Fuel Economy

[LibertyCity]

Hey Guys,

I'm new to the forum and i'm just wondering how I can obtain optimal fuel economy with the liberty without compromising power? While the economy is great, I could definitely use more bang for my buck! As Uni expenses are more than overwhelming and the drinking definitely isn't ceasing anytime soon Incase you were wondering, I own a 2000 RX 2.5 Sedan, Cheers.

[WheelieBin]

Do you know what you're getting currently? I have the automatic MY01, and it does tend to vary (usually can be correlated with how many times I've run late for work during that tank of fuel ) but I get between 11L and 12L/100km usually with a lot of city/suburb driving (my last top up was 370km off 45 litres, so approx 12L/100km). I've had occasions where I've been doing a lot of highway driving where I've done 300km in half a tank, according to the dial. I don't remember what I got total off that tank.

Yours should be better than that, being manual. From memory, the book says 10.5L/100km for city driving and 9.5L/100km for highway for our cars (or something close to that, anyway)

[LibertyCity]

I think my fuel economy in the city maybe a litre or so.. worse (because I can't help but to accelerate fast ) but, my highway driving economy is about the same as yours, although according to http://www.carsales.com.au/car-research/details.aspx?__Qpb=1&__Nne=15&Cr=4&R=97870&__Ns=p_Year_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_Make_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_Family_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_Badge_String%7C0%7C%7Cp_Series_String%7C0&__N=2994%204294944089%204294842807%2074%203035&silo=1305&seot=1&trecs=164&__sid=134AFBBF4166#Engine my economy and yours should be at least two litres better per 100 km. So, that said.. why are the cars guzzling a lot more than is stated? p.s I don't think the way I drive is the issue, as I generally cruise on 95-100, without too much fluctuation (depending on where i'm driving of course.)

[WheelieBin]

Well, in my case Eblens have advised I have a faulty knock sensor, they found an error code during the last service. The Check Engine light only came on once, very briefly, but they did say it may contribute to fuel consumption issues and lack of power if I notice either of those. I have noted some times (once or twice a week) accelerating out of corners it seems to "bog down" a bit, although I'm not sure if this is the automatic transmission or the engine.

They've quoted me $190 parts and labour to get the sensor fixed, which I'll book in in the next couple of weeks, so will be interesting to see if that makes a big difference. I'll let you know if that makes any difference to mine, might be worth going looking specifically for that problem next time it gets serviced, although I'm sure there's other things that would contribute. I know my driving style wouldn't generally help matters

Edit: the other thing I didn't think of until I just went and got in the car to go get lunch. What's your climate control set to? I generally run mine on 22 or 24 Auto (not Auto Economy) - the book actually recommends leaving it set to 25, year round. I'm not sure if those fuel economy numbers listed in the specs take into account any usage of aircon or any other accessories.

[LibertyCity]

I've never of climate control as a big issue, I hopped in the car for a check and it was on 19ºc! So... hopefully with that changed to 25ºc, I'll see an improvement. Why must summer days be so hootttttt!! Thanks Mate.

[WheelieBin]

Comfort > Economy - I'll make room in the budget for the extra petrol personally

[LibertyCity]

Comfort > Economy - I'll make room in the budget for the extra petrol personally

I would aswell, I'd doubt the fuel impact would be that great anyway.

[WheelieBin]

So I just filled up again - last tank was 390km off 46.87L, which is a slight improvement, but still approx 12L/100KM - that tank was with Shell V-Power, because it was actually cheap that time, and I was interested to see if it would make a real difference. Driving habits were pretty much the same, although the aircon was probably working harder this time round - hate Adelaide weather!

[LibertyCity]

Cool beans man, I filled up the other day, and since my service on monday i'm at least getting another 2 litres/100km from my beast! I drove 150 km to the beach and back from where I live and the fuel gauge to my amazement barely moved

[WheelieBin]

So, I installed an app on my phone and started tracking this properly. With two data points (my two most recent fill ups) I'm getting 11.05L/100km

I'm definitely getting more out of it on 98 Octane fuel too - although I'm not sure that the difference will ever be worth the ~ 10c/Litre price difference!