MPG Improve after added mileage/wear ??

TNSolera · 04-17-2011, 09:56 PM

New 2011 Solera, first 1000 miles more like 60-65 mph 13mpg avg.. 2nd 1000 miles drove 60mph.. same 13mpg.. I was expecting more like 15-16 due to previous reviews with owners w/6cy mercedes engine. Will my mileage improve over time.. IE after a break in period? Should we use synthetic oil to help here?I understand the added height and more blunt front end design hurts our mileage.. expected -1 mpg vs the more areodynamic models. Any feedback appreciated. TN

scubieman · 04-17-2011, 10:04 PM

I assume this is diesel. If so or if not wait at least 5000 to 10000 before seeing improved mileage.

LadyWindrider · 04-17-2011, 11:12 PM

Sorry, but can we get real. 300 mile round trip, 13 miles per gallon, cost $4.00 per gallon equals 23 gallons of fuel, at $4.00 per gallon equals $92.30.

Same trip at 14 miles per gallon equals 85.72. So that is about $7.00, not even 2 gallons of fuel. Camping ain't cheap.

TNSolera · 04-18-2011, 08:24 AM

Thanks, is the diesel and I was hoping it gets a little better after a break in.. we're planning trip to Alaska.. > 10k miles over 3-4 months..

reinerka · 04-18-2011, 06:37 PM

There are many factors if you want to compare the numbers (even to other members with the same vehicle).

Wind
Terrain (high altitude/up-down hill percentage)
Load (carry full tanks of fresh/gray/black water?)
etc, etc.

Changing the oil to another oil might improve your mileage as you will carry a lighter wallet with you. As long as the oil meets Mercedes spacs you won't see a difference at all.

Diesel engines take a bit longer to break in than gasoline engines.

On your trip to Alaska it would make a $500 difference (13 vs 15 mpg) if diesel costs $5 on average. I doubt that should be a make/break decission.

Reiner

George · 04-23-2011, 09:30 AM

TNSolera,
The mileage you are getting is about what I got when mine was new. We have a little over 5K on it and now average 17mpg. The key is, like Reinerka said, not having full water tanks and keeping it ~60-65mph. You'll find on your trip that when you get out of the hills of TN onto flat ground in the midwest you'll do better mileage. Be patient.
George

mckirby50 · 05-09-2011, 10:11 AM

We just passed 3000 miles and have averaged 13-14 mpg the entire time. i'm not displeased as i drive a Ford Expedition (gas) at work and it struggles to get 15mpg. Put any type of trailer (boat or cargo)behind the Expedition and it won't get 10mpg.
Will be verry happy if the Solera ever gets 17-18 mpg.

Kirby & Paula
2012 Solera

08flagvlite · 05-09-2011, 11:15 AM

X2!!

The_Stuff · 05-09-2011, 11:44 AM

headwind can make/break the trip! if you dont mind every tom/dick/harry passing you then ease her back 5mph and you will save dramatically!

Tremain · 06-29-2011, 09:30 PM

Our 2010 Solera on a 2008 chasis has 20,000 miles on the turbo diesel and has had 2 oil changes and is complete on all services........Sorry, best mileage has been 15 and average is..........13.4 at 65mph, 14 to 14.5 at 60 and maybe 14.8 at 55mph. Our lowest after 15,000 miles was 8.1 mpg against a head wind in Louisiana. Measured at every fill up. We were also told we would get 21mpg from Terrytown RV.

crocus · 06-29-2011, 10:03 PM

"Our 2010 Solera on a 2008 chasis has 20,000 miles on the turbo diesel and has had 2 oil changes"
===============================================
Say what?
I think changing the oil a tad more often would be a very nice treat for your engine. Oil is relatively cheap compared to what that engine is worth. JMO

Tremain · 06-30-2011, 10:08 AM

Good luck on your trip...........

The oil change on a Mercedes 300 turbo to maintain it's warranty is every 15,000 miles. I moved on that to every 10,000 miles. The recommended oil to maintain the 100,000 mile warranty on the diesel engine is ME 229.5. I use a full synthetic Mobil one 0-40 plus it burns up one quart every 600 to 1000 miles. Mercedes has recognized this use and let's you know to watch for it. Even though the coach is dated 2010, the frame and engine are 2008 which has created problems two times requiring towing once and limping (40 mph max) another time. It took two days for Mercedes and Forrest River to figure out who was responsible for the warranty work.......Dodge, Freight Liner or Mercedes. Pre 2009 frame/engines go to Dodge Sprinter Dealers. Glad it wasn't Mercedes, they are 450 miles away and Dodge is only 110 miles. Can't believe I was glad it was only 110 miles...............Good Sam paid $450.00 to cover the tow.

ilmor · 07-05-2011, 04:14 AM

We averaged 13.5 to 14 on our recent trip between SC & CT using the I-81 (mountain) route. This, with a full camper w/ 3 people & 2 dogs. We keep it on 62 - 65 max.

TNSolera · 07-05-2011, 07:54 PM

Recently made trip to Branson, we avg 13.5 to 14 mpg.. 60-65mph. Have 8500 miles on camper; many I have talked to say 10000 miles will be what we get.. Camper handled very well and we're happy with same.. just a little less efficient than expected. I too am a camper for over 40 years.. so not a newbie.

Tremain · 07-06-2011, 01:17 PM

If you read any of the blogs on the big gas set ups. We can be disappointed but we get better then most. I met a camper in Yellowstone and he was getting 21mpg with a two wheel Dodge sprinter diesel. He had nothing except a bed, tanks and a Vannigan type kitchen. I'll take the amenities over mileage. The Mechanic at the Dodge dealership told me with a 2.7 liter we would suffer power loss, but get better mileage. We just went thru Branson in April, crazy fun place.

Freightliner · 10-11-2011, 08:28 PM

Since new 13.5 mpg was best MPG. just turned 3K used 1/2 quart of oil and fuel economy jumped to 14.6. Hoping it continues to improve but honestly I am so impressed on the power this unit has to climb hills and merge on the highway that even if it doesn't get any better I will still be happy.

ilmor · 10-12-2011, 07:27 PM

MPG is extremely variable and based on numerous factors; driving style, speed, altitude, elevation changes, tire pressures, RV weight, cargo weight, etc. etc., so many in fact that it's extremely difficult to compare apples to apples. So, I don't worry about it. I just know it gets a LOT better than the 8.5 mpg I was getting w/ all previous RVs!!!

ezawacki · 10-12-2011, 09:11 PM

At first we tried to pull our 2012 Salem 26 Tbud with our Expedtion with a 4.6 motor. Sad to say our exped just didnt have the muscle. I picked up a good deal on a 2005 F-250 diesel and fixed the muscle problem. At the same time I started using Lucas fuel treatment because this guy at work said that diesel fuel as low sulfur and lacks the lubricants that it used to have years ago before the low sulfur became the standard. Anyway I have to say that when I put the Lucas in the fuel the engine ran smoother and a bit lower with regard to engine rattle. Then I noticed the MPG were higher than they were before I used it. I started a fuel log to validate my MPH and sure enough it was. I read up more on this Lucas as reviews were mixed, but it also said I can use it in my Expedition with the 4.6 gas engine as well. The Expedtion started running smoother right away. I just thought you may want to know or even try it.

gb73071 · 03-04-2012, 02:40 PM

Just completed my last trip which put me at 5500 miles on my 2012 Solera. Still only averaging about 13 MPG. Everything I have read says this should be improving by now. My next trip will be in April and will be close to 2000 miles so hopefully it does improve with the price of diesel being so high. Has anybody else seen a noticeable improvement after breaking in the engine on the Solera?

ilmor · 03-04-2012, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gb73071

Just completed my last trip which put me at 5500 miles on my 2012 Solera. Still only averaging about 13 MPG. Everything I have read says this should be improving by now. My next trip will be in April and will be close to 2000 miles so hopefully it does improve with the price of diesel being so high. Has anybody else seen a noticeable improvement after breaking in the engine on the Solera?

If you're driving in hills, some mountains and some flat, I don't think you'll do any better. On a completely flat drive, I have done 14 or so a couple of times. Also depends a lot on the speed traveled (stay on 55 to 60 for the best mileage). I have over 10K on mine.

It's very difficult to compare MPG's between people because we all drive different ways and in different areas. If we all did exactly the same thing then you could truly compare our motorhomes' MPG's.

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