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sxt
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2004
13:44:26
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 Subject: miles per gallon
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i got a question for any who might know. my MPG has gone down and i was wondering why and what i can do to get it back. my sxt dakota is a 2002 and i just passed the warranty 36K miles. so i cant really take it in and i was wondering what i can do to get it back. thanx
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GB2000
GenIII
5/02/2004
13:56:08
|  RE: miles per gallon
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I'd make sure your 02 sensors are working correctly for one thing... they should be fine, but if one decided to go bad a bit early, that could be your problem. There's a lot of other things that can cause it as well, yet I can't friggin remember what. *beats head on table*
Josh
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daffydak
GenIII
5/02/2004
14:01:30
| RE: miles per gallon
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spark plugs maybe? what if any mods have you done to your truck?
I just put new plugs in my truck and WOW what a difference. i tried the autolite 3923 plugs (colder heat range) even though i had no pinging (turned my truck into a pig).
so i put in the correct heat range splitfire plugs!! now she idles better, and dosent have that off the line stumble that i thought was related to my v8 TB!!
just my .02
Dan
mopar=mopower
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Luke93
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2004
14:05:50
| RE: miles per gallon
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Don't Dodge's have a 7 year 70k mile powertrain warranty or did they do away with that?
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GB2000
GenIII
5/02/2004
14:10:22
| RE: miles per gallon
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When you talk about the "off the line stumble" what are you referring to exactly? If I floor it from a standstill, I either spin my tires or it feels like it bogs out until it hits about 2000 or so rpms and then it takes off. Is that what you're referring to? If it is, I may have to do another spark plug change soon...lol. Mine didn't do start doing it til the new tb, plugs, and 180 thermo. I was thinking it was my tb...like maybe I'd removed too much and was getting too much air into it.
Oh yeah, sxt...if you changed your stock thermostat to a 180*F thermo, that can sometimes cause a pretty noticeable change in gas mileage. After I did it, it seemed like it was really sucking gas. I just calculated it yesterday and I'm averaging around 16.22 mpg...not as bad as I expected, but it used to be a bit better.
Josh
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sxt
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2004
15:38:46
| RE: miles per gallon
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ill try it out. but yeah i was down to about 11- 12.5 mpg and still the same. i drive about 50 miles every day at least and on big days about 100. this s**t is gettin old and gas aint gettin any cheaper.
so new thermostat and some new plugs, what about wires? i sure i hope i can get back to 16 to 17 range. thanks all
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TOMZ
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2004
15:44:36
| RE: miles per gallon
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sxt, could be almost anything. O2 sensor, TPS, Idle motor, Water temperature sender, catylitic converter.
What was your gas mileage before? What is it now? Have you changed you daily driving habits lately? What mods do you have to the truck? We need to know a few more specifics about yuor truck to give you an answer. Also is it a stick or auto?
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GB2000
GenIII
5/02/2004
17:29:47
| RE: miles per gallon
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sxt,
If you have the stock thermostat still in it, don't change it to a 180*F. You'll probably lose mileage if you do. Sorry, I wasn't exactly real clear on that. 11-12.5 mpg definitely shows there's a problem...you should be getting a bit better than that. I'd definitely check the voltage on your 02 sensors and make sure they're working correctly. The voltage should flip flop from like .1 - 1 or something like that. If it's not, it's not working correctly and needs replaced. I think there's 2 O2 sensors on your truck. One before the cat and one after...it'll look like a spark plug sticking in your exhaust pipe with a couple wires attached to it.
Josh
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GB2000
GenIII
5/02/2004
19:13:29
| RE: miles per gallon
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I just found the list of possible problems that could cause bad gas mileage....these were suggested by Larry not too long ago.
O2 sensor
plenum gasket
bad injector
injector sync
180*f thermo running too cold (if you have one)
engine temp sensor reading low
Josh
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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5/02/2004
22:47:20
| RE: miles per gallon
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All emissions controls have a 5-year, 50K mile warranty by federal law. Some items are as high as 8-year, 80K miles. If an O2 sensor is bad, you can get it replaced for free.
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GB2000
GenIII
5/02/2004
22:49:56
| RE: miles per gallon
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I've never heard the 5 yr/50k one...are you sure about that? I know the catalytic converters are warranted for the 8 yr/80k though.
Josh
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Bob Lincoln
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
08:08:59
| RE: miles per gallon
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Yes, years ago the government forced all automakers to warranty their emissions controls for a minimum of 5 years/50K miles, regardless of the general warranty. The catcons were extended to 8 years, 80K (possibly because the average car is owned for 7 years, or was then).
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Porch Monkey
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
13:18:58
| RE: miles per gallon
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Bob Lincoln is right..
To get better mileage I'd change the air filter, too, or clean if it's it's an aftermarket one. Take the tailgate off or put a cover on it. Plus what everyone else said.
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watkinstick
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
13:43:21
| RE: miles per gallon
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Actually... If you take the tailgate off, it would make it worse. Our trucks a made to be areodynamic with the tailgate on. Some people take it off to reduce drag and does not always help it usually makes the drag worse. But putting on a tonneau would help a lot.
Josh
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JFH
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
16:06:54
| RE: miles per gallon
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I don't want to start an argument, but the tailgate on or off will be the same. Aerodynamics are very tricky, for the best results on any pickup, either cover the bed (hard cover is better than soft), or buy a kit to keep the tailgate somewhere between 30 and 60 degrees depending on your speed. Steeper is better for high speeds while flatter is better for low speeds. If you'll be changing speeds a lot and don't have anyway to adjust the tailgate while driving, leave it at 45 degrees.
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
16:15:35
| RE: miles per gallon
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JFH,
Just curious, and I don't don't take offence to this, but how do you know about the aerodynamics and the tailgate thing? Where did you find out about that?
Thanks.
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JFH
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
16:17:34
| RE: miles per gallon
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I am an Aeronautical Engineer. I design and test Aircraft.
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J-Man
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
16:26:49
| RE: miles per gallon
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I think I remember reading that somewhere, but how did you come up with 30 - 60 degrees being the best. Did you test this?
Again, just curiousity here.
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JFH
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
17:14:51
| RE: miles per gallon
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I didn't personally do the test but I did read through the test results. My Uncle is also a Aeronautical Engineer, only he works with automobiles. He used to work with the Nascar Truck series, but now works on the design which designed the new Dakota. For the best results, get a lightweight hard cover and a spoiler like the ones you see in the Nascar Truck series. I have seen flat 45 degree spoilers for trucks, but don't know where to find them. If you want to see my cover look here
http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/546400
It was very light and low profile.
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Critter
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
20:01:41
| RE: miles per gallon
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I have done a few mods to my truck since I got it. The first mod to increase milage was the new intake. Wow what a change, better power, more milage. When i got the truck it was gettin 14-15mpg. After my intake, headers, flowmaster, MSD system, synth oil changes even with me flooring it everywhere I can I am gettin 16-17. I am puttin a Tonneau and a v8 TB on this week so we will see how it does.
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greendak
Dodge Dakota
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5/03/2004
22:21:49
| RE: miles per gallon
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I get around 17 or so gallons to the mile.
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