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GMC Safari/Chevy Astro Real World MPG

52 messages,  Last post on Mar 05, 2009 at 9:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? GMC Safari, Chevrolet Astro, Van

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#23 of 52 gmc safari by partyd Feb 21, 2008 (3:24 pm)
1995 GMC cargo van vortec 4.3 engine new spyder injector hooker headers,new Y connection 3'' new tubes to the back in 3'' a Flowmaster 40 and 285-40-17 tires 5 speed auto tranny i have a little over 100k   21MPG CITY 25 MPG HIGHWAY 70 mph going to Miami this van is fast sometimes i race people on the streets if i do that i only get about 10 miles to the gallon   cheap gas Replies to this message: guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 7:27 pm) partyd (Mar 05, 2009 9:07 pm)
#24 of 52 2002 Poor Fuel Economy/Performance by lahainaohana Mar 06, 2008 (8:57 pm)
Replying to: redfisher (Jan 20, 2008 4:11 pm) I purchased my Astro after retiring my second Areostar, which gave me 16-18 mpg consistently. Doing the same kind or driving with the Astro, I'm getting 12-13 mpg. Dealer diagnostic found only that the "fixed" timing was 10deg retarded at idle. They didn't mention the knock sensor, but a local mechanic suggested I check it for a short. Can anyone help me locate it? Things I've done: Plugs, Cap, Rotor, Fuel Filter, Air Filter, 5 tanks of injector cleaner. Engine runs smooth, no misses, does knock on moderate acceleration. Exhaust pipe and muffler glow at night after long uphill pull. Engine really dogs sometimes on acceleration. Help Replies to this message: guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 7:32 pm)
#25 of 52 Re: Just keeps gettin' better! [jrbudge] by antique_maggie Jul 03, 2008 (12:40 pm)
Replying to: jrbudge (Jun 20, 2007 11:36 pm) OH YOU ARE SO FLIPPIN' LUCKY!! I WISH I HAD YOUR VAN! My '94 Astrovan ( I'm saying all this as I fight back tears) get's like 4mpg period, I swear! Ok, really, it's probably like 12, but I don't know how to fix the problem! Someone help me!! Either the mpg's improve ASAP, or she's goin' up for sale (or "Free to good home" ) Replies to this message: teal96 (Jul 05, 2008 7:35 pm)
#26 of 52 Re: Just keeps gettin' better! [antique_maggie] by teal96 Jul 05, 2008 (7:35 pm)
Replying to: antique_maggie (Jul 03, 2008 12:40 pm) Sounds like yur computer is in what I call "Stupid " mode,, oxy sensor or something bad, Should the computer not run due to what ever the engine defaults to this basic ultra rich mixture. I am guessing yours has the TBI deal.   I get 20 in town with my 2 wd but the AWD we had got 14.
#27 of 52 by antique_maggie Jul 07, 2008 (10:25 am)
Thanks for the post, I appreciate it. I was REALLY hoping to take this van on our road trip this coming Labor Day weekend (total time is a whole hour and a half to get there) because out of both vehicles (our other is a '92 blazer) the van has air. I highly doubt I'll be able to get a round trip out of the van on a full tank though ( if map quest is right, round trip=148miles-ish). Unless my calc's are off (I was never good at math, I shamefully admit).......? Maybe I should just accept the idea of a friend of mine's. He said that back when our van was built (again, it's a '94) it wasn't built with gas mileage in mind. Does anyone else think that's true? curse high gas prices!!! Replies to this message: spike99 (Jul 07, 2008 8:39 pm) antique_maggie (Jul 08, 2008 10:59 am) spike99 (Jul 08, 2008 3:27 pm)
#28 of 52 Re: [antique_maggie] by spike99 Jul 07, 2008 (8:39 pm)
Replying to: antique_maggie (Jul 07, 2008 10:25 am) We have a 2001 AWD Safari van. Based on its DIC (Display Information Center), it gets between 8-14 mpg while towing a 4,000 lbs Travel Trailer, 14-22 mpg while hauling a family of 5 with minor internal cargo and with internal light cargo with 2 adults, our van gets a consistant gets 22-25 mpg. If wondering, my van has 3.42 gearing and it did have P215/75R/15 rubber tires (which is factory size). We got new P215/70R/15 rubber tires (which are smaller / lighter tires) installed a few days ago and our van with family of 5 is now more consistantly in the 23-25 mpg range. Especially at 60 mph ground speed. Above 60 mph and its GMC letters instantly turn to "PIG" (if you know what I mean).. For us, we only do an 8 hour long trip 3 times per year. Thus, we keep its ground speed under 60 mph, and we eventually get there. Works for my family's needs and available time.   If time or faster ground speed is more urgent to you, perhaps it might we less expensive to "rent" a smaller mini-van, mini-station wagon or rent the car of your dreams - for your long term trips. The "gasoline cost savings" by using a more fuel efficient rental could pay for the daily vehilce rental fees. And, you get to try a different vehicle for long distance travel. Great research opportinity for your future van replacement - when that special time comes. If wondering, my FIL (Father In Law) does that. He keeps his GAS HOG V8 4x4 GMC pickup for local driving and rents a fuel efficient vehicle for his long trips. Works for him....   Hope this idea helps as well....   . Replies to this message: antique_maggie (Jul 08, 2008 10:59 am) spike99 (Jul 08, 2008 3:27 pm)
#29 of 52 Re: [spike99] by antique_maggie Jul 08, 2008 (10:59 am)
Replying to: spike99 (Jul 07, 2008 8:39 pm) Thanks again! So far I've been told to check the oxygen censor and to see if the computer is in "Stupid mode" (lol), and to be honest, the van could use some newer tires. I'll keep that tire size you gave me in mind when I shop around for new ones. I hope it helps me! :0) P.S~ Would it help out any if I got it in for an alignment? It's off....not real badly, but enough to tell...... Replies to this message: spike99 (Jul 08, 2008 3:27 pm)
#30 of 52 Re: [antique_maggie] by spike99 Jul 08, 2008 (3:27 pm)
Replying to: antique_maggie (Jul 08, 2008 10:59 am) They say that every "little bit" helps.   Stuff like: - Closer to the ground means less wind drag. If you have a raised van, do lower it back down to factory ground clearance. - New shocks on all 4 tires (like Blistien or Rachos HD shocks) to reduce too much up/down movement help a little as well. Especially if pulling a trailer. - Smaller / lighter tires means less rubber weight to "get going". Especially if the axle gearing of your van already has "lugging" behavior. Lugging because its gearing is too high - for your road / hill conditions. - Pull away "slowly" from the stop lights / stop signs. Let others "wind vacum" your vehicle forward. LOL!. - Being slow on those hiway access ramps (like the big loop clover leafs). Today, I no longer bank my van on 2 wheels. Especially on those tighter clover leafs. - Less internal weight (like removing unneeded row of passender seats - until needed). My buddy removed his middle row of seats for his dogs. When he does passenger trips, he & his son re-installs his middle seat. Works for him. - Using cruise control and set to -3 mph slower then posted speed limit. Same speed as most transport trucks - in my local area. - Only use AC when needed. re: The high climate justifies the gas consumption of AC. No more running AC because one can. - Wheel aligment / wheel balance. - Ensure vehicle has good spark plugs, clean air filter, its thottle body is clean, its injectors are clean, its timing is properly set, etc. etc. Mechanical tune ups do save gas dollars in the long run... - Proper tire pressue (as stated on the tire and not in your manual) helps as well. Note: Tire pressure is based on towing and non-towing loads. One lbs rating doesn't fit all brands of tires. Therefore, be prepared to adjust some tires - based on their usage.   As they say, every little bit helps.   .
#31 of 52 P1870 CODE Plus MPG very low by jouls Jul 16, 2008 (5:05 pm)
Hello, I have a GMC Safari van SLT Yr200.   I was traveling to Alabama and I have the transmission making a shift very rare I have stop at the moment check the Trans oil and I tough it was ok, but next mile it did the same so I stop at walmart and I have added some oil.Service Engine came on and MPG started to go from 19 to 18 and so on until 14.8. When I came back home I took it to Advance auto partsand they get the P1870 code " Transmission Slip" they have recomended Lucas product Stop Slip also an oil change.   Should I change Transmission Filter and O ring? and add Lucas product?   What else other than engine oil change, air filter, fuel injector cleaning can help to improve MPG?   I'll appreciate any one can help me, I have this van from original owner and never gave me a problem.   Thanks, Julio.     Replies to this message: cob (Jul 16, 2008 5:33 pm) antique_maggie (Jul 17, 2008 5:40 am) guyonearth (Aug 05, 2008 7:38 pm) jouls (Aug 07, 2008 3:45 pm)
#32 of 52 Re: Fuel mileage [redfisher] by jouls Jul 16, 2008 (5:24 pm)
Replying to: redfisher (Dec 31, 2007 6:50 am) I was having 17.8 and I have replace the following things;   Spark Plug wires Sparks Air Filter Fuel Filter I have make an oil change and replace oil filter I have flush the transmission oil and replaced. I added a fuel injector cleaner.   Guess what, I have increased to 25 MPG when I travel from GA to VA.   But After almost 1.5 years after and continusly changing engine oil and filter I have a transmission problem that I have posted recently and I have bad MPG.   I'm just hoping that some body can help me too.   Regards.

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