Update

I haven't done too much work on the van lately, just replaced the lower radiator hose. It would slowly lose pressure during the pressure test.

I've been thinking about selling my 1999 Chrysler 300M and stick with one vehicle. The 300M does better on interstate road trips, but I don't do much driving anymore, and when I do drive, the caravan has handled the winter weather better. This would probably cut my insurance and maintenance bills in half.

Caravan odometer = 173,385 miles

Maintenance

On Tuesday, I had my mechanic change the fuel filter, which had not been changed since August 2007. He also put on four new hose clamps, and replaced about one foot of fuel line.

Caravan odometer = 173,043 miles

CD Receiver

Last week, I installed an Alpine CDE-102 CD receiver in my caravan. Goodbye, factory stereo with cassette player. I don't think it's as nice as my old Alpine (CDM-9803), but I'll be damned if I have to listen to AM/FM radio one more minute. The CDE-102 offers front-panel USB and auxiliary inputs, which I probably won't be using.

RMS Power Output is 18 watts, with a Peak Output of 45 watts.
RMS Power Bandwith is 20-20kHz.
FM Sensitivity is 9.3 dBf, with 12 FM Presets and 6 AM Presets.
CD Frequency Response is 5-20kHz, and CD Signal-to-Noise is 105 dB.


Caravan odometer = 172,999 miles

Delivery

One of my friends bought 2 recliners at a furniture liquidation sale. He needed help hauling the chairs back to his house since he drove his car (cargo room fail) into town. Guess who had the space for 2 reasonable-sized recliners? Nope, not KITT, the talking car, you idiot! Beulah, my caravan. I don't have the middle and back seats in my van in case something should go awry, so this was a simple load into the back of the van.

The delivery trip (140 miles one-way) was nice. It made me think about buying a CD receiver. Nobody likes a 16-year old cassette player.

Caravan odometer = 172,599 miles

Octane and Ethanol

Well, I didn't noticed much, if any, improvement with the 87 octane, 0% ethanol gasoline, compared to the 89 octane, 10% ethanol. I won't be posting the MPG numbers since it was so minuscule. I will be going back to the ethanol blend in the winter time.

Gas Fill Up

I made the switch today (6/1/09). I finally switched to 87 Octane, 0% Ethanol. Let's hope this improves Beulah's gas mileage.

244.0 miles / 11.152 gallons = 21.9 MPG. This mileage was with 89 Octn, 10% Ethanol.

Caravan odometer = 170,947 miles.

Gas Fill Up

I filled up today with 89 Octane, 10% Ethanol.
276.6 miles / 12.155 gallons = 22.8 MPG

Caravan odometer = 170,700 miles