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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I've had my lovely shiny new Red Panda 4x4 over a week now. Love it to bits but I'm a bit disappointed with the fuel economy so far. I've been driving like a granny on a Sunday outing on my journeys to and from work this week but can't seem to better 33mpg-even with the eco button on. Will this improve over time as the engine runs in or is there something else I can be doing to improve the fuel economy ?
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Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: isle of wight
Posts: 927 Thanks: 58 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I've had my lovely shiny new Red Panda 4x4 over a week now. Love it to bits but I'm a bit disappointed with the fuel economy so far. I've been driving like a granny on a Sunday outing on my journeys to and from work this week but can't seem to better 33mpg-even with the eco button on. Will this improve over time as the engine runs in or is there something else I can be doing to improve the fuel economy ? mpg will improve as the engine loosens up, which as others have noted elsewhere, can take several 000 miles!
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Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bit south in Devon like
Posts: 1,926 Thanks: 151 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I've had my lovely shiny new Red Panda 4x4 over a week now. Love it to bits but I'm a bit disappointed with the fuel economy so far. I've been driving like a granny on a Sunday outing on my journeys to and from work this week but can't seem to better 33mpg-even with the eco button on. Will this improve over time as the engine runs in or is there something else I can be doing to improve the fuel economy ? There are so many different things that can affect economy. For example, are your journeys to and from work relatively long or short? Have you got the air conditioning on permanently as well? What engine has your car got? If you are able to answer the questions above then that will give us a better indication of whether it sounds about right or if there is a problem. Generally though, it's true that a brand new car will take a few thousand miles to loosen up.
__________________ Had a 500, then a Panda, then a Punto, wife had another 500...now a Fiesta ![]() |
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg It's the 0.9 twinair, it's a 10 mile journey to work up and down a couple of hills and at least 10 sets of lights but no heavy traffic The air-con has been on intermittently. I'm not expecting the 67mpg that Fiat claim can be achieved but I would expect better than the 50% of that I'm getting.
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Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bit south in Devon like
Posts: 1,926 Thanks: 151 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg Thanks for the information. The distance itself is fine for the engine to get warmish, but I would guess the engine isn't actually running for all that long, and the hills and lights probably won't be helping a great deal. Going uphill in particular with a small turbo engine like the TwinAir will be a killer - it's bad enough in a 1.2! ![]() However I still think you will find it does better once you get more miles on board. A longer trip where you are driving for around an hour or so on A roads or similar will be a better indicator of whether you have a problem or not. If you still can't get anywhere near 40mpg then I suppose it would be worth getting your dealer involved.
__________________ Had a 500, then a Panda, then a Punto, wife had another 500...now a Fiesta ![]() |
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Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg Thanks, yes I think it maybe the hills. It pulls up them surprisingly well though I dread to think how much juice it's using. It's my only gripe though, it's a great little car.
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 44 Thanks: 4 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg Just done a day trip in the Scottish highlands. In the petrol 4x4. 500 on the clock. Lots of hills and a full car. Average 46mpg which I'm happy with as when I start using it day to day for work ill should get over 50mpg.
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Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lytham St.Annes Lancs.
Posts: 41 Thanks: 6 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I believe the effect of the air conditioning on economy is often overstated.The unit on the TA is fuse-rated at 7.5amps. Even with losses, it's not taking much more than 100watts for the compressor, which is less than headlights. Yes, it uses more fuel. Measurable? I doubt it. Mike.
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Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Near Southport
Posts: 394 Thanks: 57 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg It's the 0.9 twinair, it's a 10 mile journey to work up and down a couple of hills and at least 10 sets of lights but no heavy traffic The air-con has been on intermittently. I'm not expecting the 67mpg that Fiat claim can be achieved but I would expect better than the 50% of that I'm getting.
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 150 Thanks: 20 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg 1.2 petrol last fuel-up 64 mpg on trip computer, 60.4 mpg measurable 80% motorway, 20% city. Air conditioning on for about 50% time (has no effect on consumption as far as I can measure).
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Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Oxford
Posts: 181 Thanks: 5 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I have had mine for a few months 2400 miles the average trip for most of them says 37 mpg but I know I can get into the 40's ,As for eco mode prob not a good Idea if going up Hills as you will need more throttle and Revs
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Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 230 Thanks: 55 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg I believe the effect of the air conditioning on economy is often overstated.The unit on the TA is fuse-rated at 7.5amps. Even with losses, it's not taking much more than 100watts for the compressor, which is less than headlights. Yes, it uses more fuel. Measurable? I doubt it. Mike. (mechanically) by the auxiliary drivebelt, so could be absorbing considerable power ![]() Having said that, I wouldn't be too alarmed- none of my previous 2 cars (Renault Clio 1.5dCi and Alfa Mito 1.3JTDM-2) showed any measurable fuel consumption penalty with A/C on, and my Panda Trekking TwinAir looks to be similarly efficient ![]() but couldn't detect any difference, average MPG is in high 50s, despite having driven a total of just 1600 miles) I have a theory that small turbo engines are more efficient with some 'base' load applied (this gives a steady exhaust flow to keep the turbine spinning) If true, this would explain why A/C doesn't use extra fuel ![]() Most of my non-engineer friends have trouble with this idea ![]() Chris
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![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg On my way home yesterday from work I used the air con. I reckon I took a 10% hit in mpg. I'd usually get well over 50mpg on that particular route, and got early 40's Just one trip is not enough to be of any use though data wise. Eco button? I'm probably the only one on fiat forum who believes that careful pedal use makes It redundant. My best ever trip mpg's have always been with it switched off
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Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lytham St.Annes Lancs.
Posts: 41 Thanks: 6 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg @ Moultoneer Yes, you're right, of course. Silly me! That fuse rating will be for the clutch and peripherals on the compressor. Nevertheless, I still have not experienced compulsive evidence that the aircon makes a noticeable difference to economy. I don't know if the way it's used makes a difference: I always cruise with the fan on the lowest setting, giving less flow but colder air temperature and (possibly) less load on the system. A couple of weeks ago, I drove the TA Lounge a 100-mile round trip through the Forest of Bowland (twisty, with lots of ups and downs) with the aircon on throughout and returned an indicated 57mpg so not much wrong there, although the 4000mile average (brim-to-brim filling) is 47mpg which I consider satisfactory. I never use the Eco setting -- I like all the power available all the time, and think the best eco device is your right foot! Mike
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Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Lytham St.Annes Lancs.
Posts: 41 Thanks: 6 Trader Rating: 0 ![]() | Re: Panda 4x4 twin-air mpg @ Moultoneer Yes, you're right, of course. Silly me! That fuse rating will be for the clutch and peripherals on the compressor. Nevertheless, I still have not experienced compulsive evidence that the aircon makes a noticeable difference to economy. I don't know if the way it's used makes a difference: I always cruise with the fan on the lowest setting, giving less flow but colder air temperature and (possibly) less load on the system. A couple of weeks ago, I drove the TA Lounge a 100-mile round trip through the Forest of Bowland (twisty, with lots of ups and downs) with the aircon on throughout and returned an indicated 57mpg so not much wrong there, although the 4000mile average (brim-to-brim filling) is 47mpg which I consider satisfactory. Mike.
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