Technical Stilo MPG Concerns

[SwanseaStiloJTD]

Hello all

I have a query about my Stilo 1.9JTD (115 i think!) I've checked both the trip computer and did a full to empty test. And my car is averaging 42mpg. I'm a bit dissapointed with this as my mothers Seat Leon (2.0TDi) is much better, averaging 50ish.

I'm new to diesels, and don't really know how they work best, but what i do notice is that my main journey is to and fro from work (3 miles) downhill all the way, that the temp gauge takes ages to go up. Do Diesels take longer to warm up? and is my low mpg due to the engine operating more efficently when warm, cos my car never seems to get there by the time i get to where i wanna go!

Will a re-map help much? I don't drive like a nutter either, In fact i drive like a granny sometimes to keep the mpg good! Is there a trick to the gearing that will help?

 

[Argonought]

I'm new to diesels, and don't really know how they work best, but what i do notice is that my main journey is to and fro from work (3 miles) downhill all the way, that the temp gauge takes ages to go up.

You should get fantastically good consumption if it's downhill in both directions I'm amazed you even bother to put fuel in at all

Seriously, do you ever notice smoke in your rear view mirror under light load at say 30 mph?

Have you tried using trip ‘B’ to experiment with different driving techniques (reset before each journey)

 

[ursabear]

I too am averaging 42 MPG (mixed town/country driving), but on a long journey I get around 49 MPG. I have noticed that town driving really does cut down the mPG figures, that said I am currently suffering from EGR valve problems, which will not be helping my MPG.

Check your MPG on a long run, it may be that your 3 mile journey is town driving hence low figures.

 

[SwanseaStiloJTD]

You should get fantastically good consumption if it's downhill in both directions I'm amazed you even bother to put fuel in at all

Seriously, do you ever notice smoke in your rear view mirror under light load at say 30 mph?

No It's only downhill on the way there! lol and yes, there does seem to be a bit smokey at low revs/light load when cold. What is an EGR or whatever when it's at home?

Any other tips about keeping the MPG up? Re-Map?

 

[ursabear]

Exhaust Gas Return Valve, it boosts the turbo pressure when engine is cold, I currently have no power until engine fully warmed up..... bit of a bugger really...

 

[Argonought]

I think the EGR valve might be an upcoming issue for the JTD for anyone who does a lot of town driving and not much else (that's me at the moment )

My mpg has very recently dropped to the mid 30's (even for town driving that's bad for a JTD) and I've noticed on occasion I'm leaving a smoke trail. Now bombing up a hill at 90 and trying to find enough power to transfer weight for the bends - I'd say that was normal - but not dawdling around town.

Took it for a blast and the mpg shot up to 50 (normally expect the opposite) :chin:

Think I might be suffering from a sticky EGR valve :idea:

 

[mally]

Mine takes c 4.5 miles for the temp gauge to reach normal.
I travel 40 mile per day to work of which c 8 miles motorway 8miles dual carriageway rest single carriageway.
I average c 47 mpg from full to empty (this figure is 100% accurate as I measure what goes thru the pump when I fill up and calculate on an excel spreadsheet) sad or what.
For some reason the trip computer exaggerates the mpg by c 3 miles per gallon.

On a long motorway journey driving like an old lady I can get c 54 mpg

 

[Stilochris]

Im so gutted for you guys only getting 42mpg!?

how do you console yourselves with such low figures!

(im averaging 22mpg :bang: )

 

[MrLovaMan]

for all it's current problems, fuel consumption on my JTD is one thing I cannot complain about.
I do a fair mix of town and country driving but driving like a nutter cant get much worse than about average of 48MPG. Normally it's about 52-53MPG but on long runs driving like grandma I've had it upto 64MPG over a distance of about 200 miles. Fiat's most economical figure is 67MPG but that must be a constant 40MPH and a tail wind.
In fairness, they perform economically when the engine is warm and they just do take some warming. On my daily journey, the needle does not hit normal temperature until after about 8-9 miles but in summer it warms a bit quicker.

 

[MrLovaMan]

By the way - the consumption figures on my car I have verified from filling up to full and running to first red light on fuel warning and calculating. This alligned with the computer MPG

 

[Argonought]

...but on long runs driving like grandma I've had it upto 64MPG over a distance of about 200 miles. .

Fantastic result You've just beaten my previous best of 62.5 mpg over 130 miles.

Bet that was off motorways though (i.e less than 70mph).

 

[wotnowarninglight]

In the last 6 months & 10.5K have managed max. 59 mpg on a trip B (Derby-Manchester Airport-Birmingham-Derby all in one evening ). To get 62.5 - 64 you must be caressing the go pedal real gentle

Brim to Brim finding a winter average to be 45-50 depending on use (45 mainly town and 49 weekends away) and hoping summer will bring mid to high 50's MPG. Did get down to 42MPG but that was down to a tankful of poor fuel (poor running and sluggish throttle response were the give away). Tend to stick to Sainsbury / Tesco City Diesel (5% Bio content) and put Redex in after longer periods of just pottering about town which seems to keep the smoke down.

The coupe alloys are probably my down fall as they increase the track width (stick out of the arches 1/2" further either side) and this possibly costs me 2-4 mpg. Stilo is also fairly sensitive to tracking being out... reflects in MPG going down 3-5.

 

[Cris]

Normally it's about 52-53MPG but on long runs driving like grandma I've had it upto 64MPG over a distance of about 200 miles.

I usually see between 50 and 54mpg. Don't think I've seen less, but I have seen more.

 

[StiloBoy]

I'm quite surprised you chose a diesel if your average work commute is 3miles each way a day. If it was for the power then i'd have though going the whole hog and going for an Abarth would make equal sence, seeing as economy isn't really an issue due to short commute.

If as most folk are suggesting it takes 4-ish miles to warm and your covering 3 then i'd guess your car is never getting warmed up properly, it'll probably be doing your car more damage than good, and i'd suggest giving your car at least 1 high speed long-ish distance blat!

 

[dan-the-man]

My JTD does about 46MPG (remapped) and my drive to work is only 5 miles, but I make sure it goes on a long run at least twice a week to clear the crap out of the zorst and to get the engine warmed up properly.

Although when I went to skeg it went up to around 58MPG

 

[alpinepg]

Bunch of girls! I managed 20MPG out of my Sillyspeed Abarth whilst towing.....now thats real MPG for you!!:slayer:

 

[ursabear]

Checked my mpg on way to work this morning...journey distance 15 miles ..average mpg 45.9, that's a mix of town driving and the good old Fosse Way, with cruise control set to 60MPH

 

[Multiplewagon]

im getting no more than 43mpg with a 10 mile each way commute and thats after the EGR valve has been replaced a few weeks ago.

My old multiwagon did 45-50mpg easily on far hillier terrain than what I drive over now.

Wonder what else can effect the car if tyres are ok and engine feels right?

 

[Argonought]

As wotnowarninglight pointed out, mpg is always worst in winter.

Tyre rolling resistance can have quite an effect too (width, make of tyre or under-inflated etc)

 

[StiloBoy]

Yup tyres can be one of the biggest things to impact on economy. Assuming your car isn't full of heavy stuff you don't need, like junk in the boot, fat passengers, or that your driving like a dafty.

My old Diesel Escort TD LX (89bhp) i had the tyres pumped up to heavy laden weight, low rolling resitance, and as it was all motorway or dual carriageway driving no problem with handling, and i topped 50mpg all the time.

I've always said its a poor economy to buy a diesel if you drive less than 10miles to work, your never get the full economy potential. If you want the power buy the Abarth it'll work out as cheap until you do a long journey.