Fuel Consumption : How Low Can You Go?

**rmp** · 17th September 2005, 03:54 PM

Busy researching an article about fuel consumption. My usual was around 11.5L/100km in my '04 TD5 Defender 110.

I'm now down to 8.4L/100km, or 35% better. Previous best was 750km before the warning light came on which worked out to be 8.7. My Defender has quite a few mods which I'm not taking off, like a winch, dual batteries etc. I reckon I could get sub-8 in a stocker with road tyres.

What I did was dump all my offroad recovery gear and tools (150kg all up), increase tyre pressures to 50/60 f/r, ditcedh the roofrack and changed driving style to short-shifting, cruising at 90-95 instead of 99-103 and generally driving as smoothly as possible with as little acceleration as I can manage.

So all you people hurting for fuel prices; up the pressures, drive gently and see how you go!

Also did a quick run around five local servos today and the prices varied by a few cents. Pays to know which is the lowest.

**Bushie** · 17th September 2005, 04:48 PM

Originally posted by rmp

What I did was dump all my offroad recovery gear and tools (150kg all up), increase tyre pressures to 50/60 f/r, ditcedh the roofrack and changed driving style to short-shifting, cruising at 90-95 instead of 99-103 and generally driving as smoothly as possible with as little acceleration as I can manage.

Not sure that would be that comfortable, or necessarily that safe for an empty vehicle.

Bushie

**rmp** · 17th September 2005, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Bushie

Originally Posted by rmp

What I did was dump all my offroad recovery gear and tools (150kg all up), increase tyre pressures to 50/60 f/r, ditcedh the roofrack and changed driving style to short-shifting, cruising at 90-95 instead of 99-103 and generally driving as smoothly as possible with as little acceleration as I can manage.

Not sure that would be that comfortable, or necessarily that safe for an empty vehicle.

Bushie

The pressure differential between cold and hot is 4psi, the benchmark. It's a slightly harder ride but not too bad. The never-exceed is 80psi. The D130's recommended pressures are around 48/65, and my accessoried 110 weighs around the same as a stock 130.

**Ace** · 17th September 2005, 06:39 PM

I have been driving like this for quite a while, it is making quite a difference. Having said this its still up on what is should be as the fuel system is in dire need of a service, that will be a holidays job for the Injection mob in Katoomba. Matt

**Bushie** · 18th September 2005, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by rmp

Originally Posted by Bushie

Originally Posted by rmp

What I did was dump all my offroad recovery gear and tools (150kg all up), increase tyre pressures to 50/60 f/r, ditcedh the roofrack and changed driving style to short-shifting, cruising at 90-95 instead of 99-103 and generally driving as smoothly as possible with as little acceleration as I can manage.

Not sure that would be that comfortable, or necessarily that safe for an empty vehicle.

Bushie

The pressure differential between cold and hot is 4psi, the benchmark. It's a slightly harder ride but not too bad. The never-exceed is 80psi. The D130's recommended pressures are around 48/65, and my accessoried 110 weighs around the same as a stock 130.

Robert,

What tyres are you running, that are rated to 80psi ?

Just checked mine out

Goodyear wrangers 8PR are 65 psi max
Michelin XZL 10PR are 75psi max
Michelin XPC 6PR are 54psi max
Michelin X 4x4 6PR are 55psi max

Bushie

**DEFENDERZOOK** · 18th September 2005, 10:22 AM

probably the original equipment general grabbers....max pressure 80psi

**rmp** · 18th September 2005, 12:11 PM

I'm running light-truck Cooper ST-Cs in 235/85/16. They're rated for some crazy load like 1380kg or so but if I did that I'd exceed the GVM for sure and so will never take them anywhere near 80.

**George130** · 18th September 2005, 06:49 PM

I have my TD5 130 down to 11.4 by sitting at 100 in the 110 zones 90 in the 100 zones and otherwise the speed limit. Hi had been pumping my 285 75 r16 bf muddies at 40-50 psi. I hadn't noticed any comfort issues but since rotating the tyres they are noisier and rougher but I have put that down to them needing to wear in again.

**camel_landy** · 18th September 2005, 08:24 PM

IIRC, the manual states 65 for the rear on a 130....

I'm running 45/60 f/r in the 110 (I've got the HD front & back end on the Camel) and I'm on Michelin XZLs. The truck is weighing in at approx 3500kg when full and so far those pressures work the best. When empty, I use 40/45.

Mark

**VladTepes** · 19th September 2005, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by rmp

Busy researching an article about fuel consumption. My usual was around 11.5L/100km in my '04 TD5 Defender 110.

The Tdi gets about 10l/100km unladen or thereabouts. As the odometer is failry buggered now, it's hard to know for sure. Given diesel consumption is so good (compared with petrol anyway) I still drive it hard (ish).

Originally Posted by rmp

So all you people hurting for fuel prices....; up the pressures, drive gently and see how you go!

Yes well, now we are talking Range Rover V8

I no longer measure in litres/100km but rather in barrels of crude/week.

And I refuse to increase the tyre pressures - who wants a hard-riding Rangie

Rather defeats the purpose, old chap

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