Dodge Sprinter Gas Mileage

Replying to: grasspress (Jun 09, 2006 4:34 am)

what was your usual speed on your 3,000 mile journey? If you were on highways above 65 MPH, then you have the best Sprinter mileage and should change nothing...
 
If your speed was mostly below 60 MPH, then you have the promised great mileage and I can think of just a tire change, but it won't payoff until you have a LOT of miles on this van.
 
Since I get 20 MPG, let me say this: you are way lucky or I am a stupid driver... I keep up with traffic, I drive no more than 5 MPH over the speed limit (and am passed a lot), but I do keep up with traffic in town (when I get about 20 MPG), and I do go 70-75 on the highway (when I get about 20 MPG). I have the 2500, 140" Standard roof, 10 seat van (wagon), 16"wheels, tires set to 58 PSI fronts, 65 PSI rear (rides better than max pressure, also handles better)
 
I have never used bio-diesel. I get 20MPG. I get almost all of my diesel at Flying-J (marked for low-sulphur standards). I have always gotten 20 MPG during normal driving, all normal tire pressures, all trips, etc. except for one thing: If I run the second A/C unit all the time it will be about 18 MPG.
 
I have checked the turbo hoses, etc. and all seems fine. Mine, being a wagon, came completely assembled from Stuttgart and was not kitted/assembled in the Carolinas as the Cargo/Cab/chassis versions are so I didn't expect these problems anyway.
 
Now if ANYONE can tell me how I can get better mileage, anything closer to 25 than to 20, I really want to know about it. If you want better than 24-29 MPG, then I guess you need a compact car... you are way better off than I am with my Sprinter.
 
Thanks,
KenB

Replies to this message:
• tronno22556 (Jun 09, 2006 6:38 pm)

Replying to: kenbaker (Jun 09, 2006 8:31 am)

Replies to this message:
• altered3 (Jun 10, 2006 5:15 pm)
  • sonnywood2 (Jun 11, 2006 2:16 pm)
    • gagrice (Jun 12, 2006 4:36 pm) and 11 more...

Replying to: grasspress (Jun 10, 2006 6:34 am)

Dave if you hit the magic mark of 30 MPG then its because your driving by the RPM indictor and not kicking in the Turbo with quick shift carefull driving results with great MPG
Quality top end Fuel with a little upper cylinder lub also helps I use it and my van runs better as a result.
avoid any biofuels at the moment as to possible seal damages
void warranty problems
The Ronnal Mag has an optional wireless control tyre loading pressure unit sits on the dash great for saftey the new sprinters have this as standard.
As you increase your miles to the first service switch into synthetic oil check with your dealer as to the right oneto use it costs more but will extend your service changes, saves big dollars over a five year period.
A little hint from down under, if you put in a power converter! don't use the standard 12 v plug you will blow the fuse box right down into Mexico use a waco unit wired direct from the sterring loom to the alt, via an earth lead to the positive batt and it wil turn on and of with IGN , the ALT will act as the direct charge unit saveing the battery from over charging espicially if you did not opt for the bigger ALT.
Altered Sprinter Down Under

Replies to this message:
• sonnywood2 (Jun 11, 2006 2:16 pm)
  • gagrice (Jun 12, 2006 4:36 pm)
    • altered3 (Jun 12, 2006 8:32 pm) and 10 more...

Replying to: altered3 (Jun 10, 2006 5:15 pm)

Replies to this message:
• gagrice (Jun 12, 2006 4:36 pm)
  • altered3 (Jun 12, 2006 8:32 pm)
    • gagrice (Jun 13, 2006 7:29 am) and 9 more...

Replying to: sonnywood2 (Jun 11, 2006 2:16 pm)

Replies to this message:
• altered3 (Jun 12, 2006 8:32 pm)
  • gagrice (Jun 13, 2006 7:29 am)
    • kenbaker (Jun 13, 2006 1:54 pm) and 8 more...

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 12, 2006 4:36 pm)

Replies to this message:
• gagrice (Jun 13, 2006 7:29 am)
  • kenbaker (Jun 13, 2006 1:54 pm)
    • kenbaker (Jun 15, 2006 7:10 am) and 7 more...

Replying to: altered3 (Jun 12, 2006 8:32 pm)

Replies to this message:
• kenbaker (Jun 13, 2006 1:54 pm)
  • kenbaker (Jun 15, 2006 7:10 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 13, 2006 7:29 am)

Flying-J Oklahoma City (one on I-35, one on I-40) are marked as ULSD (under 500 PPM). This is where I get almost all of my fuel for my Sprinter, best price and lots of turnover (no stale fuels there). Small state/town compared to a lot of other places, but also one of the busiest crossroads in the entire USA.
 
The pipeline thing is very curious, since they send many products through the same lines one after the other and have done so for years... In the beginning they sent a pig between batches, now they don't do that very much as far as I know. So how much mixing is there? Not much according to studies done due to controlled flow rates, only liquid is sent (single phase), a few gallons to a few barrels are mixed between batches. I just wonder what they do with the mix?
 
KenB (B.S. in Petroleum, OSU, 1984)

Replies to this message:
• kenbaker (Jun 15, 2006 7:10 am)

Replying to: kenbaker (Jun 13, 2006 1:54 pm)

humbly contradicting myself... under 500 ppm is LSD (low Sulfur Diesel), not suitable for 2007 diesels for over-the-road vehicles in the USA.
 
LSD will become Farm/Offroad diesel in October or so, and must not be used in 2007 vehicles (or damage may occur?). I know that they put colored Dye in farm diesel here in the USA since they do not have to pay road taxes on farm equipment driven mostly on farmland (like tractors).
 
If a commercial vehicle gets caught with colored diesel in the tanks, they are going down for a big fine.
 
Anyway, the actual sticker on the pumps at the Flying-J mentions that they are selling LSD (less than 500 PPM) and that it must not be used in 2007 over the road vehicles. I should have taken a picture with my new camera phone to post, but I dind't think of that until now...
 
KenB