fuel mileage

[michael7140]

I have got a 2004 gmc safari cargo van that gets 16 mpg, is there anything
i can do to improve this? it has a 3.73 rear gear.

[DownByTheRiver]

I always drive exactly the speed limit and avoid accelerating hard. The only other things that I can think of to help increase gas mileage is to change the fuel filter and air filter at regular intervals. I also check the pressure in my tires frequently to make sure they are not underinflated. Hopefully someone else posts some suggestions because I would like to get better gas mileage, too.

[michael7140]

I am a master ford mechanic, all my tires are good,air and fuel filters new, I drive with
gas saving in mind but it makes no difference. I am going to try replacing the 3.73 gear
with a 3.23 gear and see what happens. I used to own a 1994 astro wich got 22 miles a gallon.
it had 2.73 gears. the gear people tell me that a 2.73 gear would be to high for city driving.
any of you gear guys out there please respond to this.

[chevymaher]

With that gear, and the trans gear these vans have in first.It would be the same as a turbo 350 trans in first with a 3.36 rear gear.Very doable in town.But you would always be in lower gears except on the freeway. Ridiculous low RPMs on the freeway.Because of the overdrive.

[xit]

My 1994 has a 3.42 ratio axle, when I drive with economy in mind I have managed 22-23 mpg, that is with correct air pressure in the tires with no wind to speak of & no load, driving the speed limit or a couple mph under. That is as good as I can get.

[Jasen]

If you look at the MPG of the latest and greatest brand new trucks and vans are getting today, that's really not so bad. 8 years of advancement and there only boasting 20 MPG. And what happens when you load most of them up, they probably drop 5 MPG. I say this because the brand new F 150, or F75 as I call them, that I rented last year struggled to carry the same load my 97 Astro carries everyday, and empty, the F75 didn't have as much power as the Astro with it's 1,200-1,400 lb. load of tools.

[ProStreet_LS1]

switch gears. Might actually be cheaper to switch whole axle, then to have new gears setup. You will lose some of the accelaration, but will get better gas mileage.

[1297chevastro]

Reduce the weight such as tools and ladders or roof racks which reduce aerodynamics if they are not in use. Also running lots of accessories may put strain on the alternator and hurt fuel economy. Like don't turn on the rear and front heat if your the only one in the car.

[maximus7001]

The biggest problem I have encountered when dealing with mileage on my Safari is tire pressure. The key here for these vans is to have 35psi or more if the tire is rated for more. Most tire places and car dealers will send you away with 32psi and claim that this is the correct pressure, it is not and will also wear the sides of the tread. Car dealers do this to make the ride softer and tire places do it to wear your tires out quicker.

[michael7140]

thank you every one for your replies. I am going to try the 3.23 gears because my gears have a
howl in them anyway.