1995 Oldsmobile Silhouette 3.8L V6 from North America
Summary:
This van is a serious
Faults:
Since purchasing the van, I have replaced the alternator, wiper motor, front wheel bearings, tie rod ends, and given it a tune-up. Go with the Bosch "plus 2" plugs! They increased my power and fuel mileage quite a bit! All required maintenance in my book.
General Comments:
Both front windows (power) move slowly and what is the deal with the front wiper problem? I have seen that many others have experienced this problem, but no one has an answer.
I installed a "K&N Filter-charger" and gained power just by putting it in!
I also installed Bosch "Plus 2" plugs and with the K&N filter, I get 25 mpg in the city and almost 40 on the highway!! I also have more power than I thought possible out of a six cylinder!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 23rd March, 2004
7th Apr 2007, 09:12
25mpg city/40mpg highway? Whose leg are you trying to pull? Car manufacturers spend HUGE amounts of R&D on increasing fuel efficiency on their passenger vehicles due to the gov't requirements. You are saying that all GM had to do was pull those 'premium plugs' and a K&N airfilter on? You could have saved that and other manufacturers MILLIONS of $. Uh, news flash, its not reality, the thermal and volumetric efficiency levels don't support your mileage claims especially with the weight of the van included. Perhaps those figures could be attained under extremely unrealistic conditions: downhill with a tailwind and/or drafting behind a vehicle on level ground.
Readers, don't believe the hype. K&N filters are good as are the plugs he suggested, just won't do what he claims they'll do.
21st May 2007, 14:25
I disagree with the above comment, We had a 1994 Trans Sport with the same engine and transmission, and, newsflash, got 25MPG city/42MPG highway with new spark plugs and an air filter as well... Can substantiate the reviewer's claim.
20th Jun 2009, 16:42
Those mileage claims are impossible. Apparently some people have no idea how to calculate mileage. I had a guy swear on the bible to me that his LTD got 34 mpg. Turned out he had bad eyes and couldn't read the odometer right. It was getting 13.
30th Aug 2009, 07:25
Any mileage clams above 30 are totally bogus.
15th Jun 2017, 19:09
Your MPG claim is just as unbelievable now as it was when you posted it over 10 years ago!
8th May 2004, 17:09
I also have this same van. In addition to the problems this individual has had, we have recently acquired a transmission problem at 145,000 miles. We purchased this vehicle in February 2004. The dealership told me that they had just put a new computer system in it so it would run. Until this problem, my husband and I have argued over who would drive the van.