how's your fuel economy?

[jdcaples]

What RPM are you gettin at what speed I have a huge difference between my 2007 & 2008 like 600 rpm

Your 2007 came with a standard rear axle ratio of 4.18:1 - you could have ordered an optional 3.92:1 axle.
Your 2008 came with a standard rear axle ratio of 3.92:1 - you could have ordered an optional 4.18:1 axle.

That's the difference.

-Jon

PS: the marketing literature called the 4.18 a 4.10 axle. it was incorrect.

[curt]

I am looking at a used 2008 Sprinter.Is there a way to know what axle ratio it came with short of driving and checking RPM @ 70mph? Vin number or stamped on axle? Anybody know
Thanks !

[jdcaples]

I am looking at a used 2008 Sprinter.Is there a way to know what axle ratio it came with short of driving and checking RPM @ 70mph? Vin number or stamped on axle? Anybody know
Thanks !

The rear axle ratio is on the rear end assemble, passenger side of the differential.

In 2007, the default axle ratio was advertised as 4.10. The hardware was actually 4.18. There was an optional 3.9 ratio available.


In 2008, the default was changed to 3.9 - so most of the 2008 Sprinters will have the best axle ratio available for cruising.


-Jon

[curt]

Thanks for the info on where to find the axle ratio. I can look and check for sure now

[360ci]

My 3500 has the 4.1x axle ratio. At 60mph it cruises great. At 70mph it gets a bit squirmy and noisy. I have a 10' reefer box attached as well. The reefer unit is over top the cab. Interior height is 6.5' and I have the tires at 5psi below max pressure. I get on average, with mostly freeway driving up to 600km/tank. I put in 88.3L of diesel and drove 600km, right on the nose! Winds have been very bad the last few days so on steeper grades it will downshift and run close to 3000rpm @ 62mph. My best highway average was at 55-60mph (no cruise on the van - bought it used) and i got a wonderous 11.8L/100km. The box has a decent amount of frontal area, and at times I've had up to 2500lbs in it.

[NelsonSprinter]

Drove my FL Sprinter 2500 SHC 140 from Salt Lk City UT, to Spokane Wa on 1 tank, averaging 60 MPH, worked out to 22MPG US, my previous Ford E150 got 13MPG

[sonic1]

Getting 19.5 average in Arizona heat City/Hwy combined

[dcsprinter]

I have a 2006 long wheelbase high roof sprinter and get 21 miles per gallon on the highway @ 75 mph. I agree, I wish I had the 3.92 rear axle. That would lower the RPM, thus giving better gas mileage. Pretty good still, just don't know if there is extra wear and tear on the engine running at that higher RPM's

Also put a tilt steering kit in my van. it is pretty cool. installed it myself with a kit I purchased at sprintertilt . com. Make those highway and city miles pretty comfortable.

[mikefen]

I have an '05 with very low miles - about 12k so far. It's the 140 wheelbase, lower roof. We use it mainly to go up to the Sierras and back. So far 22.5 to 24 mpg.

[360ci]

I have a 2006 long wheelbase high roof sprinter and get 21 miles per gallon on the highway @ 75 mph. I agree, I wish I had the 3.92 rear axle. That would lower the RPM, thus giving better gas mileage. Pretty good still, just don't know if there is extra wear and tear on the engine running at that higher RPM's

Also put a tilt steering kit in my van. it is pretty cool. installed it myself with a kit I purchased at sprintertilt . com. Make those highway and city miles pretty comfortable.

The difference between the 3.92 and 4.11 axle is maybe 100rpm at 70mph. Unless you ran near empty all the time, you won't notice a mileage difference. If you ran heavy, you may even get worse mileage as the transmission would require to downshift more often, especially through hills.