Factors effecting mpg

jimzy

I've just bought a 1.9tdi Ford Galaxy. I was expecting some kind of average mpg around 40-50 (maybe dipping down to 35 on some occasions) but the cars average really seems to be much closer to 25 mpg.

It's an automatic engine, but from what i can gather this at max only affects the car by around 3-5mpg.

I know leaving the aircon off, having correct tyres pressire, etc will boost mpg but still with all these taken into account it seems very poor performance from an engine that I though would offer closer to 40 mpg.

Does this mpg sound about right for the car, any hints/tips on getting better mileage?

Thanks a lot,

LookBehindYou

Just make sure the Air filter is clean, after that go easy with the right foot.

In cold weather, you will not get as good MPG.

jimzy

jimzy wrote: »

I've just bought a 1.9tdi Ford Galaxy. ............... much closer to 25 mpg.

That's shocking from a diesel Galaxy, are you sure you're working it out right ? My 2.5 petrol ZT auto only returns between 19 and 21 mpg but I didn't expect it to do any better.

jimzy

LookBehindYou wrote: »

Just make sure the Air filter is clean, after that go easy with the right foot.

In cold weather, you will not get as good MPG.

It's just had a full service for the nct in october, so a new filter went in then. I've been trying to be very easy with the foot, but still not too much improvement!

RoverJames wrote: »

That's shocking from a diesel Galaxy, are you sure you're working it out right ? My 2.5 petrol ZT auto only returns between 19 and 21 mpg but I didn't expect it to do any better.

I've only just bought it, so havn't got to work it out exactly 100% yet and still getting used to the car... but I put 20 euro of diesel in this weekend, got a pretty terrible 107 miles out of that. the trip computer averages out at around 25 mpg. a real struggle to get it up to 30 mpg, even driving like a nun!

I read somewhere (maybe another thread here) about a cracked/damaged pipe from the turbo causing a dip in performance and poor mpg. Might get this checked out with my mechanic.

Possibly a reason for such poor performance?!

Senna

Have you had much snow or ice. At the moment i'm getting about 20mpg where as normally its 32-35mpg, all low gear slow driving kills mpg.

jimzy

Thanks for that senna, are you driving a galaxy too?

Yeah there was quite a bit of snow/ice. It was mainly here before I bought the car, but it's all pretty much melted now, so I don't think that should be effecting it now.

That's a pretty serious drop in performance in the snow alright.

Senna

jimzy wrote: »

Thanks for that senna, are you driving a galaxy too?

Sorry no its not a Galaxy. But driving in this weather will have some effect on mpg. If you only have the car a short time, i'd run a few tanks and see what the mpg works out as. If its less than 35mpg (and your not driving around town mostly) you should probably get a garage to look at it, might be something simple like an o2 sensor.

Alanstrainor

What kind of miles are you covering?

wildefalcon

To assess MPG accurately you need to monitor the usage over a period of time.

Always fill the tank to the top, and then record the litres you put in, reset the trip meter at each tank fill.

The amount of fuel you put in on the second fill is the amount you used to cover the miles on the trip meter since the first fill.

Also be aware that some petrol stations sell a short measure, if you can get more into your tank than its size that is a hint that you should buy elsewhere.

Use a GPS to check the speedo - most are over reading - thus your MPG is lower than recorded.

If the speedo is out by 10% then the miles recorded is out by the same amount.

Make sure the tyre pressures are good - this makes a huge difference.

Make sure no windows are open, there are no wind deflectors, no roof racks and the like. Air-con is easier on fuel than an open window.

Empty the bus of any unnecessary weight.

About town, and short trips, can half fuel consumption, for a bus the size of a galaxy a cruise speed on the motorway of 60 mph on the motorway would be ideal.

Gear up early - diesels don't mind this as much as petrols.

biko

The cold weather has been disastrous for my mpgs, dropped from high 20s to low 20s in city driving.
As wildefalcon said - make sure you have correct tyre pressure.

wildefalcon

Petrol engines, and turbo engines, run better in the colder air - there is more oxygen in the air so the power is increased, but to ensure the mixture in the engine is right extra fuel is used.

I find the cold weather improves my MPG - but I drive rural.

I usually change up at 2,000 revs and get into the highest gear as quick as possible.

The car is much less likely to skid if it isn't far away from the stall point, high revs cause the tyre to lose grip.

The down side to this is the engine is much more inclined to soot up - a good blast at high revs on a safe, dry road is a good way to clear this. 60 MPH in 3rd gear gets the engine nice and hot.

Urban driving is murder on a car, too much going on. Motorway driving causes virtually no wear. Which is why high mileage cars belonging to sales reps are good buys. The car does nothing but purr at 120 kph all day.

blackbird98

jimzy wrote: »

... but I put 20 euro of diesel in this weekend, got a pretty terrible 107 miles out of that.

according to my calculations, this would be the equivalent to approx 33mpg, which would be acceptable if you were doing mostly urban driving.

wildefalcon

wildefalcon wrote: »

Which is why high mileage cars belonging to sales reps are good buys. The car does nothing but purr at 120 kph all day.

I take it you've never been a rep :pac:
(I have)

Bulmers

bmw320d dropped from around 41mpg to 30mpg since cold snap started, mostly urban driving too

MidlandsM

wildefalcon wrote: »

Which is why high mileage cars belonging to sales reps are good buys

LOL..........:rolleyes:

My ZT has shown no drop in mpg since the cold snap, although I put in a new motor yoke for the induction system that according to folks in the know should improve mpg a week and a half ago.

Del2005

wildefalcon wrote: »

Also be aware that some petrol stations sell a short measure, if you can get more into your tank than its size that is a hint that you should buy elsewhere.

If you suspect a petrol station is selling short measures you don't just change stations you tell the NSAI

None of my cars have every had a tank the correct size, the manufacture gives the volume of the tank itself but I've often filled 1l or 2l over the max in the hoses for the tank.

jimzy

Thanks for the advice everyone, appreciate the help! So I guess I really need to give it a fill from full and calculate from there. I would be interested to hear if any other galaxy owners are experiencing similar mpg results? Very happy with the Galaxy as a people carrier , but I would consider changing to a manual engine if that would significantly increase the mpg.

blackbird98 wrote: »

according to my calculations, this would be the equivalent to approx 33mpg, which would be acceptable if you were doing mostly urban driving.

Yes mostly urban driving, and shorter trips, obviously not a large diesel's best friend!! the trip computer is telling me around 25mpg (i know they are never really exact), but by my calculations its closer to 31 mpg. I was really expecting 40 mpg minimum.

biko wrote: »

The cold weather has been disastrous for my mpgs, dropped from high 20s to low 20s in city driving.
As wildefalcon said - make sure you have correct tyre pressure.

Tyre pressure is spot on, its the first thing i've checked. We have a 1.4 petrol golf too and the mileage hasn't dropped at all, if anything its gone up! getting a good average of 40mpg out of that, so im pretty sure its not a heavy foot that's effecting the mileage.

wildefalcon wrote: »

To assess MPG accurately you need to monitor the usage over a period of time.

Always fill the tank to the top, and then record the litres you put in, reset the trip meter at each tank fill.

The amount of fuel you put in on the second fill is the amount you used to cover the miles on the trip meter since the first fill.

Also be aware that some petrol stations sell a short measure, if you can get more into your tank than its size that is a hint that you should buy elsewhere.

Use a GPS to check the speedo - most are over reading - thus your MPG is lower than recorded.

If the speedo is out by 10% then the miles recorded is out by the same amount.

Make sure the tyre pressures are good - this makes a huge difference.

Make sure no windows are open, there are no wind deflectors, no roof racks and the like. Air-con is easier on fuel than an open window.

Empty the bus of any unnecessary weight.

About town, and short trips, can half fuel consumption, for a bus the size of a galaxy a cruise speed on the motorway of 60 mph on the motorway would be ideal.

Gear up early - diesels don't mind this as much as petrols.

Thanks a lot for the tips, they're great. I guess in the middle of the winter with the aircon going most of the time is possibly the worst time to measure mpg.

Alanstrainor wrote: »

What kind of miles are you covering?

somewhere in the region of 200 per week

Bulmers wrote: »

bmw320d dropped from around 41mpg to 30mpg since cold snap started, mostly urban driving too

good to know I'm not the only one suffering here!

salamander27

Just looked up parkers for mpg for the galaxy auto. 38mpg for combined driving. So 31 for urban start-stop is probably right especially with this cold snap......
See it here......
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Detail.aspx?deriv=19353

jimzy

salamander27 wrote: »

Just looked up parkers for mpg for the galaxy auto. 38mpg for combined driving. So 31 for urban start-stop is probably right especially with this cold snap......
See it here......
http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/specs/Detail.aspx?deriv=19353

Great link, thank a lot for that! It's all clear to me now.
...I will just have to turn the engine off and freewheel downhill...