Paul,
I was the one who originally posted to the group re bad mileage. Thanks for
your post, very informative and I will keep tracking things. I have a good
Palm OS app to track mileage if anyone is interested.
Mike
<Tubamirbls@aol.com> wrote in message news:9f.125ef734.27de369d@aol.com...
> Hi Sean
> Where did I get the idea your name was Mike?!
> I notice your truck(s) has the manual transmission. Dispite all the
> substantial improvements in auto trans design plus the addition of an OD
4th
> for auto transmissions there is still a gas mileage advantage to a manual
> trans. Many would no doubt argue there is a performance advantage too
> although the gap on that subject has been narrowed to almost nil I think.
> I've owned a vehicle since the mid 50's and have bought new on
factory
> special order 9016030267125f the many I've had over that timeframe and this 2000
> Dakota is the first car or truck I've ever bought with an auto trans (my
just
> previous '86 Caravan was given to me and it had an auto also!)
> Among the custom ordered were a 62 Valiant 2dr (3-in-the-tree), 64
> Valiant convertible 4sp,, 66 Plym Satellite 361 v8/4sp, 70 'Cuda 340/4sp,
73
> Road Runner 318/4sp and several Pontiacs w/4cyl 5 sp's there after.
> I seriously considered ordering a Dakota with manual trans since dealers
in
> my area (SFo Bay Area) tend to stock man trans in 4cyl strip down basic
cab
> versions only. However, the flood of people moving to this area to work
in
> Silicon Valley occupations has created such a tremendous traffic mess
almost
> all times of the day and evening 7 days a week that creeping in freeway
> gridlock with a man trans is more of a pain than a delight and under these
> conditions I think neither trans has a gas mileage advantage over the
other
> anyway.
> At least my truck has been remarkably consistent in delivering
mileage
> that hovers around 20 seemingly with little serious impact from traffic
> conditions. I do seem to be able to get enough open road driving per
tankful
> to overcome the gridlock times.
> I have a fiberglass tonneau cover which I bought after about 2,500mi
and
> did not see any appreciable change in mileage. It is nice keeping the
rain
> out of the bed and having the security of a locked cargo area albeit a
very
> low one height-wise. I think you're right when you say your cover added
> maybe a half mile per gallon improvement. Mine adds maybe 125# of weight
too
> so it's akin to having a young lady riding in my cargo bed at all times
>
> Cheers
>
> Paul Sahlin
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:00:07 EDT