Here’s how much it costs to fill up a Sprinter van:
On average, the cost of filling up a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter ranges from $95.5 for gas-powered Sprinters to $125.7 for diesel-powered Sprinter vans. Since the cost of fuel is different across states, the cost of filling up your Sprinter also varies across the country.
The Sprinter van comes standard with a 4-cylinder gas engine, and there’s the option for three different diesel engine types if you’re looking for more power.
In this detailed guide, I’ll help you figure out how much it costs to fill up a Sprinter van even with all the different engine options. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re looking to buy the crew, cargo, or passenger version.
I’ll also share with you some useful tips for saving money on fuel with a Sprinter van. Let’s get started.
You Can Pay Up to $125.7 to Fill Up a Sprinter
I’ve always analyzed newer models of the crew, cargo, and passenger Sprinter vans, including their various lengths, roof height configurations, powertrains, and fuel consumption.
The standard 4-cylinder gas-driven Sprinter has a fuel tank capacity of 22 gallons. For Sprinters with 4 and 6-cylinder diesel engines, the tank capacity is 24.5 gallons.
Even the 6-cylinder diesel 4 x 4 Sprinter van has a fuel tank capacity of 24.5 gallons. With these numbers in mind, we have a basis for calculating the cost of filling up your Sprinter, depending on the fuel type.
Now, let’s take the national average fuel prices, which are far from desirable according to AAA. The $4 national average is already considered the tipping point for most Americans. Generally, you’ll part with $4.32 at the pump for regular gas.
If you go for premium gas, expect to pay an average of $4.97. Curiously, the price of diesel easily gives chills, and you may frown at an average price of $5.13.
If you take these numbers and do the math, you’ll figure out that filling up a gas-driven Sprinter costs $95.50. Here’s the working:
$4.325/gallon x 22 gallons =$95.15
Similarly, you can multiply the national average price of premium gas by 22 gallons to get $109.47. For diesel, you’ll have to pay an average of $125.70. Here’s the working for diesel:
$5.131/gallon x 24.5 gallons =$125.7
It’s Expensive to Fill Up a Sprinter in Some States
The cost of filling up your Sprinter varies depending on the state you live in, or the next state where you’ll fill up after a long haul.
California holds the top spot as the state with the highest average gas price. It’s not uncommon for California residents to pay between 5 to 6 bucks for gas and slightly more than $6.00 for diesel.
Other places where you expect to pay more at the pump include Hawaii and Nevada.
But there’s a perk as you head south into Texas, where you can pay incredibly lower prices to fill up your Sprinter. You’ll also pay less to fill up your Sprinter in states like Utah and South Dakota.
Understandably, I’ve just given you a glimpse of fuel prices based on a handful of states. Please feel free to review AAA’s list of fuel prices in various states to gain deeper insight.
The Cost of Fuel Has Been Rising Over the Years
The price of gas has been on the rise in the recent past, and it all boils down to the cost of obtaining, processing, and distributing crude oil. Plus, don’t forget Uncle Sam’s taxes.
Fuel consumption makes up a huge chunk of the operational costs of a business, whether you operate on a small or large scale. Even if you put your Sprinter van to personal use, you’ll feel it.
And remember, it goes by the number of miles you cover, how you drive it, and where you drive it, such as on highways or in cities. So if you’re a van courier, a mobile HVAC technician, etc., and go for lengthy drives, then your finances may be a little strained.
With spiking fuel prices, you should brace for higher running costs unless you have an electric van like the new Mercedes-Benz eSprinter.
While the price of regular unleaded gas is considerably lower than diesel, a diesel-powered van will generally give you better fuel efficiency. I’m explaining that up next.
Diesel-driven Sprinters Have Better Fuel Economy
According to Bell Performance, motorists who go for long highway drives settle their hearts on diesel engines due to their better efficiency. Diesel burns to produce more energy per gallon than gas, making it more economical in the long run.
Therefore, a Sprinter van with a diesel engine turns out to be more efficient than a gas-driven one. A diesel-powered Sprinter also delivers more torque, which results in better fuel economy while hauling cargo or towing. Together with the higher torque, you’ll enjoy impressive acceleration.
But if you’ll be doing a lot of city driving, you’ll have less fuel efficiency, and you’ll pay more because you’ll likely be filling up your tank more frequently.
Interestingly, most Americans don’t notice the difference in the costs of filling up a Sprinter with gas or diesel. That’s because it’s not uncommon for diesel to rise in price over gas, and at times, it tips below.
What’s more, some folks have certain driving habits that negatively impact the fuel efficiency of their Sprinter vans.
While you’ll generally pay more to fill up a diesel Sprinter, it gives you better fuel economy over the life of the van. For example, a 6-liter gas engine could give you the same miles per gallon as an 8-liter diesel engine.
Another great advantage of having a diesel-powered Sprinter is that diesel engines tend to be more durable, reliable, and require little maintenance.
To crown it all, diesel engines use fewer components than gas engines, meaning your van has fewer parts that could potentially malfunction. That translates to an overall economic saving due to reduced repair and maintenance costs.
Despite the perks of having a diesel-powered Sprinter, it’s important to use the right type of diesel. The use of black diesel, biodiesel, and other enhanced diesel products will take a huge toll on your Sprinter van’s engine performance.
The Best Tips to Lower Your Sprinter’s Fuel Costs
Filling up your Sprinter van shouldn’t cost you a fortune. Therefore, I’ll explain some useful measures you can take to reduce your fuel expenditure. Here’s how:
1. Load Your Van Within Its Capacity
Knowing the potential of your van should be your top consideration before you load it.
For example, the Sprinter Cargo Van has a maximum payload capacity of 6,228 lbs.
A model that cannot successfully transport heavy loads will quickly wear out if you load it inappropriately. You’ll also be taking a toll on its fuel efficiency, and you end up incurring higher running costs.
2. Opt for Fuel Reward Programs
Keep a note of gas stations that offer lower pump rates, so they become your number one option for fuel refills.
Another clever way to enjoy incentives and tweak your gas expenses is by signing up for reward programs. You could find these at your local fuelling station, or you could try out the following:
Still, I recommend you maintain a budget that will be enough to cater for unexpected extras whenever you drive overtime or change your route unexpectedly.
3. Perform Regular Checks to Detect Fuel Leaks
Carrying out regular health checks on your Sprinter van helps you discover minor issues before things get worse and cost you a fortune.
It’s good practice to inspect your van before going on a long haul and when seasons change for you to avoid weather-related issues. Ensure your fuel tank isn’t leaking and the fuel duct is sealed tight as well.
4. Maintain The Speed Limit
Sounds trivial, but hitting the gas fully to get to your destination early only translates to higher fuel consumption.
Drive within the speed limit to maximize your fuel efficiency and keep your van in good health.
5. Plan Better With Route Optimization Tools
Finding the shortest route possible to your destination helps you save time and a good amount of money on fuel.
Besides reducing your mileage, route optimization tools help you avoid driving through roads that are in bad shape. That means you won’t incur unnecessary repair costs.
By this, I don’t mean the journey planners that are preloaded into most smartphones, I mean the specialist software van drivers put all their delivery addresses into. It optimizes which order to deliver them in, as well as the shorter routes.