (stock except for 180 t-stat and Bosch platinum plugs)



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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10/10/2003
00:12:36

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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My 97 Z28 would get 27-28mpg highway, but check it out. Weighs about the same as the Dakota but much better aerodynamics. In 6th gear going 70mph pulls about 1700rpm. But throwing a brick through the wind at 70mph while doing what 2100rpms seems like it should get 20or less mpg.
Joseph



Josh
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2003
00:54:51

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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I know where u are coming from. I have a 92 dakota sport 3.9 V6. The best i ever got was 17 mpg, but always having my foot stuck into the floor (and lovin it) seeing as i am an 18 yr old boy driving a fast truck it runs around 13 mpg. the fastest I have ever had it was 135 mph, then the rev limiter kicked in a 4k rpms. Anyways i love this truck but the gas millage sucks



GB2000
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2003
01:04:46

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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135 MPH @ 4000 RPMs???

When I maxed my 98 dak out I was doing 105 MPH @ 4800 RPMs. That's my redline so that's where I let off cuz I didn't wanna learn the hard way what blowing an engine was like. That was with O/D off.

Josh



wolfman74
Dodge Dakota
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10/11/2003
08:51:07

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Same here - '94, 3.9L, 3.90 rear end, 12-13 in town, 17.5 best highway. I have a K&N, Borla dual exhuast, 235/70-15 tires. Best I got was 19 before I added anything. I also have a cap with a spoiler but it doesn't make much diff. Maybe 1 mpg.



Draugluin
Dodge Dakota
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10/25/2003
19:13:39

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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I average about 20mpg, thats about 300 miles per full tank of gas, and thats using Octane 87 (Mid-Grade)

Sometimes it depends ont he way you drive, if you are agressive of course your gas mileage is going to suck, and if you treat your truck cheaply, then it performs like a cheap truck. Poor gas mileage also results in putting poor gas into the truck.

Also some things also contribute to poor gas mileage, IE sensors.



720
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
14:06:20

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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does anybody know the gas tank size of a 3.9L 93 kota?



Joe
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
14:22:44

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Mine has a 21gal tank I believe, may be 22gallon



J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
15:03:09

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Although I don't have a Dak, I have a RAM with the 3.9L V6. It's a 96 short box, and stock I would get about 25 mpg on the highway. During the winter months (I live in Canada, so that's like 2/3 of the year) with the colder weather, warm up time, and stop and go in the city, the worst I ever got was over 14 mpg. As far as I know, the only difference between the Dak and Ram is a slight timing advance on the Ram PCM, and worse aerodynamics and more weight on the Ram. It's astonishing how low some the gas mileage numbers you guys post really are. I just did the TB mod, and am going on a 1500 km trip this weekend, so I should see what kind of effect that has.

J-Man



JFH
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
15:13:17

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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My 93 averages 18-20 daily driving, I get 23-25 highway.



swilliamson
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
15:24:07

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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With my 3.9l, I get 15 mpg +/- 0.2 everytime, all the time. But, I am either driving around in town, or towing my camper. Back before the camper, I would 19-21 on the highway, depending if the tonneau was on, and how much of a hurry I was in. Right now it is bone stock, 80,000 miles. Considering the 180 T-stat, the TPS mod, 3923's, electric fan, intake and flowmaster or gibson single out exhaust. It is also due for a tune-up, so cap, rotor, and wires will be replaced soon.



Josh
Dodge Dakota
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2/25/2004
21:18:39

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Well what can we say, the 3.9 is pretty much a gas guzzler unless you have 2wd and a stick. I have a 93 extended cab, 4x4. During the winter I've had it as low as 8 or 9 and during the summer I average 12-13ish. They just weren't made to be economically balanced I guess.



GB2000
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2/25/2004
21:31:29

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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They're trucks...if you want something fuel efficient, buy a hybrid.

Josh

Red 98 RC V6 2wd Single in/dual out exhaust (soon to be switched to a flowmaster 40 single in/dual out), s-bolt "mod", Edelbrock 10" round air cleaner w/ K&N air filter, removed rubber flap...and more to come

Jake
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2004
10:42:43

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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Josh, if your mileage it that bad, I suggest you do some work or change your driving habits. My 95 from new got 19-20 and now with the mods and fluid changes averages around 21 city/highway. Its a Xcab 4x4 5 spd with 111K on the clock. The best milage to date was 23.9 on a trip.




Darryl
Dodge Dakota
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2/26/2004
11:35:25

RE: Better MPG from a 3.9L?
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We can spend all the money we want on synthetic fluids, intakes, exhausts, tornados and all the rest of the magic potions.

But the real mpg maker or breaker is under your right foot....Period!

The way you drive ANY vehicle, interms of that little hinged pedal, will make ALL the difference in how much you pay and how often you pay it.



Darryl



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2/26/2004
11:55:37

Amsoil Synthetic Oil - Dodge Dakota MPG
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Darryl,

I agree with you to a point. When I notice that I am getting better gas mileage ... I begin to drive harder. When I notice that I am getting terrible mileage ... I tend to drive more conservative for a while. It is a never ending cycle.

Maybe my shoes are at fault.
Maybe I get less mpg when I am wearing my steel-toed boots ; - )



Steven Roark , Amsoil Dealer , Proud Sponsor of www.DodgeDakotas.com

AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products



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