2003 Astro Poor Gas Mileage
I recently purchased a 2003 Astro 2WD with 65,000 miles. This is my 5th Astro; all with 3.42 rear non-posi-traction differentials. Each of my previous Astros have averaged 18-19.5 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in town for me during actual driving. I am meticulous at keeping records and know what my fuel economy is for each fill up. The 2003 Astro has been averaging 13 mpg on the highway and 11-12 mpg locally. It has a 3.73 posi-traction differential. As a footnote, I recently traded off a 4x4 Tahoe with the 5.3 V8 and 3.73 rear end gearing which consistently gave 17-18 mpg on the highway and 14 in town. The EPA mileage I have seen for the 2003 Astro is 17/22 mpg (probably for the standard 3.42 rear end ratio). Has anyone experienced what I am regarding really bad mpg on their late model Astro/Safari? Were you able to fix the problem? If so, what was the solution (besides selling/trading off the vehicle)? Or perhaps you can explain to me why what I am seeing is to be expected. The local GM dealerships implied to me they have seen the "problem" before and don't want to deal with it.
