Fuel comsuption

[Vickie]

Hi everyone. Im new to this I have an aurion 2009 sportivo and love it. I get it serviced reasonably regularly and normally get anywhere from 9 - 11km per 100. I recently put new tyres on the car and have not gotten below 12km per 100. Im planning on a trip to qld and having it serviced when i get back. The guy at the tyre place said its the car not the tyres. 

Any ideas would be helpful

[KAA]

Hello Vickie and welcome to the forum, the Aurion is known for it's great fuel economy..tyres can certainly affect any car's economy depending on brand and type, but driving style tends to be the biggest effect..keep records of your trip and let us know how it went on your adventure up North..Hope it is a great drive

KAA 

[trentmeyer23]

Welcome.

What tyres were fitted?

[campbeam]

Maybe you are enjoying the extra grip of the new tyres and accelerating that little bit harder than before. I am guilty of that one. Anyway good excuse to add some injector cleaner to the petrol tank. Might also be a good idea to consider having the car serviced before you leave on your trip.

[matt36415]

tyre pressure significantly effects fuel use. Higher pressure gives less rolling resistance and lower fuel use. Its the exact reason cyclists run 100-120psi on road bicycles. 

 

This may account for some of your decrease in milage. 

[ZZT86]

Did the tyre size change ? If not then perhaps tyre pressures are too low - personally I would have about 35psi ea. An aggressive tread design will increase mileage but 1-3L is a big difference. Have someone confirm alignment is OK & within factory spec, too much toe-in @ rear will hurt economy & your tyres.

[krigeroz]

Try to clean air flow and oxygen filters. And get one of those injector cleaners, It helped me, my consumption was 18+ liters, now around 12 liters. Most of my driving I am doing  around the city, constant traffic during the peak  hours will gradually increase consumption, especially when you stuck in the traffic for 5-10 min and you drive bumper to bumper. That's what happens in my case.

Edited April 3, 2017 by krigeroz

[ianjoseph]

My 2 cents worth... I went for a car cruise today. Mixed drive of straights and winding roads. We drove about 350kms, got 8.0l/100kms. I use BP Ultimate 98, a KN panel filter, I've changed the rear exhaust mufflers and I use 225/45 18" tyres. Also, a lot has to do with your driving... releasing the accelerator long before it's time to brake might help.

[campbeam]

6 hours ago, ianjoseph said:

a lot has to do with your driving... releasing the accelerator long before it's time to brake

This is what I refer to as roadcraft; smart driving skills anticipating what is happening and going to happen. I try to cruise up to slower or stopped traffic, even brake early a little bit so the vehicle is still moving when the traffic in front takes off again. Just laugh at [and avoid] idiots tailgating, accelerating hard, braking hard.

[ZZT86]

Waaaaaaaaay too many people have NO idea about roadcraft & learning to read-traffic anticipating things well before they happen. I say too many can only see as far as their nose & are reactive & not proactive in their driving, thinking, (life ?) no-wonder there are so many accidents screwing up the road system !

[ianjoseph]

I teach roadcraft, hence my opinion.

[krigeroz]

Has anyone had a chance to drive for at least 7 days in the city area with traffic lights? I don't think anyone can say that their consumption 10L in that scenario. The roadcraft becomes irrelevant. If you look on some European forums, people who live and drive 3.5L engine in the city area only, their real consumption at least 15L and above and during winter time (-15C), it is at least 20L and above. The magic 7.5L, 10L and 12L numbers come when the car driven on the highway.

For instance, people who live outside the city and come to work or shopping to the inner city areas and then go back home via highway. Then you get 7.5L on highway and 10L or 12L with traffic lights and bit of traffic jam in the city or busy raods, for half a day. And in the evening you go back home via highway or open road with 8L.

For people who live and commute in the city areas 15-18L is normal, the biggest killer is a traffic jam for 3.5L engine, the consumption will just grow bit by bit, day by day. 

Edited May 3, 2017 by krigeroz

[campbeam]

Fair point about fuel consumption and inner city driving. I also try and time traffic lights by accelerating a bit slower to the red light ahead. Roadcraft is never irrelevant. It comes in many different forms; all about driving smart, driving safe and a win is getting to your destination without a damaged car and no nervous tension. Many years ago, I was in peak hour traffic and saw a column of blue tyre smoke from someone braking hard about 10-20 cars ahead. I was immediately onto my brakes slowing down ready for the potential concertina accident ahead. Learnt the hard lesson [with reminders] that while you are looking at what the traffic ahead is doing or expecting to be doing, pay closer attention to what the vehicle directly in front is doing.

[ZZT86]

More information from OP @Vickie would be helpful to the thread . . . .

Everyones fuel economy figures will be different because of their driving style which directly impacts on that. 15-20L/100kms city driving seems rather excessive to me even for an Aurion.

ps: Inner city Melbourne bumper to bumper traffic in peak hour traffic is unbearable, never do it, I will never go into city unless I MUST & will avoid whenever possible, would imagine Adelaide a different story though ;)

Edited May 2, 2017 by ZZT86