Didn't want to start a new thread, but I've just had a new backbox put on my car from like mid section back, would this decrease mpg on my mk4? I'm sure I can smell the car running richer than before and think I'm experiencing less miles to the gallon!

I suggest a carb rebuild and then get it professionally tuned, you'll see better mpg then

i get about 30 odd mpg but i regulary drive over the clee hill with high revs to keep the speed up so thats y mine is so low

Also, being economic with your gear changes. I did a test, driving around on one tank like a complete asshole, keeping revs high and all that and got about 180mi to the tank. I then was economical (keeping revs on 2000) on a tank and i got about 250mi on the tank (just on typical urban driving). On motorway it works dream did Cardiff - Warminster and back and i got 140mi on 1/4 of a tank

maybe a bit off topic but I've recently had a pterol leak fixed and I'm wondering what milage i should average out of a full tank (£30) on a 1L... at the moment I'm getting about 180 ... also what is the best gear ratios to have... changin gear every time it hits 2500 revs or leaving it in 3rd for round town driving at say 2500 revs?

Let me drive it I always get good mpg out of whatever I'm driving

Some decent tips on the website listed above....

TorqueCars Fuel Saving tips:

Allow the car to coast in gear the last 700 yards up to a junction rather than accelerate all the way.

Drive with a maximum 1/3 to 1/2 throttle - if you get the revs right you will not notice much of a loss of power.

Avoid braking and stopping (2 of the biggest fuel wasters) - anticipate the road ahead and roll up to roundabouts. (If you're good you can avoid using your brakes on a typical journey!!!)

If its hot open the window rather than turn on the air conditioning, if it's really hot open another window and turn the blowers on, if your steering wheel starts melting then turn on the air conditioning. (At speeds over 30mph there is an arguement for using the aircondition to counter the drag from an open window!)

Avoid using things that drain the battery - because extra pull occurs on the Alternator requiring more fuel (aircon is very noticable). The big drains are rear window heater, blowers & heaters, headlights.

Inflate your tyres to the correct pressure.

Try to maintain a constant speed - 75 mph uses far more fuel that 65 mph. A distance of 50 miles at 75 mph takes 39.6mins but at 65 it takes 46.2 mins So is 6.6 minutes of your time, the increased risk of being killed, the extra damage to the environment and the extra wear on the engine really worth the extra 25% fuel cost!

Hotter engines are more economical than colder ones - changing the thermostatic control or partially blocking the radiator MAY help on SOME cars. (Run the engine too hot and you will break it - you have been warned.) Use TorqueCars MPG tuning article for some practical tuning tips to improve your cars MPG.

Empty the boot of tools you've use and haven't got round to taking out, the camping equipment from last year, and the box of junk you have kicking around - less weight = more fuel economy so if you went on a diet that would help as well.

Keep the car well serviced - change the plugs, oil, filters and check the bearings and ensure that the brakes are not dragging. Fully disengage the handbrake as well when you drive off!

Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time - turn it off at railway crossings etc...

Take off the roof rack as the drag this creates really does increase your fuel consumption.

Put some injector cleaning like redex in - it really does help keep things at peak efficiency and in my car added 2 mpg!

Fuel magnets did not work for me I wouldn't bother with them!!!

Don't be lazy. Walk to the corner shop - it's only 3 minutes away.

Try driving a 1.3 SPi with a de-cat straight through and air filter, plus I'm addicted to 30mph in second....

^^ add me to that list plus Mpi and a 4branch. I get shite mpg somthing in the low 20 for sure.

I dont go over 2k revs or 50mph

I see 38-40mpg :)

that should be about 85miles from £10

Roll upto roundabouts dont accelrate ALL the way then brake

Just CRUISE mate...we dont have fast cars lets face it

walk!

i can't believe people moan that they only get 35mpg in 1.0 or 1.4's.

i dread to think what there going to be like when they get a fast car.

Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time - turn it off at railway crossings etc...

Put some injector cleaning like redex in - it really does help keep things at peak efficiency and in my car added 2 mpg!

surely you would use more fuel turning your car on and off than idling?

WOW, 2mpg

Edited 20 February, 200818 yr by vw_andy

Economy depends largely on where you're using it. Round town, you'll only get about 35mpg at the most out of anything petrol. Constant 40-50mph and a 1 litre will probably be nosing on the 40's. The problem with a small engine is it has to work harder than a big engine to keep up (my 1.6 escort used to get 40mpg on the motorway, whereas my 2.5 litre camry gets 45mpg in the same situation). Though around town, you're better off sat in traffic idling a small engine than a big engine.

I liked my dad's old 205 diesel. Crap car to drive, but you could get 70mpg out of it, making it better on fuel than most motorbikes