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!

[Red]

Nice job! :) I want your drive train :P

[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]

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.

[sprintervanman]

My van is configured as a mobile office. Most driving is highway. The a/c on the roof is for working with clients--it's got to be comfy for them!

Not much cargo, but there are fixtures inside that add weight. My best guess is 6000# vehicle weight.

Air resistance is my greatest enemy when it comes to optimizing MPG's. BTW, I didn't draft when getting my mileage figure of 32.1. Don't think I mentioned it earlier.

[civic94]

thats just amazing for the size of the brick. many smaller suv's cant get that much mpg at the highway

[Sludgy]

It's sad that you can't get that drivetrain in a pickup. .

Amen to that.

Ford and Chevy are coming out with 4.4 and 4.5 liter diesel V8's, and Dodge is planning a 4.2 liter V6 for its 1/2 tons. This will be an improvement over the current (huge) 3/4 and 1 ton diesels. Maybe these new rigs will manage 25 mpg highway or so.

But a nice 4 cylinder turbodiesel would get 30. Why is it so hard to get truck makers to listen?

[jamesim]

really,
i am having trouble getting 20 mpg on my sprinter
the dealer says there is nothing wrong..
do other sprinters drivers get better than 20?
i drive the 2005 low roof 140 with roof a/c.

[TL-Super]

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!


Check this site out, probably worth it for your type of vehicle.

http://www.airtab.com/Images/photogallery/gallery1.htm

[slurp812]

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!

Oh sure! I just posted a 29 mpg tank in my 94 Accord! Man now I really feel bad. I am just a supermiler, not a hypermiler anymore :(