Hi,

I've done just over 1000 miles in my new fabia estate 1.6 TDI (90).

I got 62 mpg from 1st tank, 60 from the second. I don't have the in car computer so work it out when I fill up from mileage done.

Question is - when going along at 50 mph/ approx 1500 revs in fifth gear am I better off (from a fuel consumption point of view) being in fifth or fourth gear? On the flat engine doesn't feel laboured in fifth but equally doesn't mind being in fourth. Would be interested to hear from those with the in car computer which gives best economy.

Thanks

Generally you'd be better off in a higher gear while sticking to 50, I had a Yeti when my Fabia went in this week which was the 2.0TDI 170bhp manual and the economy was much better if I slapped it in 6th while doing anything over 40, although it was a 4WD and from my understanding they much rather the rpm be lower. My Fabia will always be in a pretty high gear even at relatively low speeds, even at 45-50 it'll sit happily in 7th doing 45mpg plus.

Is there a reason for the 50mph running? Speed limits or economy attempt?

50mph isn't always most economical, every car is different

Thanks LewJo.

gadgetman - The only reason for the 50mph is the speed limit - I commute down the M1 (sadly!) and go through the roadworks J10-13 with the 50mph limit.

Being new to diesels wasn't sure how they work economy wise or whether I would be storing up problems with the DPF in the future.

Hi,

I've done just over 1000 miles in my new fabia estate 1.6 TDI (90).

I got 62 mpg from 1st tank, 60 from the second. I don't have the in car computer so work it out when I fill up from mileage done.

Question is - when going along at 50 mph/ approx 1500 revs in fifth gear am I better off (from a fuel consumption point of view) being in fifth or fourth gear? On the flat engine doesn't feel laboured in fifth but equally doesn't mind being in fourth. Would be interested to hear from those with the in car computer which gives best economy.

Thanks

Hi Saints, this is an interesting question you ask. You are best off trying both methods, but it's my guess you will find fourth gear yields better mpg at 50mph. These shorter stroke cr1.6 engines respond better to slightly higher revs than the older type PD engines without loss of mpg.

Not too long ago we had several people on the site complaining of poor fuel consumption from the new cr1.6. The VW site had many more complainers. Many complaining something was wrong with their cars or it was a bad design etc etc. It may have been that one or two people had a problem, but mostly, no faults were ever found. It seems that most who complained just needed to learn to drive their new cars and allow it to run in. Ignoring the economy lights on the dash is a good idea too as it encourage too lower revs in too higher gear making the engine work a little too hard. The new engine is NOT like other older diesels, It has lower piston speed, but revs higher with a shorter stroke. This means it likes to rev a bit more than previous engines to be efficient but still gives good economy and fantastic performance. You can read about these initial complaints elsewhere on the site.

I have been doing research on modern diesel engines for a paper I am writing (I teach an engineering class). I followed 11 new owners of the cr1.6 engine for between 4 and 6 months last year and earlier this year (for an unscientific survey). Some in VW's, but most in Skoda Fabia's. Two of the owners complained of problematic fuel consumption with initially high 40's and low 50's being all they could get. Everyone else seemed to be getting good mpg including my sister who has the new engine in her own Fabia. When I visited the two owners who claimed to be getting poor consumption it was apparent immediately why they were getting such low consumption. We drove out in their cars and it was a painful experience. Too few revs at all stages of the drive, their cars had probably never run in either as they had always driven at very low revs in very high gears. They were using too few revs and relying on the dash lights to tell them when to change up to the next gear. The engines were labouring all the time and using more fuel. After getting them to modify their driving style both drivers soon obtained much much better fuel consumption and seemed amazed at the difference, with both now getting into the mid sixties. Although I have to say their engines probably won't ever give the best economy due to not being run in correctly. So I believe it's driving style that has turned out to be probably the most important factor, as ever, with fuel consumption on these engines. Enjoy your new car and keep posting you fuel economy results so we all know how you are getting on. Cheers bud!

PS. My sister has claimed a best of 80.4mpg on her cr105 engine just at the weekend on a 120mile run! Phew!

Thanks LewJo.

gadgetman - The only reason for the 50mph is the speed limit - I commute down the M1 (sadly!) and go through the roadworks J10-13 with the 50mph limit.

Being new to diesels wasn't sure how they work economy wise or whether I would be storing up problems with the DPF in the future.

You have my sympathies as I'm often driving that bit of road too.

Only another 18 months until its finished.....

Estate Man - thank you for such a detailed reply. I have been trying to run my car in properly having read some of the posts on this site prior to taking delivery and I'm sure that I will reap the rewards in time! Will certainly keep you updated with my progress as mileage progresses. Have a couple of long trips coming up which should be interesting.

gadgetman - 18 months! lets just hope it's all worth it....