A2 Fuel consumption

The standard 175/60 R15, Goodyear MCT5.
The determining features are:
- the weather (warm, but not hot enough to need aircon - even if I did switch it on at least once)
- I'm alone in the car
- steady pace, 2000-2200 rpm, 90-95kph
- avoid short trips, switch gears at 2400-2600 or so and when accelerating, make sure to do so 'convincingly', but no flooring of the accelerator.
- coasting when possible/feasible/safe
That's about it.. it's boring, but it works.
 
whuy said:
The standard 175/60 R15, Goodyear MCT5.
The determining features are:
- the weather (warm, but not hot enough to need aircon - even if I did switch it on at least once)
- I'm alone in the car
- steady pace, 2000-2200 rpm, 90-95kph
- avoid short trips, switch gears at 2400-2600 or so and when accelerating, make sure to do so 'convincingly', but no flooring of the accelerator.
- coasting when possible/feasible/safe
That's about it.. it's boring, but it works.
Click to expand...

That's exactly how I drive, but I cruise at 97-103. Next tank I will be driving 90-95 for comparison. What is your terrain like? I usually engine brake as much as possible instead of using the wheel brakes. Does the A2 stop fuel supply when engine braking?

It's getting colder here now, only +2 degrees this morning.
Calix electrical engine heater (550W) plugged in for one hour before start-up.
 
I never use the engine for braking.. or, at the very least, I never downshift for the sole purpose of braking, even if it is more economical (when you release the accelerator, you use zero fuel). I'm under the (maybe false) impression that engine braking wears the engine out faster (because forces are applied in reverse), and downshifting needlessly wears out the clutch. I'd rather have my pads replaced a bit more often.
The road is quite flat - of my 120km daily commute, about 100km is straight, flat motorway. And driving 90kph vs. 110 does make a difference. Purely from a fuel economy point of view, 80kph would be even better, but that's not feasible on motorways..
And +2 degrees, yes that means warming up will take a lot longer(disregard that - I only just now saw the reference to the engine heater), and maybe that even fully warmed up, the engine is not as economical as at 20 degrees.
Still (having looked up my data from Jan-Feb, when temperatures are around freezing), I approached 4 l/100km (70mpg) on one occasion as well, without having to resort to driving 90 kph on the motorway.
 
Cold climate affects the whole car. Wheel bearings, gearbox, engine, everything gets stiffer as the temp drops. On my old 1983 Ford Granada 2.0 I had to use both arms to shift at -34 degrees celsius. But I recon the terrain might be a major factor. There are few flat areas here. The extra fuel you burn going up a hill is more than you save from going down a hill.
 
Hi Xiter
After reading about -34C temperatures I checked your location map and see you live approx 100km north of Ornskoldsvik - I've been there many times on company business, visiting Hagglunds Vehicles.

Cheers Spike
 
Spike, (or any other club member for that matter), if you have time to spare next time you go to Hägglunds, feel free to give me a call at +46 70 5782381. If you come in the warm season, I have a summer house about 40 km north of Örnsköldsvik where you can fish, swim, use the sauna, have a beer or two...It would be nice to meet another club member.
 
Hi Xiter
Thanks for the generous offer. I don't get to travel much now but if i'm ever over in Sweden i'll give you a call and maybe we can meet up for that beer.

Cheers Spike
 
New record achieved; 4,3 l/100km which makes about 65,7 mpg. Cruising speed reduced to 90 km/h from 100. AC off. The temperature has varied from -2 degrees celcius to +7. Tire pressure at 300 kPa (43,5 psi).

Conclusion: It didn't make that much of a difference to the 4,5 l/100 km I usually get when driving 100 km/h.
 
Averaged 98 mpg and 58 mph over 127 miles run from Notts to Teeside motorway run couple of weeks ago! But the 1.2 TDI does all the coasting etc for you! So cheating really! If only Audi still made this model!
 
Birmingham to southampton to adi and back to southampton
385miles right foot heavy on the way back from adi and still got 54 to the gallon better than my 4x4 by far
robin
 
Cool thread, a few points (given that I work with car manufacturers, do loads of miles and test various bits'n'pieces).

1) Diesel fuel formula changes through the year to take into consideration ambient temperature shifts / fuel thickness. So consumption will vary relative to fuel changes / time of year.

2) Cold air is more O2 dense, hence better combustion especially if there is moisture in the air but equally colder = more friction through cold (expanded) components and thicker oil.

3) Cruise control hurts fuel consumption compared with a gentle right foot as it maintains speed up hill. Its better to gain speed downhill then loose speed uphill.

4) The old school "use the engine for braking" is pointless nowadays, it was designed for a time when brakes couldnt take a lot of heat and were not very efficient. Nowadays brakes can take it and using them rather than the engine saves engine wear (compared with brake wear which is cheaper) uses less fuel and is better for emissions.

5) I wouldnt recommend people doing this as it may be considered dangerous and you may get Mr.Plod having a word with you. But the best run I did with 103mpg average (A2 1.4 TDi 70) was mainly motorway and I free wheeled downhill and towed lorries uphill (got in their slip stream). Best fuel efficiency trip I have ever done was Donington Park to Silverstone (65 miles) doing 49mpg in an Alfa 147 2.0 petrol at average motorway speed of 80mph - there happened to be a large van doing the same trip (quickly) that wouldnt get out of my way ;) - never did get chance to thank him.

6) Modern climate control systems are amazingly fuel efficient compared with their older relations. I remember a Lancia Delta integrale where you could actually see the fuel gauge move when driving with aircon on! A2 is effected but the climate control but only by a few % in my opinion.

7) My A2 has the fuel heater in it and I think that impacts consumption during cold weather more than anything. Although its useful for heating up "thick supermarket fuel that you buy off the shelves" ;)
 
Jashper said:
A2 Pooter says i'm getting 43mpg round town which then creeps up to around 45-46 on the m-way.... and i seem to drive her like a complete fagpot!!

This 60+ lark is just fantasy island ........

look boss the plane ... the plane :p
Click to expand...


i agree totally
 
I have only had my 2001 1.4 TDI for a week now, but have been trying to get the best MPGs I can out of it.

I do a 70 mile roundtrip everyday on mainly motorways, and it is the Motorway where i have concentrated my efforts to get the best MPG I can.

Unfortunately the M2 seems to be made up of a number of hills, so one moment I am getting 35-45 MPG when climbing a hill and then 200MPG or ---MPG when comming down hill again. However on the flat if I tuck myself behind a large lorry at about 57MPH I get about 85-90MPG

I also use Biodiesel when I can, and unfortunately Biodiesel does know the MPG down by about 5, but then thats not the point I guess.
 
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