Finally Bought My First Citroen

[Cupcake]

Hello, I have just bought my first Citroen. :D Its a C3 1.4HDi Exclusive. It's a great spec with lots of toys and 92bhp. I was reading some of these engines are turbo diesels. Is there a way I can check if mine is turbo? (without getting my hands dirty?!!)

[stimulator]

Hi and welcome, good choice. You don't even need to open the bonnet as I can assure you it has a turbo; all HDi Citroens do. It is also 16 valves that's 4 per cylinder real nippy too.

 

However if you open the bonnet there in front of you you will see a grey metal device that's the turbo, beware it gets very hot.

[Cupcake]

Hi and welcome, good choice. You don't even need to open the bonnet as I can assure you it has a turbo; all HDi Citroens do. It is also 16 valves that's 4 per cylinder real nippy too.

 

However if you open the bonnet there in front of you you will see a grey metal device that's the turbo, beware it gets very hot.

 

 

Hi, thanks for that. I had a feeling it was a Turbo as it is certainly nippy! I particularly bought an HDi as I heard they do about 65-70mpg. As I do a lot of motorway driving, I was hoping to achieve this, but what kind of speed would I have to be driving? I have been watching the computer but so far I have only got an average of 58 with my max speed of 67mph. Does this sound right or are there any tips for getting better mpg?

[stimulator]

There is a large debate over on the Picasso part of this site about mpg.

 

My own experience is that my 1.4HDi SX returns 61 to 67 mpg, it has done 37000 miles.. My C3 1.6HDi returns a less than this but then it is newere and has only done 5000 miles.

 

If this is your first diesel car then you have to drive it slightly differently compared to a petrol engine.

 

You need to change gear earlier going up the box i.e 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 and the best revs that you should do this are around 2200 to 2500. This is because a diesel has its maximum torque and therefore efficeincy at lower rpm than a petrol car. The rev counter above the speedo is red lines at 4500 but you will rarely if every go that high. When changing down still in the highest gear possible until you are able to change down where the next lower gera will give you a rev count of 1800 to 2000.

 

On my 1.4 2000 rpm equates to 11 mph in first, 22 mph in second, 30 in third, 47 in fourth and 57 in fifth. When in 5th if you go much below 40 mph you will labour the engine and the response and fuel ecconomy will suffer.

 

Next time you fill up zero the trip computer, press the end of the wiper stalk IN towards the column (if it's got a separate radio controller or press the middle of the shorter of the two parts if it has the radio on the wiper stalk. The shorter part has a (0) on it. Hold the button in for 5 secs so that the display zeros. By pressing the knob you can cycle through the readouts.

[Cupcake]

There is a large debate over on the Picasso part of this site about mpg.

 

My own experience is that my 1.4HDi SX returns 61 to 67 mpg, it has done 37000 miles.. My C3 1.6HDi returns a less than this but then it is newere and has only done 5000 miles.

 

If this is your first diesel car then you have to drive it slightly differently compared to a petrol engine.

 

You need to change gear earlier going up the box i.e 1 to 2 to 3 to 4 to 5 and the best revs that you should do this are around 2200 to 2500. This is because a diesel has its maximum torque and therefore efficeincy at lower rpm than a petrol car. The rev counter above the speedo is red lines at 4500 but you will rarely if every go that high. When changing down still in the highest gear possible until you are able to change down where the next lower gera will give you a rev count of 1800 to 2000.

 

On my 1.4 2000 rpm equates to 11 mph in first, 22 mph in second, 30 in third, 47 in fourth and 57 in fifth. When in 5th if you go much below 40 mph you will labour the engine and the response and fuel ecconomy will suffer.

 

Next time you fill up zero the trip computer, press the end of the wiper stalk IN towards the column (if it's got a separate radio controller or press the middle of the shorter of the two parts if it has the radio on the wiper stalk. The shorter part has a (0) on it. Hold the button in for 5 secs so that the display zeros. By pressing the knob you can cycle through the readouts.

 

Yes, it is my first diesel and it has covered 23000 miles. I think when I am cruising, I get the revs around 2200 to 2500 at around 63mph. I do notice the difference, as I used to cruise with my last car (petrol) at above 3000.

 

I will try setting the trip computer.

[CE08LDB]

You had it after thats great mate.

[markyb]

i pick up my 03 reg 1.4 hdi exclusive next week cant wait.

big savings to be had over my fiesta

im not 100% sure but i think you need to be doing around 50-55 mph to get max fuel consumption

[Cupcake]

i pick up my 03 reg 1.4 hdi exclusive next week cant wait.

big savings to be had over my fiesta

im not 100% sure but i think you need to be doing around 50-55 mph to get max fuel consumption

 

I had some time to spare today driving back from Gatwick, almost all motorway. I decided to set the average mpg and drive using cruise at 55-60mph over about 43 miles. I got an average of 78.3 which I thought was excellent, and even more reason to recommend this car. I am sure if you have your HDi by now, you will find same and a huge saving over the Ford.