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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Real World MPG

52 messages,  Last post on Mar 05, 2009 at 10:07 PM

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#13 of 52 Poor fuel economy by adcessories Jul 12, 2007 (9:22 am)
I have a 2005 GMC Safari passenger van and I preveiously had a '93 GMC Safari conversion van, so, I am familiar with the vehicles. My problem is that this '05 gets horrible gas mileage, about 12 mpg city or highway. I have had it into a GMC dealer and they report that there is nothing wrong with my vehicle and they blame the ethanol fuel for the lousy mileage. I took it to a local independent shop that is highly regarded locally and they pretty much agreed with the dealership that the culprit is probably the ethanol blended gasoline. Is anyone else experiencing similar mileage problems? I am about ready to trade this vehicle on a different, hopefully more fuel efficient, vehicle and this one doesn't even have 40,000 miles on it yet. Replies to this message: cob (Jul 16, 2007 6:16 pm) adcessories (Jul 30, 2007 8:21 am) dskinner (Jan 19, 2008 3:00 am) guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 8:24 pm)
#14 of 52 Re: Poor fuel economy [adcessories] by cob Jul 16, 2007 (6:16 pm)
Replying to: adcessories (Jul 12, 2007 9:22 am) I have a 1997 with 120000 miles and have the same problem 12 city and 14 highway. I was getting better numbers before I changed the plugs at 100000 miles. I parked it and am driving a $300 prism 40 miles per day at 27 mpg. Do you have the 3.73 gears or the 3.23? It seams that the 3.73 get better mileage even though it is not logical the 3.23 should turn lower rpms on the highway. Replies to this message: adcessories (Jul 30, 2007 8:21 am)
#15 of 52 Re: Poor fuel economy [cob] by adcessories Jul 30, 2007 (8:21 am)
Replying to: cob (Jul 16, 2007 6:16 pm) Thanks for the report! I don't know which gear ratio this vehicle has, and, I am not sure just how to determine it. I tend to believe that my fuel economy problem is a multiple problem, the ethanol blend fuel that we have to use doesn't burn as "hot" as the 100% gasoline fuel that the manufacturers and the EPA used to determine the posted MPG figures, and, GM uses something called the Vortex engine in the 2005 that, supposedly, they did not use in the 1993 van that I had and the Vortex engine has a reputation of not being as fuel efficient as the older engine from what some mechanics to whom I have spoken tell me. The 2005 van has "rack & pinion" steering that is different from the '93, the '93 could just about turn around in its own shadow, the '05 needs a city block in which to turn around. I am rapidly giving up hope on this vehicle ever getting close to the mileage that the '93 did. Anybody got a suggestion of what would be a good, reliable, fuel efficient replacement vehicle?
#16 of 52 Re: Just keeps gettin' better! [jrbudge] by adcessories Jul 30, 2007 (8:32 am)
Replying to: jrbudge (Jun 21, 2007 12:36 am) Hi: I was just wondering what year model vehicle you have, and, was there an error light, or something, that made you suspect the oxygen sensor was faulty? I want to believe that my '05 Safari van can get better economy than it is getting but I have not been able to find any solution as yet. Replies to this message: jrbudge (Sep 10, 2007 8:25 am)
#17 of 52 Re: Just keeps gettin' better! [adcessories] by jrbudge Sep 10, 2007 (8:25 am)
Replying to: adcessories (Jul 30, 2007 8:32 am) Ya, the 'check engine soon' light was on most of the time. It's a 1988 Astro, semi-cargo, 5 spd
#18 of 52 Re: Poor fuel economy [adcessories] by dskinner Jan 19, 2008 (3:00 am)
Replying to: adcessories (Jul 12, 2007 9:22 am) dont feel bad I`m getting 9-11mpg.I went to the dealer and was told thats it.I hate dealing with chevy,and this will be the last one I buy.They sell you a warranty and send you home knowing your vehicle is`nt right.I`m going to change the first two sensors befor converter and see if that helps. I`ve talked with people who are getting 17-21mpg.I had shepard chevy in lake bluff send me homewith a bad Idler arm.I just drove 45miles one wayafter my mechanic showed me the arm was bad.I was hearing clunks under r.f.I took the afternoon off and took it to shepard where i bought the van.They pumped it full of grease so the noise would go away,and sent me home.Here another oil chnge later I`m at bill kay chevy downers grove getting it fixed and it tsill is making noises.Chevy sucks.Shepard Chevy.Con artist.
#19 of 52 Fuel mileage by redfisher Jan 20, 2008 (5:11 pm)
#20 of 52 Fuel mileage by redfisher Dec 31, 2007 (7:50 am)
Hello, I just bought a 2003 gmc safari and i like the van but the gas mileage is really bad.I am looking for any mods to help increase the mileage?  First tank i got 17.5 mpg (thats imp. as i live in canada,) thats about 14.5 mpg in us terms.     So far i have put in a k&n filter cleaned the mas sensor and infalted the tires to 35 psi i drive easy about 90 kph on cruise so i will see what milage i get out of this tank.I also removed the roof rack.if anybody is running a chip let me know how this has affected your milage. Replies to this message: spike99 (Jan 20, 2008 12:50 pm) redfisher (Jan 20, 2008 5:11 pm) lahainaohana (Mar 06, 2008 9:57 pm) and 1 more... jouls (Jul 16, 2008 6:24 pm)
#21 of 52 Re: Fuel mileage [redfisher] by spike99 Jan 20, 2008 (12:50 pm)
Replying to: redfisher (Dec 31, 2007 7:50 am) Getting between 15-21 MPG is normal. It all depends on factory gearing, wind drag, hills, tire size, tune-up condition, etc. etc.   My previous ''95 RWD van got around 21 mpgs. My used 2001 AWD Safari is around 15 mpgs. Yes, A pig - even when going down hill and with the wind. When our "run about" FWD (other) vehicle is paid off in 2 years, our 2001 AWD Safari van is gone. To be replaced with a 2WD vehicle - like Envoy XL or simular shape machine. . Gas savings alone will pay for a much better Tow / family touring vehicle. If you can't get better mpgs, time to replace with something better.   . Replies to this message: redfisher (Jan 20, 2008 5:11 pm) lahainaohana (Mar 06, 2008 9:57 pm) guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 8:32 pm)
#22 of 52 Re: Fuel mileage [spike99] by redfisher Jan 20, 2008 (5:11 pm)
Replying to: spike99 (Jan 20, 2008 12:50 pm) I looked at the sticker inside the door and found that i have the gov-lock rearend with 3.42 gears and my tires are 215/70/16 and that i should run them at 38 psi.So i pumped them up and running easy i get 630 km on about 85 liters of gas.(my old 97 dodge caravan would get 850 km on 85 liters.But i had to retire her and i could not afford a new one so my dad sold me his 2003 gmc safari for $5000 on payments.So i am stuck with it for a couple years untill i pay for it,the milage should go up in the summer,it is really cold up here right now.Other then the gas mileage i do like driving the van.Has anybody here went to a larger tire on the stock rim? i was thinking of going to a taller tire in the summer as my van sits high and the wheel wells look empty. Replies to this message: lahainaohana (Mar 06, 2008 9:57 pm) guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 8:32 pm)

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