Thread: Why has my fuel economy improved

Originally Posted by Scallops

... Mine did this too - I went to about 9l per 100km.

Yeah, but in the space of one tank-full?

Originally Posted by vnx205

...Unless your tank is a lot easier to fill than mine on my cab/chassis, it is unbelievably easy to get significant apparent fluctuations in fuel economy.

After the nozzle clicks off and froth dribbles out on the ground and the tank appears to be full, I can add another five or six litres, provided I have the patience to dribble it in very slowly...

I am basing my figures on the actual litres pumped into the car each time I fill up as shown on the bowser. I know what you mean about temperamental fuel fillers, and I always go a few litres beyond the click-off. Incidentally, nearly all my fills have been using the same bowser at my local servo. It's always the scum-of-the-earth-filthy-diesel bowser stuck way to buggery out beyond the covered "consumer" petrol bowser area with one regular & one high-flow nozzle and no queue. I have stopped using the high-flow nozzle since I am suspicious that it upsets my fuel gauge somehow (a couple of times it has refused to show completely full after topping off).

Anyway, a couple more fills should confirm this happy trend.

Originally Posted by pbroz

...My wife just watched me writing this and said I was nuts! I don't think she quite understands...

You are not alone....

Still waiting for my economy to get down to 10L/100. Still up around 11, but I haven't hit the magic 26,000Km yet

Originally Posted by Richard

you been using BP diesel? found ive been getting better fuel economy with my defender as well using that, theres some additive they have been advertising they add to their diesel

Funny, I was going to say the opposite. I get worse on BP. (Maybe it's different in Melb.)

You're in limp home mode.







Couldn't resist.

Originally Posted by Scallops

I have known many people who will tell you that any engine will get it's best fuel economy from about 30000km onward - why? I don't know. Mine did this too - I went to about 9l per 100km.

Because they reckon by then everything as loosened up in he engine....and thats why the economy gets better...
however I was told after 20,000k

I think ours is worse we get more per litre around town then we do on a long run it appears anything over 100k sucks it...oh and we use BP perhaps there is a trend

Could be the cold? The fuel shrinks and does not froth as much in the cold as compared to 25+ that you normally get in Qld so you may be getting more fuel in your tank. Also turbo's operate better in cooler weather and this could be a factor?
This does not apply south of canberra as ACT/VIC/Tassie always cold so any sensor in the computer would not register a change from cold to bloody cold.

The guy next door is a Nissan specialist,and works almost soley on Pootrols & Navara diesels (poor buggar).& has done for many years

He recons a diesel is not run in fully til it has done over 40k.

I have noticed with new TD5's they never got good fuel economy till they had done around 10k at least.

Dunno how fuel economy could change overnight though,particularly if you havent changed anything...

Originally Posted by scarry

The guy next door is a Nissan specialist,and works almost soley on Pootrols & Navara diesels (poor buggar).& has done for many years

He recons a diesel is not run in fully til it has done over 40k.

I have noticed with new TD5's they never got good fuel economy till they had done around 10k at least.

Dunno how fuel economy could change overnight though,particularly if you havent changed anything...

Deosn't does it I thought it changed over a tank of fuel which is usually around 2 weeks...unless of course your in le monz (or however you spell it