Subject: Time:8:00
OFFICE MEMO Dakota V8 4x4 long-term MPG report Date:7/26/96
Here's some long-term fuel mileage data I've compiled over the last 2.5 years:
1994 Dakota Club Cab SLT
5.2L V8
4x4
NV-3500 5-speed manual transmission
3.55 rear axle ratio
1800 pound payload option, 4-wheel ABS, Predator wheels, trailer-tow prep,
skid plates, engine block heater, overhead console, and bucket seats
Paint: claret red with silver lower-break
Factory ordered late October 1993, delivered 27 December 1993
No modifications, 100% stock
Mopar rubber bed mat in back (~80 lbs.)
Mopar class-IV receiver hitch (~40 lbs. -- I had to purchase and install since
not included with the factory tow package in '94)
Century fiberglass cargo cover (~65 lbs.) since January 1995
Mobil-1 10W30 oil since 10,000 miles
Nominal geographic location: Massachusetts
Geographic excursions: as far as Burlington, Vermont and Nashville, Tennessee
Present mileage: 55,000+ miles
Tires: stock Goodyear Wrangler AT P235/75R15XL (and still goin')
Date Mileage (MPG)
Jan-94 16.15
Feb-94 16.49
Mar-94 17.30
Apr-94 18.60
May-94 18.46
Jun-94 18.99
Jul-94 18.76
Aug-94 18.85
Sep-94 18.62
Oct-94 17.73
Nov-94 18.01
Dec-94 18.08
Jan-95 17.53
Feb-95 16.82
Mar-95 17.51
Apr-95 18.21
May-95 18.60
Jun-95 19.37
Jul-95 19.14
Aug-95 18.82
Sep-95 19.07
Oct-95 17.99
Nov-95 17.94
Dec-95 17.05
Jan-96 16.65
Feb-96 17.35
Mar-96 17.83
Apr-96 18.18
May-96 20.06
Jun-96 19.56
Each data point above is the month's average, accounts for about 1 tank of
fuel per week (320 to 380 miles) and includes both city and highway miles.
Fuel mileage varies mainly with ambient temperature (and EPA-mandated
oxygenated fuel). Nearly all mileage data is for 87 octane fuel, with no
appreciable increase for higher octane. Peak mileage (21 MPG) occurs on long
highway trips with light loads. No towing data appears in the above figures.
The truck gets approximately 15.0 MPG when towing a 2200 lb. boat/trailer
combination and 500 lbs. of camping equipment in the bed. Tow mileage
includes mountains (well, as high as they get in Virginia, Tennessee, and
Vermont -- ya'll got bigger ones out west). No statistically significant fuel
mileage change resulted from either the bed cover or the synthetic oil. Also,
there is no detectable difference between 2WD and 4WD, which is to be expected
since all of that stuff is turning anyway. I've got a spreadsheet which
accounts for every tank of gas since the truck was new to back all of this up.
Driving habits: speed limit plus 10, highway nominal of 65 MPH whatever the
speed limit, maximum highway speed of 75-80 MPH, and lots of jack-rabbit
starts ;-)
Phil McClay
mcclay@mitre.org
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