[mjt57]

Last night when I left work, I got up to 80 km/h, put it into 6th, then reset the fuel consumption calc on the dash. It displayed "---" for about half a kay then started reading.

The road is a bit undulating but for nearly a kay it goes downhill slightly. With a slightly feathered throttle it was showing about 3.2l/100km. Then I got onto the flat and sped up slowly to 100 km/h. The eco started going up, as you'd expect. Settled on about 5l/100 km/h. By the time I got into town and got home, it had increased to about 5.5l. This includes 3 intersections, a flat stretch of 60 km/h, a short climb of about 800 metres at 80 km/h where I then turned into my street and into my driveway.

I don't know how accurate this meter is over such short distances, but it did seem responsive to engine load and throttle application.

Before I reset it the meter showed 5.9l which was looking at about 220 km of highway driving and about 80 km of town driving.

[Dazzler]

Your economy still seems about .5 up on what i would expect from a 6 speed manual 

But my Hybrid is up a bit at the moment. All the wet roads, wind and cold temps (fairly ordinary winter down here this year) have made it hover between 6.5 and 6.6... Usually 6.3 in the Summer and 6.5 at the very highest in the winter 

[mjt57]

Yet another missive about my "economical" CRDi. I filled up last week. Car's done 13,000 km now. The in dash "econometer" tells me that I'm getting mid 6s. However, the iPhone app, Road Trip, tells me that I'm averaging around 6.2l/100km, whilst the last fill worked out to be 7.07l/100km.

Most of that driving was around town, with my wife using it to drive to work, 10 km away, some of which is on an 80 then 100 km/h stretch of highway.

I drove to Melbourne on Friday, which is a 320 km round trip on mostly 100/110km/h freeways. The meter dropped down to the mid to high 5s.

The fuel light came on at around the 630 km mark on the trip meter.

Just to clarify, I fill to the first click. It doesn't bother me that much if I don't get an extra ten litres' worth of range out of the tank given that I only fill it once a month, on average.

When I first came onto the i30 forums shortly after I'd ordered the new i30, everyone was saying how the fuel economy should improve as the engine wears in. Now that it's got 13,000 km up, I'm wondering how far I have to drive before it's fully "loosened" up. And therefore, to see best possible economy.

Performance-wise, and in all other respects the car's running great. No issues, no rattles or squeaks have yet to develop and so on. Just this one small issue - that of economy.

[Doggie 1]

For a long time, my averages (in my diesel 5 speed manual) were around the 6.2 mark. Sometimes 6.5, sometimes 6.0 but 6.2 kept coming up.
This was in the times when I wasn't getting 1000 kms per tank, but I did "brim" it so still got reasonable distances. 10 litres makes a big difference.
I had a few tanks earlier in its life over the 1000 kms but the norm was less, around 800-900 kms.
I did tend to do a lot of idling though back then which didn't help.
Then later in its life it started consistently achieving over the magic 1000 km mark.
I used to find that re-setting the trip computer and doing a long run where I would get good economy would set it up for repeat good economies for several tanks after, if that makes sense, but if a part of your driving is just 10 km trips I would suspect that that would contribute to what you're getting.
I'll be interested to see what others think.

[Dazzler]

Do you think your wife drives it like a Diesel or a Petrol.. I have nothing against Women Drivers but we have had a couple of members mention on here that when their wife drives their CRDi they rev it more and use more fuel 

How long before you did your 320km trip did you zero the economy guage? Because if you zero'd it just before you left I would have expected low 5's 

[constipated]

Yet another missive about my "economical" CRDi. I filled up last week. Car's done 13,000 km now. The in dash "econometer" tells me that I'm getting mid 6s. However, the iPhone app, Road Trip, tells me that I'm averaging around 6.2l/100km, whilst the last fill worked out to be 7.07l/100km.

Most of that driving was around town, with my wife using it to drive to work, 10 km away, some of which is on an 80 then 100 km/h stretch of highway.

I drove to Melbourne on Friday, which is a 320 km round trip on mostly 100/110km/h freeways. The meter dropped down to the mid to high 5s.

The fuel light came on at around the 630 km mark on the trip meter.

Just to clarify, I fill to the first click. It doesn't bother me that much if I don't get an extra ten litres' worth of range out of the tank given that I only fill it once a month, on average.

When I first came onto the i30 forums shortly after I'd ordered the new i30, everyone was saying how the fuel economy should improve as the engine wears in. Now that it's got 13,000 km up, I'm wondering how far I have to drive before it's fully "loosened" up. And therefore, to see best possible economy.

Performance-wise, and in all other respects the car's running great. No issues, no rattles or squeaks have yet to develop and so on. Just this one small issue - that of economy.

mjt57, most important question. What's your tank average speed. That'll determine if your figures are totally appropriate for your city driving.

I would also suspect that if your wife is only driving 10km, then the CRDI may not be completely warmed up which would affect economy.

For comparison, according to the trip computer, I get about 5.3-5.4L /100km per tank with 6 speed manual and my tank average speed is 37-38km/hr..

[Asterix]

Hi mjt57

IIRC you stated some tome ago that you often rev your car to 4000 rpm when accelerating. That combined with many short trips, as your wife's trips to work, will certainly effect the consumption negatively.

If that is your average driving, I don't think you'll ever get better than 6.x LPH

[rustynutz]

Martin, just to give you an idea of what your car should be able to achieve on a decent trip, over the weekend I did 1700k's for an average fuel consumption of 4.6l/100km.
This is according to the trip computer in my SLX, anyhow...

[Doggie 1]

Martin, just to give you an idea of what your car should be able to achieve on a decent trip, over the weekend I did 1700k's for an average fuel consumption of 4.6l/100km.
This is according to the trip computer in my SLX, anyhow...

Where did you go (if you don't mind me asking?)
When I did a trip recently to Augusta I averaged 4.7 l/100 km on the way down and from memory, 5.0 overall.

[rustynutz]

Hi Dave...
I went to Cann River in Victoria's East then headed up to Canberra and then from there cross and up to Lennox Head in Northern NSW.

[Doggie 1]

Excellent, it's nice to get away.
It's years since I was in Canberra but it holds good memories.

[rustynutz]

Got plenty more driving to go, Dave.....

Heading up to Bundaberg then through to Townsville, Cairns and  Port Douglas.....

[Doggie 1]

Enjoy the trip 

[rustynutz]

I'm sure I will...thanks mate...

[mjt57]

Hi mjt57

IIRC you stated some tome ago that you often rev your car to 4000 rpm when accelerating.

That was then. I try to keep it under 3k when revving it out.

I filled up yesterday.

It took 46.36l for a 730km between fills.

Average speed according to the trip computer is around the 50 km/h mark.

Road Trip tells me that the fuel consumption average for this past trip/fill is 6.4l/100km.

And as for the comment about my wife's driving, all I can say is that she's a conservative driver. So, for her 3 trips to/from work a week I doubt that it's having much of an affect on overall consumption.

[Asterix]

Hi mjt57

IIRC you stated some tome ago that you often rev your car to 4000 rpm when accelerating.

And as for the comment about my wife's driving, all I can say is that she's a conservative driver. So, for her 3 trips to/from work a week I doubt that it's having much of an affect on overall consumption.

I wasn't accusing your wife of racing the car to work, , I just wanted to say that I think it does affect your economy.

Have you ever tried to zero the LPH before one of her trips, and see what the reading will be when she returns to home.. 

I think you will be surprised, but not happy.

I also think it could be interesting to see what the reading will be if you reset the LPH before a long trip, 200+ km, just to compare the figures.

I hope my comments haven't offended you, that was not my intention.

[Dazzler]

And as for the comment about my wife's driving, all I can say is that she's a conservative driver. So, for her 3 trips to/from work a week I doubt that it's having much of an affect on overall consumption.

Just a thought...Like Asterix says, zeroing the trip meter might isolate any cause 

Asterix .. I think it was my comment he was replying to..

[mjt57]

The idea of zeroing the fuel usage calc prior to a trip is a good one. And yes, I realise that no-one was having a shot at my wife. So, no offence taken.

[bryanj86]

I have my own personal opinion on the fuel usage for the car. I drive a 2011 CRDI 6 speed manual. I love the car. I also feel that some crazy-low fuel consumptions have been and can be pulled from the car. HOWEVER, i dont agree that people SHOULD be getting mid 4.0's for fuel economy. I think anything from 4.5- say 5.7 would be fine for economical and semi spirited drivers.  Everyone has their own driving styles.   So I say to everyone that if your car is constantly getting in, say, the 6.0's (for the manuals) then you should really revise your style, however i dont think anything under this warrants it....

Just my thoughts

[mjt57]

Bryan, when I read that people are claiming low 5s, high 4s, I have to wonder what I'm doing wrong. So, I made a concerted effort to drive like a pussy, but the economy figures never shifted.

Anyway, I filled the car on Monday. Tonight, after a trip to work and back for me (20 kays) and similar distance for my wife, the econometer read 5.9l/100km.

I reset it, as per recommendations above and drove to work.

I live on a standard 50 km/h residential street. It's 200m from my driveway to a roundabout, then another one a further 200m. I left for work. I watched my revs, never going over 2500-3000 and in 3rd gear by the time I hit 50 kays.

The meter peaked at 14 by the second RAB. By the time I drove about a kilometre (I stopped at a shop to grab some biscuits for work) it dropped to 11.

Then off to work, via a 50, 70, 60, 80, 100, 80 kays route. When I arrived I noted it at 6.0 l/100km.
I'll see what it says when I get home in the morning and I'll zero it. See what the missus achieves tomorrow.

On Saturday we're heading back to Melbourne for a family do. I'll zero it then and note the readings. It's a 120km trip (240 all up) on mostly 110-100 km (google Princes Freeway/Highway between Morwell and Narre Warren, Victoria (Australia).

When on the freeway I lock it on with the cruise control. I don't know if that helps with economy. Certainly it does wonders for licence retainment...

[Dazzler]

If you are going for economy don't use cruise in hilly areas. (not saying you are) But, the general consensus on here is that the CC is more aggressive when accelerating than a prudent driver would be...

Your car does seem thirsty for a 6 speed Manual 

I might have to come up and check it out next month 

[constipated]

I live on a standard 50 km/h residential street. It's 200m from my driveway to a roundabout, then another one a further 200m. I left for work. I watched my revs, never going over 2500-3000 and in 3rd gear by the time I hit 50 kays.

Hard to tell the cause but just trying to get a feel for your driving style.

Are you saying you're routinely in 2nd gear until 50km/hr.  If so I'd say even when driving like a "pussy" you're probably more aggressive than most of us.

In a 6 speed, 50km/h is where I'd be changing from 3rd to 4th. 1st gear I might get to 2700, but 2nd and 3rd are usually 2300-2500 when I change. Aiming to have the revs drop to about 1800 or so in the higher gear to be right at the bottom of the torque curve.

Is this what you're doing?

[mjt57]

Are you saying you're routinely in 2nd gear until 50km/hr.

No, I'm saying that I'm in 3rd by the time I hit 50. I could change up around 40 kays.

If so I'd say even when driving like a "pussy" you're probably more aggressive than most of us.

If so, then you guys must be real grannies.

In a 6 speed, 50km/h is where I'd be changing from 3rd to 4th.

Me too, usually at 60 kays, though.

And as you've written, I too try to keep the engine above 1800 rpm, as it bogs down otherwise, but I don't rev that bags out of it.

1st gear I might get to 2700, but 2nd and 3rd are usually 2300-2500 when I change. Aiming to have the revs drop to about 1800 or so in the higher gear to be right at the bottom of the torque curve.

Is this what you're doing?

Yeah, pretty much.

I wish that it had a data recorder so I could analyse my driving technique.

[Asterix]

Anyway, I filled the car on Monday. Tonight, after a trip to work and back for me (20 kays) and similar distance for my wife, the econometer read 5.9l/100km.

Then off to work, via a 50, 70, 60, 80, 100, 80 kays route. When I arrived I noted it at 6.0 l/100km.
I'll see what it says when I get home in the morning and I'll zero it. See what the missus achieves tomorrow.

Can't say I'm surprised about the 6,0 for your short trips.

On Saturday we're heading back to Melbourne for a family do. I'll zero it then and note the readings. It's a 120km trip (240 all up) on mostly 110-100 km (google Princes Freeway/Highway between Morwell and Narre Warren, Victoria (Australia).

Looking forward to see the figures from your Melbourne trip. (I'm betting for 5,2 for that trip, as it is 100+ km/h) 

[Asterix]

I wish that it had a data recorder so I could analyse my driving technique.

Maybe not high-tech, but would it be possible to attach a camcorder to the headrest on the passenger seat and record the rev counter and speedo...

[rustynutz]

Just to throw a spanner in the works.....

On my current trip I've been using the "cruise" nearly all the time with much of it being in hilly country.
 
I drove from Lennox Head to Bundaberg today and averaged 4.7l/100km....and this included a bit of stop start driving through Brisbane. Much of the trip was also spent sitting at 110kph.... 

[Dazzler]

Just to throw a spanner in the works.....

On my current trip I've been using the "cruise" nearly all the time with much of it being in hilly country.
 
I drove from Lennox Head to Bundaberg today and averaged 4.7l/100km....and this included a bit of stop start driving through Brisbane. Much of the trip was also spent sitting at 110kph.... 

and some of that has been on two wheels   

from your signature "Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

[Phil №❶]

There's a marked difference in the CC of diesel and petrol. My petrol Commodore complains bitterly on the freeway on inclines. It has 3 sp auto with o/d (4th) and transmission lockup over 90 kmh(5th). It's all over the place using cc on decent inclines. The i30 as I've stated before has carried 4 adults up the steep hills @ 80 kmh (because I choose this speed ) in top gear cc on, no complaints. I will say that if cc is cancelled due to traffic conditions, you can't get it back there very easil,y once on the incline. Just love that torque 

[Dazzler]

Yeah the diesel has enough torque that it would not rev so hard up hills with the cruise on..

The Hybrid or a petrol i30 is going to work a bit harder and rev more keeping the car at speed (with cruise) up steep hills

[rustynutz]

Just to throw a spanner in the works.....

On my current trip I've been using the "cruise" nearly all the time with much of it being in hilly country.
 
I drove from Lennox Head to Bundaberg today and averaged 4.7l/100km....and this included a bit of stop start driving through Brisbane. Much of the trip was also spent sitting at 110kph.... 

and some of that has been on two wheels   

from your signature "Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul."

I wish....

I haven't been driving for economy on this trip and have been setting the speeds with the "cruise" according to the GPS so usually end up passing most cars out on dual carriageways... 
Here's hoping it's accurate otherwise I might not have my licence when I get home...