Hi all

I'm wanting to check whether everyone experiences the same on short trips?

I'm seeing 24-36 L/100KM (9 mpg - 6.9mpg).

I suspect it's the algorithm of the car calculating that I'm not moving fast?

Not sure if I'm supposed to get something checked or if this is normal.

Trip conditions:
1. V6 S
2. Cold start but warmed to below 1K RPM
3. Feather foot drive (40km/h less)
4. 8 Traffic lights in total (frequent idles)
5. 10 minute drive
6. Three steep up hills (parking in apartment complex)

Any experience or guidance would be helpful.

Thanks

 

I do a lot of very short trips as well, most often around 1 mile to the shops then back again, about 2 minutes each way and max speed of say 35 mph.
Of course I get crappy fuel economy that way but nowhere near as bad as your 24-36 litres/100km, I guess closer to 16-20 litres/100km, but then again no traffic lights and very little idling.
So based on my experience your fuel economy seems a lot worse than it should be and something is "not right".
My prime suspect is carboned up combustion chambers and injectors so maybe some fuel system cleaner (BG 44K, Redline, Chevron etc) might help, or you could also try a good ol' Italian tune-up - give it a decent run of at least 40 miles with plenty of WOT action!

 

The Italians in my family do a tune-up a little differently.
"That guy wasn't listening. I had to tune-him-up a little.."

 

What matters is NOT what the computer on the dash calculates but what the pencil to the receipt is actually showing...

Short drives don't really allow a vehicle to warm up and run efficiently. This was a bigger issue back in the day of carbs, but still holds somewhat true even with EFI and computer controlled management systems...

That said, short drives wreak havoc on other elements of the system. A short drive is bad enough, but then when you add a traffic light every few seconds AND hills, mileage is gonna suck like a Dyson.

 

I forgot to mention the car has been babied all its life. 32377km on the clock 2016 model.

It doesn't appear to be having any issues, had it checked at the mechanic before inspection and the previous owner was a meticulous Jaguar owner, has a very well kept E Type and XKR.

 

This is helpful! I thought this was the case... the fuel gauge doesn't appear to be moving as much... and the computer takes a while for it to calculate. I'll keep any eye on it and wait to hear what others say to.

 

I believe given your experience of getting 16-20/100km actually brings comfort to me haha. Cause yeah, my car is parked on the highest carport level and the 3 inclines is at least 70 degrees?

Further, the traffic light stops are a solid 2 mins each haha (on bad days they're all red! Which was particularly when I got that 34L/100km).

When the short trip is smoother, I get better mileage, but I'll keep an eye on it. I do believe given this car has been garaged most of it's life, it's 32377km young, it does need the wild drive down the highway.

 

so it sounds as though your 10 minute drive is only getting you 2 or 3km. Using mine (similar age, 45,000km) mainly to drive to work and back, I am doing about 10km trips which take about 10 - 15 minutes, driven without regard to economy but unlikely to go over 3500 rpm except when the mood strikes. I am getting about 11l/100km. I could definitely see the car using 2 - 3 times as much juice if the trips were the same time duration, but only a quarter of the distance. You might have to measure your fuel use by hours, like they do with boats.

 

Yeah, I usually get 11-14L/100km when I drive normally through the city. But it's just these morning trips when I drop off my partner who works 2 mins drive away.
Side note, would love to see photos of your F-type. I am thinking of a set of 21 inch vorsteiners but was wondering what the look / driving feel would be like.

 

Here you go. The ride is better on these than it was on the 19s with pzeros, but the Michelin psses help. The handling improvement is incredible, the direction changes are lightning fast. I wasnt expecting the ride or handling to improve, I really only put them on for looks.


not sure whether vorsteiner still make these but I have nothing but good things to say, and easy to clean. They are in graphite grey

 

If the fuel economy is going to be low due to conditions, might as well make it fun by running it hard....