Forester MBS Fuel Consumption

[bob5560g]

Dear NessleJJ,

I would like to get an ODB-II engine monitor so I can keep an eye on the engine temp while climbing/towing in hot weather. Can I ask what make and model you have? (Anyone else feel free to chime in.)

Bob5560g

[Rkloud9]

Hey StillKickin...
What is your source regarding "no break in" mileage improvements? I have read multiple posts on the Sprinter Forum about MPG improvements after covering 5-10 k miles. Thanks!


Bob & Cynthia
2017 SunSeeker MBS 2400W
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[RedLdr1]

Originally Posted by bob5560g

Dear NessleJJ,

I would like to get an ODB-II engine monitor so I can keep an eye on the engine temp while climbing/towing in hot weather. Can I ask what make and model you have? (Anyone else feel free to chime in.)

Bob5560g

I bought a ScanGauge II when I was having all the Check Engine Light (CEL) issues with our MBS. Worked great for checking the Error Codes and as a additional gauge pack. You can get them all over the web, or at most parts stores. I bought mine at CW during a sale and with a coupon.

If you go with any OBDII device I suggest you look at adding an extension ribbon cable, like this one, or else you can't close the Fuse Panel cover with the cable connected.

[Rkloud9]

Thanks for the cable tip! I just installed my ScanGuage, and was miffed at the problem with closing that door.

[Mikegjax]

I have the cable now, but I originally removed the screws that hold the OBD connector in place and pushed it up so I could get the door closed.

[Still Kickin]

Originally Posted by Rkloud9

Hey StillKickin...
What is your source regarding "no break in" mileage improvements? I have read multiple posts on the Sprinter Forum about MPG improvements after covering 5-10 k miles. Thanks!


Bob & Cynthia
2017 SunSeeker MBS 2400W
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

Been here a long time. You will find that Sprinter owners in this forum have expierenced on avg between 14 and 16+ mpg regardless of the myth of engine break-in periods. That of course depends on weight, head winds, etc. Modern metallurgy has made it possible for the engines to operate at design specs right from manufacture. Simple things like 1st oil change due in 10,000 miles are the indicators now present in modern metallurgy. Since the expierences reported here by forum members has been reflective of science, that is where it is today. Another "fly in the ointment " occurs as our gov't pushes more bio-diesel down our throats, which has less energy, thus giving worse fuel economy. So, in a variable world, the raw data reported gets even more difficult to interpret. Just sayin'

[Mikegjax]

I am with Kickin! 29,000 miles and no change in mileage since new. Towing a 3200 lbs car get 11.8 to 12.8. Not towing 14.8. I run a steady 65 mph. Have seen over 17, but that was on long stretches coming out of the mountains. MBS advertises up to 22 for the basic Sprinter van.

[cruncher]

Just completed a 4,200 trip with 3 MBS motorhomes. Our Prism 2150 "C" with cab-over storage is truely like pushing a giant scoop down the road, with overall average of 13.5 for the trip. The Itasca Reyo "A" consistently filled with less diesel at each stop, and the Leisure Travel Unity "C" also used less than ours. However, we were carrying a boatload of cargo / water / bikes, which the other two could only hope to have room for. Everything is a trade-off, but a month in our vehicle was a lot more tolerable despite the lower milage.

[Rkloud9]

So it sounds like my 3228 mile trip pretty heavily laden (no towing) with a 14.07 mpg average is what to expect for Midwest area travels... What should I expect for altitude and mountains?


Bob & Cynthia
2017 SunSeeker MBS 2400W
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[KatanaPilot]

Best mileage I have seen was a little over 14 - from the mountains of TN to Georgia, driving 65 or so. This was with an empty MH, no supplies and not towing. We were bringing it home from delivery from Grand Rapids.

We now tow a 2015 Honda Fit, drive 60-70 when we can and I plan for about 11 mpg. Sometimes we get a little more, but I rarely go more than 200 miles between stops. The dog and my bladder can't take much more than 3 hours or so anyway.

I don't really trust the ScanGauge II mileage as I'm not sure if it uses fuel flow or some other computed ECU output. I now use that portion of the ScanGauge display to show transmission temperature. Like others, I have found it to be about 10-20 degrees less than coolant temp.

[Still Kickin]

Try this; lower your avg speed to about 60mph. The fuel economy will increase to about 14mpg + not towing, more if you have a tail wind.

[nusslejj]

Originally Posted by bob5560g

Dear NessleJJ,

I would like to get an ODB-II engine monitor so I can keep an eye on the engine temp while climbing/towing in hot weather. Can I ask what make and model you have? (Anyone else feel free to chime in.)

Bob5560g

I'm a techno-weenie, so use the "Automatic". You need a smart-phone to use it, but it is has features that none of the other ODB2 devices have. It logs your trip data (GPS map, statictics), rates your driving habits (hard starts/stops, better/worse mileage, etc.), where your vehicle (is in case you lose it), and it will even call your 'loved ones' if you are in an accident. You then purchase something like the Dash Command app, and the Automatic allows the app to access vehicle data directly.

It's a bit pricey, but they run sales on it if you are not in a hurry.

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Conn...automatic+odb2

[MNtraveler]

First solid fuel reading after a couple of short jaunts within 2 hours of home: 13.98 mpg.

(Earlier readings were just in and around town, traffic jams etc., what do you expect?)


Land of 10,000 Lakes
2016 Forester MBS 2401R

[Beachsailor]

Has anyone compared the Trekker cab verse the sleeper cab for difference in drag?

[tnjmich]

We have put 1000 miles on a new Forester 2401S with the Trekker cap. Going north to Sault St Marie Ontario we had huge cross winds and have still averaged 15.1. We drive 60-63 MPG. Our next trip we'll be towing a Chevy Sonic. It has a Hellwig torsion bar and I added Sumo's. It really handles great. I have driven 600 miles with the Sprinter chassis with a conventional cab overhead, and I can feel a huge difference in wind and truck affect. My wife and I both feel it handles the winds much better with the aerodynamic cap. Since the engine is not broken in yet, it seems it may be helping the gas milage a bit as well, as we are happy with the initial milage.
We don't need the overhead sleeping space, and love the looks of the Trekker version both inside and out.[ATTACH][/ATTACH]

[Pod2Vibe]

Great info. Looks great with the Trekker Cap, as well!

Enjoy.

[Aspenmeadow]

I have the 2401 R with the bed over the front seats. It is so noisy at 60mph that I can't hear what my passenger is saying, and the SiriusXm is pointless. I had suspected the the aerodynamics are quite bad. I too was wondering if the Trekker cab would be better than my 14.5 mpg. The area is unused on mine. I have removed the mattress, ladder and the TV (never use that one) mainly to reduce weight because I am at GVWR without much camping gear. I can't use the space because the surface is slippery without any effective way to restrain the load.

If it would be practical, I would like to remove the sleeper, but the cost could be high, I am sure.

[Rkloud9]

We have a 2017 2400W (2016 chassis), and have put about 7000 miles on it in the last 2.5 months. Although it is not as quiet as my car, it is nowhere near as annoying to drive as you describe... We can carry on normal conversations, and we listen to the radio all the time, both talk and music. I would think removing the bedding from the sleeper would increase interior noise, creating an "echo chamber" effect.


Bob & Cynthia
2017 SunSeeker MBS 2400W
Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forums

[Keithe]

We have a new Forester MBS with about 5000 miles on it with the front bed over the cab. We've been getting about 15.25 mpg traveling at 55 to 60 mph. we've found it to be pretty quiet in the cab while driving. The only time we've had a problem with noise in the cab is when we have high winds or very rough road.

[Mikegjax]

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