Gas mileage......

[rubberman]

wondering what everyone else is getting for gas mileage in their Montana? I'm gettting around 23.8 mpg. and i have the extended van too. Just curious

[Dan_in_WA]

That's pretty close to what the wife gets in her '01. About half and half city/HWY driving.

It beats her sister's Plymouth Voyager!!

[tmorris1]

98 Montana Extended

> 70mph = 23mpg
65-70mph = 24mpg
60mph = 24-26.5mpg

[rubberman]

i'm gonna change the air filter and fuel filter before our vacation in 2 weeks to see if that changes it much.

[tmorris1]

This mileage was calculated using the onboard compass/computer deal. It seems to be pretty accurate.

I have just went through mine and did lots of maintainence to hopefully keep this thing running a while. I recently had the injectors cleaned professionally because of a misfire. I have changed all the filters (fuel, oil, air), changed the spark plugs and wires. I also use Mobil 1 synthetic 5w30 oil, but I don't know if this makes that much of a difference but it can't hurt. The air filter looked like new after 20,000 miles, but I changed it anyway.

I think the best way to boost mileage is keep your engine tuned up and keep the tires at the proper air pressure.

[DamienZ28]

My mialage was the same as yours before I went to a K&N filter thats good for about 2 more MPG also a good synthetic helps alot! Sad to say im currently working on replacing my head gaskets and its a bear! If you can afford it have someone else do it! LOL On the bright side ill fix that pesky head gasket during this job!

[tmorris1]

I saw on another board that people were saying K&Ns don't filter as well. They were saying this because used oil analysis was showing lots of silicon (Sand and Dirt) in the oil. It could be that these poeple didn't install them properly also. I don't think I will get much better than what I am currently getting 24-26 is about all you can get out of these vans, the wind profile sucks on them.

[rubberman]

whats the deal with Autozone? They want $25 for a Deustch brand fuel filter. I can go to Advanced auto and get an AC Delco brand for $15.

Also on tire pressure, the tires say 35psi but they still look a little low in the front. Does anyone go a little over that or do you keep them right at 35? Curious that eventhough the tires are at the proper limit the tires still look as if they need more air.

['96redhotgt]

I get about the same mileage as tmorris1 on the highway but inthe city I only get about 18-20 which is pretty disappointing. I get better mileage in the city and highway in my Mustang GT, even when not trying. I noticed on our last trip that anything over 70mph brings the mileage down pretty quickly. As far as tire pressures go, you have to look at the way they are wearing to see if the pressure is right. That 35 on the sticker is probably only for a fully loaded van and seems about right for mine. In the city not loaded I think about 33 is better. By the way, I've noticed that the on board computer only calculates the fuel used when driving, not the actual total. That's kind of dumb but for people that don't ever calculate it manually, it looks better for GM because it's always about 2 mpg better than actual.

[KJRich]

My van's a Venture and we only get 19-20 in everyday driving. It does better on the highway. Our computer is consistently off, showing about 2 mpg better than the actual consumption.

[rubberman]

Well i got back from the vacation. Its 600 miles one way and i got 26mpg on the way there and 25mpg on the way back home. So not too bad.

['96redhotgt]

Has anyone had fuel injection system cleaning done? I keep hearing about this on the radio but not from anybody I know. Do you keep the long life spark plugs until 100k? It's hard to believe they can last that long although I know from working on airplanes that have used them that they can last much longer than the cheap ones. On airplanes they (long life) are platinum/iridium also, and cost much more than the cheap ones. Also like the ones in cars, they don't require gapping.

[KJRich]

I am waiting til 100,000 miles with my van, mainly because I don't think I want to try them (sparkplugs) myself. I'll probably get the injectors done then, too. Meanwhile, I run injector cleaner every oil change.

['96redhotgt]

I know they recommend 5w30 oil but when I use that in this hot climate, I have to add oil, about a quart per 750 miles. Don't know where it goes. If I use 10w30 I don't have to add oil more than about 1 quart per 1500 or so. That was true even when we first got this van with 45k miles on it.

[rubberman]

i always use 10w30 and also a PF52 filter