Thread: Fuel economy. A challenge.

Originally Posted by Schtoo

I have been thinking about this for about a week, since the price of regular hit Y140/litre here.

I am now, driving in a manner that I hope will extract the best fuel economy possible from the car I drive.

I also saw an episode of 'Top Gear' where Jeremy Clarkson drove an Audi 800 miles on a tank of fuel, extracting 40MPG (British gallons) from the thing, contrary to what Audi themselves claimed was possible.

So, I had a brainwave.

What say we all give it a shot, just for the sake of saving a few bucks, saving some oil and saving some angst toward the powers that be.

I do think there need to be some simple ground rules, just so it keeps things reasonable and puts things into perspective.

The amount of fuel is measured at the pump. It need not be same pump every time, but if it's possible please do.

The distance covered is what your car records, whatever error it might have.

Whilst driving, one should not be a menace to other drivers, but taking it easy is quite alright.

Driving at less than, say, 80% of the posted speed limit should be discouraged in good weather conditions and clear roads. Not aiming for gold here, just an improvement.

The type of car, it's engine size, what kind of fuel, etc should be noted as should where and when you drive. Inner city peak hour and Sunday evening on the highway are not equatable, but can at least be compared. Say a rough percentage scale of highway/city/peak/open road. Whatever else you carry in the car should also be noted.

There should be a set 'measure' of fuel economy we all stick to for comparison. I'd say l/100km, but it might be MPG. Whatever is easier for most to get a grip on.

Suggestions are appreciated not only for any 'rules' but also how to improve fuel economy.

Just an idea, and I wonder if anyone is interested it having a shot.


This has got my attention right now, since I just found out that we could be driving a new Prius for an additional $2000 per year over 5 years compared to the 9 year old we have now. Based that on the 'driving like a nutjob' economy I was getting, and the RRP of a Prius here.


To open the bidding:

Honda Saber, 2000cc inline 5, automatic FWD.
Approximately 50% busy suburban driving, 10 highway, 40% open roads with lots of hills. A/C on for about 20% of the time right now. Not much junk, just some books, baby seat and other small stuff, say 50kg all up.

Driving like a moron, 7km/l - 14.2l/100km - 16 US MPG.

Clarkson and the Audi, 40 UK MPG - 7l/100km - 33 US MPG.

So, any takers?

Well, I don't think I'll be able to improve the gas mileage on my delivery vehicle much.......

Attachment 27822

Stu,

I thought that was you. Hanging out here as well as the Creek.:eek: I don't think I'm going to be able to compete with you guys unless I get rid of my Ford F150 V-8. I can burn a tank just idling in the driveway.

Originally Posted by Bob Childress

Stu,

I thought that was you. Hanging out here as well as the Creek.:eek: I don't think I'm going to be able to compete with you guys unless I get rid of my Ford F150 V-8. I can burn a tank just idling in the driveway.

Yep it's me, busted.......

V-8s.....? I remember those, they were some kind of tomato drink or something.......... right...?

I have a 2005 2.0 turbo diesel VW golf 6spd manual. If I take it really easy on the highway, I get around 4.8-5 L/100KM, around town 6.2-6.5 L/100KM, if I drive it fairly hard, around 7.5-8 L/100KM. I averaged 6.1 L/100KM for the first 18,000KM (counting fuel for FBT). Cheaper than a Prius, better re-sale value and nearly as much torque as a commodore (320NM from 1750RPM). I have had some mechanical problems but from all my research, they are not common. It is nice to drive, effortless torque, easy on fuel and it made the missus very happy when I got it (her dream car)

Cheers
Ben

Schtoo, not sure I can drive to get much more economy out of my car, but am interested in the discussion, particularly driving technique that can improve economy.

I drive a Commodore VR wagon, 3.8 V6, auto, on standard ULP. Usually get around 26mpg driving to work, about 70/30 country/town driving.

Usually drive to get best economy, the V6 is very thirsty if you give it a bootful everywhere. Conversely, I read in a report about those vehicles competing in economy challenges that they accellerate hard to get up to the cruising speed to shorten the time spent accelelerating. Or somesuch :confused:

Confused myself I think.


Cheers..................Sean

I get 50 kilometres on a ham and salad roll.

I am on my second Peugeot 2l turbo diesel, this one is a 406, over 10,000km i averaged 6.3 l/100km which was one return trip to Narromine and the rest Sydney peak hour going to and from work. Just driving from Sydney to Dubbo gives about 4.9l/100 km over the mountains. They tell me I can do better if I don't drive like a leadfoot!
My earlier car was a 405 2 litre turbo, one was driven from Melbourne to Rockhampton on a tank of fuel!
Cheers
Graeme

Grunt,
That's excellent, especially on a bike without pedals.

Mick (the picky bugger)

Originally Posted by journeyman Mick

Grunt,
That's excellent, especially on a bike without pedals.

Mick (the picky bugger)

Baked Beans, who needs pedals

i drive a 2004 V6 Holden Rodeo

i think the best i can do is around 15 - 16 l/100km:mad:

Originally Posted by Schtoo

Driving at less than, say, 80% of the posted speed limit should be discouraged in good weather conditions and clear roads. Not aiming for gold here, just an improvement.

The type of car, it's engine size, what kind of fuel, etc should be noted as should where and when you drive. Inner city peak hour and Sunday evening on the highway are not equatable, but can at least be compared. Say a rough percentage scale of highway/city/peak/open road. Whatever else you carry in the car should also be noted.

There should be a set 'measure' of fuel economy we all stick to for comparison. I'd say l/100km, but it might be MPG. Whatever is easier for most to get a grip on.

Suggestions are appreciated not only for any 'rules' but also how to improve fuel economy.

Just an idea, and I wonder if anyone is interested it having a shot.

This has got my attention right now, since I just found out that we could be driving a new Prius for an additional $2000 per year over 5 years compared to the 9 year old we have now. Based that on the 'driving like a nutjob' economy I was getting, and the RRP of a Prius here.

To open the bidding:

Honda Saber, 2000cc inline 5, automatic FWD.
Approximately 50% busy suburban driving, 10 highway, 40% open roads with lots of hills. A/C on for about 20% of the time right now. Not much junk, just some books, baby seat and other small stuff, say 50kg all up.

Driving like a moron, 7km/l - 14.2l/100km - 16 US MPG.

Clarkson and the Audi, 40 UK MPG - 7l/100km - 33 US MPG.

So, any takers?

OK
1998 Audi A4 2.4l V6 95 or 98 Octane
mix of freeway (at 110 to 120 km/h Sydney to Bowral and back), urban longer distance (10 to 40 km), urban very short distance (to school and back about 4km, engine stays cold) regularly get about 9.8l/ 100km

1980 Patrol 4WD 3.3l non turbo diesel and get about 300+km on 20l of diesel.
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BUT the rest of the 60 litre tank is filled with old vegi oil
I know go away and repent
sorry
Pete

99 Rodeo, 2.8 turbo diesel, trayback 4wd with steel canopy. I get between 10.5L/100km to 11L/100km. mix of about 10% short trips - 10kms or so and the rest either:
60Kms to Cairns and back (down and then up a steep winding mountain range) with maybe 20kms of town driving still averaging about 40 - 50 kmh but a bit stop and start, lots of diferent places to go, and/or:

drive to Mareeba or further, 60kms + round trip, open country road.

I tend to get worse mileage on the country run, probably because its wide open roads with little traffic and I tend to sit on 120kmh for a lot of it. Load varies from nothing but toolbox - maybe 100kg or so, to a tray full of kitchen cabinets and a heavy trailer with more cabinets behind. The mileage doesn't vary that much with a diesel whether it's full laden or empty and it doesn't really affect the temperature gauge either. I've tried driving very carefully and it doesn't seem to make any difference. If I really hammer it (running late, or high speeds on the open road with a full load) then it slips to maybe 11.5 L/100km but in general about 11L/100km is what it sits on. I've got a intercooler which I've yet to fit and it will be interesting to see what difference it makes. I may also fit one (or more) "Hiclones" after I've fitted the intercooler.

I'll also post some pics (later when I've actually taken them) of my fuel saver which cuts consumption down to a few thimblefuls .

Mick

You need more than a ham and salad roll to pedal 50km.

I do have a bike, I should ride more often except that I have an aversion to being at work stinking and dripping sweat since I can't really change and I can't take a shower.

That, and ice is slippery stuff.

So summer is shot, winter is shot so I drive more often now.

Now, here's the thing Grunt, how long do your chains last and which chains do you use?