How to get best MPG

This Forum is the main messageboard to discuss all things Claret and Blue and beyond
Post Reply
Foulthrow
Posts: 2283
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:48 am
Been Liked: 699 times
Has Liked: 1518 times

How to get best MPG

Post by Foulthrow » Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:09 pm

Any recommendations on how to get good MPG? I’ve got a Diesel engine and I can usually get anywhere between 40s to 50s MPG. I try to use cruise control and stick to the speed limit. However, how much difference does things like sticking the heating on make?

Thanks in advance!

Shaggy
Posts: 1444
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2020 8:30 am
Been Liked: 389 times
Has Liked: 148 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Shaggy » Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:16 pm

it depends on the route really, If you can sit at a nice steady speed it'll do wonders for MPG.
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

box_of_frogs
Posts: 4955
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:47 am
Been Liked: 1087 times
Has Liked: 996 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by box_of_frogs » Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:17 pm

Less electrics including heating = less power from the engine needed = better MPG
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

beddie
Posts: 5135
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:10 pm
Been Liked: 1383 times
Has Liked: 511 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by beddie » Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:20 pm

Use good quality fuel, Shell, BP, Esso.
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

Iloveyoubrady
Posts: 1845
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:30 am
Been Liked: 296 times
Has Liked: 28 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Iloveyoubrady » Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:22 pm

Electrics hardly make a difference. Trying not to break is the main thing. Anticipate slowing down
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

gawthorpe_view
Posts: 5075
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 7:19 am
Been Liked: 1356 times
Has Liked: 2918 times
Location: 'Turf

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by gawthorpe_view » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:13 pm

Minimise use of the air con if you have it, plus most of the above.

MT03ALG
Posts: 2050
Joined: Sun Jan 24, 2016 10:50 pm
Been Liked: 422 times
Has Liked: 4481 times
Location: COTTON TREE

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by MT03ALG » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:21 pm

brake

dougcollins
Posts: 6598
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 12:23 am
Been Liked: 1780 times
Has Liked: 1777 times
Location: Yarkshire

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by dougcollins » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:37 pm

Take the bikes off the roof.

Bosscat
Posts: 25363
Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2018 9:51 am
Been Liked: 8429 times
Has Liked: 18098 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Bosscat » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:40 pm

dougcollins wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:37 pm
Take the bikes off the roof.
Alternatively leave the car at home and use the bikes

Herts Clarets
Posts: 3937
Joined: Sun Jan 17, 2016 6:18 pm
Been Liked: 1754 times
Has Liked: 469 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Herts Clarets » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:46 pm

Steady speed if you can manage it. I drove on the M4 a couple of years ago and there were roadworks for a large part of the journey with a 60mph limit. I reset my MPG display, set cruise control and managed 70mpg for the M4 stretch.
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

Burnley1989
Posts: 7346
Joined: Sun Apr 08, 2018 2:19 am
Been Liked: 2275 times
Has Liked: 2154 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Burnley1989 » Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:56 pm

I wouldn’t let it bother you mate

Masham Ale
Posts: 325
Joined: Wed Jan 27, 2016 7:48 pm
Been Liked: 100 times
Has Liked: 294 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Masham Ale » Sat Dec 04, 2021 8:47 pm

Constant throttle rather than constant speed

tally
Posts: 1483
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 8:18 pm
Been Liked: 175 times
Has Liked: 281 times
Location: Amsterdam

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by tally » Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:09 pm

pedal to the metal

DCWat
Posts: 9296
Joined: Mon Jan 04, 2016 11:04 am
Been Liked: 4131 times
Has Liked: 3599 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by DCWat » Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:14 pm

Stick to 55-65 mph on motorways, where possible.

chipbutty
Posts: 707
Joined: Mon May 09, 2016 11:44 pm
Been Liked: 133 times
Has Liked: 131 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by chipbutty » Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:31 pm

Foulthrow wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:09 pm
Any recommendations on how to get good MPG? I’ve got a Diesel engine and I can usually get anywhere between 40s to 50s MPG. I try to use cruise control and stick to the speed limit. However, how much difference does things like sticking the heating on make?

Thanks in advance!
What car do you drive?

I have a 1.5 diesel Qashqai and my wife has a 1.6 Honda Civic Sport Diesel and can easily get more than 10 mpg more than me on the same journeys.
On the motorway the Honda will keep speed for longer when the foot has been lifted off the gas, therefore using less fuel. Easily getting 70 plus MPG

ClaretLoup
Posts: 1828
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:35 pm
Been Liked: 534 times
Has Liked: 185 times
Location: Retirement Home in Suffolk

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by ClaretLoup » Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:46 pm

Sit five to ten yards behind an articulated lorry, the vortex will pull you along and your fuel consumption will plummet. Take out personal insurance though so the wife/husband and kids will be well provided for.

GodIsADeeJay81
Posts: 14566
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:55 am
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 6339 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:53 pm

DCWat wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:14 pm
Stick to 55-65 mph on motorways, where possible.
If you're doing this, try to stay in the left lane and don't be one of those middle lane clowns...

Also, at the lower speed you'll regularly force lorries out into the middle lane to overtake you.

IanMcL
Posts: 30126
Joined: Fri Jan 22, 2016 5:27 pm
Been Liked: 6340 times
Has Liked: 8654 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by IanMcL » Sun Dec 05, 2021 12:57 am

Only drive in the summer.
Only drive on motorways at 50mph.

Sorted!

dsr
Posts: 15138
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:47 pm
Been Liked: 4549 times
Has Liked: 2241 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by dsr » Sun Dec 05, 2021 12:57 am

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:53 pm
If you're doing this, try to stay in the left lane and don't be one of those middle lane clowns...

Also, at the lower speed you'll regularly force lorries out into the middle lane to overtake you.
Agreed. Going at the same speed as the wagons is a very restful, easy motorway trip. Going a bit slower than the wagons, isn't.

THEWELLERNUT70
Posts: 3382
Joined: Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:13 pm
Been Liked: 997 times
Has Liked: 2007 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by THEWELLERNUT70 » Sun Dec 05, 2021 1:03 am

Foulthrow wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 6:09 pm
Any recommendations on how to get good MPG? I’ve got a Diesel engine and I can usually get anywhere between 40s to 50s MPG. I try to use cruise control and stick to the speed limit. However, how much difference does things like sticking the heating on make?

Thanks in advance!
Don't accelerate and break like a c**t is always a good start ;)
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

Swizzlestick
Posts: 3978
Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:40 pm
Been Liked: 1503 times
Has Liked: 578 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Swizzlestick » Sun Dec 05, 2021 2:52 am

DCWat wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:14 pm
Stick to 55-65 mph on motorways, where possible.
Don't do this.

Foulthrow
Posts: 2283
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:48 am
Been Liked: 699 times
Has Liked: 1518 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Foulthrow » Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:26 am

Burnley1989 wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:56 pm
I wouldn’t let it bother you mate
Given the increase in price of diesel, I’m afraid it is. It’s costing me an extra tenner a week to get to and from work at the minute.

Foulthrow
Posts: 2283
Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2017 11:48 am
Been Liked: 699 times
Has Liked: 1518 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Foulthrow » Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:29 am

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:53 pm
If you're doing this, try to stay in the left lane and don't be one of those middle lane clowns...

Also, at the lower speed you'll regularly force lorries out into the middle lane to overtake you.
Bloody hell, I’m with you on this. The amount of people you see on the M6 doing this. Seems more dangerous to me than someone rattling along at 90mph.

box_of_frogs
Posts: 4955
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:47 am
Been Liked: 1087 times
Has Liked: 996 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by box_of_frogs » Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:49 am

Foulthrow wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:29 am
Bloody hell, I’m with you on this. The amount of people you see on the M6 doing this. Seems more dangerous to me than someone rattling along at 90mph.
Yep, have to agree. Middle lane hogging is as bad as driving at 55-65 on the motorway. It’s quite simple, drive at 70 and stick to left unless overtaking.

dsr
Posts: 15138
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:47 pm
Been Liked: 4549 times
Has Liked: 2241 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by dsr » Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:07 pm

box_of_frogs wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:49 am
Yep, have to agree. Middle lane hogging is as bad as driving at 55-65 on the motorway. It’s quite simple, drive at 70 and stick to left unless overtaking.
I agree that middle lane hogging is bad driving, but why the need to drive at 70 rather than 60? If you drive at 70, you have to keep hopping in and out of the middle lane to pass the wagons. If you drive at wagon-speed 60 mph, you hardly ever have to overtake anything and nothing heavy overtakes you. You aren't holding anyone up.

clarethomer
Posts: 3104
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 8:24 am
Been Liked: 942 times
Has Liked: 410 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by clarethomer » Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:16 pm

Make sure your tyres are inflated to the correct pressures.

Make sure you are anticipating the road ahead to reduce breaking.

Consider your routes - for me to go to Leeds for example- doing the motorway is quickest time wise. However it’s more miles and efficiency is lower. Taking the a/b roads there may cost me 10-15 mins more but it’s half the distance.

Make sure your not carrying unnecessary weight in the car.
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

minnieclaret
Posts: 6842
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 9:05 am
Been Liked: 2012 times
Has Liked: 2287 times
Location: lismore co. waterford

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by minnieclaret » Sun Dec 05, 2021 5:34 pm

Some good tips above.
You are right to use cruise control but set it 5mph less than the speed limit for normal driving.
Correct tyre pressure is essential.
Reading the road ahead to reduce brake and acceleration.
BTW your average seems poor for a diesel. I have my average fuel consumption on screen permanently. If my normal average drops I check tyres first. Most modern cars will tell you when pressure has dropped
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

warksclaret
Posts: 6594
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 7:13 pm
Been Liked: 1676 times
Has Liked: 754 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by warksclaret » Sun Dec 05, 2021 5:37 pm

Change car to a diesel with great mpg.Can do a return trip to Burnley of 370 miles for 6 gallons

Jel
Posts: 845
Joined: Tue Jan 26, 2016 3:54 pm
Been Liked: 261 times
Has Liked: 1169 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Jel » Sun Dec 05, 2021 8:08 pm

DCWat wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 9:14 pm
Stick to 55-65 mph on motorways, where possible.
People like you cause accidents!

box_of_frogs
Posts: 4955
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:47 am
Been Liked: 1087 times
Has Liked: 996 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by box_of_frogs » Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:07 pm

dsr wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 3:07 pm
I agree that middle lane hogging is bad driving, but why the need to drive at 70 rather than 60? If you drive at 70, you have to keep hopping in and out of the middle lane to pass the wagons. If you drive at wagon-speed 60 mph, you hardly ever have to overtake anything and nothing heavy overtakes you. You aren't holding anyone up.
Echoed elsewhere by others . I’ve seen several accidents where cars have been rear ended because they weren’t driving at the posted speed limit.

Barry_Chuckle
Posts: 1763
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 1:24 pm
Been Liked: 586 times
Has Liked: 203 times
Location: Oldfield, West Yorkshire

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Barry_Chuckle » Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:15 pm

I thought 70mph was the legal maximum speed limit, not the speed you must drive at :shock:

Peter Loo
Posts: 1343
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:16 pm
Been Liked: 135 times
Has Liked: 97 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Peter Loo » Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:29 pm

I haven’t read all the advice given but if you don’t do many miles then only fill up to a half tank when filling up so your not driving around with the weight of the extra half tank of petrol/diesel.

Keep those types pumped up to their recommended tyre pressures for obvious reasons.

Don’t be so damn lazy get off your back side and walk :D

GodIsADeeJay81
Posts: 14566
Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:55 am
Been Liked: 3435 times
Has Liked: 6339 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by GodIsADeeJay81 » Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:59 pm

Barry_Chuckle wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:15 pm
I thought 70mph was the legal maximum speed limit, not the speed you must drive at :shock:
It is the maximum, but if you're driving a car on the motorway slow enough to be overtaken by a lorry, then you're a danger to others, especially if you're doing it in the middle or outside lanes.

dsr
Posts: 15138
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2016 12:47 pm
Been Liked: 4549 times
Has Liked: 2241 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by dsr » Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:52 pm

box_of_frogs wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 9:07 pm
Echoed elsewhere by others . I’ve seen several accidents where cars have been rear ended because they weren’t driving at the posted speed limit.
At a 10mph differential? According to the Highway Code figures, it would take 25 yards including thinking time for a car to slow from 70 mph to 60 mph. Surely there can't be many drivers who don't see a car in front of them until they are just 25 yards behind?

Are you saying that wagons and buses are regularly rear ended because they drive at 60 mph? Or are the 70 mph car drivers overtaking the wagons and buses before pulling into the inside lane to rear end the cars? Neither seems likely, frankly.

Iloveyoubrady
Posts: 1845
Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2017 11:30 am
Been Liked: 296 times
Has Liked: 28 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by Iloveyoubrady » Mon Dec 06, 2021 12:21 am

Realistically the speed limit is somewhere between 75-80, because that’s where you’ll get done for speeding. So saying to drive at 70 is not a bad suggestion at all for safety.

In terms of fuel economy, yes slower is better due to less air resistance. However, will you notice any difference in expenditure? Not unless you drive a lot.

bfcmik
Posts: 3594
Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2016 2:03 pm
Been Liked: 891 times
Has Liked: 1100 times
Location: Solihull Geriatric Centre

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by bfcmik » Mon Dec 06, 2021 12:41 am

chipbutty wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 11:31 pm
What car do you drive?

I have a 1.5 diesel Qashqai and my wife has a 1.6 Honda Civic Sport Diesel and can easily get more than 10 mpg more than me on the same journeys.
On the motorway the Honda will keep speed for longer when the foot has been lifted off the gas, therefore using less fuel. Easily getting 70 plus MPG
Your 1.5 litre engine will be working a lot harder to move the weight of your Qashqai as the weight will be almost identical to that of the 2.0 litre version. Your wife's car has easily enough power to move itself. Plus her car has considerably less wind drag than your SUV.

SingaporeClarets
Posts: 212
Joined: Thu Feb 11, 2016 5:31 am
Been Liked: 43 times
Has Liked: 12 times
Location: The Little Red Dot

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by SingaporeClarets » Mon Dec 06, 2021 11:27 am

gawthorpe_view wrote:
Sat Dec 04, 2021 7:13 pm
Minimise use of the air con if you have it, plus most of the above.
I tried that but only a good idea if you have no sweat glands.

I get about 34 mpg (10000km average) despite this with adaptive cruise control ( or 8.3 L /100km as it's measured here )

box_of_frogs
Posts: 4955
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 11:47 am
Been Liked: 1087 times
Has Liked: 996 times

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by box_of_frogs » Mon Dec 06, 2021 7:38 pm

dsr wrote:
Sun Dec 05, 2021 11:52 pm
At a 10mph differential? According to the Highway Code figures, it would take 25 yards including thinking time for a car to slow from 70 mph to 60 mph. Surely there can't be many drivers who don't see a car in front of them until they are just 25 yards behind?

Are you saying that wagons and buses are regularly rear ended because they drive at 60 mph? Or are the 70 mph car drivers overtaking the wagons and buses before pulling into the inside lane to rear end the cars? Neither seems likely, frankly.
Hence why people rear end lorries all the time despite everyone knowing they’re only going 58mph. Now compound that into cars that should be 70, but aren’t. Hey presto, it’s dangerous. As others have said, it’s more dangerous to drive beneath 70 when in a car, versus at 70.

HunterST_BFC
Posts: 3647
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2016 10:13 pm
Been Liked: 1402 times
Has Liked: 2687 times
Location: varied

Re: How to get best MPG

Post by HunterST_BFC » Mon Dec 06, 2021 8:11 pm

Tyres at correct pressure / inflation make a big difference.
Tracking also.
I had a (very slow) deflating front left (front whell drive) I'd top up every month as the tread was good I waited to replace.
I eventually changed the front pair and noticed the tank lasted longer / had more left at the end of the week.

I drive less now so never fill the tank, just enough for the week or so.
Why fill the tank and carry all that weight about? 1 liter = 1 Kg.

Windows and sunroof closed helps too. No roof box etc.
This user liked this post: Foulthrow

Post Reply