Poor mpg?

[thre3aces]

Hi all 

 

I'm driving a greentech 59ps SE citigo and I've noticed that I've been getting very very poor mpg. I tend to be soft with my accelerator around town though I do go at around an indicated 80 on the motorway (which according to my phone's gps is actually barely over 70mph). I've been rather confused as even with the best of attempts (no fast motorway driving, sticking to all speed limits) I've not been able to get over 54mpg (this is actual mpg based on running the tank from full to when the fuel indicator comes up and looking at how much petrol I put in rather than  PID readout) 

 

People seem to recommend shell v-power on various forums and against my better judgement I gave it a go. And so far, it's not yielded any better economy though I do admit the car seems to run smoother.

 

So I was wondering, do you think it's the steel rims causing such poor mpg? People with the greentech model on HonestJohn seem to be posting 65mpg. Surely steel rims won't reduce MPG that much? Or is it just that I need to do more fill ups with v-power to get all the old fuel residue out? Only been a couple of tanks with v power. 

 

Thanks y'all

[Emil]

I think that 54 mpg is normal consumption. To be actual mpg. I find it hard to believe that rims would make any difference. But tyre pressures will affect.

[KenONeill]

Steel wheels, being properly engineered items rather than "styled", will probably be lighter than alloys in the same size (Having said which VAG 5, 8 and 10 spoke alloys very definitely are engineered; witness how a VAG 6.5x16ET42 fits over a 320mm brake disc and caliper).

 

So, presuming you're comparing the same wheel size I'd be fairly sure the issue isn't having steel rims. Check your tyre pressures, and indeed that the HJ respondents are actually using fill to cut-off against trip data for mpg.

[Breezy_Pete]

^ Agree. Especially the bit about whether the HJ respondents numbers are real. People tend to exaggerate their economy, going off their 'best ever long journey' as if it was their normal economy, for example, just 'cos it sounds pleasing for them.

 

Wouldn't expect any improvement in economy from 'posh' fuel either. Certainly not enough to offset the cost differential.

[Citigouk]

I always thought fuelly was a good way to monitor your economy, the trip computer lies

 

http://www.fuelly.com/car/skoda/citigo/2014/zorrosmart/284663

[nbJubilee]

I use alloy wheels in summer and steel in winter. Doesn't make much difference to mpg.

[stooz]

The trip definatley over reads,driving super super economically, the best tank to tank ive got is 65. Having tracked all the mileage, my app (fuelio) shows an average since august 2013 and 23,000 miles of 56.58.

 

Even tank by tank is rough as it depends on the temperature and how much it filled to the click etc. a long term average like mine is a good value..

In terms of, is this any good? I do drive quite hard sometimes, I will regulary pull off an overtake per day which takes some doing (6000rpm stuff) but overall my journey is pretty smooth.

 

Ive found its easy to get low figures depending on driving style - you have to avoid any stops - plan traffic lights, junctions etc to avoid even slowing down (back off way in advance and roll through at 25mph+ in 5th)

If you have a lot full stops (t junctions usually) the restart in 1st gear is what takes the juice. and anything over 60mph (motorway) will claw down that average. its tedious follwoing trucks on the motorway, but it pays off.

[thre3aces]

pretty sure my tyre pressure is fine given it's 32psi. when getting off the line i tend to keep just under 2k rpm. Gonna get fuelio and do a long term test.

 

anyone worked out an "optimum" motorway speed?

Edited 14 December, 2015 by thre3aces

[wizzi]

45-50mph seems to be the best speed for me (60hp asg) fuel economywise.

[peter3197]

Your mpg is about right for mixed motoring. I've now completed 13000 miles at an average of 55mpg, all fuel and mileage recorded on a spreadsheet. The PID readings are rather optimistic.

[fellside17]

looked at fuelly figures - they seem very low mpg. 

My 60 greentech is averaging 60 mpg.- the lowest I have had is 52 ( my first tank full) and best is 69 ( mostly motorway at 60 mph)

I find that city driving, motorway at 70 + and more than just yourself all take the mpg down. 

I reckon mine will over time average 59 mpg, though i am very light footed.

BTW, I found that being in 5th at 30 mph uses more fuel than 30 in 4th. It makes the engine labour. I tend to change gear at 2000rpm except in 1st when it gets to 3500 before i can get off the accelerator

[m1985]

My fuel economy has gone down 5mpg since the colder weather and darker nights.

I put it down to longer for engine to warm up, lights on, heater on, seat warming on etc...

Should return higher in summer

[barnie]

Ive an SE model, daily commute returns mid around 56 mpg, thats @14 miles each way rarely above 40 mph. Much higher mpg on motorway keeping at 70 mph. What I have noticed if you in an area with a lot of hills and your up and down the gearbox a lot or relentless stop start in traffic, then the overall average drops a lot more than other cars I've had, (my old Saab Diesel chugged away @48mpg no matter where it went and what speed)

[ronime]

Ive an SE model, daily commute returns mid around 56 mpg, thats @14 miles each way rarely above 40 mph. Much higher mpg on motorway keeping at 70 mph. What I have noticed if you in an area with a lot of hills and your up and down the gearbox a lot or relentless stop start in traffic, then the overall average drops a lot more than other cars I've had, (my old Saab Diesel chugged away @48mpg no matter where it went and what speed)

Yep, very hilly in our part of the world. Even with economically minded driving we have never achieved anywhere near official fuel consumption figures, petrol, diesel, manual or auto.

[stooz]

BTW, I found that being in 5th at 30 mph uses more fuel than 30 in 4th.

 

oo. I'll try a bit of that, i tend to get into 5th and stay there no matter what

[warrenbos]

As an aside to this, the ASG does not change into 5th until it reaches around 33-35mph

[wizzi]

Does the ASG have the same ratio's as the manual?

[thre3aces]

I use alloy wheels in summer and steel in winter. Doesn't make much difference to mpg.

Oh btw much difference between alloys and steels? I feel my citigo on steels is pretty nimble and agile. Maybe it'll be even more so with lighter wheels?

And I might give the not going into 5th so quickly thing a go. I have noticed that engine struggle noise when in 5th below 40

[bigjohn]

Ive an SE model, daily commute returns mid around 56 mpg, thats @14 miles each way rarely above 40 mph. Much higher mpg on motorway keeping at 70 mph. What I have noticed if you in an area with a lot of hills and your up and down the gearbox a lot or relentless stop start in traffic, then the overall average drops a lot more than other cars I've had, (my old Saab Diesel chugged away @48mpg no matter where it went and what speed)

 

I also find this comparing my old Superb I 1.9pd to my Superb II 1.4tsi. The Superb I always seemed to do about 50mpg whereas on the Superb II can vary greatly  depending on the driving. One the petrol going up and down hill or driving into a headwind hits the mpg quite badly but on long motorway runs (70mph) it can be very good indeed.

 

When I did my grand tour of Europe in September in the 1.4tsi best I got on a tank-full was 53mpg (not on board computer) worst was 44mpg. If i'd been in my old 1.9pd that would have been about 50mpg......................

 

I wonder if it is a design "feature" of the petrol direct injection

Edited 15 December, 2015 by bigjohn

[cal37]

My 75 Elegance ASG does only 49.8 average, but then its all town and local driving iv done, cant say I drive fast but I do keep to the limits, so 60 on open roads, 70 on the motorway. This is using my cars app on my phone.

[alianmac]

Mine is  a 70PS Elegance Greentech bought earlier in the year with 50 miles on the clock.

 

I have done 4574 miles on that I have put in. The petrol is mainly Esso as we have a local garage that undercuts everybody apart from the supermarkets and we don't have a supermarket close enough to make the extra mileage to fill up worthwhile. I don't use the upmarket petrol.

 

My consumption across that mileage is 51.17mpg. Average cost per mile is 9.78 pence.

 

When I got the car I had the opportunity to do a couple of late night trips that were pretty much identical in route, traffic conditions, etc. and used up about a tank of fuel. They were mostly (85 - 90%) motorway and was able to use the cruise control to minimise effects due to variation in right foot control. I did one journey with the speed set at 70mph and the other set at 75mph. At 70mph I got 55.9mpg. At 75mph I got 48.6mpg. I have found this instructive because the motorways around us (mainly M4, M40, M25) are not particularly user friendly if you drive at 70mph (lots of bunching and tailgating by busy-busy people, in a hurry to cause the next banking crisis or similar).

 

In normal use, I do quite a lot of trips on these motorways between local towns and am getting slightly under 50mpg. So my hypothesis is that your MPG is mostly affected by how fast you drive and will follow some kind of bell curve with the people who do a lot of town driving getting lower mpg due to frequent pulling away, the people who have journeys along A roads/dual carriageways in the 40-60mph range getting the best figures (maybe approaching or exceeding 60mpg) and those of us who go more than 70mph for fun or for reasons of self preservation dropping back sub-50mpg.

 

I keep the figures about the fuel I use out of interest. To be quite honest, even at the lower levels of fuel consumption I am quite happy with what I am getting and I am not filling up the local air with nitrous oxides as I was with my previous car.

 

And I do enjoy driving the Citigo a lot when there is a decent road without much traffic. It is a hoot!

[fabiamk2SE]

Mine is a 70PS Elegance Greentech bought earlier in the year with 50 miles on the clock.

I have done 4574 miles on that I have put in. The petrol is mainly Esso as we have a local garage that undercuts everybody apart from the supermarkets and we don't have a supermarket close enough to make the extra mileage to fill up worthwhile. I don't use the upmarket petrol.

My consumption across that mileage is 51.17mpg. Average cost per mile is 9.78 pence.

When I got the car I had the opportunity to do a couple of late night trips that were pretty much identical in route, traffic conditions, etc. and used up about a tank of fuel. They were mostly (85 - 90%) motorway and was able to use the cruise control to minimise effects due to variation in right foot control. I did one journey with the speed set at 70mph and the other set at 75mph. At 70mph I got 55.9mpg. At 75mph I got 48.6mpg. I have found this instructive because the motorways around us (mainly M4, M40, M25) are not particularly user friendly if you drive at 70mph (lots of bunching and tailgating by busy-busy people, in a hurry to cause the next banking crisis or similar).

In normal use, I do quite a lot of trips on these motorways between local towns and am getting slightly under 50mpg. So my hypothesis is that your MPG is mostly affected by how fast you drive and will follow some kind of bell curve with the people who do a lot of town driving getting lower mpg due to frequent pulling away, the people who have journeys along A roads/dual carriageways in the 40-60mph range getting the best figures (maybe approaching or exceeding 60mpg) and those of us who go more than 70mph for fun or for reasons of self preservation dropping back sub-50mpg.

I keep the figures about the fuel I use out of interest. To be quite honest, even at the lower levels of fuel consumption I am quite happy with what I am getting and I am not filling up the local air with nitrous oxides as I was with my previous car.

And I do enjoy driving the Citigo a lot when there is a decent road without much traffic. It is a hoot!

Sounds about right that.

But of course the people with all the time in the world that sit behind lorrys doing 56mph will get the best haha.

[randomeclipse]

If I can get into the 50's I'll be pretty happy, it'll mean the better half isn't spending too much on petroleum!

[snapseller]

My Elegance 75 ASG used 61 galls in 3600 miles in the first year which works out at just over 59 mpg. This included a trip to Scotland, & short trips of not less than about four miles which is ample to warm my car to normal temp. This mpg seemed pretty good to me.

[wizzi]

From the PID I get about 50 on average, that's a mix of work, where I get 65+ on my work commute (the first bit climbing a long 40 limit hill with 6 or so sets of lights, if i'm lucky I come out of it at 30mpg (obviously cold engine as well), then its a mix of 30-60 limits, I have to admit I drive at 55 on the 60's and 90% of the time catch up to a line of cars, by the time I get to work I've got a PID display of 65mpg, on the way home I've had the PID in the 70's. The other bit is around town, so I can easily get to 40mpg. 

 

I did a few fill to fills when new and the PID didn't seem a lot different to the actual MPG, although I have to say at lower tank levels it seems to show lower MPG values compared to a fuller tank.