Fuel Consumption: Auto Vs Manual

[Guest Richard_C]

Hi

 

I am returning to the Citroen forum after a 5 year break having sold the Picasso. Still got a C3 1.4 basic diesel (blob shaped) and Synergie 1.9 TD (remember those?).

 

My main long distance car is SAAB 9-5 Estate which I really like but which will have to go soon. Over 100k miles and only 28mpg - petrol prices not encouraging.

 

When I do change it will be for C5 tourer, aiming for a newish second hand/ex demo one when the right thing pops up. No great rush. I will go for the Exclusive to get the proper suspension (I remember my old BXs and Xantias fondly). A lot of my journeys are 300 - 600 miles and even using the C3 for local stuff I still clock 12 - 18k miles a year.

 

I enjoy automatics and would expect to get a small 'fuel penalty'. I know the urban test cycle punishes autos, but the chug into town is a job for the C3. It's the 'extra urban' I am interested in. I would expect a modern auto to be 5 - 10% worse than a manual, but when I look at the published figures for the 2.0 Hdi 160 it's more like a 30% difference.

 

So - why the great difference, is it a fluke of the test cycle, and what real life figures are people getting from their auto or manual cars? Info on 160s and 136 autos would be interesting.

[seefive]

Hi

 

I am returning to the Citroen forum after a 5 year break having sold the Picasso. Still got a C3 1.4 basic diesel (blob shaped) and Synergie 1.9 TD (remember those?).

 

My main long distance car is SAAB 9-5 Estate which I really like but which will have to go soon. Over 100k miles and only 28mpg - petrol prices not encouraging.

 

When I do change it will be for C5 tourer, aiming for a newish second hand/ex demo one when the right thing pops up. No great rush. I will go for the Exclusive to get the proper suspension (I remember my old BXs and Xantias fondly). A lot of my journeys are 300 - 600 miles and even using the C3 for local stuff I still clock 12 - 18k miles a year.

 

I enjoy automatics and would expect to get a small 'fuel penalty'. I know the urban test cycle punishes autos, but the chug into town is a job for the C3. It's the 'extra urban' I am interested in. I would expect a modern auto to be 5 - 10% worse than a manual, but when I look at the published figures for the 2.0 Hdi 160 it's more like a 30% difference.

 

So - why the great difference, is it a fluke of the test cycle, and what real life figures are people getting from their auto or manual cars? Info on 160s and 136 autos would be interesting.

 

Hi

 

I have a Mk2 petrol exclusive auto 4 speed, following a Mk1 petrol manual 5 speed, and the auto does about 10% less per the computer, although I can't say I notice the difference in terms of how often I fill up.

 

Definitely prefer the auto, and hate diesels with a passion. So I'm stuck in 28 mpg land. Good job I don't pay for my petrol!!