Not thrilled with my mpg of my Express

[One Awesome Inch]

I'm getting about 12mpg in the city in my 2012 4.8L Express low top. I was hoping for a couple mpg better than this.

Were my expectations too high?

 

[tx2sturgis]

I'm getting about 12mpg in the city in my 2012 4.8L Express low top. I was hoping for a couple mpg better than this.

Were my expectations too high?

That's about right in the city.

Are you going by the dashboard MPG readout or the actual math at the pump when filling up the tank?

If you really want an accurate readout while driving, you need to invest in an OBD2 readout like the Scangauge2.

Disclaimer: They are NOT cheap.

https://www.scangauge.com/

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Mpg readout. I could of swore Bob had a video where he purported better mpg with virtually the same van.

 

[Almost There]

Probably!

I get 16 mpg on the highway with my 2002 GMC 2500 but it's got the 5.7 in it so it's powered to handle the size of the vehicle better than the smaller enigne IMO.

I also have a very light foot on the gas and drive with a view to good gas, tire and brake mileage. Mechanics are often amazed at how many miles I get to a set of brakes...

I avoid city driving as much as possible so I can't tell you what mine gets in the city. If you're driving in Vancouver during rush hour you're spending more gas idling in traffic than you're using actually getting somewhere! 2 months in and around the lower mainland has shown that to me in no uncertain terms.

Have you tried taking it out of town on a trip and checked your gas mileage for highway driving yet?

Edit to add: I don't have a dashboard read out, mine is done the old-fashioned way...gas fill-up and calculator, try it and see if the results jive!

 

[John61CT]

Loaded or not makes a big difference, as does driving style.

If you aren't getting "hurry up" beeps from yuppie beemers when the light turns green you're wasting fuel

and free entertainment

 

[tx2sturgis]

Mpg readout. I could of swore Bob had a video where he purported better mpg with virtually the same van.

Just be careful on comparisons.

The condition of the van, all of its sensors, your altitude, cargo loading, the driving style, the tires, and the quality of the gas you can get all affect fuel mileage.

It is what it is....

 

[Ballenxj]

My Dodge gets 17 plus on the highway, and averages 9 to 10 in town. I think I did actually get 14 once in town, but it does have a lot to do with driving habits. I get with the program in town as I don't want to hold people up. Your Express mpg sounds about par.
Since John61CT brought impatient Beemer drivers up, I thought you folks would get a kick out of this short 34 second video.  
OK, it was a Mercedes not a Beemer, but same idea.

 

[John61CT]

Is that real?

Hilarious either way.

I have no patience for impatient drivers, fie and a pox upon 'em

I also can't stand intolerant people

 

[Ballenxj]

Somebody said it was a clip out of a commercial, but funny nonetheless.

 

[Almost There]

Hmmm, just a thought but are you also running a/c while city driving!

If so, you're probably lucky to be getting 12 mpg with the heat wave we've been having lately!

 

[gapper2]

I have the 2012 gmc savana 2500 passenger van 6.0 L six speed and I was getting 18-19 hwy.  I put a roof rack on and mileage dropped.  After solar panel install probably drop more.  Plan to build air deflector.  I mainly drive comb city and part 2 lane hwy.  you can improve your driving habits with OBD reader.

gapper2

 

[Gary68]

in my 1968 chevelle i got between 0.5 and 15 mpg depending on how i drove it,when it hit empty i bet i got 20+.feathered that throttle for dear life

if you are accelerating at the same rate as the honda next to you you will get at best 10,your hauling around an apartment and getting it up to speed takes a lot of energy,keeping it at speed doesnt take much at all

 

[tx2sturgis]

your hauling around an apartment and getting it up to speed takes a lot of energy,keeping it at speed doesnt take much at all

With my Scangauge I can see exactly how much horsepower it takes to accelerate, cruise, coast, idle, and most importantly, pull a trailer.

Of course, fuel mileage is directly related to how much power the engine is making, we all know that. But it is interesting to see the difference in actual hard numbers.

When cruising in my van in calm air, no wind, level ground, it takes around 48 horsepower to maintain about 65 mph. The cruising mpg will be around 19-22 mpg.

With a stiff headwind, that number will climb to 70-90 horsepower or so, and fuel mileage drops to 16-14 mpg, more or less.

In calm air with the boxy cargo trailer, it reads around 80-90 hp, (14-12 mpg) and then climbs to 120-150  horsepower (11 to 9 mpg) to fight a stiff headwind or broadside wind. Climbing a steep grade with the transmission knocked back a gear, the hp reads up around 180 to 210 or so, and the mileage will show about 7 down to about 2 mpg...OUCH! On the downhill coast, the hp drops to about 6, and the mpg reads 9999!

My small 5x8 flat trailer with a small bike loaded on it barely makes a dent in the mpg or horsepower readings.

And obviously, grades, hills, speeds, and driving style makes a huge difference in those numbers.

 

[BigT]

Do you still have the TC, or is it too late to switch back?  

I just can't get over those mpg numbers you're dealing with.  Nope Nope Nope, and more Nope.  

 

[breeze]

I've got a V8, high roof, and run ac; and can still get 17mpg. But that is driving 55 to 65mph and even easier off the expressway. MPH is the main secret to gas mileage imo. And the v8 will handle heavier loads too with less stress and get better mpg than a v6, often when loaded up like a camper. It's just hard to drive a v8 without punching the pedal! It takes commitment to do it: nearly 100% of the time!

 

[John61CT]

City driving is a whole new level of challenge.

If your location is pretty flat, get a nice smooth shallow bowl, mount it level and fill it a third up with paint or ink.

Or a marble for beginners.

Don't let it get anywhere near the lip.

I've taught dozens of teens and partners to drive, mostly stick. . .

 

[travlinman and wife]

2011 chevy 6 sped trans. 16 to 17 city 19 20 hwy with a20 inch high top. I have got 21 but not very often. 4.8 engine

 

[Ballenxj]

2011 chevy 6 sped trans. 16 to 17 city 19 20 hwy with a20 inch high top. I have got 21 but not very often. 4.8 engine

That's respectable mileage, especially for a high top.

 

[One Awesome Inch]

Some more info....

My ac needs to be recharged so no I am not using it. My tires are fully inflated but do have a winter tread. I am fairly light on the gas pedal and I coast as much as possible. My van isn't finished so will likely be heavier once fully built.

I am 100% urban / city with a career and children.

 

[tx2sturgis]

I am 100% urban / city with a career and children.

How many miles per month do you average?

Take your present mpg, figure the difference in mpg between that and what you might realistically expect, and then do the math to find the difference. How much more does it cost to drive?

Unless you drive a LOT of miles....it may not be a huge difference.

Maybe $10 or $20 more a month might not be noticeable, but $50 more per month probably would make a noticeable 'dent' in your wallet.