2011 Hemi MPG

20933 Views 35 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Tymont, Apr 14, 2012

Jamesontf

Discussion Starter · Sep 19, 2011 (Edited)

I purchased a 2011 Durango about a month ago. I have been able to drive about 1500 miles on thus far. I have made two trips in the Durango, on the first one about 450 miles I averaged 21.5 MPG (calculated by hand). I purchased a K&N stock replacement filter, and made the same trip. I averaged 23.5 MPG. I have been really excited about this, I was just wondering what other new Hemi Owners were experiencing? While on the freeway i set the curse at 80 MPH. There includes one mountain pass. Elevation change is 5000, 8300,to 4200 feet.

1 - 20 of 36 Posts

TrixieRT

· #2 · Sep 21, 2011

Bad mpg

I am having the opposite experience. I do 95% of my driving in so cal on surface streets. No matter how much I keep my foot out of it in 'eco' mode, I am only getting about 12.5 mpg. I end up getting about 260 miles on a tank of gas. I knew it would be bad, but this is really bad. Any suggestions?

Jamesontf

Discussion Starter · #3 · Sep 21, 2011

Are you running gas with ethinol? I stay away from it.

TrixieRT

· #4 · Sep 22, 2011

No, just good ol' regular. I think it's because of the short distance I have to drive daily. I only go 12 mi a day with lots of turns and lights. I didn't think it would be this bad. I traded in a 2004 s500 Mercedes that was definitely more efficient. I bought this because of the great reviews, big engine and towing capacity. We have a small trailer for vacations. It's not like I wasn't already aware of the poor gas mileage, but this is not much better than my old, 68' 70 & 71 chevelles.

SRTgirl

· #5 · Sep 22, 2011

TrixieRT said:
I am having the opposite experience. I do 95% of my driving in so cal on surface streets. No matter how much I keep my foot out of it in 'eco' mode, I am only getting about 12.5 mpg. I end up getting about 260 miles on a tank of gas. I knew it would be bad, but this is really bad. Any suggestions?

So, no I don't have a 2011 Durango but that sounds like pretty bad fuel economy to me. My SRT gets 12 to 13 around town and my 05 8cyl Durango with over 100k on the odo gets 17 to 18ish around town, sometimes I can do better. I know when I got my SRT I was getting 8 or 9 on a good day, until I settled down with the spirited driving from light to light .LOL! Maybe your not keeping your foot out of it as much as you think, haha.....just sayin, that new R/T must be a temptation to drive more spirited. Hope your at least having fun regardless of fuel economy!

TrixieRT

· #6 · Sep 23, 2011

I'm definitely having fun and I love it. I did an experiment and watched the mpg gauge as I drove for a few days. I was slow coming off the line and tried to drive as much with the 'eco' on, in between lights. I even made alot of people angry (I am in so cal) with my reserved driving, but still averaged no better than 12.5 mpg. I have more than 16 lights in 6 miles of driving. This could be the problem. I can't wait to go on our 1st trip over Thanksgiving.

SRTgirl

· #7 · Sep 23, 2011

I'd go nuts with that much stop and go! When I lived in NJ the traffic was so bad sometimes you felt like just parking where you were and walking would probably be quicker! LOL

Do you use the AC all the time? I know both my cars get significantly less MPG's in the summer heat than in the winter when I can open them up around town.

TrixieRT

· #8 · Sep 23, 2011

I have been using my ac alot. It's been over 85 each day and I have a 4 yr old who complains about being hot. I think I'll try backing off the ac. It should start getting cooler soon. Today, I didn't even break 11mpg. And boy was I slow off the line. Hate to watch old 4cyls whizzing past me. Do you know if there's anything I can do like changing an air filter that would give me better mpg?

SRTgirl

· #9 · Sep 24, 2011

I have a youngster also and South Florida heat almost always means ac is on. Hubs doesn't like to use ac going to and from work and he definitely does better MPG's than I ever do, and I'm a much more conservative driver. Our Durango has a K&N filter but it's been there so long I don't remember if it really made a difference or not. Alot of folks I know swear their filters have gained them 1 to 2 MPG's, but that would likely be under more optimal conditions.

TrixieRT

· #10 · Sep 24, 2011

Thanks for the advice. Let's stay in touch. Nice to meet another girl interested in cars.

Eurocat

· #11 · Sep 25, 2011

Mpg

The hemi is really poor in city driving. highway is averages 20-21 easily even at 75-80 mph, however 5.7L suck up quite a bit even with slow acceleration off the line.
K&N will only be noticeable going from a clogged up stock on. otherwise no difference.
The 3.6L is the best option if you have a lot of city driving for fuel economy, just not as much fun...

JimD

· #12 · Oct 2, 2011

It get better

I just got over 2500 miles on my 2011 RT Hemi Durango. The gas mileage went from 13 to 15.5 for the same daily driving. About 4 miles of highway and 6 miles of city traffic each way to work in South Florida heat. As the engine loosens up, my economy has improved a lot. Highway only is 22.
Hope yours gets better.

Rico1

· #13 · Dec 17, 2011

TrixieRT, I Also have an R/T with the Hemi. 2012 with the 6 speed auto. I got the same milage as you!!! At least on my first tank (it only got 262 miles on the first tank 262/21 gallons=12.4MPG) I'm also driving in town in Whittier, light footed to break in engine, no A/C. I only got one tank of gas because at 350 miles my transmission went out!!!

BTW, my rental is a 2011 Durango Crew V6, BIG improvement over the Hemi in MPG. Smother ride without the R/T suspension. Same interior rattles in the same places! Same quality issues.

Tymont

· #14 · Dec 18, 2011

I'm sorry, but if you're worried about mpg that much you definately bought the wrong vehicle. lol
12 - 13 city is very good for the HEMI. My 06 SRT Charger never gets more that 9mpg in town. But it's DAMNED fun to drive. lol
I have 2 chargers with HEMI's and a 2000 Durango R/T 5.9L. My fuel bill runs about $1000 a month. lol
I suggest you do like I do.... enjoy the drive and stop worrying about gas milage.

TrixieRT

· #15 · Dec 19, 2011

After putting over 2000 mi on my R/T, I'm used to the poor mileage. I just figure that the advertised 14mpg would be standard and that's what I was expecting in a new engine. I've owned several Chevelles in my time and figured the Durango would be more efficient. I guess it is as I used to get about 7-8 mpg in my '68 with the 402, 490 hp. I love my hemi and have a real winner. Knock on wood, but no mechanical issues yet, just smooth driving.

Rico1, sorry to hear about the trani in the 2012. That along with the electrical recall seem to be standard issues with the '12. I keep searching the internet for reviews and feel lucky that I purchased a July 2011. You should look at some youtube videos for people's complaints.

Tymont

· #16 · Dec 20, 2011

Aren't those manufacturer numbers gotten with the car on a dyno at 55 MPH? I don't believe they are real world numbers.

TrixieRT

· #17 · Dec 20, 2011

Who would calculate city driving at 55 mph when most city speed limits avg 40? That's why they have city and hwy est.

nfd538

· #18 · Dec 20, 2011

SRTgirl said:
I'd go nuts with that much stop and go! When I lived in NJ the traffic was so bad sometimes you felt like just parking where you were and walking would probably be quicker! LOL

Yep driving light to light will kill MPG's. Ha, Jersey traffic sucks arse. Its the arm pit of the country.

stevecast2024

· #19 · Feb 1, 2012

Low MPG Rating

Hello All... I have just under 11000 miles on my 2011 Hemi AWD model and I have recently been averaging no better than 8.7 to 9.2 MPG. I have had the vehicle since the beginning of April 2011 and was averaging around 13 to 13.5 MPG back then but since about September / October I have not been able to do better than 9.5 MPG. Majority of my driving is city driving but I would be okay with 12 MPG or Even 11 MPG but 9 MPG makes me think something is wrong. It also seems that the vehicle is sluggish when getting up to speed. Hard for me to tell but seems like 3rd gear might be sluggish. This was not the case for the first 5 months that I had my Durango.

Any ideas on this??? I realize its a Hemi and AWD but I was getting much better performance a few months ago and everyone else seems to begetting at least 12 MPG.

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Duranged

· #20 · Feb 1, 2012

I have an '11 Crew that I just got on Jan. 2 and have the K&N air filter as well. My first tank I avg'd about 17 mpg, but each subsequent fill up has been worse, I'm now about 2/3 through my 3rd tank and am down to about 14.7 mpg...ugghhh!! I had an '11 Charger R/T with a Hemi and avg'd 17-18 in the city. I hope this gets better especially since I no longer have a hemi.

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