Hi. Dad had just replaced his Fabia TDi for a 1.2 DSG and is a bit miffed at the economy - he's getting 40mpg at best, nowhere near the quoted 53 combined. Now, he knows that you never quite achieve the govt figures, but is this just in need of "bedding in" as it's only done 700 miles.

he feels a bit robbed after 60 mpg from his last TDi and the fact i'm getting 50+ in my Superb greenline

Anyone got any feedback on the 1.2's economy?

Thanks in advance for your answers!

hes about 7mpg more than my manual version then. Wouldnt expect 53mpg TBH, think high 40s is more realistic.

I too was a bit disappointed at the fuel economy at first., my old 1.2 HTP would easily do 40-50mpg with an average of 45 mpg brim to brim over 30,000 miles. At first I was just about getting 40 mpg however as the engine has started to run in and gearbox has learned that I like to be in a high gear early its gradually improving. Fist 10 tanks were around 40 - 41 mpg. the last 4 have been 43 - 45 mpg.

So far giving a combined figure of 42 mpg brim to brim but this does seem to be improving continuously now the car has a bout 3800 miles on it. Have a feeling it will take until around 8 or 9000 miles before it is fully run in like the HTP and then it should give at least the same mpg 45 if not quite a bit more. Think the key is to give it a few beans sometimes and take it out to the red line when it is warm to make sure it is bedding in and keep an eye on the oil level mine has used about half a Liter so far but this fingers crossed appears to have stopped now. Overall I', pleased as I will hopefully get same fuel economy as my old 1.2 but with an extra 35bhp and the ability to accelerate and overtake much easier.

PDIBK does your dad do a lot of short journeys as I think the engine and gearbox gives the best mpg on motorway sat at around 60 - 65 mph where the revs are around 2000rpm.

David

What kind of driving does he do?

50mpg is possible at 70mph on the motorway (done it) and would certainly be possible at 60mph. BUT you do have to drive it economically to get that. My short commute gets 42mpg at best

If it's brand new, don't worry about economy for the first 1000 miles, give it some work to do and run it in.

Thanks for your replies guys. They have been on several long runs already (bristol to camberley on M4) but in the week it is mum to work (3 miles). He thouight of opening it up a bit now it's past the go easy phase. I think he knows all of this, he's just narked that he got swayed from diesel power (last 5 cars?) By this upstart tiny petrol with clever box and promises of diesel frugalness!

Dad took his Fabia in to the dealers on Friday. They did a firmware update (but wouldn't confirm if that was affecting economy) and said try it from here. He then did a run to us (90 minutes, variable roads including long motorway/a-road segments) and achieved 43mpg. We then went to Oxford to collect my repaired Rover (second car) and it dipped a bit to 42mpg.

The dealer laughably suggested dropping to 60mph on the motorway to increase economy!!

I think dad is just peeved that 53mpg is the govt figure, he knows he wont get this, but its 10mpg off, even with careful, economical driving. I have suggested super-unleaded to see if it helps (although the price increase may offset the gain in economy) or just not worrying about trying to achieve the quoted figure (or even close to it...).

Not a Fabia here, but my corporate twin (Ibiza ST) with 1.2TSI/DSG currently gets 45-51 mpg in mixed driving (1/3 city, rest highway/motorway, 23 miles each way daily). Right now the temp being near 0 C I get about 50-51 mpg, with -30 C I got the 45 mpg here in Finland.

Doesn't the owners manual say there is a running in period? The European Roomster Owners manual suggests 1,500 km (just over 900 miles). Page 141 in the Drving Tips section

The engine has to be run in during the first 1 500 kilometres

It also says the tyres and brakes have a running in period as well.

Probably - he's past that now, which is why he held off berating the dealer until last week.