Hello again!

How do I get better gas mileage out of my 98 Durango? About 12/14 mpg is all I can get! I have had this truck for1 1/2 years and enjoy it.....just not the gas mileage.

This is a stock 5.2 4x4 with 96,000 miles. (if this helps).
No tow bar, but I bet the gas mileage would really suck then!

I also have Craftsman tools for sale...............http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_699853/tm.htm


Thanks,

chitown[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

Hi Chitown:
Is that 12 city and 14 hwy? The window sticker on my 01 4.7 says 14 city 18 hwy. I have never gotten better than 12 on a tank when most of the miles are around town. Once in a great while, I can hit 17 or maybe 18 hwy if I hold my mouth right etc, but usually it is 16.
4800 pounds and the aerodynamics of a brick do not lend themselves to economy.

Don

Don,
I get 12mpg around town, and 14mpg on the hwy. My 98 Ram truck was better then this pig. I would be happy with a few more mpgout of it, if possible.

Thanks, chitown

Have you done the obvious stuff yet? Air intake, exhaust, 180 t-stat, check tire pressure and alignment, change spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor? Knock a couple of those projects out and see if it improves.

Chitown, remember that cooling/heating system problem you have, that isnt exactly helping matters. Chrisknows what he is talking about with the obvious stuff, pressure, spark plugs, alignment, plugs, wires, cap, rotor etc...start there. They may not seem like they make a difference but collectively they add up, and again with the aerodynamics of a brick every bit helps. Another recommendation by somemarkets is to spring clean, get rid of un necessary extra weight in the vehicle. Clean out the old magazines, crayons, gold fish crackers, cheeriosin the door pockets (if you have children. DO NOT REMOVE SAFETY RELATED EQUIPMENT!!

My 2003 4.7 Was able to squeak out about 15-16on a road trip recently, but I believe you have the 4 SPEED AUTO, In the 2000 era, I want to say 01-03 they started with the 5 speed auto, another overdrive gear to reduce RPMS, but offset by higher GVWR, and more equipment.

Hey guys!

I will be taking the Durango in for the heating problem.

I should be back on my feet in about 2 to 2 1/2 months from back surgery. I will then do the complete tune up on the Durango. I now have some questions about that........

Should I order all MOPAR parts, or does it not matter? I have always done so in the past....It's a MOPAR, use MOPAR parts.....right? Also, I live in a county that does not have emission testing, what type of exhaust system do you recomend?

Fell free to hit me with ideas, I plan on keeping this truck for a while.

Thanks,

Chitown

With my 98 Durango I can squeeze 15-16 MPG depending on conditions.

I've gotten up to 17.4 MPG hwy and 12.9 average in the city. But if I put my foot in it which I can't help but do I still get 11.5 city.[sm=gears.gif]

That was average. I can coax 17-18 MPG on the highway and 13 in the city if I drive with a light foot.

About what products you want to use do a k&n or airraid intake and you can go with flowmaster or borla (I know there's one more common one out there but I can't remember the name). I am gonna get a fm40 I like it loud though. As far as ignition components go with OEM, MSD, or better. Don't use the cheap stuff. Do not use platinum plugs. I am personally not gonna try any other plugs than Champion, I tried bosch plats and they couldn't keep the D running one night after work...

Don't feel bad it could be worse!

You could do like I have too and run premium all the time!

Plus the best I have ever gotten is 12.7mpg. Granted it is all because of the performance aspects of my truck but I just wanted you to know that there are some that would love to see 15mpg. lol

$50 dollars to go 225 miles takes a toll on the wallet faster than you can imagine

ORIGINAL: Mike954

Don't feel bad it could be worse!

You could do like I have too and run premium all the time!

Plus the best I have ever gotten is 12.7mpg. Granted it is all because of the performance aspects of my truck but I just wanted you to know that there are some that would love to see 15mpg. lol

$50 dollars to go 225 miles takes a toll on the wallet faster than you can imagine




[sm=exactly.gif]I've been too broke to drive mine as much as I want so I'm stuck driving my wifes xA which is a very boring car to drive but it does it's job at 32 city 38 highway...

Yeah Mean, my old Civic saves me as a daily driver. I would be living on the street if I had to drive the D on my 55mile roudtrip commute to work 6 days a week.

Last summer gas hovered around 1$/L or 3.30 $US/G!! I found myself car-pooling a lot, and just giving my buddies a lil money for gas when we went places. Buddy in a del Sol buys 94 octane, he was paying about $3.50 US/G, but it only held 40$.

Larger diameter & wider tires also provide more rolling resistance, so if you have non-stock tire sizes it can change your mileage.

And are you calculating gas mileage by filling the tank until the pump clicks/stops the first time or are you filling it until you can actually see the gas? (that can be the difference of about a gallon)

ORIGINAL: deerang

Last summer gas hovered around 1$/L or 3.30 $US/G!! I found myself car-pooling a lot, and just giving my buddies a lil money for gas when we went places. Buddy in a del Sol buys 94 octane, he was paying about $3.50 US/G, but it only held 40$.


You are tellin me!
My gas guzzler gets terrible mpg combined with living in Orange County, CA. Last year I was paying, at times, $3.70/gallon for the cheap stuff. [sm=jawdrop.gif]

The highest it hit here, during the BS "Gas shortage" was $4.20!(for the cheap stuff). And pump and runs weren't half as bad here as they were in the south (aka States). Us Canadians were getting screwed! That was around Hurricane Katrina time, sept '05.

Thank youall for helping me along with this question.............

Iordered all the parts today, and will have them by Monday. I will not be able to do the job for a month or so duethat I am having back surgery tomorrow.Having parts lay around will help withthe healing process, can't wait to get back in the garage.

Thanks again,

Chitown

p.s. check out the misc stuff for sale, I listed a bunch of newCRAFTSMAN tools.

What parts did you order?

Best of luck on a speedy recovery.

You may want to add a link to your sig. That will help a little, I don't even browse those sections...

I get 14 mpg all the time. But do not switch in a 180 thermostat if you live anywhere cold. I did. And now, not only is my AC busted, but my heater never EVER gets above luke warm. But, the 180 helps keep it from overheating in the summer, and, hypothetically, it could even worsen your gas mileage, but I haven't noticed that. But, because the engine is running cooler, it could lead it to burn richer. Again, I don't have that problem, but it could happen.

-T Hitt

Durango you may want to flush the heater core. Check the announcements at the top of the page.

ORIGINAL: deerang

What parts did you order?

Best of luck on a speedy recovery.

I ordered all MOPAR tune up parts. I am also going to order a K&N filter kit for it, and put duel exhaust on it. This will all happen in a fer months, I just had my back surgery yesterday.........SUCKS being down like this.

Thanks,

Chitown

I also have some Craftsman tools for sale.........................http://www.dodgeforum.com/m_699853/tm.htm

Wow, I remember when I first brought my Durango home and I was posting this exact same issue in DF. It's just amazing how many times this same issue is raised time and time again. I still say they should sit each potential Durango buyer down in front of a gas pump and drop a sledgehammer on his testicles just so we will know what it feels like when we fill up.

What makes it worse is that I knew how bad they are on gas but I still wouldn't get rid of my 5.9.....LOL

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Great analogy!! Laughed for a good couple minutes there. I complain with my 4.7L, i coulndt imagine a 5.9

Yea, I wanted a Durango no matter what, I did no research. I know I wanted low miles, and no tow bar....did not want a work horse. I found mine 2 years a go w72,000 miles on it, and now has 96,000 miles on it. I know the gas mileage sucks, but I would not part with it for anything. I just wanted to know if there were some tricks to get a couple more miles out of it. As I posted above, I ordered it's first tune up kit from a MOPAR dealer and I'm going to order cold air intake for it. I know it will run a lot better, even if I still only get 12/14 mpg.

Thank you all for the comments..... it nice to see people answer old questions from new members.

Rock on,

chitown

Yeah we don't get too upset about answering old questions (they are great for post whores like me LOL).

Just got back from a nice long highway trip with a bit of city driving included, hit a whopping 15 MPG, 20 gals over 300 miles.

I have heard a lot of comments regarding the poor gas mileage on the Durangos. I've been working on getting a 03 SLT+, and it arrived in town today... As I am out test driving it, I thought I'd run it home and see what my wife thought of it... I'm not sure if this is a sign from a higher being, the D-Gods, but just as I turned onto my street, the low fuel indicator light came on. Is this a sign or what!!! haha...

I'm going back in on Monday and signing the papers. I love the truck!! Best ride I have ever had! :D

The bass turds at the dealership that I bought mine from screwed me on a free tank of gas and left me with a little over an 1/8th of a tank. When I told them to fill it up they said they couldn't do that even though it was previously discussed. The D is my 2nd vehicle and I bought my first from a private seller so I didn't think to make sure they filled it up before I signed the papers. Oh well you live and learn all I can say is make them fill er' up before signing.

Mean, I know what you mean. I got mine, had it filled up on the way to the dealer. Truth is I wasn't even looking for a D when I originally went in, it just sort of found me. I didnt even ask, the just filled it up and who was I to argue. right? As for long term use, I get a bit nervous at about 200 miles, since most of my home-work-home mileage is city. I could probably stretch it outto about 250 on Highway, but watch carefully. These figures are based on 12 MPG, and allowing a little play to avoid running out. BASS-TURDS I like it that is rich!!

I did get a "free" fill up when I bought mine. Well they said "free" I am sure I paid for it some where in the paper work! My dad own a few dealer ships on Western ave. in Chicago back in the day. He said he topped off every car he sold....it was never extra.

chitown[sm=americanasmiley.gif]

Magic, a little FYI we have a 5 gallon reserve in these things so they will go for a while after you run out of gas according to the gauge. Do I ever push it? Hardly, when I'm at 1/8 of a tank I will usually fill it up. It's weird even though I know I have it it all I can do is look at the gas gauge and drive like a granny when I'm on E. [8D]

Just a little info about running low on fuel..............

I was told that running low on fuel is NOT good for the electric fuel pump motor. I was told this years ago, and just never run below a 1/4 tank. I have never had a fuel pump go bad in any of my cars.......could this be that I never run below a 1/4 tank?

chitown[sm=icon_rock.gif]

Eh I've just heard don't run out. I understand that the gas keeps the pump from burning up by acting as coolant. But I'm sure that isn't a bad isea it definitely doesn't hurt to fill up at a 1/4 tank (unless you're broke till payday like me ;))

I know what you mean about the money part...............

I also use LUCAS fuel treatment at each fill up. My wife likes to run the fuel down and I feel this will help.

Sometimes I wonder about that 5 gallon reserve? I had my needle sitting directly on E and when I filled it up and topped it off, I got like 17-18 gallons? If so, that leaves almost around 7-8 gallons in reserve?

Also, some things to know about Durangos that affect gas mileage. And that is the gear ratios. Durangos have too many flavors of gear ratios which depends on the outfit you choose on the Durango. I have a buddy with a regular 2WD 4.7l without tow package and his gear ratio is something like 3:42 or 3:55. Whatever the lowest gear ratio is for his D. His D is strictly a highway vehicle and not made to tow anything and his mpg averages around 15 city and 20 highway as he has a light foot and everything on the engine/tranny is well maintained and stock. He did however replaced the paper air filter with a K&N filter which gave him another 1 mpg better gas mileage.

As discussed many previous times also, you will have to calculate the costs of all your proposed mods, over the cost of fuel savings. From what users in this forum experienced, it is not much. Users basically paid the mods purely for performance and the teeny weeny fuel savings is just a added bonus unless you have a lead foot.

I am lucky that my 5.9 R/T can hold up at 12City / 14Hwy as I have full time 4WD and 3:92 gear ratio.

Heck when I do manage to get to E it is always like 20-21 gallons fo me.

Amen brother I have heard that too, The fuel does keep the pump from overheating so obviously the more in there the cooler it runs to a certain point. Amen on paycheck-paycheck toobut thats the cross we bear in the Durango club right? I ran out in my Cherokee about 1/2 dozen times since then I have padded my "RESERVE" a little bit, especially on the D. Call me crazy but I trust those overhead fuel computations about as far as I can throw em. Manual says 25 Gal tank but the most I have ever been able to fill up (to the top of the filler neck) is a touch over 20.0.

I do not trust that reserve thing.

When the Low Fuel light comes on I figure I have around 4 gallons left. Manual says that light comes on with about 3.5 gals left in the tank. Most gas I've been able to put in when that light comes on is 20.5 gallons.

You have a low fuel light? must have been taken out in the 03 models, I wonder if it was replaced by the check gauges light when the gauge doesnt register above a certain level?

My 98 SLThas an amber gas pump light that means low fuel when it lights up.

I believe that there is a big reserve in the tank. I was booting around in the country roads and the light went off. So I went to the end of the long winding, hilly road (about 10km) to the gas station. Turns out it was closed. So I had to head back down that same road, and then drive another 20 mins on similar roads b4 I got to the next gas station. I prolly drove 30-40km with the trip ocmputer saying 1km on DTE. I was ****tin my pants the whole way, even called a buddy to grab a gas can cuz I'd prolly need one. I made it and gave'r a big drink at Petro Canada. Don't remember how much she took, but I was pumping for quite some time

I've been able to get 23 gallons in mine before and I never top off.

do you know how many Litres are in a USG?

ORIGINAL: deerang

do you know how many Litres are in a USG?

I think a little over 3.5 per gallon.

I have a 2000 Durango (5.9) and 2002 QC Dak (4.7). I pretty much run both of them down to the low fuel light. As far as mileage, you just learn to live with it if you love the vehicles. Nature of the beast here.

Yea I agree with you Green, about 23 gallons (roughly 80 litres) is the most I've ever put in.

As far as mileage, you just learn to live with it if you love the vehicles.
Exactly. I wish I could fill up for 40$ and drive for 8 days like my buddies in Civics, but I've driven civics, and never again (at least untill gas prices jump again). I hate being cut off 20 times a day, being pulled over for no reason (which is the honest truth), cringing when hitting rough roads, and not being able to hop a curb to get around morons at red lights.

My VW surprisingly gets horrible gas mileage. 2.0L with 5-spd. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the 268,000km on the odometer, but still, horrible for a 4-banger. I think i get about 10L/100km on the highway, which works out to 22mpg. Some of the boys in 2nd gen are getting 20 out of their hemi's

I think its 4.4 liters/gallon or

but the most I've ever put in mine was 72 liters. and it was chuggin to the gas station:D

Crazy Americans with their US gallons....whats wrong with regular Gallons? Well I don't know how many USG ive put in, but from stretching the fuel light, I've put in about 80 litres before.

ORIGINAL: deerang

do you know how many Litres are in a USG?

3.79 Liters per 1 USG, 4.55 Liters per UKG
http://www.digitaldutch.com/unitconverter/

Also, running it clear to empty, lets any dirt that maybe in the bottom of your tank to get sucked into your fuel lines and injectors and all kinda of bad stuff can happen. The Lucas treatment is good idea, but may get pricey if you do it every fill up. I make sure I do it at least every 1,000 miles, if not every 500 miles (roughly every other fill up). It really just depends on how much cash I have on hand at the time I drive past at an Advance ro Auto ZOne on my way to fill 'er up. I get about 14 mpg when I drive nice and slow, and obey all traffic laws, and generally, drive like a pansy. Now, with the ice and the doughnuts that of course, you HAVE to do everytime you see an iced over, empty parking lot, I get about 12 or so. Typically, I get 13.7 (I got the computer in mine that tells me). I love mine though, I got the 5.2 with the 3.92s in it, I cna do doughtnuts on dry pavement, but I pay the penalty in tires, so I love the ice ;-)

WellI got the best gas mileage from my Durango yet! I have not drove it in a week since my back surgery. I still have a full tank..........lol[sm=smiley1.gif]

Laters,

chitown

Yeah out here in Reno I'm not doing too bad at a tank every 2 weeks it used to be every 4 days in NY. [:@]

Ifound the low fuel light, It comes on as a self test during start up, I guess I justhavent run it down enough to find out if it works during normal operation.Yes, I am scared there I said it...Don't think of it as scared, think of it as overly fuel concious and eeping extra weightand traction for winter driving.