2005 Dgc Sxt Gas Mileage

[CarBob]

I bought a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with the 3.8L V-6 at the end of February. I now have 2,400 miles on it (mostly highway), and I have yet to get decent gas mileage with it. The best I have seen so far was a trip I took to Las Vegas in which getting there was all highway. Still, I only got 16.7 MPG, and no, I did not use the A/C. BTW, keeping with traffic, I went between 65-70 mph. The vehicle is rated as 18 city and 24 hwy. I know there are alot of variables that can alter the results compared to those figures, but I think the mileage I'm currently getting is ridiculous, and considering the current price of gas, I don't mean the funny kind of ridiculous! I own a '92 Caravan 3.0 and a '98 GC 3.3. and have always gotten gas mileages somewhere above or at least between the government ratings for these vehicles. I'm going to take it in to the dealer to have them check it out, but I just wanted to see if anyone out there was having similar problems. Has anyone gotten better mileage than me? My mother has a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8 and she averages 20 mpg driving under the same conditions or worse. Thanks!

[OSUCowboy27]

I had a very similar problem with my 2003 GC Sport 3.3L Flex. I took it to the dealer and they checked it out and found nothing. What happened was when I bought the van from dealership, they changed oil and put in 5 quarts which is what the manual says instead of 4.5 quarts which is what it actually takes. It was only slightly high on dipstick but overfilled enough to cause drag on the crank. I just changed filters and that brought the level down and my mileage went way up.

[CarBob]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll give it a try.

[dark_uncle]

yes, I am in the middle of an e-mail battle with Chrysler over my new T&C Touring minivan, 1000 miles into it and am averaging 14.6 MPG combined city/highway. VERY unhappy, they are giving me some crud about the EPA providing the numbers. Still feels like I got screwed.

[Marine2]

I also have a 2005 Dodge GC with the 3.8 engine. I have about 3,000 0n it and my milage with mostly about 70% highway and 30% city has been

1. 16.10
2. 18.77
3. 19.66
4. 18.75
5. 17.52
6. 19.98
7. 21.24 about 85% highway.
8. 17.14 All driven with a/c on
9. 16.60 All driven with a/c on
10 24.67 All but 25 miles highway driving. a/c on about 1/3 of the time

Done with desk calculator

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by Marine2

I also have a 2005 Dodge GC with the 3.8 engine. I have about 3,000 0n it and my milage with mostly about 70% highway and 30% city has been

1. 16.10
2. 18.77
3. 19.66
4. 18.75
5. 17.52
6. 19.98
7. 21.24 about 85% highway.
8. 17.14 All driven with a/c on
9. 16.60 All driven with a/c on
10 24.67 All but 25 miles highway driving. a/c on about 1/3 of the time

Done with desk calculator

Does seem a little low , have the 3.3 liter 2004 T&C and that will get 26 mpg highway going between 70-75 . I would say lower 20's for city driving .

[vipergg]

Originally Posted by CarBob

I bought a 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT with the 3.8L V-6 at the end of February. I now have 2,400 miles on it (mostly highway), and I have yet to get decent gas mileage with it. The best I have seen so far was a trip I took to Las Vegas in which getting there was all highway. Still, I only got 16.7 MPG, and no, I did not use the A/C. BTW, keeping with traffic, I went between 65-70 mph. The vehicle is rated as 18 city and 24 hwy. I know there are alot of variables that can alter the results compared to those figures, but I think the mileage I'm currently getting is ridiculous, and considering the current price of gas, I don't mean the funny kind of ridiculous! I own a '92 Caravan 3.0 and a '98 GC 3.3. and have always gotten gas mileages somewhere above or at least between the government ratings for these vehicles. I'm going to take it in to the dealer to have them check it out, but I just wanted to see if anyone out there was having similar problems. Has anyone gotten better mileage than me? My mother has a 2004 Chrysler Town and Country 3.8 and she averages 20 mpg driving under the same conditions or worse. Thanks!

To be fair your car really isn't even broken in yet , I would give it at least 5000 miles to see if it gets better .

[DoctorS]

That sounds about right for a 3.8. I have an 05' SXT with the 3.3 and near 9K miles on it, and even on the hiway, I only see about 20mpg. (26 hiway rating!)That really sucks for a six cylinder. I used to get a bit more than that with the 5.0L I had in my Chevy G20 Mark III conversion van on the hiway. Even my wifes 3.8 in her Buick gets better gas mileage than these Chrysler engines. Can't wait to get rid of this piece of plastic! I hate it!

DrS