General TwinAir Thread (including MPG)

[loveshandbags]

Maybe the roads in Ireland are like glass?

:Offtopic:
There has been a big improvement here in the road infrastructure in the last decade. One time the only good roads were in Northern Ireland - now it's reversed. Only problem is that the roads are tolled - not as expensive as France - but it starts to add up. We had a 6% contribution from Europe on funding (this stopped in 2006 and the money was using primarily on Dual carriageways which are now bypassed).
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055932209&page=2
http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/kilcock/
But once you 'go off' onto the back roads they can be a mixed bag. What I have noticed in the last 2-3 years is that the tolled roads are getting empty and you wonder why they got built in the first place. The Tunnel that got built coming from Dublin Airport under the city is now offering 'special prices' off peak to get drivers to use it. With petrol now at €1.64 a litre you wonder where is it going to end.

 

[ahmett]

:Offtopic:
There has been a big improvement here in the road infrastructure in the last decade. One time the only good roads were in Northern Ireland - now it's reversed. Only problem is that the roads are tolled - not as expensive as France - but it starts to add up. We had a 6% contribution from Europe on funding (this stopped in 2006 and the money was using primarily on Dual carriageways which are now bypassed).
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055932209&page=2
http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/kilcock/
But once you 'go off' onto the back roads they can be a mixed bag. What I have noticed in the last 2-3 years is that the tolled roads are getting empty and you wonder why they got built in the first place. The Tunnel that got built coming from Dublin Airport under the city is now offering 'special prices' off peak to get drivers to use it. With petrol now at €1.64 a litre you wonder where is it going to end.

1.75 euros a liter in greece. Tell me about the Euro Misery!

 

[deeyup]

Was looking at the new panda, my friend says (he's a fiat sales manager) "don't get one of those there's a great friends and family deal on 500"

So he gives me his twinair plus to borrow for a few days.

Blasted around in it last night enjoying the performance. Good fun
I see the tail still jumps out (a little) on bumps during fast corners but not as bad as the first 2008 cars.

Anyway used it today on my work commute.
Got 50mpg going to work according to computer using eco

And when I came back near the same 49.1 without eco button. More traffic
On the way back due to the time.

Must say I loved it.
The power delivery is good, the redline is easy to hit as the motor is not screaming. Not a lot of go below 1500 rpm and my Citroén C1 is better in this respect. It can pull in 5th at 30mph up hills.
I really would like a Matt black paint finish but no longer available new.
I think tech house grey may be good though.

I had the tomtom live fitted and even though I'm a gadget freak, I wouldn't bother with one. The mounting bracket needs to be smaller. There is no point in it sticking up so high blocking your view.

One thing I did find was the 500 did split opinion. Of the women I saw in work today 1/2 said girls car don't get one, 1/2 said don't be daft they suit all.

 

[loveshandbags]

Must say I loved it...I really would like a Matt black paint finish but no longer available new...I had the tomtom live fitted ... I wouldn't bother with one....One thing I did find was the 500 did split opinion...

When I bought my first 500 my brother-in-law said that I would be a 'girl's blouse' if I bought one. When I got the 2nd one he didn't bat an eyelid. Ignore them. His father loved the car and when on about it for a good week afterwards !
Interesting what you said about the blackjack (matt black). These can still be picked up over here.
Tom Tom - I think the clarity of the screen is top class and the voice control works quite well recognising most addresses. Google search is very slick where you can just give it the name of the business / shop. On the current motor it's nicely positioned. I would imagine that an integrated Sat Nav on say a Beamer would be expensive in comparison.
Once you hand back the TA and get back into your C1 you'll be asking your mate for a price.

 

[TrevC]

Deeyup's experience with ECO is the same as mine - it doesn't have much effect on economy, gentle driving is rewarded whether ECO is engaged or not. I only use it occasionally now if I'm pootling around town, as it pulls more smoothly from low speed.

 

[ahmett]

I have to admit, I was a bit jealous when i was walking in town and i saw a Fiat 500 twinair's engine turn off with SS in town thinking wow that must save fuel compared to my 1.4! but then i revved my 1.4 past 6000 and forgot about it, telling myself well saving a bit of money isnt everything!

 

[TrevC]

Saving money may not be everything, but getting the most out of your fuel is important here in the UK at present, thanks to idiot panic buyers. I drove home from work very gently on Friday in my TA, ECO on all the time so I could change up earlier, and got 60.5mpg when I got to within a couple of miles of home. Stopping and starting over the last bit knocked it down to 58.5, but still fairly good.

 

[ahmett]

Saving money may not be everything, but getting the most out of your fuel is important here in the UK at present, thanks to idiot panic buyers. I drove home from work very gently on Friday in my TA, ECO on all the time so I could change up earlier, and got 60.5mpg when I got to within a couple of miles of home. Stopping and starting over the last bit knocked it down to 58.5, but still fairly good.

Yeah what is up with that!??? i mean my tank lasts me 5 days anyway and they have to give a week notice so there is no reason for me to fill the tank! The govt didnt help things either by being, well simply stupid!

This happens in Greece also but not for the past 6 months or so, I just fill the tank each time i go and ideally go at unorthodox hours like midnight or so at the 24 hour open service stations the second they announce a strike = ). Actually one of the fuel station attendants refused to fill jerry cans, smart guy. No 7 days notice in greece for strikes so when you hear them announce it you better act quickly and make sure you have some gas in the tank!

 

[306maxi]

ummmmm. You're describing panic buying there......

 

[chas379]

Saving money may not be everything, but getting the most out of your fuel is important here in the UK at present, thanks to idiot panic buyers. I drove home from work very gently on Friday in my TA, ECO on all the time so I could change up earlier, and got 60.5mpg when I got to within a couple of miles of home. Stopping and starting over the last bit knocked it down to 58.5, but still fairly good.

Filled up last Thursday, as needed to, luckily was only held up 10mins. at the pumps. Decided to run TA on Eco now between fills and on local driving it is showing avge as 56mpg as opposed to my usual 42mpg. Going to take lead out of my right shoe so next check should see improvement.

 

[jrkitching]

Saving money may not be everything, but getting the most out of your fuel is important here in the UK at present, thanks to idiot panic buyers. I drove home from work very gently on Friday in my TA, ECO on all the time so I could change up earlier, and got 60.5mpg when I got to within a couple of miles of home. Stopping and starting over the last bit knocked it down to 58.5, but still fairly good.

Filled up last Thursday, as needed to, luckily was only held up 10mins. at the pumps. Decided to run TA on Eco now between fills and on local driving it is showing avge as 56mpg as opposed to my usual 42mpg. Going to take lead out of my right shoe so next check should see improvement.

It surprises some folks to see just how much they can save. And with the exception of motorway cruising, it doesn't add that much to typical journey times either .

The difference between 60mpg & 40mpg is roughly equivalent to paying 93p / litre at current prices (£1.40).

 

[senicko]

ummmmm. You're describing panic buying there......

I understand Panic Buying by definition but living in Spain I don't know exactly what you guys in the UK are referring to. Is there a suspected shortage a la the US in the 70s? Just trying to wrap my brain around the concept.

 

[Venters]

I understand Panic Buying by definition but living in Spain I don't know exactly what you guys in the UK are referring to. Is there a suspected shortage a la the US in the 70s? Just trying to wrap my brain around the concept.

There wouldn't be a shortage, but talk of a strike by tanker drivers followed by some ludicrous advice from a government minister drove the idiot majority into a frenzy. Which created a false shortage.

 

[senicko]

There wouldn't be a shortage, but talk of a strike by tanker drivers followed by some ludicrous advice from a government minister drove the idiot majority into a frenzy. Which created a false shortage.

Ahhh, understand. Glad to hear it's not only Spain that have idiots running things.

 

[catherinej]

Well the car needed it's first fill tonight. The trip computer was showing 42.3 mpg.

Filled and did some calculations the old fashioned way and it's actually done 43.9.

Quite pleased with that, it hasn't been driven like Miss Daisy and I haven't used the Eco button.

 

[jrkitching]

Well the car needed it's first fill tonight. The trip computer was showing 42.3 mpg.

Filled and did some calculations the old fashioned way and it's actually done 43.9.

Quite pleased with that, it hasn't been driven like Miss Daisy and I haven't used the Eco button.

And it will get better over time as the car runs in.

Time to sign up for a Fuelly account, perhaps? It will do the old-fashioned calculations for you .

 

[senicko]

And it will get better over time as the car runs in.

Time to sign up for a Fuelly account, perhaps? It will do the old-fashioned calculations for you .

I get horrible mpg. I do have a heavy foot but not that bad. Today I filled up and got a whopping 30 mpg. Is there something wrong?

 

[chas379]

I get horrible mpg. I do have a heavy foot but not that bad. Today I filled up and got a whopping 30 mpg. Is there something wrong?

30 mpg sounds a bit on the low side. Do you have a lot of lead in your shoes re accelerator pedal?

 

[catherinej]

That is very poor indeed, something doesn't sound right to me.

 

[306maxi]

Experience tells me that abnormally good/bad MPG 'readings' are usually down to poor maths.