How To Double The Fuel Economy Of Your Galaxy

[seatkid]

From the original post, at 45mph in 6th, the TDI engine would be turning at 1,300rpm. Would this achieve a better mpg than 45mph in 4th at 2,000rpm?

 

Probably yes, because you are not interested in "maximum efficiency" or "max torque" but "fuel consumption"

 

Although max torque is developed around 1900rpm, and the specific fuel consumtion (ltrs/hr/kw) is at its lowest, you are driving at part throttle and a different set of performance curves apply (not published). Also you have factor in all the other variables such as rolling resistance, transmission losses, drag, etc etc.

 

Generally, the lower the speed ,the lower the fuel consumption. If you have on board trip computer and cruise control it would be relatively easy to confirm this. But remember a small change in road conditions etc can make a big difference to instantaneous fuel consumtion.

Edited August 16, 2007 by seatkid

[big_kev]

I frequently drive between the M25 area and Northumberland and it is not difficult to make an hours difference on that journey.

 

Yeh so do I but it is usually down to accidents and roadworks more than anything else.

(as well as the odd Galaxy doing 45mph and causing a tailback )

[insider]

Generally, the lower the speed ,the lower the fuel consumption. If you have on board trip computer and cruise control it would be relatively easy to confirm this. But remember a small change in road conditions etc can make a big difference to instantaneous fuel consumtion.

Might be an interesting experiment for anyone who's interested. All other things being equal (same car, some road, some conditions, engine at normal temperature, etc.) you could check the instantaneous mpg passing the same point on the same road at different speeds and in different gears to compile an "economy table".

 

If you've got nothing better to do of course! :rolleyes:

[Paul B]

TDI's can run on Biodiesel and this is renewable ( although not really practical for domestic use when fossil fuels run out. ).

 

Can you tell me where you're getting this Biodiesel? As it's certainly not readily availble in my area? Don't forget, if you're mixing your own "Biodiesel" you need to declare the duty on it!! Which is why it's not readily available here! The government wants too much of a share. My company produces about 60 litres of Waste Vegetable Oil per week, and I give this to Holland (foc) to be made into BioDiesel to be used on the continent as there's no duty on it there!

 

LPG requires more than double the size of tank to travel the same distance as a Diesel ( much more filling up ).

 

At double the size tank, at less than half the cost per litre, aren't you going just as far or further? I can't see what the concern is. When your Diesel tanks dry, you'll stop. When my Gas tanks dry, I'll switch over to 70 litres Petrol if I wish!

 

No seriously, I can understand this comment. I admit, it is a bid of a bind. Filling up more often, messing about at the Gas Pump. But when you've driven a Petrol v6 Galaxy for the last 6 years, you quickly learn to live with that for what it saves you. Even taking into account the cost of conversion, it's still cheaper for me rather than change my car for a Diesel Galaxy of the equivalent Spec and Mileage which would probably have cost me another

[seatkid]

Biodiesel (5%) is available at all Rix service stations and a number of Tesco stations, maybe others too.

 

The jury is still out on whether Biodiesel will to more harm than good, the UN for instance thinks that mass switching to Biodiesel will cause massive ecological damage and increase poverty and hunger enormously.

 

Under changes in the last Budget small producers (<2500 litres per year - that includes individuals) can use biodiesel duty free. All you need to do is to contact your local tax office and declare yourself as a producer of biodiesel.

 

I think Fred Flintstone had the right idea when it came to ecologically sound transport! :rolleyes:

[Paul B]

By the way, I love the idea of a Seat Shaped Tank! I'll have 5 please, preferably in Leather! LOL

[Paul B]

Oh, and weightless too please!

 

Anway, Veg Oil/Diesel Mix is supposed to be bad for Common Rail Diesels too, it's not recommended at all. Only any good for old Oil burners? Not sure how true this is.

[gio]

Lets not get carried away with statements that are at best optimistic and at worst misleading.

 

All of the mpg figures quoted so far (including mine..... :P ) are OTT and unlikely to be acheived in real life.

 

In particular posters should make it clear that terms like "petrol equivalent mpg" are a statistical manipulation using fuel price differential as an adjuster. What I have noticed is that there is quite a spread in LPG prices around the country btw. Lets get some basic facts straight though, LPG fuel consumption is around 20% more than petrol, purely because the calorific value is about 20% less than petrol.

 

It is important to consider overall running costs including intial purchase price, conversion, insurance, depreciation, maintenance etc as well as fuel costs. A low mileage driver has not got a very good reason to choose anything but a petrol for instance.

 

 

Diesel/LPG conversions are IMO a load of bulls**t and I never seen firm evidence of a succesful conversion.

 

These are some amusing quotes from LPG conversion specialists......

 

Normal Diesel engines are able to combust only 75% up to 80% of the injected diesel. Really? <_<

 

The DFD LPG system is functioning marvelous and therefore we intended years ago to start supplying the system. Unfortunately we aren't able to supply because of legal reasons. At this moment you are not allowed to install and use any diesel LPG system in most of the European countries.

Therefore we can't offer this system. What a shame..... :P

 

Don't get me wrong, I would consider a dual fuel (even maybe an LPG only) vehicle, but only if it were made by a major motor manufacturer and covered by their warranty. Why? Then I would know it had no safety compromises, e.g. the fuel tank is ahead of the rear axle, and is crash tested.

 

My decision would depend on "overall cost of ownership" (and whether I was likely to travel on Eurotunnel or other places where LPG vehicles may be banned)

 

DIESELS CAN RUN ON ALMOST ANYTHING

Unfortunately that is not true either.

 

 

Amazing!!!!!!! so in your humble opinion,and because YOU have not seen firm evidance its b...shit!

and where have you looked for this evidence? i did tell you where to look!

and you would consider dual fuel if only a car manufacturer made it! but they do! but they are not listening

to you as they don't always put the lpg tank where you think they should.

or where you talking diesel/lpg dual fuel?

 

That won't happen, no piont the diesel driver does not get the breaks a petrol driver does,

and for that very same reason not many people would waste

[big_kev]

This area is at best very grey and I think we need to respect that different people have their own opinions.

[gregers]

b4 this develops into a slanging match plz peeps keep it cool <_>

[gio]

thought this might interest diesel users...

 

 

Feature - Biofuels

 

 

 

 

Confirmation of 100% Tax Break For Green Biofuel

[sepulchrave]

All well and good but:

 

 

If you can't afford to run a petrol gal then buy the diesel.

 

 

If you can't afford to run the diesel gal then buy a smaller car.

 

 

If you can't get a smaller car because your family is too big, then get a better job.

 

 

If you can't get a better job then WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING WHEN YOU HAD ALL THOSE KIDS! :(

 

 

If you have a large family and you want cheap, buy a small minibus. SWB VW T4 1.9 TDi for example, take out the seats you don't need; voila, huge boot, great MPG, insanely reliable and really cheap and easy to fix. :(

 

Otherwise cease grizzling and pay the price for the luxury the Galaxy affords you and your oversized family.

 

(BTW my mate has a 2.3 and in reality it is no more economical than my VR6)

[NikpV]

wonder what the 'modifications' ??

 

also wonder if you can mix this ppo with derv without modification ??

[Sher]

There have been discussions before mentioning biofuels, the 1.9TDi engines with the amount of exhaust gas re-circulation and the effect on the EGR valve and intercooler.

Lubricity of these Bio Fuels tends to be higher than mineral diesel so wear of the pump and injectors should not be the problem.

Ford/ Volkswagen only ever recommended 5% max Biodiesel. I have not heard that this has changed.

The use of these PPO fuels is likely to be more successful on older technology diesels.

 

I'm not saying they will not work. They may well do but with the overcomplex bit of kit under the bonnet any work outside normal is very expensive and is likely to far outweigh any savings that can be made on using PPO.

 

Without the tax the cost of PPO is far more than the mineral diesel oil we buy now. e.g.

 

Mineral Oil refined to diesel estimated at 80$ (

Edited August 18, 2007 by Sher

[Steve P]

Cor sepulchrave- who rattled your cage!

 

I think that was a very useful post. Thanks gio.

 

We have a 2.3 gal which is as thirsty as a bus (I think that the 2.3 is the WORST galaxy to have if fuel consumption matters) But we like it - so we had it converted to LPG years ago and so the running costs are now better than a lot of small cars.

 

I also have a Ford Ranger 4x4 - diesel. It does about 28 mpg. It looks like I have to give up self employment and get a job which will mean a commute to work. It was therefore looking like the ranger had to go, but as we bought it from brand new, it's only got 11k miles on it in two and a half years I was not happy - somebody would be getting a bargain.

 

Previously I had looked into bio- diesel. Too much faffing around to make it at home so never took it any further. I knew about running diesels on Straight Veg Oil (SVO) but the tax position made it more expensive than diesel. I'm all for doing my bit for the environment but I am not paying extra compared to everybody else driving a car.

 

This latest news means I might get to keep the Ranger.

 

Cease grizzling and pay the price for luxury. Cobblers to that. Get off your backside - put a little bit of effort in then have the luxury without the price!!

 

Nice one gio - cheers

[Steve P]

Hi Sher - you forgot about the litres to gallons calculation! 425x38x4.54 = Edited August 18, 2007 by Steve P

[Sher]

I thought SVO and PPO were pretty much the same. Normally SVO is edible and non toxic to humans.

I presume that PPO could cover unprocessed oil like rapeseed which is Toxic to humans when unprocessed. (True or False?)

[Steve P]

I'll be honest - I'm not sure. I have assumed that SVO and PPO are virtually the same thing. From the quick bit of reading I did on another website after seeing gio's post I think that PPO is at least as processed as SVO.

 

My next task is to find out if I can get get reasonable quantities of PPO (or SVO) - say 500 litres, delivered to home at 52p per litre. A 500 litre tank (or even a 1000 litre tank ) isn't actually that big and could easily be stored in the garage (as long as you don't keep a car in there!!). I'm sure that SVO / PPO would not be classed as a fuel so I don't think there would be any problems with having to have the tank bunded etc. I'll need to check.

 

Cheers

Steve

[Sher]

I would suggest a large plastic container mounted on trailor of the kind used to transport bulk wine, insecticide sprays etc. 500 litres of oil would be about 400kg or just slightly more.

I presume Hazchem Cards/symbols may be required but these oils are non volatile, do not burn easily and are biodegradable.

So the requirements may be quite simple.

[Sher]

I quote from Blooming Futures about a (Skoda?) Superb conversion

 

Friday 23rd of February The first single tank unit injector engine conversion

 

We are pleased to say we have completed the first VAG group PD engine conversion and we can now offer a single tank conversion for most 1.9TDI PD engines from the Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda/Seat group. The conversion inculdes a ECU upgrade which is completed in Germany. We are very happy with the conversion and even happier that we can now offer single tank conversions for the latest generation diesel engines.

 

So it includes a single tank and the ECU is re-programmed. It would be nice to know in which way.

 

It may be that some of my objections have been answered.

[big_kev]

What's the current price of Red Diesel ?

 

Anyone using this in their Gal ?

[Steve P]

Sorry big kev - that's illegal - Customs & Excise will come down on you like a ton of bricks if they catch you. Red diesel is reserved for strictly non road use - farm vehicles and plant.

 

Cheers

Steve

 

PS the price of red has rocketed - it's gone in the last few years from about 17 pence to 35 pence. Might seem like peanuts to us, but I have a farmer in the family and he was saying it's the difference between "ploughing" a field or not (he used some other term which mean dragging something behind a tractor across the field - but not a plough)

[Steve P]

Hi Sher - I would add that single tank means that you keep your original fuel tank - in case any of our readers thought this mean't they would need to add another single fuel tank to their vehicle.

 

I don't want to go down the road trailer route - extra cost of purchase - fetching the fuel and time. It all starts to eat into the benefits of doing this - plus a trailer sould take up a lot more room in the garage. A 1000 litre tank is only a 1 metre cube!! If I can get somebody to deliver 1000 litres in a tanker to the house - and as long as we don't end up with veg oil dripped all over the drive - then I will be giving this some serious thought.

 

At least with LPG on the galaxy there are loads of filling stations - we hardly ever get caught short.

[seatkid]

Plus, when things get short, you can fry up some chips on the lpg gas cooker using some veggie oil - but don't forget to throw it back in the tank afterwards! :lol:

[NikpV]

the difference between "ploughing" a field or not (he used some other term which mean dragging something behind a tractor across the field - but not a plough)

 

sounds very 'harrowing' :lol: :lol: