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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 1:56 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 2369
Trade Rating: +15
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
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There's been a few topics floating around lately on the subject of economy and with the cost of petrol soaring like there is no tomorrow, and less money in our pockets thanks to our wonderful government, I've decided that now is the time to reign in the driving style and take a more economical approach.
I thought it might be a good idea to get a proper look at how driving style affects economy, and so I am running some 'tests' over the next couple of months just to see what the truths are for myself. Perhaps, if you feel so inclined, you could run the same (or similar) tests and post back! It would be interesting to see just what people get and build up a comparison.
So here goes.
Before I embarked on this journey I knew I wasting away £££s, and achieving only between 30-35 MPG. This was using 'spirited' driving, and mostly motorway.
'Spirited' in my case means quick standing starts, quick to get up to speed (but no more than) in urban driving conditions and no slouching on the motorways.
So, we'll use that as test 1.
Car: 2000 1.6GLX (8v Petrol), remapped
Test 1: Spirited Driving, Supermarket Budget Fuel (97 RON), Motorway
MPG: 33-35
Test 2 has been economical driving with my normal fuel.
Economical driving is, gentle acceleration from standing start and no more than 65 MPH on the motorway with NO attempts at heavy acceleration to overtake etc.
Car: 2000 1.6GLX (8v Petrol), remapped
Test 2: Economy driving, Supermarket Budget Fuel (97 RON), Motorway
MPG: peak: 65, lowest: 42, Avg: 53
I've got a couple of long journeys ahead in the next couple of weeks, so the tests will continue, with my next one switching the more expensive supermarket fuel, and I'll also do some comparisons against the same fuel types from one of the major fuel suppliers just to see if there's any truth in the 'more mileage claims' using economical driving!
Other Drivers Stats Summary
2003 1.4 HDI (purrjoe)
Economy driving, Standard Diesel, Urban Driving
57.88 mpg
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Last edited by VorTechS on Thu Jan 27, 2011 5:13 am; edited 3 times in total
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:05 am |
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Joined: Feb 12, 2010 Posts: 4308
Trade Rating: +62
Location: Partying with the Info Shufflers
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a very helpful topic here mate and it sounds like a great test with the price of fuel soaring. great read so far and ill keep checking back here
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:13 am |
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Joined: Feb 21, 2010 Posts: 3945
Trade Rating: +45
Location: basingstoke
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Rather u than me with the economical driving bit. After 5mins of trying to drive like tht i get bored and have to floor it x
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| PAST -2008 Vauxhall Astra VXR / 2002 pug 206 GTI
PRESENT - VW Golf GTI Semi - Auto
Now have my 106 GTI track car
TEAM - I HATE FACEBOOK | |
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 2:18 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 2369
Trade Rating: +15
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
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I agree meady, it started off that way - and it was hard which is why the lowest point was just 42 MPG which happened to be the first day of the test! In the long run though, it should reduce the petrol bill through requiring fill ups less frequently and therefore more money to spend on other things.
Or at least, that's the plan!
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:02 am |
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Joined: Nov 20, 2010 Posts: 54
Trade Rating: +1
Location: Doncaster
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Great test ... the results will be interesting to see..
i've really had to look at the way i'm driving. you just know when you set off accelerating quickly ... the cars guzzling petrol and i mean really lots.
this colds not helped. but by changing the way i drive ive seen it go from 23 mpg to about 37 mpg
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:04 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 6055
Trade Rating: +53
Location: Salisbury / New Forest
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Borrowed from Briskoda.
Not 100% relevant to 206's but there are some good tips.
Quote:: |
You can use the onscreen "instantaneous mpg" readout as a rough indication as to how lead-footed you are being, even if the figures are inaccurate
Biggest saving economy wise, instead of braking for corners, just let go of the throttle 3 or 4 seconds before and let engine braking slow you down, during this period you will be burning no fuel whatsoever. And indeed, don't labour the engine! 6th at 50mph, unless on a flat or slight decline, is too high a gear and will be costing you more than if you are in 5th!
Something I've learnt is if you get stuck in a rut of being obsessed with MPG the MPG's will drop. You do need to get the revs up over 3k once a month or more, or so, a few times in a single day maybe to clear out the crud. After I've had a blow out the MPG's always jump up the next day.
Don't forget the weather isn't on your side at the minute. the last couple of days have been quite mild down here and the MPG's been reported as notably higher. Seeing 60 as I get to work instead of 54. |
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:10 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 2369
Trade Rating: +15
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
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That's an interesting comment at the bottom there about temperature!
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:14 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 6055
Trade Rating: +53
Location: Salisbury / New Forest
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Yep, with cooler air you'll be using more fuel.
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:22 am |
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Joined: Feb 07, 2010 Posts: 4455
Trade Rating: +1
Location: Essex
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Hard work but aparently works, acording to top gear & others, is to use your throttle as an on off switch instead of maintaing a constant throttle position.
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:27 am |
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Joined: Feb 07, 2010 Posts: 4455
Trade Rating: +1
Location: Essex
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:48 am |
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 Posts: 486
Trade Rating: +4
Location: East Sussex
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My computer tells me im doing an average about 42 mpg. And thats mainly A roads and town
When i go london from sussex (near eastbourne) i get 45 mpg.
I try not to driving over 4000rpm.
I reset my trip when i fill up.
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Peugeot 206 1.6 Sport (55)
Audi A1 2.0 TDi Sport (14) | |
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:03 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 2369
Trade Rating: +15
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
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abs06 wrote: |
My computer tells me im doing an average about 42 mpg. And thats mainly A roads and town
When i go london from sussex (near eastbourne) i get 45 mpg.
I try not to driving over 4000rpm.
I reset my trip when i fill up. |
Want to flesh out these details a bit like I have?
I'll then add it into a table or something so that others can see ....
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:12 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 1301
Trade Rating: +4
Location: rochdale
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VorTechS wrote: |
abs06 wrote: |
My computer tells me im doing an average about 42 mpg. And thats mainly A roads and town
When i go london from sussex (near eastbourne) i get 45 mpg.
I try not to driving over 4000rpm.
I reset my trip when i fill up. |
Want to flesh out these details a bit like I have?
I'll then add it into a table or something so that others can see .... |
i drive to my mums from rochdale to leek most weeks, has a good mix of motorway, through stockport and some country roads closer to there, so i think al make a note of somethings myself and send them over if its of any use?, however it is a disel i use
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:13 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 2369
Trade Rating: +15
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
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That'd be awesome! Thanks
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Posted: Thu Jan 27, 2011 4:15 am |
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Joined: Feb 08, 2010 Posts: 1301
Trade Rating: +4
Location: rochdale
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no probs al try the spirited driving today i think haha, what details you want recording? bit sad but i do love a good mpg challenge
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