By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I have a suspicion the vibes might be related to the TPMS (tire pressure monitor system). The device is attached to the other end of the valve stem in each wheel. There's a picture of the unit in the new Entourage brochure. It doesn't look very small and maybe just maybe something is happening there at that threshold speed.
Doesn't seem like everyone is having the problem but there seems to be a significant number that are.
My only thought on the TPMS, is to remove the device and replace with regular valve stem and then try rebalancing the wheel and tire unit and road test.
The gas mileage really has me down. We are getting 14.5-15 with mixed city/highway driving. I think think the EPA rating was a farce.
Peter
Info about the current EPA test:
Adjusting Estimates
In the early 1980s, an EPA study found that drivers were typically achieving lower fuel economy than predicted by EPA laboratory tests. As a result, EPA required the laboratory-derived city and highway MPG estimates posted on the labels of new vehicles to be adjusted downward by 10% for city estimates and by 22% for highway estimates to better reflect the MPG real-world drivers could expect from 1985 forward.
Fuel Economy Test Schedule Characteristics
City - Low speeds in stop-and-go urban traffic
Simulated Distance 11 miles
Time 31 minutes
Average Speed 20 mph
Top Speed 56 mph
Stops 23
Idling 18 % of the time
Engine Temp at Startup Cold
Lab Temperature 68 - 86 degrees F
Vehicle Air conditioning Off
Highway - Free-flow traffic at highway speeds
Simulated Distance 10 miles
Time 12.5 minutes
Average Speed 48 mph
Top Speed 60 mph
Stops None
Idling None
Engine Temp at Startup Warm
Lab Temperature 68 - 86 degrees F
Vehicle Air conditioning Off
So you can see, people, these tests are NOT reflective of "real world in 2006" driving.
Average speeds of 48 mph on highway.. Even my Grandma drives faster than that...
"Fuel economy is measured under controlled conditions in a laboratory using a standardized test procedure specified by federal law. Manufacturers test their own vehicles—usually pre-production prototypes—and report the results to EPA. EPA reviews the results and confirms about 10-15 percent of them through their own tests at the National Vehicles and Fuel Emissions Laboratory."
I wonder if the EPA has verified the results that KIA sent them regarding the 2006 Sedona fuel economy.
The thing is, there needs to be some truth in advertising here . Not much I can do now but pray the thing uses less as it "breaks in".
On the other hand, the commute car (toy camry) get almost 30 mpg!
my 2 cents, quite for now.
Peter
True. Our 05 Nissan Quest has averaged nearly 23 mpg total, including city and highway. We've gotten tanks as high as 27.5 and recently recorded 25.9 on a 500 mile highway trip at 75 mph with 6 passengers.
EPA highway for the Quest? 25.
No need to be defensive, just wanted to counter the argument that all vehicles get lower than the EP mileage. We drive it 20,000 miles per year. We paid $25,175 for an SL. BTW our Honda Accord V6 has also returned MPG over the EPA ratings. The Odyssey does not seem to do as well by comparison.
I thought the 06 Sedona was to get better mileage than the older models?
The dealers still profess to know nothing about the SWB model.
But back to my wife's sedona, she now has about 600 miles on it and is averaging 19mpg. She has a heavy foot just like I do so I'm sure she isn't going to see 25mpg. I'm confident that after the engine is broke in and and with normal driving though she'll see 22-23MPG which I'm personally quite happy with. I'm just saying that more vehicles than not will fall short of that EPA highway mark unless you duplicate the conditions posted earlier. There are alot of variables there. Maybe your Nissan is the exception. I'll give up a little of that gas mileage for something that gets me down that entrance ramp to the freeway a little faster and I think the 3.8 in the Sedona is a pretty peppy engine. The van drives more like a car than any of the GM/Chrysler vans I've had previously and for that reason I like it so far. Now as long as it is dependable I'll be happy with my purchase.
That is just too off for rating.
Glad you get what you get.
Peter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kia_Carnival
We currently own a 2002 Sedona and were hoping to trade up, mainly for the folding third row seat. We would prefer the SWB for easier handling (mainly backing up), and were hoping it's fuel consumption would be less (some of the numbers being reported for the 2006 Sedona are dismal). If it won't have the folding third row seat, however, we may look elsewhere or just wait to see if the mileage numbers on the LWB Sedonas improve.
Any info you have would be helpful.
Thanks!
It's 4.81m long, or 189.5" long - almost identical to the Caravan. The seating layout in Europe is unusual for a US minivan, don't know if it will be preserved:
Wouldn't it be nice if Kia tried to make the SWB as economical as possible using an even smaller engine and somehow cutting down on weight. It's too late for this model but something they should consider in the future.
Anyone else experiencing this?
Peter
No fold away seats? No cargo well? Forget it. The LWB van is better. We're getting 22.5 highway....and about 17.5-18 around town. I'm not about to give up the stowage aboard for a few pennies in saved gas. And the LWB is easy to park with the backup sensors. Works like a charm...and I live in NY.
I'm sorry to say that some folks don't know how to use the MPG computer...which is not 100% accurate anyway. I now know three people with the same model and we all get the same mileage. Moreover, I have the loaded EX which is heavy. 22.5 MPG recorded over 5 hours with 3 adults, child and cargo aboard. Average speed 83 MPH according to Garmin GPS.
If you're getting 14 MPG you're either doing the math wrong, using the computer wrong or driving the van like it's a Lotus.
RB
NY
These mpg are real numbers I have tracked for the last two weeks since changing the air filter. This is also loaded with 1400lbs including my self once a week.
No fold away seats? No cargo well? Forget it. The LWB van is better. We're getting 22.5 highway....and about 17.5-18 around town. I'm not about to give up the stowage aboard for a few pennies in saved gas. And the LWB is easy to park with the backup sensors. Works like a charm...and I live in NY.
Short wheelbase vans like the Dodge Caravan, Mazda MPV, and upcoming Sedona are the same length as most mid-sized sedans like Toyota Camry, Honda Accord et al. So if you are parked in a residential area that does not have lined parking spaces, they fit in the space vacated by those cars: the big minivans do not. I know being from NY you can do everything better than everyone, but you cannot fit a 202" long vehicle into a space that only fits a 189" long vehicle.
The SWB vans also weigh hundreds of pounds less; generally have longer service lives for drivetrain components; and cost $3-5,000 less. In the Suburbs you see few SWB vans - in Boston 1/3rd to 1/2 the minivans are Caravans or MPV's. The Mazda5 is selling 30% above projections.
Service live will not be effected by the SWB in any way. Utter nonsense. How you drive and maintain it are the real factors. The difference in weight is too small to be a factor.
Capt RB
NY
Yep. My van is bigger. It has a garage and it fits. We get 22 MPG because we don't have a bad attitude. I own a watch that cost more than your house and tonight we're going yachting on our "Heart of Gold."
http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/index.html
All because we're in NY, folks!
LOL!
Capt. RB
NY
Good luck with your Sedona. My 04 EX is Humming along at 26K. Can't seem to get anymore than 16/17 mpg in town though.
Boxwrench AKA Salty Dawg
Capt RB
NY
The Caravan is demonstrably more reliable and durable than the Grand Caravan - with mostly identical driveline components. Whether this will be true for the Sedona remains to be seen.
But that few hundred pounds doesn't make a difference - go ahead, have another cheeseburger.
Also owned an '04 EX that had the same issue until the dealer replaced the discs at 3K miles. The steering wheel would swing back and forth @ 5mph... Had to run 75mph for a smooth ride...
Recently traded for an '06 EX. Hopefully all four discs stay smooth on this one. Braking and ride is much improved. :confuse:
But for his commuter car my uncle had a 1964 VW Bug.
My Sedona LWB seems to be shorter than the 1986 Buick Lesabre Estate Wagon I used to drive.
It does not seem "too" long to me.
Peter
..I know you asked about your '06, but I have an '03 Sedona that I bought chrome tube steps for and it looks very sharp. I got them from motorimpact on the net..perhaps they have them for the 06's as well, but I'm not sure. You could always check...good luck.
ASK DOW JONES/ by Tom Herman.
Q: I plan to buy a car in late 2006 or 2007. When would be the best time to buy to take advantage of the sales-tax deduction?
A: That deduction expired at the end of last year. Congress still hasn't resurrected it but may do so in coming weeks.
This provision allowed millions of people who itemize their deductions to choose to deduct either their state and local income taxes or their sales taxes- but not both. If Congress takes no action this year, taxpayers will still be allowed to deduct state and local income taxes on their returns for 2006, but not sales taxes. This is especially important in Texas, Florida and other states that don't have their own state income
tax. :mad: