[flattop40]

Originally Posted by Falligator

I consistintly seem to be getting about 17.5 mpg out of my Ford E350 van. Is that good?

I have an E350 also. Was getting same mpg as you until I did 3 things. 1st bought a K&N air filter. 2nd stopped using fuel with ethonol. 3rd NEVER let the rpm's exceed 2k even on starts. With this I get 19-21 depending on load, traffic, and weather.

[OntarioVanMan]

Originally Posted by Falligator

I use Mobile 1 (5W20) fully synthetic oil. which is about 50$ for an oil change at Wal Mart. Isn't it almost the same as the other? Pretty good tips except I have to get a load so I can pay for some of this stuff. I consistintly seem to be getting about 17.5 mpg out of my Ford E350 van. Is that good? Also going to fill my tires with Nitrogen but need to find a place. Anyone know if Walmart does it? Thanks

I got my nitro at Belle Tire chain....free.

[Jack_Berry]

i went to kendall gt 1. same properties as mobil 1 but less advertising to pay.

[Turtle]

Actually, Kendall GT 1 is a 229.3 oil (MB Specs)
Mobile 1 0W-40 is 229.5

Not really the same properties. Not that big a deal in a Ford, like it would be in a Sprinter, but there's a difference in the properties (other than merely the weight and viscosity). The MB Specs, while mainly meaningless to a non-Mercedes vehicle, do apply to the oil itself moreso than the vehicle, so they can be very helpful in determining what a particular oil can and cannot do, what it's properties are, far beyond the simple weight and viscosity numbers and API classifications.

Kendall GT 1 is a higher ash oil, for example, than Mobile 1 0W-40 or Mobile 1 5W-40 (Delvac). The Kendall oil has the same properties as some of the Mobile 1 SuperSyn oils, like the SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40, and the SyperSyn 5W-40 and 5W-50 oils.

Basically, all oils that meet the same MB specs, regardless of brand, will be priced about the same. It's not really about advertising (contrary to popular belief, that's not even how advertising budgets work, anyway), it's more like all 229.3 oils will be priced the same, and all 229.5 oils are priced similarly. The SuperSyns and the Kendall are priced about the same, for example.

Main thing is, since engines wear differently with different brands and types of oil (I cannot stress that enough), pick an oil that will do what your engine requires, and stick with it. Don't be changin' oils just to be changin' oils, or worse, 'cause one is cheaper. You will get what you pay for.

Kendall GT-1 is a very good oil, and will give you about a 1% increase in fuel economy over a dino oil. So will all other 229.3 oils. The 229.5 oils will give you about a 1.8% increase in fuel economy, tho.

I'm a big proponent of synthetic oils for a lot of reasons. They give better fuel economy than dino oils. They have significantly longer invervals between oil changes (229.3's like the Kendall are rated for 15,000 to 20,000 miles between changes, and the 229.5 oil can go up to 25,000 depending on gas or diesel), therefore, the longer you can go between changes, the fewer chances there are of any of your oil finding its way into a landfill somewhere. Not to mention that the longer you go between oil changes, the less foreign oil you will be using.

[bearcat44]

I use "Howes Lubricator" in both my F 250 & E 350, I guess at what is an ounce or two at each fill up. The E 350 gets 20 mpg with 2400 lbs in it, to about 23.5 empty as long as I stay under 65 mph.
P.S
on today's front page under News Items head lines
"Bolt Express introduces new cash advance program" the article doesen't tell or explain anything. I work for Bolt and have heard nothing about it. Anyone out here with knowledge of this program?

[dhalltoyo]

What engine is in the E-350?

[aristotle]

Rev Dave, My Ford E-350 has a 7.3L diesel manufactured by International. They are magnificent beasts. Very reliable, but since 2002. they are obsolete. The newer 6.0L has a very mixed record. Hopr that helps.

[Jack_Berry]

Originally Posted by bearcat44

I use "Howes Lubricator" in both my F 250 & E 350, I guess at what is an ounce or two at each fill up. The E 350 gets 20 mpg with 2400 lbs in it, to about 23.5 empty as long as I stay under 65 mph.
P.S
on today's front page under News Items head lines
"Bolt Express introduces new cash advance program" the article doesen't tell or explain anything. I work for Bolt and have heard nothing about it. Anyone out here with knowledge of this program?

not certain what is "new" about this program. i ran a s/t last year and always got the fuel advance on the comdata card. i talked to one of the driver cs guys(can't remember names right now) and was told this is for s/t and t/t. there is no fuel advance for the van fleet even though we have the same relative expenses. bolt will advance fsc to you at the current bolt usuary rate.

[Falligator]

Improve your comfort level by purchasing Sirius Satelite radio. It helps on those long drives through the Texas Country....Believe Me....I just bought the Stilleto 2 the other day and can now record my favorite music and take it with me outside (since it's portable.) downside...you can't listen to it live indoors unless you have it hooked up to an antenna with docking station. the antenna must be outside. but you can listen to your recorded music without the antenna.