32 MPG in a Dodge Sprinter!

[sprintervanman]

Hi group--just got my personal best in my 2004 Sprinter--32.1 MPG on a trip from Lompoc to Glendale, Ca. That comes out to 96 ton-miles per gallon on a 6000 pound rig!

Trip was along U.S. 101 at 55 MPH. Hard to maintain that speed in traffic! Would have been better without the dinner stop. Also, trip was at night. Without electrical load from lights, would have been even better.

Van is long wheelbase high roof with a/c unit on top. 2.7 liter diesel, 5 speed auto trans.

It feels good to get better mileage than many "economy" cars!

[Hateful]

congratulations; not speeding and not joy riding around parking lots mean lots to MPG's. Still impressive for an areo-dynamically challenged van.

[sprintervanman]

Actually, it's pretty aerodynamically clean with a Coefficient of drag of 0.36. However, the air conditioning unit on the roof doesn't help things, as the fronal area is already about 50 square feet.

[Thermactor]

Sprinter vans are amazing. Awesome acceleration, excellent construction, nothing but good things to say about them. They make the Ford Econoline look like a nightmare from 1970.

[101mpg]

That is freaking amazing! Congrats. That rivals or exceeds some "economy" vehicles. You do realize you're close to what most people get in an Aveo, right? CONGRATS.

[sprintervanman]

Yes, that's true. However, I got my MPG figures under ideal conditions. I filled up today after 200 miles of local/freeway driving and got "only" 27.8.
Still, not too shabby for a three ton brick!

[GasSavers_Red]

Nice job! I want your drive train :P

[GasSavers_Randy]

It's sad that you can't get that drivetrain in a pickup. Pickups, especially big ones, have been in a horsepower war for 15 years now. Now the LEAST engine you can get in a 3/4 ton is 300 hp, and in a half ton over 200 hp. They don't get any better mileage than older trucks, they're just much faster.

You can get a cab+chassis sprinter... something people/businesses who need trucks might look at.

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by sprintervanman

Hi group--just got my personal best in my 2004 Sprinter--32.1 MPG on a trip from Lompoc to Glendale, Ca. That comes out to 96 ton-miles per gallon on a 6000 pound rig!

Trip was along U.S. 101 at 55 MPH. Hard to maintain that speed in traffic! Would have been better without the dinner stop. Also, trip was at night. Without electrical load from lights, would have been even better.

Van is long wheelbase high roof with a/c unit on top. 2.7 liter diesel, 5 speed auto trans.

It feels good to get better mileage than many "economy" cars!

Is the sprinter configured as an RV and or did you have any cargo in it?

[sprintervanman]

There's been some talk about the new 4.5 liter Duramax diesel being available in GM half tons in a year or two. The Dodge Ram does come iwith a V-6 gasser
standard. I've been looking at the new Buick Enclave with a 275 HP 3.6 liter V-6. Amazing amount of hp/liter. By comparison, my old '90 Ford Aerostar got 150 out of a 4.0 liter V-6! BTW, the Enclave is rated at 24 MPG highway under the new, more realistic EPA ratings. Not bad for a 4600 pound vehicle.