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Off Topic Fiat Bravo Diesel Engine Driving Short Journeys? Confused

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Off Topic Fiat Bravo Diesel Engine Driving Short Journeys? Confused

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BravoCity

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Hi,

I currently need some advice, at the moment I own a Fiat Bravo 1.9D which I use to commute to work which is around 10mins by car, sometimes less depending if I don't get stopped at the traffic lights.

My question is, If I was to start the car one morning/afternoon and drive it off within 30 seconds, the Miles (Range) will drop at least 20/30Miles on the computer for a journey which is less than 2miles.

So should I wait until the Diesel Engine has warmed up and is half way point on the temperature then drive it? . Or should I really be looking to buy Petrol Engine. ?
 
Not entirely sure but I can tell you I always wait until the revs drop. I have a petrol engine although should be the same operational characteristics... cold start you'll be up around 1,300rpm but if you wait a minute until it drops to 6-700rpm that give the ecu time to get all the systems running...
I would definitely recommend this style of starting since you will have glow plugs...
 
Bearing in mind that the instant MPG / Range Predictions are based on alot of things

A - How much fuel remains
B - How hot / cold the engine is
C - How hot / cold the air is
D - How hard your pushing for the car to go
E - How much load is on the engine ( a boot full puts more load on)

When its cold - the cars is in Open loop running
IE - the car is ignoring alot of the sensors signals (like the exhaust lambda's)
As they deliberatly run rich, to aid heating up
As a result, if your in a cold morning, a cold air, cold car, a boot full of rubbish and you set off, the MPG / Range will quickly drop, as its all the wrong conditions for economic running

Once the engine warms up, it suddenly starts to get better

Ziggy
 
Ziggy122 said:
Bearing in mind that the instant MPG / Range Predictions are based on alot of things

A - How much fuel remains
B - How hot / cold the engine is
C - How hot / cold the air is
D - How hard your pushing for the car to go
E - How much load is on the engine ( a boot full puts more load on)

When its cold - the cars is in Open loop running
IE - the car is ignoring alot of the sensors signals (like the exhaust lambda's)
As they deliberatly run rich, to aid heating up
As a result, if your in a cold morning, a cold air, cold car, a boot full of rubbish and you set off, the MPG / Range will quickly drop, as its all the wrong conditions for economic running

Once the engine warms up, it suddenly starts to get better

Ziggy
Click to expand...

This explains alot and makes it more clear to understand, but do you recommend that I should wait until the needle of the temperature goes halfway before setting off. And should this make the engine life last longer?
 
No, don't wait for the temp to rise.
Idling the engine while it's still cold is worse than letting the engine get warm while driving.
Avoid high revs until it's at working temp, so just drive nice and easy.
A top of that, You'll never get good MPG from a diesel, when it's only used for short journeys (and it''s not good for the engine either).
A diesel engine takes longer to reach working temp, which means it's using more fuel (a petrol engine behaves the same way, but it's quicker to reach working temp).
 
On the diesel you'll be waiting a good while to get half way. My 1.9 takes about 4 miles at 30(ish) mph before getting to the middle.

So standing will take even longer.
 
BravoCity said:
Hi,

I currently need some advice, at the moment I own a Fiat Bravo 1.9D which I use to commute to work which is around 10mins by car, sometimes less depending if I don't get stopped at the traffic lights.

?
Click to expand...

Is it a non turbo?

How far is your commute and what sort of roads?
 
Letting the engine / oil warm up is more for the good of the turbo, but like others said ideally want to let the engine warm up before thrashing it.

How far are you driving and is it all stop start traffic jams, built up 30s or are you talking clear A roads / Motorways?

If the majority of my driving was 10 mins each way on slow built up roads, I doubt I would use a diesel if I had the choice. Different matter if its fast A roads.
 
Fergie said:
Letting the engine / oil warm up is more for the good of the turbo, but like others said ideally want to let the engine warm up before thrashing it.

How far are you driving and is it all stop start traffic jams, built up 30s or are you talking clear A roads / Motorways?

If the majority of my driving was 10 mins each way on slow built up roads, I doubt I would use a diesel if I had the choice. Different matter if its fast A roads.
Click to expand...

Normal City Roads, No A Roads or Motorway Involved, I only go past one traffic lights my journey is literally 10mins driving at 20mph all the way. I only commute to work because I finish late.

The only benefit I could see from Diesel Engine, is that longer trips from A to B are better since I get good fuel economy...

So still Unsure if I should really be looking to buy a Petrol Engine? Or is that just the same as an Diesel.
 
Buy a petrol for those sort of miles. Diesel is no good. I had a Focus St and was getting more MPG round town driving than with my Bravo. Similar sort of mileage. Diesel better fitted for medium to long range driving.
 
Its really a no brainer then. With a new diesel you are paying a 3k premium for the engine. The prices tend to stay higher 2nd hand too. This reflects a decent diesel will last 150-300k. Where as a petrol is more like 100-150k.

As a rule of thumb, diesel if doing over 20k a year and especially if on motorways.

With your mileage, any small engined petrol and could even look at some of the tasty lease deals.
 
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