Pending mod on mine is the new K&N CAI kit. I ordered one yesterday. We'll see if it boosts mileage a bit more.

The CAI should increase your hp a bit and allow the turbo to spin up a bit faster but I think you might sacrifice some mpg, not gain them.

 

depends on how you drive. @starscream5000 has a lot of go-faster mods; but he uses them for efficiency; which is the point of go-faster mods in the first place.

 

As long as you stay out of boost, go fast mods can help out the MPGs. My biggest gains in MPG came from DRP's 2.5" intercooler pipe kit.

My best MPGs so far were from the last tank. 720.6 miles on the tank, 49.89 MPG, 93 octane. 1.4T 6MT

 

As long as you stay out of boost, go fast mods can help out the MPGs.

Ya but what fun is that?

 

I'm kind of biased but... The Aero is the nicest sounding Trim. It sounds the most futuristic and cool and techy (deploys barrier to shield flames).

 

I am liking the very faint whistle of the turbo when cruising at interstate speeds. Perhaps the K&N will make it more distinguished. Some reviews I've read on other K&N Typhoon applications are claiming an mpg boost of 3-4 mpg. I figure I'll try it (well...kinda committed now). BTW, The 45 mile commute is basically a downhill going, 6000 ft to 4200 ft with the continental divide (6300 ft) in the middle (at about mile marker 20), then uphill coming back. So far, on the drive up (because I've filled up before heading home) I've been getting about 34 mpg on the car's computer. The speed limit for most of the road is 65 mph.

 

"It doesn't have the growlly exhaust note like the other models, and actually just has a single tailpipe."

Thanks for the report on the Aero, I didn't know that it doesn't have a dual exhaust, I assumed it was like the other 1.4L turbo, Abarth based engines. My local dealer lists that he has one silver Aero in stock, but I'll be danged if I can find it! 90% of his cars are 2.0L with 6 speed automatic. The Aero was around 21,000. He has one SXT Rallye with the 1.4L turbo and DDCT for about 24,000 in Citrus. I love the 1.4L and DDCT for myself, but I know my wife will not adjust to the way the DDCT works. It really looks like the GT may be the way to go for me, but I'm still checking.

 

Without using the shifter; it'll work like any other automatic. She probably won't tell the difference. You still have to put it in 'manual mode' to do the shifting yourself. As far as the exhaust note; the Aero has the 1.4L; and you can always change the exhaust & buy the dual-outlet diffuser from the 'normal' 1.4 exhaust setup.

 

Does anyone know if it is worth putting a k&n filter in the factory air box or just saving to buy the complete CAI? Just looking to save a little money if i can.

 

I was going to do that, and maybe I should have, but opted for the K&N CAI kit instead. I'll document the install when I get it, then give honest data on mpg or performance and see if it is worth the investment.

 

I am the proud owner of a 2013 Aero. We took posession of it on Monday. My car search started a week prior with the goal of a 40+ MPG car. We were settling in on a Nissan Versa but I convinced my wife to look at the Dart. (I'm a Dodge guy). We knew the Dart would be more expensive...but so long as we gained value with the price increase, we were okay. Ultimately, our dealer had to find the car we wanted with the options we wanted, but we've been happy with our Red Fire automatic Dart.

She has been driving the car between Indianapolis and Chicago and has been happy with the mileage. I'm debating adding some trim pieces (chin spoiler, spoiler, etc) so it matches my 2009 Challenger SRT8...but I don't want to lose MPG!

All in all...very happy with the purchase. This will likely be the car my son learns how to drive on.

 

UPS just delivered my K&N intake kit, but heading to Tucson for some family R&R. Won't have a chance to install it till we get back later in the week. However, this road trip will give me more data on the stock air box/air cleaner. Planning another trip to Flagstaff probably after the install, but will probably go the most direct route which are secondary roads with lower speed limits therefore generally good fuel economy. Jazzed!

 

41.1 mpg according to the trip computer, from Silver City, NM to Kolb Rd. exit, Tucson, AZ. Mostly 75 mph on I-10.

 

I'm going to try and find that Aero at my dealer's and take a good look at it. With the GT coming out, perhaps I can get some money off.

 

With 41.1 mpg stock, I can't wait to hear what the k&n CAI will do.

 

I dropped into my dealer today, but the Silver Aero was sold and went out yesterday. The owner and I had a talk about the Aero and he's going to see if he can round up a few for his place. I suggested Red and gunmetal as possible colors. I'll take a good look at them when they come in and see what they'll give me on a trade. Mullen Motors, Southold NY, is a family run business and they got an award for being the best dealership for customer service in the entire country! They treat their customers like family and I'm hoping they'll be able to find the Dart for me, then I'll have to talk to my wife about it. I think she would be very happy with the Aero being in our stable. I really have enjoyed being a customer of theirs over the years.

 

About the exhaust. It doesn't matter if it's a single or dual exhaust. Cut it off it sounds way better

 

I have wondered if the single exit sounds any different than the duals. You got a video of a single exit delete anywhere?

 

I understand that the single exhaust is quieter than the dual exhaust, but I don't think it affects the performance. My only concern about the Aero is the type of tire it comes with. I would prefer grippier tires and would want to see if my dealer would mount Perelli Centurato P7's in place of the original low roll resistance tires. I know it would drop my mileage a bit, but don't mind.

Update: I've been researching the subject of low roll resistance tires and they are "all season" . In one study I read the tires did cause longer stopping distances in the wet. I finally saw a good picture of the Aero's tires and they are Kumho brand. The low roll resistance tires do have a major effect on mileage. If I do get the Aero, I think I'll go with the supplied tires And see how they perform before making any changes. By the way the Kumho tires are Solus KH25 as far as I can determine.

 

The tires are actually the one thing I don't care for. I'll run them for the summer, but am changing out before the snow flies here.

The single ply sidewall does not really impress me. I know they are LRR and designed to save weight, but that in conjunction with no spare tire is not really confidence inspiring....

Will likely get a spare too

Jim

 

"The tires are actually the one thing I don't care for. I'll run them for the summer, but am changing out before the snow flies here."

Please let us know what tires you choose and how you like them.

I'm also looking forward to the K&N install info.

On the Aero, can anyone tell me what is the rpm the car is doing when cruising at 60 MPH? Someone said the Aero is geared differently than the other models. If I remember correctly, I read that a 1.4T SXT Rallye using the DDCT cruised at 2,500 rpm at 60 MPH .

By the way, I really like the Aero "group" Perhaps the powers that might want to make a category for the Aero on the forum.

 

My Aero cruises at around 2100 rpm at 60 mph

 

And that is with the 1.4 L 6 speed MT

 

Installed my K&N intake kit. Fairly straightforward, with a minimal number of tools needed. One little mod I did was I notched the little silicon hose to fit tab that is on the turbo intake more cleanly. Here's some pics of the finished project.

It definitely is louder. Sounded weird to me at first, but quickly got used to the sound.
Performance wise...hard to say right now. Need to do a real long distance drive like I've been doing, but today's test drive was good. The car has plenty of zip, gas mileage seems good. More info to come. Planning a road trip to the dealership for an oil change, then over to Flagstaff, AZ for the weekend.

 

Installed my K&N intake kit. Fairly straightforward, with a minimal number of tools needed. One little mod I did was I notched the little silicon hose to fit tab that is on the turbo intake more cleanly. Here's some pics of the finished project.
<img src="http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17564"/>
<img src="http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17565"/>
<img src="http://www.dodge-dart.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=17566"/>
It definitely is louder. Sounded weird to me at first, but quickly got used to the sound.
Performance wise...hard to say right now. Need to do a real long distance drive like I've been doing, but today's test drive was good. The car has plenty of zip, gas mileage seems good. More info to come. Planning a road trip to the dealership for an oil change, then over to Flagstaff, AZ for the weekend.

Can you hear the turbo better with your CAI on?

 

Drive ratios should be the same on all manual transmissions across the board. Same for the auto. The final drive in the manual is 4.11, don't know what the auto is though.

 

I read that a 1.4T SXT Rallye using the DDCT cruised at 2,500 rpm at 60 MPH

Mine cruises at 67-68 MPH @ 2500 rpm with the DDCT.

 

To johnda:

I haven't understood why the Aero isn't the most popular of the trim levels. They are the lightest and have the best fuel economy with the same HP. And i love the fact that the accessories fit all models.

 

The only thing that dissapoints me about the aero is the lack of available options. I would have loved to have the passive entry. I have the tft and the 8.4

 

It's about the weight savings with the Aero, all that tech means extra wiring, and that stuff aint lightweight.

 

When at the dealership last week getting my security alarm installed, I told the salesman about this forum and how the Aero is the geek model of the Dart. He says he wishes he could get more in stock, they're hard to get according to him. Might be salesman's BS, who knows?

 

They didn't build very many Aero Darts this year. I also had to have my dealership search to find mine.