# Dodge truck milage

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [March 7, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552 "2008-03-07T23:01:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 11\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sourmug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@sourmug](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sourmug)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 11:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/1 "2008-03-07T23:01:48Z")

</div>

On my earlier post I talked about the mileage on my truck dropping from 13-14 to 10-12 mpg. What I was hoping for was about 15-18 mpg, is that feasable with this truck ?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bbowersf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bbowersf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bbowersf)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 11:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/2 "2008-03-07T23:17:09Z")

</div>

I don’t know what kind of Dodge you’re driving, full-size or Dakota. I would: Get it tuned; check the engine contol module; or check the transmission and make sure it is shifing into the final drive, assuming it’s an automatic.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sourmug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@sourmug](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sourmug)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2008, 11:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/3 "2008-03-07T23:55:12Z")

</div>

2000,full size 4x4,5.9,auto, 265/16 tires, 30K miles  
seems like it is shifting fine, rpm’s are around 15-1600 @ 55mph  
What does the engine control module do ? How do I check it ? I had it hooked up to a dianostics computer and nothing shows there.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![americar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/americar/32/42_2.png) [@americar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/americar)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2008, 1:01am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/4 "2008-03-08T01:01:06Z")

</div>

It is what it is

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![oblivion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3ab097/32.png) [@oblivion](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oblivion)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2008, 5:23am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/5 "2008-03-08T05:23:29Z")

</div>

I used to get about 11-13 with mine in the city, and about 15-18 on the highway. Same specs as yours except a couple years older. You’re not doing too bad. Has it had a tuneup recently? Also, I used to get a little better mileage with higher octane gas… of course the increase was offset by the increased price of the gas.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2008, 5:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/6 "2008-03-08T05:31:25Z")

</div>

Ok, you can try synthetic gear lube, transmission fluid and engine oil. You might save something. Eighteen is possible on a very long highway trip. If your transfer case uses ATF, I don’t see any savings there from switching fluid. If you have oversize tires, switch to the recommended size. That is about all you can try that can help. The summer formula gasoline will help when it starts being used again.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![winarth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@winarth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/winarth)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/7 "2008-03-09T02:16:57Z")

</div>

Do you carry anything around that adds significant weight?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bbowersf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/439d5e/32.png) [@bbowersf](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bbowersf)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 4:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/8 "2008-03-09T04:49:19Z")

</div>

The engine control module (the computer) would give a service code when you had it diagnosed, and you said that nothing showed there. But, since your truck is a full-size with 4-wheel drive and V-8 engine, I would say the mileage you are getting is acceptable. If it’s paid for, drive it and pocket the difference between gas money and a new truck payment until you are ready to sell/trade. And buy something much smaller.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sourmug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@sourmug](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sourmug)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/9 "2008-03-09T18:36:44Z")

</div>

Air

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Beefy\_Norm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a4c791/32.png) [@Beefy\_Norm](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beefy_Norm)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2008, 7:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/10 "2008-03-09T19:37:56Z")

</div>

Don’t worry about the control module or anything dealing with the ignition. The truck is running, right? All you can really do is keep the tires properly inflated and pay attention to where you buy gas. Some stations order the supplier to put additives into their delivery, or they just buy the fuel that has the additives in it. A lot of these additives just act as filler to make you think you are getting more fuel per buck. On the other hand, some additives are honestly put in to help your injectors last longer.If your mileage sucks, try a different octane or differnt station until your mileage comes back into an acceptable range. You also have to take into consideration who else drives the truck and what kind of traffic differentails you have.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![sourmug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/94ad74/32.png) [@sourmug](https://community.cartalk.com/u/sourmug)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2008, 1:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/dodge-truck-milage/11552/11 "2008-03-10T13:55:08Z")

</div>

I changed the plugs back to what was recomended on the sticker under the hood, checked the tire pressure, (it was within a couple of lbs.) Already appears to be a little over 13 mpg. When it warms up I will try synthetic in the drive train.
