Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post

sbestca · 10-17-2012, 01:38 AM

I bought this van because I like to travel and need to haul motorcycles and snowmobiles in all seasons, and I need a vehicle I can camp in. I had a Ford Taurus Wagon and a Jeep Cherokee before this and while they would tow the trailer, they were too small to camp in really, except in an emergency.

I gotta say, this Pentastar engine is peppy. It will scream! 285hp and fly by wire.
It had 100kms on it when I bought it, so for the first 500km I drove it pretty much normally, avoiding cruise control, high speeds and steady speeds. I didn't idle at all, used moderate throttle until warmed up, and then used up to 3/4 throttle quite often once the engine was warmed up. I tried to keep the revs down but 3/4 throttle delivers 6000rpm shift points. I played with the fuel mileage display, using it and resetting it often on the first couple tanks to get a feel what mileage for various conditions is, so I don't have an indicated mileage for the first tanks for this reason.

So, first ten tanks of fuel, speed and indicated fuel mileage on the meter:

Any suggestions on what I can do to improve on this besides keep breaking it in and slow down?

10-17-2012, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
sbestca EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 43 Big Blue Caravan - '12 Dodge Grand Caravan 90 day: 21.72 mpg (US) Thanks: 6 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts	I bought this van because I like to travel and need to haul motorcycles and snowmobiles in all seasons, and I need a vehicle I can camp in. I had a Ford Taurus Wagon and a Jeep Cherokee before this and while they would tow the trailer, they were too small to camp in really, except in an emergency. I gotta say, this Pentastar engine is peppy. It will scream! 285hp and fly by wire. It had 100kms on it when I bought it, so for the first 500km I drove it pretty much normally, avoiding cruise control, high speeds and steady speeds. I didn't idle at all, used moderate throttle until warmed up, and then used up to 3/4 throttle quite often once the engine was warmed up. I tried to keep the revs down but 3/4 throttle delivers 6000rpm shift points. I played with the fuel mileage display, using it and resetting it often on the first couple tanks to get a feel what mileage for various conditions is, so I don't have an indicated mileage for the first tanks for this reason. So, first ten tanks of fuel, speed and indicated fuel mileage on the meter: Any suggestions on what I can do to improve on this besides keep breaking it in and slow down?