[Boricuanology]

Hi guys and let me start by saying this site is awsome!!! Long live Astro Safari!!!!

Anyway in our family we had a few of astro/safari most of them from the 88-94, just recently donated my 92 rwd to a church and purchase a mint condition 140+ miles 98 AWD. Had good luck on the past with this van so I wanted one of the newer models, but I must said the difference on gas milage is hugeeeeeeeeeee. Now while on the subject, I read here the AWD is electronic being that is now on all the time, so pretty much is a rwd, right?

If this is the case, why is this van sucking so much gas? my 92 RWD with 184,000+ miles was sweet with the gas, why this 98 AWD has a heavy drinking problem if the AWD is off must of the time, asuming that the AWD only goes on when the rear tires are spinning like on rain, snow or ice. This is the understanding I get when you guys said that the AWD electronicly kicks in. Correct me if Im wrong, pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!!

Planning on going to florida from Pennsylvaina this August and Im scare of how much this trip is going to cost me. I was on the process of making it RWD ONLY by removing the shaft/axles that goes to the front, but I heard that this will not do much for better gas milage also that the car might go neutral gear and it might move.

What will be the best way to deal with this situation? Someone mention about a fuse that will keep the car RWD only, is this true? will it help?

My last option will be to make it RWD ONLY by swaping the tranny and rear out of a RWD only, but I know this will be time consuming and not to mention $$$$$$.

Are they any parts/sensor or anything that will make this AWD drink more gas than they should? Maybe theres something wrong with mine, maybe something needs replacing, anyone, anyone, anyone!!!!!

Sugestion guys please, theres got to be a way to making this AWD be more gas frendly!!!!

 

[Boricuanology]

20 views and not a single reply, comong guys help me out or point me out to the right place, please!!!
thank you.

 

[WVKayaker]

yeah, gas guzzlers...my '90 shorty, 20MPG all around average, my '99 AWD about 15...extra weight and bigger tires...can't help ya with the drive train mods...others here say it isn't really recommended...tune ups and filters help..

 

[pwhited]

Your 98 is full time AWD, and the fuse pulling trick won't work in it since there is none, I think that change happened with the 99 models. I've heard that changing all the fluids to synthetics helps with gas mileage, haven't done it myself. I did see an improvement with a Volant air cleaner and a different muffler (dynomax, IIRC) plus a less restrictive converter. Not a big improvement, but it did help. I've been thinking seriously about one of the "does the really work?" things that pulls hydrogen out of water, some big claims there, 70 percent improvement, stuff like that. Some are hyper expensive, some are relatively cheap. My mileage is suffering right now from needed a plug and wire change, it's 11K overdue. Runs fine, seeing the beginnings of hard starting though so it needs done. Lose some weight too (not you, the van!) the more you haul the more it costs. I've heard that the underdrive pulleys help a bit, but full charging might be a problem. There's a few ideas anyway. Here's the link to some "does this really work?" stuff...

http://www.articleanswer.com/Drive_Car_On_Water_Placement.htm

 

[AstroAustin]

gasoline gutters? I think you are confusing everyone with your topic title.

 

[Boricuanology]

Thank you guys for your replies, Im just worried because it is really hurting my pocket. It is so hard, I went from saving a lot on gas to now filling every week. I Just put 4 new balance tires and they also aling the car since they told me it need it.

I was looking for a intake like the ones K&N sells but it doesn't seen to be one for our van, Is there a company that sells one? About the muffler set up I think Im gonna do it, have a friend that did a cat back (double exit exhaust) with a flomaster and not only sounds great he says that it runs better. I will def do the catalic converter, who knows that might be case, who knows!!! about the syntetic oil/ fluids? I just did one oil change I guess I use it next time, before I go on my trip to florida.

But I will still do the rear convertion, I know it will cost me $$$$ since I will do it the right way from the computer, tranny and rear. I will totally make it a RWD ONLY if I have to. I will check the link you send me, might find some good stuff there.

Thanks everyone and if you find anything else please let me know.

Muchas Gracias!!!

 

[TanVan03]

I have a 2003 AWD and it gets between 12-14 around town and only 16 on the highway....and I only have 46000 miles...

As for the intake - Volant makes an intake for the Astro. Do a search for volant air intake...

That will be one of my future upgrades as well.

 

[willy]

My 98 awd clcoks in 15.8 to 16.5 mpg every week. The 97 rwd I had before was 19 to 21 mpg on a regular basis. I know the awd sucks more gas and the gear ratio of 3.73 doesn't help either. I love the van and wouldn't part with it but with the increased fuel expence I no longer use it as a daily driver. I thought about installing a Fram air hog air filter. I used one on my truck with a cat back free flow exhaust and saw around a 1 mpg increase.

A friend is in the process of parting out a 98 4dr blazer and I thought about swapping out the awd unit for the part time 2 speed transfer case but would still be spining the front drivetrain around in 2wd. Some guys here, have done that before and in fact I believe I would pefer a part time setup.

Another option I've considered is changing the ring/pinion sets to something around the 3.08 or even 2.73 range. I did go with taller tires (235/70 15) when they were changed and noticed I use a "little less fuel" when filling up each week. Might be saving close to gallon per week but it wouldn't show on the odometer readings without recalabrating for the change. I figure the tires make 5% fewer ratations per mile and at 16 mpg I should pickup .5 to .8mpg depending on conditions. almost like changing from a 3.73 ratio to a 3.55. Not much but since I needed tires anyway the change was free.

For me it all boils down to how much I'd have to spend and how long it would take for the savings to pay off the expence of the modifications. In my case it's cheaper to retire the van for when it's nessary to use and drive a beater that gets 30mpg or the bike at 40 to 45mpg. I'd rather drive the van any day of the week but I can't justify 70.00+ a week for fuel. With an empty nest the van is optional in most cases.

Willy

 

[kocka80]

I actually purchased one of those "run car on water" for $50 and gonna try to build the "THING" see what happens . in the near future if you read the news in the paper "Chevy Astro blow up in quiet residential area" thats probably gonna be me
I am reading the book now when im finished with that gonna start to build and keep you posted

 

[WVKayaker]

How much of a difference in MPG's is it going from stock 215-75-15's to 235-75-15's?

 

[pobox]

Originally posted by: Willy
"I did go with taller tires (235/70 15) when they were changed and noticed I use a "little less fuel" when filling up each week."

Hello everyone! This is my first post. :banana: I have a 2002 AWD and previously owned a 1989 RWD. I know everyone is probably "tired" (pun intended) of tire questions but I have searched this forum and read for hours on the subject of oversize tires rubbing or not. It seems to be mixed comments for 235/70 15. I think most of of the posts that I have read were owners of early model vans (some lifted). I want absolutely zero rubbing at any point but would really like to go with 235/70's. So, my question is mostly for Willy with the 2003 AWD, but any comments are welcome. Willy, do you have any rubbing whatsoever? Also, I thought the 2003's got the 16" upgrade. Anyway, I am buying tires this week and have no interest in lifting the van. Just want more MEAT and my calculations place the 235/70 as the ideal tire in reference to height as the 225/70 is slightly shorter than the stock 215/75 15 and I would like to keep the current ground clearance. New 225/70's are about the same height as my worn 215/75's so the 225/70's would be quite a bit shorter when they are nearing the end of their life.

By the way, mileage for my 2002 AWD with 215/75 15's is consistently right there with the previous posters at 13.5, according to the vans instrumentation. This is for about a 50/50 mix of highway/city over approximately 4,000 miles.
I replaced a 2000 extended cab Silverado 4x4 with this van and hoped to save a little on gas but only improved around 1 to 1.5 mpg.