Dodge introduced a V10 engine to select Ram models in 1994. While the engine promises increased power and performance, it is not economical in terms of gas mileage. According to Dodge's website, the Viper V10 is the only vehicle released in 2010 with this complex engine. This fast, powerful car is rated in the city for only 13 miles per gallon of gasoline. While these numbers are discouraging, there are ways to make a Dodge model V10 engine more efficient to improve fuel economy.
Follow the maintenance recommendations for your vehicle. Bring it to your local Dodge dealer or a reputable mechanic for routine oil changes, spark plug replacements, and fuel filter inspections. The Edmunds website also recommends using specified octane levels of gasoline and grades of motor oil to improve vehicle efficiency.
Properly inflate your tires. The Fuel Economy website states that a 3.3 percent improvement in gas mileage can be achieved by inflating tires to the proper pressure. Correct pressure recommendations can be found on the white sticker on the inside of the driver's door jamb.
Take items you do not need in the vehicle out of it. Decreasing the weight of the vehicle also decreases the workload and results in more effective fuel use.
Drive slower and less aggressively. Highway driving is typically more efficient than city driving because of fewer instances of acceleration. Avoid braking and accelerating quickly just to brake again. Using cruise control and avoiding speeds over 60 miles per hour are recommended by Fuel Economy.
Turn off the air conditioning. This reduces the workload on the engine as well. If you must do something to keep cool, roll down your windows while city driving and use the air conditioning at highway speeds.
