2001 Chrysler town and country mpg - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

IsaacCarlson · 07-13-2012, 01:44 AM

Just got a new to us van. We reset the mileage when we got it today and it has been creeping up all day. It is now at 22.8 mpg avg.

I put 50 lbs in the tires on the last trip and the coastdown distance went WAY up. It takes off easier as well. It has 138,000 miles on it and fresh fluids. Tires are brand new. I am planning on installing a belly pan and maybe wheel covers.

3n3rgystar · 07-13-2012, 09:38 AM

What size engine do you have? I have one with 210k miles, 3.8l that I get 24.7mpg average with the A/C on. Only mods are higher air pressure, cleaned out fuel system with cleaner and fluid additives. And of course a light foot. Interested to see what gains you get with the mods.

IsaacCarlson · 07-13-2012, 11:52 AM

It has the 3.8

I am going to run some seafoam through it and see what happens.
Then we will drive it for a few weeks to get a base line.
First thing will be a belly pan.

3n3rgystar · 07-13-2012, 12:07 PM

Awesome engine mine doesn't burn or leak any oil even after 210K 1st time I have ever have an engine do that beyond 150k. I used cheap cleaner would be interesting to see how well the seafoam does better.

Varn · 07-13-2012, 02:59 PM

Be careful of the transmission in the minivans. They usually are automotive transmissions and can use some extra cooling pulling the heavier and less aero minis.

I have added a grill block, front of the wheel deflectors. Also deleted the roof rack and back seats on my windstar.

I think they really cry for a boat tail. It could be made light weight and attached to the hatch. Except for the height when the tail gate was open there would be almost no down side.

3n3rgystar · 07-13-2012, 04:37 PM

I have driven 584K miles combined in three of these type vans and never had any transmission problems. I think the problem is people are putting in the wrong transmission type fluid as these take a mopar type fluid. Most of the problems I have read have been after fluid flushes and changes where the shops put in a cheaper dextron fluid.

Varn · 07-13-2012, 05:25 PM

That is pretty amazing that you know your mileage so accurately and all in minivans without difficulty. I would agree that they are pretty decent vehicles.

Got me thinking at how many miles I have driven. Honestly I have no idea. Calculating as I write.....I doubt it is that much since I got my license in 1968 when I was 17. Probably less than 10,000 a year. Wow that would 400,000, I'm amazed at myself. Probably went another 80,000 on my bikes in the same length of time and another 100,000 on motorcycles.

Yeah the ignorance of some. Oil is oil huh. I was at my farm last week. The generator died in the middle of making dinner. Town is 10 miles away, Looked it was low on oil. Could only find two stroke oil...Well a little wouldn't hurt (yeah right) so I put in a few oz so that the sensor would let the engine run. It worked. But a Subaru generator motor is not a 3000 dollar transmission.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3n3rgystar

I have driven 584K miles combined in three of these type vans and never had any transmission problems. I think the problem is people are putting in the wrong transmission type fluid as these take a mopar type fluid. Most of the problems I have read have been after fluid flushes and changes where the shops put in a cheaper dextron fluid.

3n3rgystar · 07-13-2012, 05:34 PM

Yeah I used to think that too with older cars like I had a Dodge truck with a slant 6 and put gear oil in the engine, the transmission, the rear end, the power steering and a little in the radiator to lube the water pump. But that was an old truck and it wasn't sensitive to oil type as some of this newer stuff is for sure.

divedaddy03 · 07-13-2012, 05:58 PM

The Subaru motor is one hell of a motor though!

Wayne
SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varn

That is pretty amazing that you know your mileage so accurately and all in minivans without difficulty. I would agree that they are pretty decent vehicles.

Got me thinking at how many miles I have driven. Honestly I have no idea. Calculating as I write.....I doubt it is that much since I got my license in 1968 when I was 17. Probably less than 10,000 a year. Wow that would 400,000, I'm amazed at myself. Probably went another 80,000 on my bikes in the same length of time and another 100,000 on motorcycles.

Yeah the ignorance of some. Oil is oil huh. I was at my farm last week. The generator died in the middle of making dinner. Town is 10 miles away, Looked it was low on oil. Could only find two stroke oil...Well a little wouldn't hurt (yeah right) so I put in a few oz so that the sensor would let the engine run. It worked. But a Subaru generator motor is not a 3000 dollar transmission.

Varn · 07-13-2012, 06:44 PM

I don't know, the Subaru motor was in a basic coleman generator. It isnt that quiet. It's a one cylinder that runs at 3600 rpm. It uses about half a gallon of gas an hour at normal load. Uses a bit of oil so it might get 10 or 15 hours before I have to add any. Usually I add a half pint once then next time it gets down that far I change it.

It doesnt have an hour gauge but I have probably run it 1200 hours.
Back to the topic...