Disappointing Focus TDCI MPG returns

[JulianHJ]

I've got a '56' plate Focus 1.8 TDCI with 23k on the clock. I've only had it a couple of months but the MPG I've been getting is a little short of what I was expecting. I've been getting around 39-40 MPG over each tank, with the driving split equally between town and A roads. I've deliberately been trying to drive as economically as I can. The fuel computer is very accurate, as I've been calculating the MPG myself as well. Last night after filling up at Lakeside and travelling around 70 miles to Worthing, sticking firmly to 70 MPH (no need to brake, no hard acceleration) I gor a return of 48.0 MPG. Anyone with knowledge of these cars care to tell me if that's the norm, or do I possibly have a poorly-performing example?

[Moose1978]

sounds about right to me

[Captain Volvo]

That's not disappointing - try 35mpg combined motorway and a road driving from a 120D BMW1-er (auto just chews fuel apparently)

[H_Kan]

50ish on the motorway sounds pretty ok.

Re your usual figures, that isn't a surprise because A and B road figures will hardly ever match motorway figures.

[eldar]

Sounds reasonable, given the use. They are capable of 60+mpg, driven gently on quiet, clear roads, but that drops quickly as sooon as stop/start driving comes along.

[Mystic Slippers]

My company car is a focus estate 1.8 tdci also a 56 plate,if i "baby it" and use the trip computer it shows about 56MPG on the motorway.
Around town and ragging it about 40MPG.

[tr7v8]

Captain Volvo said:

That's not disappointing - try 35mpg combined motorway and a road driving from a 120D BMW1-er (auto just chews fuel apparently)

Blimey my S-Type Diesel returns that & weighs close to 2 tons with a V6.

[pwd95]

I wouldn't be happy with that. My old Passat tdi used to avarage 53 & I got an avarage of 60 travelling through France with a full car of kids & luggage cruising at around 80.

[odyssey2200]

I have a new Mundaneo that is also returning about 39-40 MPG.

If you drive around town the average will drop to about 30.2 but on a long Motorway run I have seen an average of 44.

I have noticed that in order to get the 44 you really have to stick to about 70-75 mph, driving at about (well a bit higher ) will see only 39.

Not a bad bus overall.

[flattotheboards]

Get it remapped the economy will go up

[Flipatron]

Try driving a Ford Connect TDdi, the mpg is shocking. I've had it from new and It avarages about 30mpg. No, I don't thrash it and on the motorway I do no more than 80mph.

[off_again]

Dont forget that these MPG read-outs might actually be wrong. I have been bored in the past with previous cars and found that the MPG figures on the display can be out by as much as 4-5MPG. Best way to do it is to measure exactly how much fuel you put in and then how many miles you get out of it, you might be pleasantly surprised.

However, one major issue with this is that you often cannot get an exact reading on fuel gauge anyway, as they are not necessarily accurately calibrated. I found that using the range (if the car has one) is the best one. Drain it down to a certain amount left and then fill up a fixed amount. But then again, the range is an average based on the last 10/20/30 minutes driving anyway, so again its not perfect.

[Polarbert]

My Clio does 35 to the gallon. Diesels my arse.

[kippax]

I average 38mpg with my Lexus 2.2d & that really pisses me off!

H

[Platinum]

Perhaps this should be merged with the 'You can shove your diesel' thread.

[Mr Will]

off_again said:

Dont forget that these MPG read-outs might actually be wrong. I have been bored in the past with previous cars and found that the MPG figures on the display can be out by as much as 4-5MPG. Best way to do it is to measure exactly how much fuel you put in and then how many miles you get out of it, you might be pleasantly surprised.

However, one major issue with this is that you often cannot get an exact reading on fuel gauge anyway, as they are not necessarily accurately calibrated. I found that using the range (if the car has one) is the best one. Drain it down to a certain amount left and then fill up a fixed amount. But then again, the range is an average based on the last 10/20/30 minutes driving anyway, so again its not perfect.

There is a MUCH better way of calculating MPG than that. Far more accurate, and easier.

1. Fill the tank to the brim
2. Reset the trip counter
3. Drive around
4. Fill the tank to the brim again

The amount of fuel needed to fill up the second time will be the amount used in the number of miles shown on the trip counter.

Then you just do the following sum to get MPG:

miles/(litres/4.54)

[MElliottUK]

my Golf GTI TDI (1.9) will do 55mpg easy on a long run 6th gear 70mph

Ive done the calcs too and its about right what the computer says.

£35 for 350 miles ish (aka 10p per mile)

Ive heard the MK5 2.0's arent as good on fuel

[Hereward]

I'm delighted with anything with a "2" prefix

[JulianHJ]

With regards to calculating the exact MPG, I've been filling to the brim, driving until the trip computer says around 20 miles left (fuel guage resting on the stop!), then brimming it again. I've been noting the mileage, number of litres and price per litre each time I fill up. Then I bung the data through Excel. Sad, aren't I? Only takes me 10 seconds at the pump and another 10 at the PC, and the numbers being churned out via Excel for MPG are to within 0.1 of what the trip computer is saying.

The main reason I stuck the thread up (and the main reason I bought a deisel over a petrol model) is that I'd been hearing loads about 50-60 MPG, decent resale etc - in short, because of the financial factor. I've had a decent sports car, and if I'm very lucky I'll have another - one day. Right now I need something reliable, comfortable and easy to run...

The car is now a few days over a year old, anyone got any pointers/experience on chipping

[JulianHJ]

With regards to calculating the exact MPG, I've been filling to the brim, driving until the trip computer says around 20 miles left (fuel guage resting on the stop!), then brimming it again. I've been noting the mileage, number of litres and price per litre each time I fill up. Then I bung the data through Excel. Sad, aren't I? Only takes me 10 seconds at the pump and another 10 at the PC, and the numbers being churned out via Excel for MPG are to within 0.1 of what the trip computer is saying.

The main reason I stuck the thread up (and the main reason I bought a deisel over a petrol model) is that I'd been hearing loads about 50-60 MPG, decent resale etc - in short, because of the financial factor. I've had a decent sports car, and if I'm very lucky I'll have another - one day. Right now I need something reliable, comfortable, easy to run and economical...

The car is now a few days over a year old, anyone got any pointers/experience on chipping