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DODGE DAKOTA QUAD CAB FUEL ECONOMY 3.9 4.7 5.9
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Comments
Allen-
Bookitty
as if it were "out of the question." As you put more miles on your vehicle, it will tend to improve. The reason I am using the 3.92 as an example, is because many times if a dealer orders one with a towing package, they will opt for that ratio to assure maximum capacity. I would be curious to learn the other facts as regards your truck. Tony, if you have not done so, go to the owner's club section of Edmunds for Dodge Dakota and sign up as a member. There are a great number of people there to help out with information, advice, etc.
Bookitty
PS - I don't think the AC has been turned off yet.
Bought gas for $1.40 per gallon at Sam's Club in North Little Rock. Haven't seen that price since April here in Illinois!
Took a road trip last week, 1800 miles round trip from North Carolina to Upstate New York. 2 adults, 2 kids, weeks luggage and supplies. 75 mph using cruise control most of the way. 17.9 hwy. 13-14 mpg city.
Started trip with 1800 miles on the truck, ended with 3600. Three weeks ago took a 1000 mile round trip from North Carolina to Atlanta Ga. Got two more 500 mile round trips scheduled for next week. 5000 miles in six weeks. Tough first month for the new truck. Hope to settle down soon to a much more common 1000-1200 miles a month.
My most frequent mpg's are between 15.3 to 15.8. My range to date has been from a low of 15.3 to 17.9 mpg.
For every bad review I also see a good one. What is the real deal? I live in Houston. I will not be towing. What are your comments? and are you happy about the mileage your getting?
Please advise.....Thanks
Should this stop me from buying? Should I be worried?
What has been your experience?
All of the commotion has been about the new "multi-speed" computer controlled automatic that can be mated to the 4.7L V-8. Both the 4.7L and the Multi-speed's computer modules "learn" your driving style and this seems to have been a source of "new-owner anxiety" where its not acting like you think it should and the slipping does eat into the gas mileage. Also, there have been some serious problems where the transmissions have failed or are starting to sound like they will.
I have a 4x4 Quad with the 4.7L and a 5 sp. manual transmission. The window sticker stated that the gas mileage is better than the V-6 set-up but this all depends on how heavy one's foot is. I can't remember seeing anyone posting about manual transmission problems and to date mine (trans and clutch) has performed well. I figure I've gotten the best engine and the best transmission in the best truck.
I chose the Quad because it had more internal room for stuff I want to lock up and being a boy scout leader I'm also hauling kids somewhere. Although the bed is smaller than the Club Cab, I'm only hauling stone, bushes, etc. for around the house and a dead deer if I'm lucky during the hunting seasons.
The power contest 'isn't,' as the 4.7 is the best of the best. As for mpg penalties, just keep your foot out of it and the 4.7 (even w/ auto) will get high teens - maybe 20-21 at 65mph or less. The low-end mpg should be in the mid-teens around town. I'd guess you'd average about 16.5-18 in Houston with that combo; with the V-6 manual you'd probably beat that by 1-2 mpg, and simply not have as much fun, AND have a real resale monster on your hands in a few years. So it's probably a false economy over time.
Get the 4.7 with a manual or the auto - there's a a very good reason most of us do/did. ;-)
I've got 22k HARD miles on mine now - no problems except a blown relay - the 4.7/auto tranny is an exceptional combo I'd not hesitate to buy again. my mpg keeps creeping upwards - now about 16 city / 19 hwy average. My window sticker says 15/ 20. Not bad, and it gets better as I learn to stay out of the throttle, letting my powerband stay 'rich.'
Hit 5000 miles on the vehicle yesterday. Milage has been creeping up with every tankfull. Hope that never ends.
My last fillup was after 320 miles on ONE TANK of fuel. (I have the smaller tank)
PS: I realize thes numbers are not the 'standard' MPG readings but they are my 'seat of the pants' measurements I can perform on-the-fly. My RELATIVE readings at each fillup keep getting better.
Bookitty
P.S. first time it broke 20 mpg, now has 4,200 miles.
What has become interesting is that my fuel costs between my Dakota and my previous truck ('99 Mazda B3000 4X4 5-speed) is only $5.00 (or less) per week. The Mazda got a solid 20.x MPG during an average week of driving. But I had to run hi-test in the darn thing because of a severe pinging problem with the 3.0L V6. Shoot, for 5 bucks (or less) per week, I'll drive that sweet V8 and just keep smiling!
I really like this truck. Unique looking, great drive train, roomy and comfortable. The Dakota is a real keeper. I was holding out for a 2001 Ranger or Mazda with the 4.0L SOHC V6. But I test drove the Dakota on a whim and was smitten. I'm glad I gave it a try. Great truck...
The computer indicated 17.3 mpg but I didn't reset the computer when I picked the Quad up from the dealer this week. (I didn't know how at the time...)
I also noted that the Low Fuel warning light (and chime) came on just as I was exiting the Interstate to stop for gas. It took exactly 20 gallons to fill the tank, indicating a 4 gallon "reserve" at least when MY light comes on.
The taller tires will increase mpg so I'll be interested where it levels off in 2-3000 miles. I'm very happy with my initial mileage as the window sticker indicated 13/18.
fat_fenders
As we get ready for retirement and the unpredictable winters here in CT, we figured that a 4wd would be handy. We are a bit unsure about the choice between the 3.9 and the 4.7. We aren't into road rage or road racing, but with the occasional New England winters and all the hills, my guess is that the 4.7 would be better to power the 4wd. Yes? Yet, we don't do off-road stuff so we'd want the best rear gears for highway driving. Any comments and recommendations based on your experiences? sounds like ABS is a plus since I don't like the rear swinging around on me. LSD rear? who knows? Definitely manual shift for both of us for mileage boost and we like the control.
Any quirks about fuel tank size or placement? or anything else? and what about front seat sizes for us bigger guys on a long haul? I'm 6'1" and 220lbs, used to driving a Grand Marquis... what do you think? will I be able to stand long hours on the road in the Dakota Quad Cab? May the Lord Jesus bless you all for any thoughts and help you may offer. Thanks. direct emails are welcome also: cmarsz@erols.com
I am not sure what kind of quirks one would have with a fuel tank. Unless you are talking about the old chevies with side tanks that blow up. Anyway the Quad fuel tank is located in between the rails. The Quad has a 24 gallon tank that signals at 1/8 tank that you are low on fuel. That normally means you still have 4 gallons of fuel left. I have not been able to overfill the tank. Put in the nozzle and dispense till it automatically shuts off. Try to put more fuel in and the nozzle refuses. It is full.
I am 6' - 6'1" and 235. Depending on where your height is, it is remarkably comfortable. There is gobs of leg room so if you are tall in the legs and short in the body, No problem. Conversely, if you are tall in the body, your head will rub the re-enforcement bar in the ceiling of the cab. The buckets seats are high on the sides to hold you in so if you have large thighs, it may seem cramped.
I have 4000 miles of highway trips in the last 8 weeks. I was comfy. Mine tends to pull to the right so I spend more time than I want fighting the pull so I had some shoulder strain as a result of that. We had 2 adults and 2 kids for all those miles. Rode very smooth on the highway. Tracker trailers passing by do not cause the vehicle to sway. Low road noise, nice stereo. The wheel base for the Quad is probably pretty similar to your Grand Marquis. Long wheel base smooths out bumps but remember this is a truck and not a sedan. It will ride stiffer.
Check out the owners conference for the Quad. Lots of stuff about what people like/don't like. Good reviews of accessories.
Make CERTAIN that you lodge a complaint with your dealer.
I had a new Honda with bad alignment from factory. The dealer agreed to do an alignment for free. I pointed out that the front tires were PERMANENTLY damaged so they put 4 NEW Nokia tires on it.!!! (I would expect this kind of service from my Dodge dealer too!)
I still have minor pull and the front tires are cupping on the outside edges. I have 5850 miles so it is due for its 6000 mile alignment, tire rotation, and balance next week. I am hoping that clears up the pull.
Thanks for the concern. Around town milage is 12.3 with 4.7, auto, lsd, t&h. Maybe this is part of the poor milage. Someone else posted the new window stickers say 13/18 instead of 15/20. 13/18 is more what I am getting.
I was surprized by this too when I first read the window stickers. You have a BIG truck being powerd by an ineffecient engine....
THe $$ you saved in not getting the 4.7L will be spent in fuel over the life of the vehicle.
1- Preference
2- Affords me a bit better control when driving on ice, snow and in other less than optimal conditions.
I'm not certain as to the power and mileage, and the latter if based on highway driving could actually show improvement over the manual by the automatic. Then there are the various factors such as rear end ratio and 2WD versus 4WD. From the postings in this forum, I am certain that whichever you choose, if it meets your personal and particular needs, it will more than satisfy you as it is a great truck. It will be more difficult to locate a manual transmission "on the ground" and you would most likely have to order the vehicle. This is the best answer I could come up with based on the limited input of the query and restricted by my personal experience.
Bookitty
I pulled a 1700 lb, 12' Starcraft pop-up @ 70-75 mph for entire trip, averaging 16.3 mpg. The Quad had about 1100 miles on it when we left. I'm happy with that and would expect a slight improvement in mpg with more miles on it.
Thoughts -
Power - This truck's power is impressive. No problem passing semi's going 70 mph and accelerating to get around, all while towing. Could barely tell I was pulling a 1700lb load. Gives a sense of confidence not available with my '94 V6 EX-plorer. Power was also noted when leaving stoplights or pulling onto highway. No problem when needing to get up to highway speed quickly!
Transmission - in a word; SMOOTH. O/D worked just fine. On hilly stretches, I disengaged O/D when trans started to "hunt". Seems to be an entirely different set of gearing with O/D disengaged. My guess is that w/out O/D, gearing puts trans closer to power-band of motor. Acceleration w/out O/D was effortless, even uphill. Engine did tend to wind out a bit more when accelerating in O/D. Engine speed @70mph; w/OD about 2200rpm, w/out OD about 2900rpm. Difference in mileage indicated by overhead computer, about 2 mpg. (RPMs estimated due to limited markings on tach.)
Comfort - Drove about 200 miles in around 3 hours without stopping. My back wouldn't have lasted that long in my '94 EX-plorer. Adult passenger in back felt seat was extremely comfortable. Could use a bit more leg room to keep legs from cramping. A periodic leg stretch over the center console helped...
Towing - Pulls my camper straight and steady. My EX-plorer tended to fish-tail a bit when changing lanes. Quad's wheel base and stiffer suspension is probably the difference. I had it going 80mph for a couple minutes and even at that speed, the Quad was smooth and could have done more but...not while towing and with family on board.
Suspension - Very nice ride. However, this IS a truck and over rougher roads, you do tend to get bounced around a little. Maybe more weight in the box would help as I only had two coolers of priorities in there (food, beer). Rear suspension barely moved with tongue weight of trailer added.
Sorry for long post as most of this is outside of topic, but rather than post twice, I put it all here.
fat_fenders
Vehicle had 350 miles on it when I took delivery.
Trip odometer said 297 miles.
filled up 17.95 gal (topped off)
driving style:
about 1/3 highway (65-80mph), 2/3 city
Occasional loss of self-restraint (ie havin' fun)
OK, fairly often.
BTW, gas gauge read 1/8 tank, and gas lite just
came on.
The 1700 lbs was loaded. It's about 1480 empty.
fat_fenders
Another criteria to judge by is if you're married or not. Auto if not, 5sp if you are - have to keep your hands busy doing somethin'.
Note: 2K 2wd Quad 4.7 5spd 3.55lsd
I have purchased 562 gallons of gas ($852.00) for a truck:
Average 21.1 MPG
Best 23.6 MPG
Worst 15.3 MPG (pulling a popup camper)
I love this 5spd. It's so close to my old 5.0 5spd Mustang, that I can get carried away. I agree with Boo on the winter driving. In Michigan I would much rather have a stick than an auto in the snow.