Thread: Discovery 4 fuel economy and tank size irregularities

We only tow a small van so no brick. I wouldn't waste the money on a long range tank but do occasionally carry 2 jerries. I agree about the 200 series fuel consumption...got talking to a bloke in Karratha some time ago and his fuel usage against the easterly compared to ours was horrendous.
As to the suspension upgrade, yes our son had to do that to tow his boat. Took 3 years for Toyota to fix his oil consumption and the transmission which as the old saying said "Couldn't pull a soldier off your sister" after a week of sitting idle.
97 grand of soft snot.
AlanH.

Originally Posted by DiscoJeffster

The tank still has around 100km of travel (10L) in it when the range indicator hits 0Km. As for the range on a tank itself - overly optimistic they were for sure

My 2005 with the warning light on was good for 100 again and again. My 2009 is not. I found out the hard way and not trying a second time.

I try to avoid running the tank down to the absolute minimum, the system needs 4l to run ( i.e. prime the lp and hpfp properly) not counting in tank level for the fuel sensor, and not pick up any rubbish in the tank. I carry extra 40l when touring, and fill up every opportunity, usually its 2-3 hours between stops anyway on a long trip, so regular breaks are good too. I don't really see it as an issue.

pfft , asking a bit much wanting to put fuel in there as well , it' just somewhere they could hide more plastic n wires . This is looking into a supercharged RRS I did today but similar to diesels20201005_114521.jpg

I tow a off road van (weight 2.8T) and I do not drive slowly, just at the sped limit. On dirt road I regularly pass others towing van going at 30-40kph and feeling every bump. 2 years ago I went away with friend with same van and a LC200 a bit newer than my 2016 model. He laughed saying I would have to stop at every town to fill up. I also carry 60 litres of fuel on the van (20 ltrs is for heater notionally). When we started out, driving on bitumen and at speed limits, I was getting nearly the same distance in my tank as he was in his 120 lr tank. I was getting 15-16lph and he was in the mid 20's. He complained I was in too much of a rush so we slowed to max of 90kph, and my fuel dropped to 14 and his hovered around 20. On dirt roads, we would agree where we were going to stop and I would just leave him, set up and be drinking my 2nd can when he would finally pull in. In remote areas, I have resorted to using the gerry cans just to avoid the expensive fuel costs (ie Docker River) but in reality, have not yet taken the car to really remote areas (where I would not even take the van) I have not missed a LR tank. Planning to do the Gibb next year and all the offshoots, so that is where a LR tank maybe missed. I thought long and hard about a LR tank, but the cost plus all the other mods need to fit, just for that one or two trips where it would be needed, I felt was not justified. Also the extra weight reduces the carrying capacity of the Disco, and also effects fuel economy. In all probability offsetting the savings in the purchasing of cheaper fuel.. I have driven the car to "empty" just to see what happens. When the distance to empty was 0, I still drove another 105kms, then it went into limp mode for 5.2kms, then stopped. The idea of the small tank is also levelled at the Jeep Cherokee. It also get good fuel economy. So IMHO a LR tank is not justified for the trips I plan and my intended use. But each to his own.

Originally Posted by dirvine

Planning to do the Gibb next year and all the offshoots, so that is where a LR tank maybe missed.

Doubt you'll miss it there. I did 5 weeks in the Kimberley (including Cape Leveque and Mitchell Falls) in a Navara that was getting 20ltrs/100. Carried 40ltrs and didn't use any.

I had a similar fuel conundrum when crossing the Simpson in the TD5 with std tank. Took one 20l can extra and all the yota and nissan drivers with lr tanks said you'll never make it. Well we did easily and managed to avoid a massive fuel bill at Mt Dare. Averaged 15l/100klms over the trip..the others... 25s and over..

What about saddle tanks..my old SC D1 V8 had 2 of them?

The D3 I bought was a spur of the moment purchase (well, over a week actually) and luckily it came with a long range tank (plus ladder, bull bar and rear swing arm for the spare). Although it can take 190L from completely empty, I usually put 100L in it around town and only fill it to capacity when doing long trips.