Phil Hendrix
Chicago area
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Joined: 02/02/2008
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Figured I would let you know what mine is getting....
2007 sprinter 2500 cargo van, high roof, 170" WB with 3.0L diesel.
Only have approx. 3000 miles on it now and have checked mileage four times and the worse has been 17.5 and best around 19.5
Mixture of driving, city and highway, try to stay 65-80 mph. Would love to drive 60-65 but just have a hard time doing that. When I watch the RPM's it does seem like the engine is turning more than I would have thought. I need to check the rearend ratio. Not sure what I have.
All the miles up to this point have been either empty cargo or hauling cabinets to jobsites (I have a custom cabinet business).
But I bought the van to convert into a motorhome and have it at a friends shop starting the work now. Was hoping to see the 19-21 mpg as was advertised....and probably could if I drove it a little easier. I thought about buying pre-2007 just so I could get the smaller engine and better mpg but really liked the newer body style and the longer wheelbase for what I wanted to do.
If I can get 18 consistantly I won't be a real happy camper, but won't be mad either. Hey, it's better than the 7 mpg I get in the class A. And if I really need to worry about the mpg on a trip then I will drive the honda civic at 40 mpg and take a pillow and blanket.
Hope this helps,
Phil
1999 American Coach - Heritage 45' for some places
(And when we can't afford the fuel)
2007 Sprinter 2500 RV conversion for other places
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Long_for_the_road
Chandler, AZ
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Joined: 02/15/2005
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Thanks Phil!
That's what we need are multiple reports to get calibrated on what to expect. I was considering bribing (sending money to) the 2007/2008 Sprinter owners to do some testing and publish the results - such as MPG for highway driving at 65 mph. Seems like a win-win situation to me - the Sprinter owner gets some fuel paid for on a trip they were taking anyway - and I get real world data without needing to rent a unit myself to get it.
I will be interested to hear which rear end ratio you have also (4.18 or 3.92 IIRC from earlier posts)
Thanks,
Shane
'99 Ford Extended van (converted)
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Lynne Jayzee
Asheville NC
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Joined: 04/01/2003
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It would be helpful to know how much weight you were carrying while driving. The mpg would obviously be higher for an unloaded cargo van.
Thanks for the information.
- LJZ
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Phil Hendrix
Chicago area
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I have no way of knowing the weight I carried....it would be speculation only. Couple times it was loaded down front to back, floor to ceiling with a nice set of cabinets. I could tell it was pulling a load for sure. Had alot of installation tools also. I'm not so sure the weight was as much a factor as the speed. I know the one time I got the 19+ I was trying my best to stay 65-70 on interstate 65.
When I get a chance to check out the rearend ratio I will do so.
I do know that when the conversion is done there is no way there will be the weight in it I was hauling those couple of deliveries/installations. So I don't see how I can get worse than 18 and that I can live with. To have a high roof vehicle with a 170" wheelbase and get 18....that's pretty good to me. The worse thing about it is I hate to loose the work van now that it is being converted.
Phil
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Phil Hendrix
Chicago area
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Hi Shane,
I looked at the sprinter paperwork and found I have a 4.10 rearend. I might consider changing somewhere down the road for better fuel mileage but this is probably better for pulling a car behind....which I want to be able to do.
Phil
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Long_for_the_road
Chandler, AZ
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Hi Phil,
Other 2007/2008 Sprinter owners have posted that although the paperwork says 4.10, the differential says 4.18. I also think I saw some posts that it's trickier than older systems to change the rear-end ratio. IIRC it was something about changing settings in the engine/transmission control system.
Thanks. It's great to start getting hard data from someone who isn't trying to sell.
Shane
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Patster
Ontario Canada
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Joined: 04/14/2005
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The 2007 Sprinters that I work on are long wheelbase high roof passenger models, they do a mix of 15% city, 85% highway with both open highway and rush hour stop and go. The average thus far for the two in service is 16.08 mpg. The top speed is limited 114 kph or 71 mph. The drivers have been told the fastest they should routinely go is 110 kph or 68 mph. The 2007's do use more fuel than the 2005 and 06 models.
On the plus side the 07's are much quieter and smoother than previous models and are better appointed on the inside with higher quality dash and controls. They are also a large sum more to purchase than previous models.
Reliability so far has been better on the 07's, but cost of oil changes ect cost more due to the increase oil capacity and more expensive filters.
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kmessinger
Bay area but NOT San Francisco or Berkeley
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Joined: 01/13/2008
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Phil Hendrix wrote:Hi Shane,
I looked at the sprinter paperwork and found I have a 4.10 rearend. I might consider changing somewhere down the road for better fuel mileage but this is probably better for pulling a car behind....which I want to be able to do.
Phil
The only way to check the rear end is to look at the actual tag. AFAIK although Dodge and Freightliner's literature advertised and invoices listed 4.10 there are none. No one in many forums has yet to produce a picture of the axle with a 4.10 number.
Regards,
Keith
The excellent adventures of Keith and Debbie. Observations about life, at home and on the road in our 2008 Sportsmobile Sprinter.
(Warning: Occasional sharp turns to the right.)
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