3 MPG increase during road trip!
 

My family and I went on a little road trip this past weekend. 3 hours of stop-free driving to our destination, and on the way home we were never more than 1 mile from the highway, plus the truck didn't sit long enough to lose significant heat. The result was over 16.9 MPG! Obviously city driving kills mileage, but I never expected this, especially since my modification list is: synthetic oil and roof rack cross bars moved to the rear. I'm really looking forward to increasing this further over the coming summer. More synthetics in the drive axles, plus new spark plugs and wires are next up.

wow, don't get me wrong and take this another way but that's just terrible. I would have thought at least 20mpg for a Durango. I had a 2003 Escape (but it did have a smaller motor than your's) and i would get about 25mpg on the highway, that's a huge difference

Are you willing to trade the Durango for something more economical?

the only dodge Durango that can crack the 20 mark is the 2wd with the 3.9L V6

and there's very very few of them....only sold one year....
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

or the later model 3.7L V6 one
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates


or mabe the 2wd with the 4.7L V8
Compare Old and New MPG Estimates

haa i take that back....there was a Hybrid model in 2009 that had a highway rating of 22 mpg:thumbup: much better then 12/13 :rolleyes:
they just had to use the bigger engine....... :(

Don't forget, an Escape is a front wheel drive car-based SUV and a compact at that, while the Durango weighs in at nearly 5000 lbs, seeats 7, and is a mid-size truck underneath, complete with an available 7000 lb tow rating. Plus mine has the 5.9L V8, not the 4.7. Also, a large majority of this past trip was at 70 MPH, not 55.

As for trading it, the only other vehicle that I looked at was the Chrysler Pacifica AWD, and to get one of those that's as nice as my Durango with 55,000 miles on it would be well out of my price range. Don't tell my credit union that I could afford a more expensive vehicle if I reduced my fuel bill by half.

Unfortunately I don't think they had fuel economy in mind when they built that line of vehicles. Every full sized Ram that I know of gets the same or better fuel economy than the smaller Dakota even though they have the same engine. Its strange but they just don't get good economy for some reason.

If you were to consider trading...go for a Suburban...you'll get better mileage, have much more space and seating. I know this because I have one, & its a 1997...

according to fueleconomy.gov, the 2001 5.9 Durango is rated 1 mpg above the 1997 5.7 Suburban, both being 4wd. Plus I know I can easily mod my Dodge for improvement, it's more difficult with the Chevrolet.

My escape was a 4x4 model but either way, it was smaller than a durango

I'm tending to think that a Dakota is too light for its engine. As in, the Dakota, by itself, is not really putting a load on its engine. I tend to find that my fuel economy goes up slightly when I am carrying a load, or if I crank up the A/C. Counterintuitive, but it happens.

Rated 1 mpg higher, since it is ~1000lbs lighter that would seem logical.

By my real world experience and after 283 fills 114K miles of ownership, my lifetime average is 16.358 mpg, with a max tank of 25.174mpg. I usually jump from 16-21ish mpgs while I am not towing 3500-5500lbs 2-3x a month all summer/fall. I have done a partial front grill block and run 235 width tires& synthetics thoughout the drivetrain. Without towing I can easily and consistently hit the lower 20s and I live in a very windy mountainous climate.

Not sure what makes the Dodge any different for modding than any other SUV, large wagon or truck with a topper.

Not here to argue, but the EPA sticker and on fueleconomy.gov reads that the Dakota had the same city & highway numbers as the full size Ram truck did and I have many friends confirm this in real world driving. Not sure if its the gearing or what as one would think that the Dakota would be better due to siz,. but I found it strange. Compare Side-by-Side

Then don't. You and the other overly negative, compact car driving buttholes can go away. I joined this forum looking for support and help, instead I get flak and static. I ain't trading my truck for anything else. Period. I'm here to do what I can with what I have, which I thought was the whole point of modding. I guess I'm wrong.

Not to start any fight here.

Chrysler engines seem to be " drink gas" This come from what I see daily.

I know 1 guy who had 390K miles on 1998 Dodge 1500 ext/4wd with 318 v8. It retired in 2005 at 360K. Used for Detroit/Bay City/ Alger daily driving. He was telling me how he average 15-17 mpg on strict highway.

You could try add vacuum gauge to show how heavy you on gas so you could try improve.

Or get scangauge from here store. It useful for me when I had F350 with OBD2 it was interested to see how much fuel it use to drive.


My old 94 Explorer 4 door 4wd with V6 average 18 in city and 20-23 mpg highway. I think it weight 4500 pound. Speed I only go 60 due gear in rear axle was 3.73.

Now that I've had some time to cool off and think rationally, I'd like to apologize for my previous rant.

That said:

Comparing the Ford Escape and the Dodge Durango does not make sense. You might as well compare a Civic and a Silverado. The Escape is a car-based SUV. It is front wheel drive and is made to stay on maintained roads. The four wheel drive model is all wheel drive AKA full-time 4 wheel (can be used on dry pavement) and is much lighter than a part-time 4 wheel drive system (only useable on slippery surfaces) like the Durango. Even the all-wheel drive Durangos have 4 lock and 4 low ranges. The Durango is also built for towing and hauling much like the Dakota pickup that it is derived from, so beyond the extra weight compared to the Escape, the entire vehicle will be less fuel efficient.

As for the Suburban, that's really impressive to me that such a big truck does so well on gas. Or maybe it's depressing that my "little" truck uses so much gas. Either way, I don't believe that you have ever owned a Durango, and I certainly have never owned a Suburban, and since my driving style and conditions are different than yours, there really is no comparing the two. Right now, I'm seeing 14.5 as an average. That doesn't mean that 20 is unreasonable to achieve, especially once I do some mods to the truck, and get out on the highway a time or two.

Lastly, I shouldn't need to justify why I drive what I do. If the only goal was absolute efficiency, we'd all be riding 50cc scooters or bicycles. Reality adds other factors when picking transportation, some of which we cannot change. My Durango is my reality, and I freely accepted it when I signed the title. I knew what I was getting into, and I also know how to improve it. So, please, either help me succeed when I need it, or get out of the way, 'cuz I'm not about to stop or even slow down. That would hurt my momentum, and we all know that gas mileage loves momentum.

Well lets help with the Durango get all it can then...

Have you considered:
1) doing a belly pan full/partial
2) what about a front airdam or lowering the front an inch or so, does it have adjustable torsion bars in the front
3) Grill block...do you have a scanguageII, I think you night be able to get away with blocking the 4 quadrant grill part as a first step.
4) Mudflap delete
5) pizza pan wheel covers
6) air up your tires a bit, 40psi if possible


I don't think that any of us have to justify what we drive, I am a good example of that as I have a Suburban and a Corolla. Each vehicle has its designated purpose, which I can't/won't compromise on. My friend has a Durango so I am familiar with them and what they get. Anyways, you bought what you did and you're happy with your choice...moving on...

What plugs are you planning on using?

This is all directed to MosersMopars:

1) I think you're already planning that.
2) A 1970-s Camaro air dam works fairly well. I've got one installed on my Dakota.
3) Eh... I would not run one in the summer months. The 4.7L I have generates plenty of heat, and your 5.9L probably generates just as much, if not more. It might be a better idea to fabricate grille inserts using wire mesh.
4) Yep
5) The only issue I've found is trying to get the covers securely fastened to the wheels. Otherwise, this is good for about a 5% improvement in fuel economy. The Dakota/Durango wheels are really aerodynamically dirty.
6) I run 44 psi with no tire wear issues.

And some more Dakota/Durango specific recommendations:

- I think you're planning this too - definitely delete your stock engine driven fan, and upgrade your electric fan to a Jeep Grand Cherokee fan or Lincoln Mk VIII. Then, if you want to experiment with a front grille block anyway, put in a fan controller that comes on below the stock setpoint of 210 F.
- replace your dumbo-ear side mirrors with the smaller 5x8 mirrors.
- use rubber door seals to seal up the gaps between your headlamps and your bumper.
- get rid of your roof rack altogether
- think about fabricating a rear aero spoiler
- think about installing rear wheel well covers

x2. MosersMopars, ignore the naysayers. They don't own your vehicle, you do. If they want you to get a spiffy little baby car for fuel economy, they can buy it for you.

I don't own the Durango & I am not the OP, just trying to help out...

oops. Sorry.

Planned, as soon as I'm up on all my chassis service and have the time to design it.
Airdam also considered, ride height must stay the same for now.
I'm planning this too, after a coolant flush and thermostat change.
No mud flaps
This might take some convincing with the wife, but maybe.
I'm also considering this.

Keep in mind I'm just starting out, I've only had the truck since February and I still have a laundry list of service to catch up on before I go starting on other projects, though some of these may help some with economy also.

Ugh, I used to drive my brother's Durango RT... I feel your pain on the mileage. And I drove it back when gas cost a third of what it does now!

Watching the gas gauge move on highway trips was kind of fun in a demented sort of way, I guess. And that was taking it easy.

i know, just about everyone in their dog suggests getting a different vehicle; i'm modding my jeep(currently getting 17mpg city).

you could try changing out the fuel injectors from 1 to 4 hole of the same lb/hr; did that recently to the jeep, smoothed out the idle; the hear say is that it gives 1 mpg or more for the 4l i6(the injectors are out of a 3.3l chrysler mini-van; bright green after 2000)

other than that maybe re-gear/change tires

and make sure your speedo is accurate

I'll be going with the Bosch Platinum +4s. I know That many people have not had good results with these, but I've put them on 2 other vehicles and seen improvements. On another 2 trucks I've used different non-OEM plugs with "more" spark and gotten gains, so I personally will always upgrade rather than use OEM spec plugs. I'll also be using 8mm spark plug wires and an all-brass distributor cap & rotor for less electrical resistance.

I was thinking about using some heavy-duty zip-ties through the wheel spokes, but I really don't think I can sell this to the wife, although she said it might be okay on steel winter wheels, which she thinks are ugly anyway.

I was planning on a 3.8L Taurus/Towncar Electric fan, like this guy: SnowDigger.com - The Garage - Fan Delete , I take it that GC & Mk VIII fans have been used by others? Can you point me to an example?

And I use my roof rack too much to delete it. At least until I have my trailer closer than 2 hours away.

I've never had problems with +4s, regardless of the supposed "gimmick factor" others here have described. Personally, I think it's a good idea to have 4 ground electrodes rather than just one.

Convince your wife, by mentioning that you'll be saving roughly $3.50 per tankful (or whatever gas happens to cost in your area). Without wheel covers, and using your fuel economy figures, you could go for about 261 miles on 18 gallons of gas. With wheel covers, on the other hand, you could go 277 miles on that same 18 gallons of gas. Or, you could go 261 miles using 16.9 gallons of gas.

I am using a JGC fan, and many people over at Dakota-Durango.com are using either the JGC or the Lincoln Mk VIII fan. The Ford Taurus fan is also a popular switch, now that I remember it.

3mpg is huge in that range. For 30mpg car its meh...

Congratulations on seeing a new high. Extensive, deep records (all gallons, all miles) will reveal the overall average and what really works. The percentage angle is what matters, IMO.

Almost counterintuitively, city mpg can be higher than highway mpg as the former lacks the aero penalty of the latter. I moved my CTD up to 23-mpg in town, recently, and I usually trip-plan 24-mpg highway. Doesn't seem right, even so.

Tell us how the miles break out. Mods predicated on the majority of miles will work best, obviously, and one can spend a lot of time & money where they don't really offer much. Rather, a higher highway number is nice, but if total miles highway is only 20% of all miles, then . . . .

See some good stuff above. Nice to know you're not alone in wanting the lowest fuel burn for your buggy, huh?

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