Our Excellent Adventures

As many are interested in the V6 diesel mileage for the Sprinter I have some additional mileage to report. I will post all the numbers for your review.

17.1; 16.7; 18.8; 18.8; 17.4; 14.3; 17.0; 15.6; 17.9; 16.5; 17.2; 17.6; 19.5*; 17.8**

The Sprinter is 90% loaded with gear, all water, propane, tools, etc. It now has 5K miles on it. All but two of the fill-ups have been at the same pump and nozzle.

The 19.5 was a 164.2 mile run to Fresno (early morning). The 17.8 was 159.6 miles return on the same course but later (and much hotter) in the day.

I would like to test 55mph later but one thing shows up to me as I know the speeds driven - as soon as you jump into the 70’s for sustained periods, your mileage will suffer. There should be no real surprise there.

After hitting the 19.5 I am confident that 20 point something is possible. Above that, I don’t know.

What really hurts is that diesel has gone up by $3 per gallon since I ordered the Sprinter . . . By the way I paid $5.099 this AM starting, $4.959 in Fresno and $4.979 back here, at the same station where 14 hours before it had been $.12 higher - love it!

Note: This is a Sportsmobile Sprinter 2500, high roof and 144″ wheelbase with a 3.0L diesel.

Most of the fuel involved comes from the same pump and nozzle. This is with all gear, most food and all water.

17.1; 16.7; 18.8; 18.7; 17.4; 14.3; 16.8; 15.6; 17.9 for an average of 17.03.

Most numbers are a combination of city/California freeway with freeway speeds from 65 to 70 mostly 65. The last 3 were with a Scangauge installed posting MAP and MPG. I only look at the MPG as the MAP numbers seem useless.

The high numbers were 95% freeway miles.

I had to travel to and from Monterey twice this weekend so I used the opportunity to work in some additional mileage tests.

70-80 mph, flooring it on passing, etc. 17.4 mpg
60 mph with the cruise control 18.7 mpg

Keeping in mind that last week’s 65 mph was 18.8 mpg it looks like so far, 65 is the sweet spot.

BTW, I always fill at the same station with the same pump about the same time of day. Both above trips fully loaded with 6 SOB (souls on board). Last week I paid $5.10, this week $4.99.