Not What I Expected

[IceBoy]

Hi All,

 

Not wanting to start another MPG topic but I need to make sure everything is OK !

 

I have driven our GAL for 2000 miles now. 60% motorway miles and 10% A/B road and the rest in and around town.

 

She is a 54-Plate 115 auto Zetec. I manage 35 MPG if I drive her with respect......Is this what I should expect....what are others getting??

 

I was expecting low 40's

 

She has had a full service and a new MAF.

 

Thanks in advance

IceBoy

[jkspoff]

Although the subject has been covered as you mention, I tend to get around 33-38mpg around town and up to 50mpg on a long run, what speed are you travelling on the motorways, if its over 75 then the fuel economy is cut by about a third. Also, have you had AC turned on or off ? You should average overall about 40mpg. Edited May 17, 2007 by jkspoff

[tim-spam]

But remember that automatics consume more fuel. On mine, I get between 37 and 43mpg depending on use - overall average is between 38 and 39mpg. But mine has the 6-speed manual gearbox - I would expect an automatic to be at least 10% worse.

 

The only exception to this is the VAG DSG gearbox, which matches a manual for both performance and economy (in fact, the acceleration figures are slightly better due to the faster gearchange), but this will only be available on the next generation Sharan.

[Smilge]

Although the subject has been covered as you mention, I tend to get around 33-38mpg around town and up to 50mpg on a long run, what speed are you travelling on the motorways, if its over 75 then the fuel economy is cut by about a third. Also, have you had AC turned on or off ? You should average overall about 40mpg.

 

Tend to agree with you here JK ....I think IIRC someone mentioning 68mph on motorways was the optimum cruising speed for a 1.9TDi.

[mumof4]

Although the subject has been covered as you mention, I tend to get around 33-38mpg around town and up to 50mpg on a long run, what speed are you travelling on the motorways, if its over 75 then the fuel economy is cut by about a third. Also, have you had AC turned on or off ? You should average overall about 40mpg.

 

Tend to agree with you here JK ....I think IIRC someone mentioning 68mph on motorways was the optimum cruising speed for a 1.9TDi.

 

YUp..68mph is best..i found that out and i think i mentioned it at some point..once you hit 70 the mpg drops quite a bit.

The slower you go in the highest gear, gives better mpg..i was doing 40mph in 6th and averageing 53mpg..(got a pic on my phone.lmao.)..its something i kept trying out..what is the best speed that will give the higher mpg.

[NikpV]

Hi All,

 

Not wanting to start another MPG topic but I need to make sure everything is OK !

 

I have driven our GAL for 2000 miles now. 60% motorway miles and 10% A/B road and the rest in and around town.

 

She is a 54-Plate 115 auto Zetec. I manage 35 MPG if I drive her with respect......Is this what I should expect....what are others getting??

 

I was expecting low 40's

 

She has had a full service and a new MAF.

 

Thanks in advance

IceBoy

 

on mixed motorway/a road where I can set the cruise to 60mph we get about 45mpg in our auto - it apparently makes a difference whether its a manual/auto

[mikeohope]

It is not even worth discussing this unless you have based your mpg calculation on actual gallons used against real mileage.

 

Do not rely on the vehicles computer they often over/under read by up to 15%.

 

Fill the car to the absolute brim ie until you can see the level of the fuel at the top of the filler neck.

Do your miles and then fill it back up to the same point.

You will then know exactly how many litres you have used.

You probably need to to do this over 3 or 4 fills to get a true picture of what you are using.

 

Oh yeah and if anbody comes on here making silly comments or yawning about the MPG debate, my suggestion is don't bother to waste your time posting in topics you're not intersted in and leave it to the participants to have a sensible discussion.

 

Using the above method I reckon I get low 40's on the Mway and low to mid 30's in town (not in gridlock though!!) in my1.9tdi Auto

 

Mike

[sanjsanj]

YUp..68mph is best..i found that out and i think i mentioned it at some point..once you hit 70 the mpg drops quite a bit.

The slower you go in the highest gear, gives better mpg..i was doing 40mph in 6th and averageing 53mpg..(got a pic on my phone.lmao.)..its something i kept trying out..what is the best speed that will give the higher mpg.

 

surely this isn't true because at that low a speed the turbo cuts out, making the engine do more work?

does anyone know at what engine speed the turbo comes in at?

[mumof4]

YUp..68mph is best..i found that out and i think i mentioned it at some point..once you hit 70 the mpg drops quite a bit.

The slower you go in the highest gear, gives better mpg..i was doing 40mph in 6th and averageing 53mpg..(got a pic on my phone.lmao.)..its something i kept trying out..what is the best speed that will give the higher mpg.

 

surely this isn't true because at that low a speed the turbo cuts out, making the engine do more work?

does anyone know at what engine speed the turbo comes in at?

 

You know what sanj..use search...my turbo did not cut out..i know what i did and i know the mpg the car returned.I know my car and i know what she can do......and she can do this..i have the pics to prove the speed i was doing...and the mpg on average...if i had the right cable..id download and show you!..considering that you spend most of your time on here asking questions and questioning everyone...im surprised you dont know the gal inside out..yes im a tadge annoyed..

[Ivor_E_Tower]

The turbo never cuts out, it's just that at low engine speeds there is insufficient gas flow for it to run at a speed where it is "useful". At high speeds, there is a bypass facility so that it doesn't get choked by too much gas. Below about 1700rpm it is almost a hindrance (especially uyp hills)

[sanjsanj]

i do believe that you got 53 mpg. I can get 210mpg and take a picture of it as well, but thats not the point.

 

It doesn't calculate mpg with miles and gallons, it uses other sensors like the maf to work it out. Hence, if the engine is being laboured, it won't know and cant adjust the mpg accordingly.

This is why I'm asking at what engine speed the boost comes in, so that you can really find what the best speed is for the best fuel economy.

6th gear @ 40mph means there is no boost which= more diesel being used. Of course the computer doesn't know that and can't take this into account.

 

This is also part of the reason why "Mikeohope" says "Do not rely on the vehicles computer they often over/under read by up to 15%."

[norwichbluenose]

i do believe that you got 53 mpg. I can get 210mpg and take a picture of it as well, but thats not the point.

 

It doesn't calculate mpg with miles and gallons, it uses other sensors like the maf to work it out. Hence, if the engine is being laboured, it won't know and cant adjust the mpg accordingly.

This is why I'm asking at what engine speed the boost comes in, so that you can really find what the best speed is for the best fuel economy.

6th gear @ 40mph means there is no boost which= more diesel being used. Of course the computer doesn't know that and can't take this into account.

 

This is also part of the reason why "Mikeohope" says "Do not rely on the vehicles computer they often over/under read by up to 15%."

 

Sorry I have to agree with Mum of 4 on this one, I regularly get between 50 and 55 mpg from my gal. it depends how heavy footed you are, you to build up speed slowly and stay between 58 an 65 mph.

also if you change the computer to real time mpg you can see exactly what your mpg is and adjust your driving accordingly.

 

Andy B

[mikeohope]

Why don't we all do a physical trial using the method I described and post our findings against what the computer said.

 

I bet there will be wild deviance.

I can get 999mpg out of mine or at least thats what the display says when I am going down hill with no throttle!!!!

However that is only at a particular instant and not representative.

Every car I have ever had with a so called fuel computer on it over stated MPG by at least 10% and in one 16%.

I don't think they should ever be considered accurate and only a guide to how your driving style affects the useage.

[mumof4]

i do believe that you got 53 mpg. I can get 210mpg and take a picture of it as well, but thats not the point.

 

It doesn't calculate mpg with miles and gallons, it uses other sensors like the maf to work it out. Hence, if the engine is being laboured, it won't know and cant adjust the mpg accordingly.

This is why I'm asking at what engine speed the boost comes in, so that you can really find what the best speed is for the best fuel economy.

6th gear @ 40mph means there is no boost which= more diesel being used. Of course the computer doesn't know that and can't take this into account.

 

This is also part of the reason why "Mikeohope" says "Do not rely on the vehicles computer they often over/under read by up to 15%."

 

Since you know everything sanj..why bother asking us...i mean c'mon..we know nothing do we!!I already know what speed is the best for fuel economy..i spent weeks working it all out..why should i have to defend myself to you?i know my car...i know what she can/cant do..But..by now sanj.....with most of your posts just asking questions..instead of searching yourself..either here on the forum or the internet, expecting us to do all the legwork for you....you should know the galaxy by now inside out...and if i know my gal better than you.....that is because i search!..the forum...the internet....and i listen to what people on here say.im getting a tadge annoyed at the moment which isnt usual for me.....coz this debate goes on and on and on..there are thousands of posts on this subject..and every one of them may differ....but i spent weeks on mine...finding the best speed for the best fuel economy..be it by filling her up and working it manualy, or going by what the display says.

 

And if my posts this eve offend anyone..then i appologise!!..but this debate goes on all the time!no matter what method you use to work out your mpg..best speed etc...someone is always going to disagree.

 

But i know my car..i know when there is extra load on the engine..i know all her quirks..and i know all the different sounds she makes..i know her engine!..so i know ..and you dont know my car.

 

Im out of this discussion now..as im getting really pi55ed off with it!

 

Again..i appologise for my post and my language.just a bit stressed at the moment.

[gio]

Yep, not too impressed with the galaxys mpg, but it is a big heavy object so

should not be serprised.

 

40 mph in 6 gear! what with the galaxy having gearing around 32/33mph x 1000,

1100 rpm aint going to be doing anything good for your mpg, becides which this would be

a instant reading on the trip computer and the secound you put your foot dowm the

instant reading would shoot down to low 30s.

 

at that speed you may well found 5th gear giving better mpg than 6th, as labouring

is a no no.

 

68 mph or 70 mph, not really going to make much of a diference to the mpg.

you get a bigger diference on the type of roads you use [inclines, traffic]

not to mention how windy these isles are and what a diference a small breeze

against you can make.

 

really would love to crack 50mpg in my galaxy, but it aint going to happen

unless i took myself behind a large hgv doing 54mph.......

[adrianf.]

Well said Mum.

So bloody what if 30/40/50/60 or 100 mpg, it does what it does and if its not enough then but an electric car.

These buses are not built for economy and if thats all what matters then sorry you have bought the wrong car.

My economy is simple

When its empty i fill it up.

My computer is often in the low 30 s but hey ho there more important things in life.

Good idea to shut this one Maz as its been covered a million times.

Moan over

[mumof4]

I know when my car is labouring..can hear it..and she doesnt labour doing 40 in 6th.

[gio]

I know when my car is labouring..can hear it..and she doesnt labour doing 40 in 6th.

 

 

Not wanting to upset you, but engines use science, not pure faith,

the fact is 1100 rpm is way too low to have such a tall gear pull efficiently, thats a law

of science.

like i said at 40 mph 5th gear would indeed give better rpm.

 

I am sure if you were to do a top up, rather than trust the trip computer you would

see the piont i am making, and it is not anattack on you, but is based on facts,and not faith.

 

regard Gio

[mumof4]

I know when my car is labouring..can hear it..and she doesnt labour doing 40 in 6th.

 

 

Not wanting to upset you, but engines use science, not pure faith,

the fact is 1100 rpm is way too low to have such a tall gear pull efficiently, thats a law

of science.

like i said at 40 mph 5th gear would indeed give better rpm.

 

I am sure if you were to do a top up, rather than trust the trip computer you would

see the piont i am making, and it is not anattack on you, but is based on facts,and not faith.

 

regard Gio

 

 

Carry on..upset me..i dont mind...but im telling you...i can HEAR when my car is labouring..i can FEEL it when she is labouring..i know my car like i can my childs cry from a thousand others..my car does NOT labour at 40mph in 6th gear...did you not read my post before??..i dont just top up and go on the trip computer..read what i said...i did say that i have done it manually aswell..filling her up.....working it all out....i did say that i had done this method..and i stand by what i said...

faith??..did i mention faith??..read my post.

[adrianf.]

Oohh i love it when you get angry.

[IceBoy]

Well lot of discussion !

 

Thanks for the input....I have calculated the 35 mpg figure manually.

 

I do drive around 75-80 on motorways so maybe I shoud try to stick around 68-70 and see if that makes a difference?

 

Thanks All........

[gio]

mumof4

 

I am assuming this site is here to help owners?

 

So when i say, yet again that 40 mph in 6th is a no no in other words

no way in hell that the mpg will be better than being in 5th gear at 40mph.

 

You would rather argue about what is deemed labouring?

 

I am sure you know your car, but alas very little about gearing and torque.

 

also why WOULD YOU WANT TO SHOW PHOTOS OF SPEED AND MPG?

 

as you said you have done it by manual and trip computer, so i am sure like others

you have seen how in accurate the trip computer is? so you know these figures are wrong!!!!!!!!!!!

[mumof4]

I am not argueing what is deemed as labouring..i have said that i know when my car is!!..Did i say that you would get a better mpg at 40 in 5th??..no..i have gone on what i know..and like i said before...no matter what we do..someone will disagree.

 

i bow to your superior knowledge..i know nothing..i shall shut up and go and knit the dog a wooly jacket..after all..im female..what the hell do i know!..i mean...torque??whats that all about??..gearing??noo..ill just grate em till i find the right one to make the wheels go round and the car might move!

 

Yes this site is to help people..all i was doing was putting my view across..no one has to agree with me..disagree all you like....but i will defend what i know about MY car.

 

why would i want to show pics?..why the hell not..brag..boast..isnt that what all this discussion about mpg is??seeing who gets the best?and at what speed?and how much fuel was consumed?

 

Not once did i say mpg would be better in 5th..than in 6th..at 40mph..maybe my car is in a world of its own.

 

One last thing..have i shouted in any of my posts???no..you did though.

 

i appologise once again for any offence that you may/may not think that i am/am not intentionally/unintentially inflicting.

[mumof4]

I would like to appologise for my posts in this topic.

[gio]

Your quote "the slower you go in the highest gear gives best mpg" you then state the 40mph in 6th gear giving

53mpg. i assumed this was an example of best?

 

sorry did not mean to shout caught that cap button and forgot to check, sorry again.

 

anyway the vw engine gets going around 1500 rpm this is when its real efficiency starts, max torque is at 1800/1900

rpm although sometimes tests do show max to be as high as 2200rpm.

 

6th gear is a real overdrive so really is not much use at all untill you get to 1500rpm, which with the gearing being 33mph or

34, cannot remember means its not much use until 50mph. sure it will work below that but its not efficent therefore it drinks

a little more fuel than using the more appropriate gear 5th.

 

Not trying to be smart or clever, just stating the obvious....