The GMC Savana has been a go-to choice amongst cargo vans since its debut in 1996. It can seat over a dozen people, has excellent power, and impressive handling for its class. However, when it comes time to fill up the fuel tank, what type of gas does the Savana take? Below we share what we've researched on that question.
According to GMC, the Savana needs regular unleaded gas. Consumers can put in premium fuel if they choose to do so; however, the regular unleaded works fine. This goes for all GMC Savana years, trims, and engines.
This article will discuss the different gasoline options and their pros and cons when used in the GMC Savana. We've included how certain fuels affect your mileage and which fuels are compatible with the Savana, so read on!
What Kind Of Gas Does A GMC Savana Take?
Regular unleaded gas and premium gas are two types of fuel commonly used in all gasoline engines. These fuels are also able to be found countrywide, with few exceptions. The difference between the two fuels is their octane rating.
Premium fuel has a higher octane number than regular unleaded fuel, giving a car's engine better performance as it is more stable. As a result, its combustion speed is faster, and compression rates are higher.
According to GMC, the Savana takes regular unleaded gas. Consumers can choose whether or not they want to put in higher octane fuel such as premium gasoline (recommended for V8 engines); however, if you are looking for maximum mileage and efficiency, the regular unleaded works just fine.
Regular Vs. Premium
The main downside to using premium fuel in your car is that it costs more than regular unleaded gas does per gallon on average. This leads some people to use quality over quantity and only buy premium when they need it or when it's being offered at an affordable price.
For example, some consumers may decide to put in premium gas because they want their engine to run a little bit cleaner and smoother. However, this might not be worth the extra money depending on which model of Savana you own.
For instance, if you're driving a GMC Savana 2500 with an 8-cylinder engine, putting in premium fuel might be worth it because they are more likely to be used for hauling and towing heavy loads. However, if you own the regular Savana cargo van with a 2.8 liter 4-cylinder engine, putting in premium gas will not help your mileage and could hurt your car's performance.
Does gas type affect mpg?
The type of gasoline you put in your Savana may affect its mileage when it comes to the Savana cargo van. According to Edmunds, your Savana will get better fuel economy numbers and a higher horsepower rating when using premium gas instead of regular unleaded. However, this is only true for models with an 8-cylinder engine, such as the Savana 2500.
For 6-cylinder to 8-cylinder engines, premium gas will help increase engine performance because it is a cleaner-burning fuel. However, vehicles with 4-cylinder engines (2.5 to 3 liters) might decrease your mileage because the engine cannot properly process the high octane fuel.
If you are looking for maximum savings, then put in regular unleaded gasoline rather than premium. This will prevent the Savana cargo van from having performance issues and getting worse mileage.
Are GMC Savanas good on gas?
When it comes to the Savana cargo van, it has above average fuel economy. Depending on which trim you purchase and what type of engine your vehicle has, it can range from 14 to 20 mpg in city driving conditions. This is pretty good for a cargo van that can seat over 15 people!
How many mpg can a Savana get?
The mile per gallon on the GMC Savana will depend on the trim and engine it is equipped with. Below we have laid out the mpg on the different options:
- 2.8L 4-cylinder Engine (Regular Unleaded Gas) 13 mpg city/18 mpg highway
- 4.3L 6-cylinder Engine (Regular Unleaded Gas) 16 mpg city/21 mpg highway
- 6.6L 8-cylinder Engine (Premium Gas) 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway
- 2.8L Turbo-Diesel 20 mpg city/25 mpg highway
What size is gas tank in a GMC Savana?
The new 2021 GMC Savana cargo van has a 31-gallon gas tank. This is larger than the past models of Savana, which had a 28-gallon tank. This should give you more miles before your next fill-up.
Does GMC make a diesel Savana?
One unique aspect about this van would have to be its Duramax turbo-diesel 2.8-liter that makes 181 horsepower; much like other options, it's very complex but still gets great gas mileage overall compared to others in its class despite not having all-wheel drive or four doors (which many customers prefer).
The GMC Savana offers a powerful engine to choose from for both the cargo and passenger versions of their vans. The most basic being the 4.3-liter V6 that provides 276 horsepower, while there is also an option for those who require more power, such as their 6.6-liter V8, which can provide up to 401 horsepower.
As mentioned earlier, Savana's gas mileage will vary depending on what kind of engine you choose, but for the most part, you can expect to receive an average of about 17 MPG. This is comparable to many other vans in its category, making it a great choice for those who want better fuel efficiency without sacrificing power or comfort.
Can You Use Ethanol Gas in a Savana?
Yes, you can use ethanol gas in a Savana. The only thing to consider is that using gasoline with ethanol may affect your mileage and car performance over the long run. However, if you do not put in enough ethanol-gasoline blends, the Savana will run just fine.
For example, if you put in 10% ethanol-gasoline blends (E10), your car will run well without any problems.
However, if you use gasoline with higher ethanol contents, such as 15% or 85% ethanol-gasoline blends (E85), then the Savana may have issues running smoothly.
The warning signs will be that the car may have decreased acceleration, rough idling, and stalling. In this case, you should switch back to regular unleaded or premium gasoline to prevent further damage from occurring.
What Cargo Vans Get The Best Gas Fuel Mileage?
The cargo vans that get the best gas mileage would be the cargo vans with diesel engines. These are often more expensive to purchase, but they will save you money in the long run because of their excellent fuel economy.
For example, the GMC Savana cargo van, equipped with a turbo-diesel 2.8-liter engine, can get up to 22 average MPG, which is excellent for a large cargo van. However, while this is great for diesel, the Savana doesn't compete for the same when it comes to gas mileage.
Below we have listed other cargo vans that get better gas fuel milage than the Savana:
- Ford Transit Connect Van 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway
- Ram Promaster City 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway
- Mercedes Benz Metris Cargo Van 18 mpg city/24 mpg highway
Another thing to mention about the diesel engine is their life expectancy compared to the gas engines. If you are looking for a Savana with great gas mileage and will last years to come, then check out the 2.8L turbo-diesel.
Does Type of Fuel Affect Towing Capacity?
Diesel engines are the best for towing capacity. In addition, if you own a gas engine and you tow frequently, you can use regular unleaded gas, but if for some reason the engine starts to "knock," then try switching to premium fuel.
The engine that has to tow regularly takes on a lot more stress than other engines and needs to be fed with better fuel to perform better under extreme conditions.
This is why diesel fuel has more octanes and a higher cetane rating. Another good reason for diesel engines when it comes to performance is the design of the engine. A diesel engine can provide more torque at low RPMs, which can be very useful for towing purposes.
In Closing
Overall, the GMC Savana has been around for over 20 years for a reason. It performs well, seats several people, has a variety of purposes, and as you can see, it gets decent fuel mileage. However, it isn't the best in its class, and if fuel mileage is your number one priority, then it may be worth looking at other options before making a buying decision.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also like these regarding cargo vans:
Can You Add Seats To A Ford Transit Cargo Van?
Does The Ford Transit Come In AWD Or 4WD?
Does A King Size Bed Fit In A Cargo Van Or Minivan?
What fuel do you use on your cargo van? Leave us a comment below!