Mpg Improves With Age

[hertsnminds]

Since my Pluriel broke the 10,000 mile reading I seem to be getting better MPG. Used to read an average of 42.3 on the dashboard computer, now reads 42.7.

In the real world that used to be about 350 miles from 40-42 litres now it is closer to 400 miles for a similar fill up.

As the tank is quoted at 47 litres it could be possible to get close to 500 miles from one tank if you are prepared to ignore the fuel gauge, which goes from 15 miles max to zero max with nothing in between (very scary when it first happens to you).

I also try not carry the boot cover in the back so the car is not so heavy (and so I have some usable boot space).

Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[Richard Fairhurst]

I can get 48-50mpg on a long motorway drive (managed just over 50 last week from Charlbury, Oxfordshire, to the Thelwall Viaduct on the M6). My daily commute across the Chilterns is a bit more up-and-down and usually works out at 42-45mpg.

Our Pluriel (1.4 petrol) is also running more economically now than when new. But I wonder if that's just me getting used to the car.

Richard

[hertsnminds]

When I had a 1.4 standard C3 (while my Pluriel was getting the latest type of seals fitted) I noticed it was revving at 3,000 when doing 70mph in 5th. My 1.6 Pluriel revs at 3,500 when doing 70mph in 5th so I assume the extra weight to stiffen the body (and of the engine) means the engine has to work harder and use more fuel.

When motorway driving keeping the revs just under 3,500 and the speed under 72mph seems to make a big difference in fuel consumption. I had been cruising just over the 3,500 revs with the speedo reading between 73 and 75 but just keeping things at 70 or under gives much improved mpg.

Strangely my average MPH indicator has reverted to not getting above 10mph (it was fixed with the new seals) and worked for about 2 weeks. But the average MPG indicator seems to be working still. But seeing as nothing tells you what distance these are averaging over they are not too meaningful.

And yes I agree getting used to the car makes a difference too, especially when using the sensodrive.


Ian
Orange 03 Senso

[Richard Fairhurst]

As I understand it, the averages are calculated from the time you last reset them - which might be several thousand miles ago. You can force a reset by paging through until you're on average MPG or average MPH, then holding in the CD track/display page button until the display changes to '-----'.

A rolling average (say, last 100 miles) would be more logical... but 'logical' wouldn't be the Pluriel we all know and love. :P

Richard

[dobbin]

When my pluriel 1.4 was new I used to average about 38mpg. Its now done nearly 10000 miles and it averages about 44mpg.

I think this is the same for most new cars.

[n_olympios]

[quote name='hertsnminds' date='Aug 14 2004, 09:26 PM'] When I had a 1.4 standard C3 (while my Pluriel was getting the latest type of seals fitted) I noticed it was revving at 3,000 when doing 70mph in 5th. My 1.6 Pluriel revs at 3,500 when doing 70mph in 5th so I assume the extra weight to stiffen the body (and of the engine) means the engine has to work harder and use more fuel.
[/quote]
The weight has nothing to do with rpm/speed relation. This has to do with the gearbox and how "short" the gears are. Someone more technically minded will explain it better than me, I'm not that keen on english terminology on the matter. :(

[pork_pie]

Some publications wil express data in the form of mph/1000 in top gear.

The higher the figure the longer the gear. Also depends on whether its petrol or diesel.

A typical small petrol car would be 17mph per 1000prm so at 68 mph the car screams on 4000 rpm

A medium-large diesel is typically 27-35mph per 1000rpm.
Medium-large petrol about 19-23mph per 1000 rpm.

Some like that Grand Hearse Vel Satis's automatic gearbox with a V6 3 litre diesel does 100 mph on 2000 rpm so at the national speed limit - you have stalled the engine.