Hi all,

I have a 1997 B2500 Dodge Day Van 5.2L V8 and would like
to know the official fuel consumption either in miles/gallon or
litres/100Km.

I have tried to find the information in the manual and on
the internet, but not having a lot of luck.

I hope somebody has the information.

Thanks,
Lee.

 

My van with the 3 speed 36RH tranny runs about 11.4 in town and 12.9 on the highway with some town driving. Have seen as high as 14.9 on the highway.

EPA average is 11 city 14 highway and 12 combined.

 

Hi, thanks for the information.

Can I assume that the figures you have quoted are in miles/US gallons.

 

I have a fairly heavily loaded '89 318 TBI camper van conversion which is not as efficient as MPFI. I regularly get around 10.5 to 11.5 MPG around town. At a steady 65 mph on the highway I'll average over 16MPG.

I think MAR's got a leadfoot. Or uses both.

 

Yes mine are MPG.

Only once in a while do I use both feet. Now I do drive at 70 MPH on the highway for right now. Gas goes much higher then I will start dropping my speed.

Here is a link to the EPA website.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
In the search click on 1997, Dodge, then B1500/2500 van 2WD. This will list several versions and give you what the estimates are.

 

In my many x country journeys I was being a little OCD about my fuel mileage, I did find that above 68MPH there was a wall that would drop me below the 15 mpg barrier, but below that 68 mph, 16mpg or better depending on headwinds. I assume the raised roof lowers this number somewhat over a non raised roof.

On one 200 mile section under construction I was forced to drive a steady 58 by the Semi in front of me in the one available lane. The mileage did not rise significantly over that of 68mph.

I also find that I can do better than the cruise control in achieving maximum mpg except on the flattest of terrain with a wandering mind.

 

Thinking about observation I do believe that my best mpg has been when driving at about 65 mph. I may try that for a while and see if I can increase my mpg.

 

Last time I really did a mileage check was on an '79 B100, carbureted 5.2L SWB cargo on a 10,000 KM trip to Victoria (B.C.), and after much experimenting with jets and rods, the best I could get was 18 MPG (Imperial gallons) at around 110KM/Hr. The best jet combination came from a "Lean Burn" carburetor. Just returned from a 6000KM trip to Newfoundland in an '89 B150 5.2 L and it cost about $20-22 per hour to operate or about 5L /100 KM. This one is dual fuel (propane) and that usually yields 4L / 100 city or 5L / 100 HWY. Propane in Toronto is currently .40/L