Hi,

I just bought a used 2002 Dodge Caravan. I've had it tuned up, but the mileage sees poor. Of course, I am new to Caravan's so I am not sure what mileage to expect. It seems twice as bad as my old Corolla. Any tips on how to improve mileage?

 

What mileage are you getting that you consider poor? The vehicle is nothing like a corolla, so you cannot make that comparison. How many miles? What engine?

 

Depending on driving and conditions, expect anywhere from 15mpg to mid 20s.
If it's all short trips where the vehicle barely gets to temp, expect even worse.
I would expect mileage to be 2x as bad as a Corolla, it's 2x as much vehicle with 2x more engine.

 

I don't know about you guys but on 2008 Dodge grand caravan in a city traffic i get 8-9 miles per gallon ......on a highway ...max 12 miles per gallon . Faaaar from the Oficial MPG 17-22mpg. Dodges suck on gas. and I have no leaks no engine problems new plugs cables gaskets catalytic converter , O2 sensors .....tried everything to improve gas mileage .....it's imposible
on a 2014 Dodge grand caravan I get 11,5mpg city ....16mpg max on highway .......so I little better if it's newer......
both vehicles are around 128 000 miles odometers.....
......haven't tried a "brand new" Caravan ....but i have a feeling even from the factory it's not going to be a 17-25mpg as they advertise .......life sucks.

 

It's not a "Dodge" problem.
Either your van is broken, or you drive like crap.

This is from our 2018 GC. Was loaded with 7 passengers, luggage for the weekend, and the AC was cranked. Average speed of 62mph.
Made 610 miles on 17.8 gallons of gas, for a total of 34.3 mpg at the pump.



Another trip loaded with 5 passengers, luggage for a week, cooler, etc. Trip started at -5° in WI ended at 72° in Florida. Average for the trip was 32.4 mpg. Filled up 3 times to make it down there. Average speed was 72mph.



Hell, even my 94 with the 3.8 swap mated to the built 4 speed averages 22-24 mpg in mixed use and pulls mid/high 20s cruising highway.

 

5 year old thread. Yeah, something is wrong with your van. If you have a question, it's better to start your own thread instead of reviving an old one.

 

not to doubt you but if Dodge official estimate is 17-25 mpg.....how are you getting 34mpg ??? maybe "display" average is not correct ?
I am happy for you of course. you got some miracle Dodge ! well it's still new i guess 4 years . not 8 or 14 like mine .

 

I didn't know treads " expire" ?! .....not trying to "revive" or " kill" any tread ......saw it while scrolling so I was curious what gas mileage people get. i definately know mine is very poor. yet nothing wrong with the van ....no warning lights , good power and acceleration . just enormous gas guzzzler. :-(

 

I see you missed the "actual" mileage, aka calculated at the pump portion of that....... You also missed this part: Hell, even my 94 with the 3.8 swap mated to the built 4 speed averages 22-24 mpg in mixed use and pulls mid/high 20s cruising highway.

Chances are you have things wrong with both your vans, you just don't know it. 130k miles on both, have either had their regular maintenance done?
Plugs, coils, coolant flush with thermostat, 2nd or 3rd transmission fluid/filter change, EGR change, PCV change are all well overdue.

What's your driving style?
Where are you driving?
Are you resetting your mileage calculator each fill up as you should?
Are you verifying mileage at the pump when you fill up?

There are some many variables here that without context, it's impossible to tell you why exactly your economy is so bad.

 

I see you missed the "actual" mileage, aka calculated at the pump portion of that....... You also missed this part: Hell, even my 94 with the 3.8 swap mated to the built 4 speed averages 22-24 mpg in mixed use and pulls mid/high 20s cruising highway. - I didn't miss your "actual mileage" calculation ..... but it seems impossible . Dodge gives an 25MPG max on highway - and you are getting 34 ? With all due respect - do you have some special Dodge Grand Caravan that the company that manufactures them doesn't know about ???

Chances are you have things wrong with both your vans, you just don't know it. 130k miles on both, have either had their regular maintenance done? - Yes !!! - I agree - something is wrong with my vans they burn too much.
Plugs, coils, coolant flush, thermostat,,transmission fluid/filter change, EGR change, PCV - ALL CHANGED .( also o2 sesors and cat converter ) - no difference in MPG

What's your driving style? - I think "old lady" is appropriate description
Where are you driving? - driving in new york city
Are you resetting your mileage calculator each fill up as you should? - That gives wrong average if it's done at every fill up. - I only do actual mileage - by gallons purchased at the pump MPG.
I guess i just have bad luck with old cars ;-)