Thirsty Renault

Secret Seven · 04-07-2022 04:11PM #1

So I bought a Renault Capture II last year. It was 1 year old when I bought it. To date only 12,000k on the clock. Lovely car, fully specced, auto.

Problem is it drinks petrol. I know it's a heavy car and it's slow to move - 0-60 in 10 mins! I'm getting 400km and under to a full tank. That's crap. I don't carry a full load, don't speed and it's an automatic so I don't know what the problem is. Traded in a lovely Honda automatic which was giving me 600k+ from the same size tank.

I've had it back at the dealership and they drove it for a few days and said there was nothing wrong? Tell that to my wallet 🤬

I paid 27k for this gas guzzler (I know - covid boredom!). It's gotten to the stage where I take my partner's Capture (diesel) when I want to go on longer runs because it's so economical. I wouldn't mind but I did my research before I bought it and it is supposed to be a frugal car. I do like it, it's comfortable and has all the bells and whistles but I just wish it didn't cost so much to run.

Car is due a service now but don't really want to bring it back to the dealer and be treated like a silly woman. Any idea what I can do? Any good mechanic recommendations? Need to keep a proper service history because of the warranty. Thanks. In Dublin

bazz26 · 04-07-2022 04:47PM

A few things to note here about how your measuring fuel economy. The price of fuel has increased expenensially in the last 8 months or so it's costing everyone more now to fill their tank than it did back then. Also what Honda did you have and are you sure your comparing like with like around fuel tank size, weight of the car, engine size, etc. These are big factors you have to consider if your going to compare one against the other.

Hurrache · 04-07-2022 04:49PM

Price of fuel has no bearing when he/she's talking about the range they're getting for a full tank though.

dingding · 04-07-2022 04:53PM

Not all tanks are a standard size and depending also on how the gague is callibrated, there may be differences in the remaining fuel.

The number of litres that is put ito the tank for each fill is what is important. Some takns vary from less than 45 to over 70 litres for similar cars.

Also there could be differences in the liter cost of petrol and diesel as well.

Hurrache · 04-07-2022 04:56PM

I think it's about 50 litres in the OPs car, which if it is the case, is pretty poor consumption, but then again it could be all city driving which would affect it adversely.

Again, a full tank is a full tank, doesn't matter how much it cost to fill it when it comes to consumption.

Secret Seven · 04-07-2022 05:23PM

I've just discovered the tank holds 52 liters 😲 that's worse than I thought! My old car was a 45 liter I think.

And yes, it's mostly city driving I do. I always keep it in Eco mode though and I don't have the sunroof open or air con on?

Atlantic Dawn · 04-07-2022 05:24PM

How many litres of fuel is it using for 400km? Looks like Captur is either 45 or 50 litre tank, some people will refuel when low fuel light comes on which would leave 5-7 litres left, others will leave until trip computer says 5km, so difficult to calculate actual mpg unless the number of litres actually used for the trips is known. If it's urban/city driving anything around 30mpg would be normal for an automatic non-hybrid petrol car of that size.

For 400km:

50 litres use would be 22/23mpg

45 litres use would be 25/26mpg

40 litres use would be 28/29mpg

35 litres use would be 32/33mpg

30 litres use would be 37/38mpg

PsychoPete · 04-07-2022 05:29PM

The tank holds about 48 litres, they should be doing around 6l/100km or mid to high 40s in mpg. Saying that it could be the driving style,quality of fuel etc but only 400kms to a full tank is very poor. I'd do my calculations the next mine you fill the tank, reset the trip computer and what you get out of a full tank. It could be a case that there's a problem with the fuel range reading but if youre still only getting 400kms then there's an issue

pjdarcy · 04-07-2022 05:31PM

A faulty oxygen sensor or clogged air filter could cause the engine to run rich (i.e. burn too much fuel). Did the dealer run the diagnostics for you or use a probe in the exhaust to check the exhaust gases?

Secret Seven · 04-07-2022 05:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119289944#Comment_119289944

52l according to the website? What driving style? I don't speed or brake excessively and it's an automatic so no gear crushing? I always reset the trip and 400km to a full tank is the best I've gotten. When I say full tank, I always try to fill up when it gets to 20km left on the clock as I don't trust it to keep going after that! Lowest I've gotten is 350. I take a reading every time I fill up so I have a log. I think it's showing 19l/100km at the moment if I'm reading it right - the reading under the km done on this fill?

I have had some problems with the trip resetting itself. I had it checked out and they remapped it but it happens on and off still.

TheWonderLlama · 04-07-2022 05:46PM

banjaxed Oxygen sensor, has to be at that sort of consumption.

Secret Seven · 04-07-2022 05:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290006#Comment_119290006

Ok, thanks. What do I do if the garage is telling me there's nothing wrong? Is it an expensive job to get done?

TheWonderLlama · 04-07-2022 06:38PM

no, but diagnosis is the issue.

19l/100km is around 18mpg, a 2 year old captur should be up around 45mpg.

I would be back to renault and say that there is a problem with the consumption, you have checked it and its only getting around 18 mpg. Obviously there is a problem and as its under warranty, they have to fix it.

you can book a diagnosis with any renault dealer. Just tell them that the previous guys refused to do it. linky here: https://www.renault.ie/contact/book-a-service.html

Where in the country are you based? Might be a problem if you only have one dealer where you are based.

Secret Seven · 04-07-2022 06:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290198#Comment_119290198

I'm in Dublin. Interestingly enough they quoted me €219 for a service. I don't need a full service yet. On the Renault website they have 3 service plans starting at €149. When I asked about it I was told they only do the €219 one and they did'nt know anything about that price? Thought it was a bit strange. There is another dealer close by so will try there! Would the likes of Atlas or fast fit be able to do a diagnostic for me so at least I have some ammo?

TheWonderLlama · 04-07-2022 06:49PM

No, those places are only for tyres.

each car company has its own diagnostic software, so it can be difficult for an independent garage to even look at the problem.

Keep recording the MPG. Get an app so you can show them the consumption and it is accurate. don't just rely on the car one.

fuelio is the one I use.

Nigzcurran · 04-07-2022 07:07PM

I’ve a new Ford puma. 1.0 petrol hybrid, gets about 7.5l/100kms. None of the new petrol yokes are economical at all to be honest, especially doing city driving which is what we do

elperello · 04-07-2022 07:17PM

Fill it to the neck.

Write down the km reading on a piece of paper.

Drive on for 200-300 kms then fill it to the neck again.

Write down the km reading again and subtract the previous reading.

Divide that by the number of litres in the second fill.

That is your true km/l.

Hurrache · 04-07-2022 07:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290319#Comment_119290319

That's abysmal, never had a petrol car be so poor since my first in the 90s.

Nigzcurran · 04-07-2022 07:26PM

Delete

Darwin · 04-07-2022 07:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290319#Comment_119290319

That’s pretty poor, same car but my commute is on rural roads and my average is 5.0l/100km, my single trip record is 4.3 in the warm weather. I agree though most of these small capacity petrol engines can be very thirsty, particularly in city driving.

Nigzcurran · 04-07-2022 08:12PM

Yeah it’s pretty crap, I’ve driven from Dublin to Kerry in it a few times doing 120kmh and you’d only get 7l/100kms. It’s nippy and rather enjoyable in sports mode tho and far nicer than listening and smelling a crappy diesel!

mikeecho · 04-07-2022 10:50PM

How is the OP calculating the distance, is she reading the estimated range, or taking readings from the odometer?

The estimated range on the screen, can be optimistic on some cars, and pessimistic on others.

I have 3 cars, two will underestimate the tanks range, and the other is fairly accurate.

The OP should brim the tank and reset the trip.

alan partridge aha · 05-07-2022 09:40AM

True Mpg on previous model petrol Captur is around mid 30s according to Honest John.

Renault figures gave them as high as low 50s.

MenloPete · 05-07-2022 09:54AM

What does the car itself show as the average consumption? My three year old Manual Captur shows 16.6Km/L which is 46mpg

Henry Ford III · 05-07-2022 10:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119290363#Comment_119290363

37.66mpg in urban driving conditions isn't abysmal

Hurrache · 05-07-2022 10:35AM

It is these days on a mild hybrid.

Secret Seven · 05-07-2022 10:49AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291190#Comment_119291190

I always take the reading from the odometer, especially as I can't rely on the trip to not keep resetting. When it does work it's always accurate. Estimated range usually shows 620 + from a full tank which I never even come close to. My heart sinks every time I see a bar disappearing after 20k! I always brim the tank and reset the trip. Not my first car, just my worst one!

raxy · 05-07-2022 10:51AM

I use an app called fill up (android). Record the odometer, fuel filled & price. Does all the calculations for you & charts the results.

I'd use this for your next few fills so atleast you have something to show when complaining.

Secret Seven · 05-07-2022 10:56AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292328#Comment_119292328

I have it all recorded in me little book!

Secret Seven · 05-07-2022 11:09AM

Just checked another Renault garage for a service - €229 😲 It's not even a full service, just an oil and filter change and check. Does this seem excessive or is it standard price? Explained the problem and asked them to run a diagnostic. Hopefully they'll be able to come up with some answers.

raxy · 05-07-2022 11:21AM

You dont need to go to a renault garage for your service . The warranty will be valid as long as your car is serviced as per schedule & parts of a similar or higher quality are used.

If you know a good garage you could take it there to have it checked out. Obviously to have something repaired under warranty you'll need to go back to renault.

Thirsty Renault

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