Bettering Gas Mileage (Dodge Grand Caravan)

[MMMMMike]

I've inhiereted a 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan with AWD (All Wheel Drive).
I only have an 5km commute along the 401 with about 1km city drive.

I've noticed and spoke to the others who have owned it and the gas mileage really sucks.

How can I improve my gas mileage on this van?

That is the main question, but also understand that money is tight.
I've seen these vortex attachments on eBay that are used in the intake to improve the engines performance. Anyone have any real life feedback on them?
I'll keep the tires at the correct pressure.
No mudflags or other stuff to add wind resistance are on it.

So I have a beast I need to tame.

What do you think?

Mike

[downloader]

never mind the vortex ebay snake oil they are trying to sell. Just keep your van tuned-up, tire pressure up, close the A/C if not really needed. Drive smart and you should be ok. The Caravans are not the greatest on gas, but you only have a short distance to drive. Good luck

www.bluewhippet.net

[MMMMMike]

never mind the vortex ebay snake oil they are trying to sell. Just keep your van tuned-up, tire pressure up, close the A/C if not really needed. Drive smart and you should be ok. The Caravans are not the greatest on gas, but you only have a short distance to drive. Good luck

www.bluewhippet.net

Yup, AC already disconnected (broken--not really needed) and I'm not much of a racer; nice and steady speeds.

Not sure about the debates... but we did find on my wifes old Shadow, she'd get about the same mileage for $20 of premium gas as she would with $20 of regular gas. So I'll be going with the premium.

Thanks, and keep those suggestions coming...

Mike

[mau108]

my pops had a 92 caravan witha 3.0l mitsu engine in it, very damn fuel efficient for a vehicle of that size.

Tune up (plugs, caps, rotors, wires if needed). Clean air filter (you can jsut buy a replacement one, dont bother with K&N stuff as I dont think they even make em for the caravan)

With these car you should be easy on the gas. And no need to put premium fuel in (regular is good) and once every 2-3 months run Fuel Injector cleaner (I suggest Redline brand)

[HighFlyer]

she'd get about the same mileage for $20 of premium gas as she would with $20 of regular gas. So I'll be going with the premium.

so why would you waste your money on premium then?

[tkyoshi]

I think you got most of the right ideas except with the ebay thing and the premium gas. Why would you put premium in? It only requires regular, you're pouring your money down the drain. In addition it could also result in poorer performance.

They're not that bad on gas, much better than an SUV. Anyway just try to drive smoothly, on the highway keep up with the traffic and try not to speed excessively.

[BD006]

If you don't need it and have some extra space, remove the third row.
That's an easy way to get rid of some weight.

[FastFokker]

Your gas mileage is going to suck because your commute is so short.

Your vehicle takes a while to warm up to peak efficiency, which is probably about the time you reach work.

Best way to improve your fuel efficiency is to walk or bicycle to work. :razz:

[weedb0y]

Your gas mileage is going to suck because your commute is so short.

Your vehicle takes a while to warm up to peak efficiency, which is probably about the time you reach work.

Best way to improve your fuel efficiency is to walk or bicycle to work. :razz:


He's right.

[seftonm]

Why pay more money for premium if you don't get anything extra out of it? To help improve fuel economy, pump up tires to 80% of their maximum pressure, go easy on the gas and brakes, and try to conserve momentum.

[ES_Revenge]

I'm betting the AWD is really killing you on the fuel ecomomy too :( Consider getting another vehicle, LOL because I don't think anything is really going to net you a significant/worthwhile increase in fuel economy...

[hainer36]

know what really helps save on gas

a dead battery, get yourself a dying battery, if you have to boost it everytime you start it up, youll start walking, it worked for me :D

[nano]

if you know an mechanic get him to disable the AWD,

[Evil Baby]

Watch your speeds, acceleration and weight. If you use cruse control and keep it at a steady 100km/h you'll noticed a huge difference in gas milage compared to just 120km/h.


Try to keep as much junk out of the van as possible. If you're not taking anybody with you take out the back seats. The less weight there is the less work the engine has to do.

[aquariaguy]

Why pay more money for premium if you don't get anything extra out of it? To help improve fuel economy, pump up tires to 80% of their maximum pressure, go easy on the gas and brakes, and try to conserve momentum.

I don't understand why only pumping your tires 80% of maximum pressure would save gas? Wouldn't that just make the tires flatter, thus more friction on the road. I mean yea, maybe in winter its better so you get more surface area, thus more traction. But why would you deflate it to go faster? Shouldn't it be to the max. to get less surface area and less fricoin?

[seftonm]

80% of the maximum tire pressure is usually still higher than the vehicle's recommended tire pressure. 80% is my comfort level although some to up to 90%.

[rchong]

I run 94.4% (34/36psi) on a Toyota ECHO. On my dad's 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan, it's at 40/45psi. A 1.5 hour highway cruise with inconsistent speed (80-120km/h) used 1/4 of a tank. Keep in mind that going too high or too low can shorten tire life and damage suspension. You're not going to see much of an improvement on gas mileage because it's heavy, AWD, got a large engine, and your trip is short.

[DragonZealot]

she'd get about the same mileage for $20 of premium gas as she would with $20 of regular gas. So I'll be going with the premium.




so why would you waste your money on premium then?

I think the OP means he can travel the same number of kms on $20 of gas. ie the premium has a higher mpg but because it is more expensive so they break even.

[DragonZealot]

80% of the maximum tire pressure is usually still higher than the vehicle's recommended tire pressure. 80% is my comfort level although some to up to 90%.

You can not go by the max pressure on the side wall. This number is the max pressure at max load. You car's total weight may not equal to the max load rating of the tires.

Go by the PSI in the owners manual or the door jamb and increase it by a few % if the car is fully loaded with passenger/goods. Check pressure when the tires are cold (has not travelled for a few hours). Check pressure frequently.

[Odysseus_Maximus]

Coast as much as you can and remove the back seats.

[radeonboy]

Why would you choose Premium gas over regular??????

You're Caravan DOES NOT WARRANT premium gas. Premium gas is for vehicles with engines that have higher compression ratios. Your car far from reaches those requirements. Save some money and stick with regular.

[FastFokker]

Why would you choose Premium gas over regular??????

You're Caravan DOES NOT WARRANT premium gas. Premium gas is for vehicles with engines that have higher compression ratios. Your car far from reaches those requirements. Save some money and stick with regular.Not yet debating the point of using proper fuel octane ratings, I think DragonZealot already explained it.

$20 is $20.. OP says the vehicle gets the same mileage from $20 of regular as from $20 of high octane. So you would not save money by going back to regular as it would still cost $20.

That said.. using the proper octane rating is critical.. though on older engines, you often do need to bump up the octane. Probably going to Premium is extreme, likely mid-grade would be optimum.

My car just started a barely noticeable knock a couple months ago.. just recently I bumped up to 89 octane. The knock is gone and I actually get better mileage now than I did with 87 octane.

Though all in all.. your statements are correct.

[weedb0y]

Not yet debating the point of using proper fuel octane ratings, I think DragonZealot already explained it.

$20 is $20.. OP says the vehicle gets the same mileage from $20 of regular as from $20 of high octane. So you would not save money by going back to regular as it would still cost $20.

That said.. using the proper octane rating is critical.. though on older engines, you often do need to bump up the octane. Probably going to Premium is extreme, likely mid-grade would be optimum.

My car just started a barely noticeable knock a couple months ago.. just recently I bumped up to 89 octane. The knock is gone and I actually get better mileage now than I did with 87 octane.

Though all in all.. your statements are correct.

What car sir?

[Alvito]

Why would you choose Premium gas over regular??????

You're Caravan DOES NOT WARRANT premium gas. Premium gas is for vehicles with engines that have higher compression ratios. Your car far from reaches those requirements. Save some money and stick with regular.

high compression engines use premium, dont try n be cool with premium in your van. it makes no sense.

[fireguy9]

dont buy into the gizmos and gadgets that say they improve fuel economy,,,, its all bull. Consumer reports tested most of them and they do not work!!!

[jetway1212]

Not yet debating the point of using proper fuel octane ratings, I think DragonZealot already explained it.

$20 is $20.. OP says the vehicle gets the same mileage from $20 of regular as from $20 of high octane. So you would not save money by going back to regular as it would still cost $20.

That said.. using the proper octane rating is critical.. though on older engines, you often do need to bump up the octane. Probably going to Premium is extreme, likely mid-grade would be optimum.

My car just started a barely noticeable knock a couple months ago.. just recently I bumped up to 89 octane. The knock is gone and I actually get better mileage now than I did with 87 octane.

Though all in all.. your statements are correct.

Thats true, older car will have higher compression due to all the shiet built up. But to have it that much noticable, you gotta have lots of mileage. How many KMs do you have now?