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.

PP. You see them in the car pool lane driving the speed limit (do they have to do that too?) with only one in the car.

PP. I saw one trying to fit a chair in it which would have gone very handily into an Excursion.

PP. It will take 4 years to make up the $ they extra money they spend making a statement.

PP. I think this is what the robots drove in I, Robot.

PP. Parked in their garage at home is a gas sucking, CO2 spuing SUV that is really the main vehicle for fun, shopping, travel and taking the kids to soccer.

PP. Do they all eat sprouts and tofu and only buy tires from free trade rubber countries?

PP. Mileage? “Oh, I get 88 miles to the gallon. I coast down all hills and freeway off ramps. I start costing 2 blocks before the intersection just in case when I get there the light is red. I took my radio antenna off to reduce drag and I am on a diet so the P will have to work as hard. Oh, yes - I refuse to take my significant other, kids, dog or in-laws anywhere - they effect my mileage.”

PP. Will drive a 6 mpg Class A motorhome with the TOAD being a P and take credit for helping the environment.

P. What do the experts really think?

What is a Prius good for?

*Prius People  (Actually some of my friends are PP and I don’t consider them more annoying than my other friend. :^)

A PPPP Production (peaceful pursuit of Prius people)

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.

I drove to Fresno today to get a couple of minor things fixed on the SMB Sprinter. I have now filled the tank 3 times so I can give you some mileage figures. By the way, today I paid $5.10 per gallon for diesel and I saw it as high as $5.34 - if you don’t think everything that is hauled by truck or train is going up, you better examine the facts again.

City driving with the longest distance being 40 miles . . . speeds from 25mph to 70mph

• 5/12 17.1 mpg
• 5/22 16.7 mpg

Distance driving, 323 miles at 65 mph on cruise control

• 5/28 18.8 mpg

The engine just turned 2,000 miles. I hope that it will improve in the next 5,000 miles. Next I have to try 55 and see what happens.