Caravan Fuel Mileage?

[PToombs]

I'm looking at an '03 Grand Caravan, and was wondering what people get for gas mileage with these? It has the 3. 3 V-6 and has 104k on it for miles. The current owner tells me that it gets 27-29 most of the time if you drive it easy. True, or blowing smoke?

Thanks guys!

 

[Regcabguy]

I think 17-23 mpg is more realistic.

 

[jgillott]

My in-laws had one for a while. We took it on a couple of long trips and it got in the low 20's with 4 adults and luggage in it. The high 20's he's talking about may be stretching it a little.

 

[rscurtis]

Ask to see the fuel purchase records and the MPG calculations.

 

[LRutigliano]

I'm looking at an '03 Grand Caravan, and was wondering what people get for gas mileage with these? It has the 3. 3 V-6 and has 104k on it for miles. The current owner tells me that it gets 27-29 most of the time if you drive it easy. True, or blowing smoke?

Thanks guys!

That owner can't do math or he embellishes the truth... The 3. 3 V6 is an OHV engine with 12 valves and is majorly taxed for power in the GC. I would estimate that high teens to low 20's is more realistic. That vehicle is at least 4500 lbs and its under powered, which means the engine has to work just to move the thing. Hard working engines = low fuel mileage.



As an example, we have a 2008 T&C with the 4. 0 V6 and 6 spd auto trans. We have driven the thing on 7500 miles worth of extended road trips on the interstates and have averaged 22-23 mpg on those trips (hand calc). We have over 36k on it now and I calculate every fill up...



In town, we get 16-18 mpg.



The 4. 0 V6 is a brand new technology engine with a 24V SOHC and EFI and the electronic 6spd auto is very efficient and has an ultra low top gear. At highway speeds, the engine is spinning very slow (1500 to 2000 rpm)



Hope this helps,

Louis

 

[MChrist]

Our 2001 Honda Odyssey has 120,000 miles and since day 1 has gotten 17 city and will get a consistent 24-25 hand calc on highway at 75-80. Just went to Florida from Chicago and averaged 24. 2 for whole round trip, including bopping around Florida. If I only went 60, I might get 26, but my wife would kill me for going so slow!!!

 

[mwilson]

I own two Town & Country vans, '98 has the 3. 8L and the '08 had the 3. 3L.

Bulletproof engines, I love 'em.





However the fuel mileage will be 18-22mpg at best. I had the '08 out for a week-end 450 mile trip recently.



Clear calm night at 70mph going out, coming back two days later in the pouring rain with a headwind at 70mph gave me a round trip mileage of 21mpg.



I figure that is respectable for what they are. The useful nature of my mini-vans more than makes up for a little less fuel economy IMHO.



It ain't all about gas mileage... ...

 

[mwilson]

What would concern me much more than the fuel mileage would be the care and feeding of the transmission.

Ask to see any records and if it has had the trans fluid changed.



If so, look for proof that the ATF+4 was put back in as a replacement fluid. Dextron III will tear them up in a hurry.



I have not had any transmission issues and I have owned 5 Chrysler Mini-Vans at various times but I always change the filter and fluid every 2 years, and put the correct fluid back in.

 

[PToombs]

Guys, thanks for all the responses! I got wondering about the mileage because I was playing with the overhead and it said 19. I really want a vehicle that gets nearer 30 because the wife travels around the state quite a bit. I was looking at Neons and Stratus' but she fell in love with the van.

I think I'll pass on it.

Thanks again for your help, TDR is the best!

 

[CumminsBu]

Had an 04 Carvan with 3. 3L got between 18 and 20 mpg hand cal, then upgraded to a 05 Honda Odyessyes with 3. 5 i-vtec (shut downs 3 cyl while cruising and coasting) 23 to 26 mpg hand cal.

 

[ROADWARRIOR]

We have a 2000 GC with the 3. 3l and have got from 20 to 25 with it. This was in rolling hills on County roads in WI; not the best roads for mileage IMO.

Dan

 

[Bill Stockard]

Had an 04 Carvan with 3. 3L got between 18 and 20 mpg hand cal, then upgraded to a 05 Honda Odyessyes with 3. 5 i-vtec (shut downs 3 cyl while cruising and coasting) 23 to 26 mpg hand cal.

Yep, my wife's '06 Honda Odyssey with the 3. 5L i-vtec does about the same on highway mileage. It averages 18-20 in city type driving. It's amazing how the engine shuts down three cylinders and I don't feel it cutting in and out. The only way I can tell it's happening is by watching the little green indicator light on the instrument panel. I keep up with the fuel purchases/mileage on our computer using MS Excel.



We test drove a GC and a T&C before buying the Honda.



Bill