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VW ROUTAN MILEAGE SUCKS!!!

13 messages,  Last post on Jul 28, 2011 at 4:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen Routan, Renault, Car Buying, Car Values, Car Warranties, Gasoline, Van

Messages Page 2 of 2

#4 of 13 low routan gas mileage by ragon

Feb 20, 2010 (4:43 pm)

I've got about 6,500 miles on my Routan and it's never gotten over 13 mpg in city even after a 800 mile highway trip at about 5,000 miles. The last two tanks have averaged around 11 mpg, and that's after the 6 month oil change, tire rotation and upgrade on transmission software. My dealer's response was that I should have noted the fine print that says the mileage can range from 17 mpg city down to 13 mpg and that there is no way to determine what the problem might be if no warning light comes on. I traded my 2001 Chrysler Town and Country AWD for this car. And even with a dying transmission that car was averaging around 14 mpg. Before the transmission started to go I was getting around 15 mpg and I note again it was an AWD, which is supposed to get lower mileage. I just want to know if anyone has been able to solve this problem if it is indeed a pervasive or even sporadic problem with the Routan?

#5 of 13 Re: low routan gas mileage [ragon] by towhead

Mar 06, 2010 (7:49 am)

Replying to: ragon (Feb 20, 2010 4:43 pm)
As a person above said, the Routan is really a dressed up Chrysler T&C. I have an 08 T&C Limited with the 4.0. It gets 24-25 on the highway at 65 with the AC on. I think that is great for such a large & heavy vehicle. The mileage around town varies from 14-17 according to the computer. I think part of the low city mileage is the way we accelerate with the perky engine. I know I sometimes chirp the front tires taking off and enjoy the relatively brisk acceleration. City mileage is a big variable because of so many factors-length of trip, acceleration, number of stops, etc.
My biggest worry is the brakes. If you go on a Chrysler minivan forum you will find a large number of complaints about premature brake wear. I'd advise checking the brakes after the first 5000 miles and then every 2-3000 miles thereafter. Some reports seem to indicate that the brakes don't wear at a constant rate. Wear seems to accelerate as the pads are used up. So keep a sharp eye on them or change the pads to something other than the OEM pads

#6 of 13 4.0 liter gets great mileage by stjohns

May 11, 2010 (6:11 am)

With the 6 speed tranny we get great mileage. No issues withe 4.0 liter V6:)

#7 of 13 6 month update by ben87

May 11, 2010 (4:08 pm)

So here is the skinny on this -
 
I would not have complained one bit if VW / Chrysler / Dodge or whoever makes the car would have been honest about the MPG.
 
If you promise something, stand behind it and deliver - does not matter who the company is.
 
The reason we switched from a SUV to a Minivan was because the gas milage was suppose to be so much better 17/25. Instead I am getting similar milage to the 7 passenger SUV that we had before this. 13/19
 
My wife loved her SUV and I convinced her that this would save us money on the gas, instead I feel like a fool but that is because, I / we were lied to and deceived.
 
Anyway, the car is alright on the highway (Freeway), but is really bad in the city.
 
I drove my car to vegas, pretty much hitting 80 mph all the way, full minivan + luggage.
 
Full tank gave me 350 mpg (suppose to give 500 mpg)
 
In the city it only gives 220 mpg (suppose to give 350 mpg)
 
Average is 250-280 MPG - depending on how much more we drive on the Highway (Freeway)
 
If you drive under the perfect conditions which is highway (Freeway) at 65 mph, then I think it can be cranked up to 400 mpg on a full tank.
 
The car on all levels is awesome, it has everything anyone can ask for in a car, minivan, suv or whatever you want for a family car. (our is the fully loaded SEL Premium) 45K + Tax 2009 model
 
Our minivan is just amazing BUT not on the gas milage - it is what it is and that is what I specified above.

#8 of 13 Re: 6 month update [ben87] by altair4

May 13, 2010 (8:04 am)

Replying to: ben87 (May 11, 2010 4:08 pm)
You're really not giving us much useful information here. How many miles per gallon are you actually achiving can only be calculated by diviiding miles driven by gallons consumed. So, record your mileage, fill up the van's tank, drive it, then repeat the process. Do the calculation and please post it here. Saying how many miles per tank is not useful or accurate - how soon did you fill it? How accurate is the fuel gauge? I can say that my Passat gets 250 miles to a tank or I can run the tank a little lower and say 300. But if I say I'm getting 23 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway, that's a bit more meaningful.

#9 of 13 Skinny on MPG CITY / HIGHWAY by ben87

May 13, 2010 (3:25 pm)

The car does
 
11.5 MPG City
17.5 MPG Highway
 
14 MPG Combo (City + Highway)
 
You can crank it up to 20 mpg highway if you drive at the perfect speed of 55-60 mph

#10 of 13 Re: Skinny on MPG CITY / HIGHWAY [ben87] by altair4

May 17, 2010 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: ben87 (May 13, 2010 3:25 pm)
Thanks for posting the calculated mileage. Wow. What is the terrain like where you live? Lotsa hills?
 
Where I live and drive, I pretty much get as an overall average of a couple of MPG over the city rating, regardless of what vehicle I have at the time. I can see why you are diappointed.

#11 of 13 First Long Trip by ea7576

Jun 15, 2010 (9:21 am)

Drove from Chicago IL to Tampa FL. 2010 Routan SE 3.8L. Hit a high of 23.7MPG level driving 75MPH. Averaged 22 MPG over entire trip (95% HWY)

#12 of 13 Cost of a brake job by bob550k

Aug 26, 2010 (11:00 pm)

I'm doing a bit of reading about these as it's time to replace my wife's minvan.
 
Sounds like the 4.0 gets better MPG than the 3.8.
 
I wonder what the cost difference between the Chrysler and VW is for a brake job. The best I can make of it so far is they have different brakes and suspension but the remainder of the drive train is the same.
 
I want to run one for 100k - 120k miles and I'm a bit spoiled from the great MPG, incredibly cheap and infrequent maintenance on our aging Olds Silo van. But at 122,000 miles it's just time to let someone put the old girl to work as an Airport Taxi.

#13 of 13 Our first long trip by texasgeo

Jul 28, 2011 (4:58 am)

Seems that what we are told about how we drive really does affect our mileage tremendously. We just purchased a new 2011 Routan SE with the 3.8 L V6. I don't think that I could be happier.
 
We drove the full length of the Natchez Trace Parkway yesterday going about 55 mph with two adults and a lot of luggage. We started with just about 1000 miles on the odometer. When I filled up in Nashville last night, we had gotten 31 mpg. Amazing ... I would have been happy with mid-20s. But since I drove on a great road with little traffic to accelerate around and pass, and because I was driving that "sweet spot" speed, then I probably achieved the best mileage possible.
 
Now when I'm at home zooming around the crazy Houston traffic going up to 75 mph even in town and accelerating to pass all the time, then my mileage has been about 15 mph.
 
It's simply a tale of two driving styles. The engine and 6 speed transmission when run in the Eco mode do a great job when we drive responsibly. What else can be said? That's what we've always been told by the experts.
 
I'd definitely recommend the Routan from what I've experienced so far.
 
P.S. We also used to have a fully decked out 98 Silouette. I like the way the Routan handles better than the Olds. MUCH less rocking of the body in the VW.

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