MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Swannie on July 11, 2014, 11:47:38 AM
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O.k I have the flame suit on, I thought I would start measuring the fuel on the 80 etc but TBH I can't be bothered worrying about it. It gets to a 1/4 of a tank and I fill it at a servo I pass.
Why is it that no matter where you look on the web everyone brags about their fuel economy numbers? or am I missing something? I'm not having a go at anyone but just struggling to understand why people are obsessed with it. I really did try and get interested but can't
Swannie
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I have never cared but now that I am paying for my own fuel I do. I'm not precious about it but I like to know how the old girl is doing.
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Hi Swannie. Yes fuel economy is what it is but i measure mine to help me keep check on the vehicle. It helps me to work out my range when traveling, helps to give early warning of any developing faults or problems leaks etc.
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In my case the old plugger was using heaps of juice, so being the tight bum I am and only let some other clown work on my gear if I realy have too ... I needed to see what sort of K's per liter on the black top and sand and K's per tank on average, it was getting after I'd fixed it ..
Other than that I reckon people are just watching how they spend their hard earned cash ..
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sometimes a car can sound right and run right but still be out of tune and chew heaps so it pays to check from time to time
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Fuel economy &petrol 80 series cruisers are mutually exclusive terms. Mine is full when it's full and empty when it's not. Anywhere in between are good times. I checked it once, whilst towing, and it hit 25l/100 k. Scary stuff. Never checked again.
Cheers, Mike.
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The less I spend on diesel = more I spend on accessories... or beer, but mainly beer! :cheers:
And I get great fuel economy swannie!!! ;D
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I agree, there is a ridiculous focus on fuel economy, especially amongst the technically challenged, when considering new vehicles. Fuel is one of the least expensive aspects of owning a vehicle, and differences some people are talking about wouldn't buy you a latte in a big city.
I have alway tracked my fuel consumption, as an indicator of vehicular health, like several above.
That said, I wouldn't mind a vehicle that used less fuel than my V8 100 :'(
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Im kind of like D4D with it i keep a passing eye more to see if the performance of the vehicle has redically changed.
I probably pay a little more attention to it now i only have 76l tank going from 180l and i am more interested in range than economy
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i think it's interesting to get a gauge on how your vehicle compares, as others have said, because their might be an issue that you would otherwise not be aware of...
of course, if you are going to act like an ar$e about it, well then that's a different story...
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It would seem to me that in the new car world manufacturers have created a new measure of exclusivity and snobbery. Often the statement 'my car uses x l/100km' seems to be used in wider conversation as a one upmanship statement to indicate that the speaker can afford the latest technology. Of course in the instance of forums with a technical side such as this it is a case of monitoring vehicle condition.
Just my observation anyway
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LOL....mine doesn't burn more than 14's. I did do the sums when I first brought the rig but don't bother anymore
there should be a couple of other threads
price of fuel........I just pull up at the next servo and never check the price
camper/campsite set up time........it the pack up time that's the killer, set up can take hours or days depending on how long you stay. everybody seems to state how quick but to date I only ever see guys cruise along with set up, do a bit grab a beer, do a bit more, have a kick of the footy etc etc
awning set up time.....I only set my awning up when i'm on the beach for the whole. so what if I take double of the time as the guy next to me, i'm sure that 5 min will be forgotten after i'm kicking back, goin for a swim, paddle etc
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I don't worry too much over day to day driving, but on long trips that extra klm/lt can add up quite a bit :'( I've found if I sit at or about 90 kph I get about an extra 1.5/2 klm/lt more than if I sit on 100 kph. Not a lot, but if you're on a trip around the country that would add up to a tidy amount ;D Maybe even a bottle of scotch or 3 >:D
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The less I spend on diesel = more I spend on accessories... or beer, but mainly beer! :cheers:
And I get great fuel economy swannie!!! ;D
This^^
Except the more I mod the patrol the worse the fuel economy gets but I can deal with that. that is why we have a corolla that runs on the smell of an oily rag.
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In my case , more power means more fuel. I am happy with what the Old Girl gives me in fuel burn and the only time that I worry about economy is when the tank is showing MT and I still have 10 km to the next servo.
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a major factor in me selling my 96 pathfinder was due to its fuel consumption. 350km / 70ltr tank. I could just not afford to do lengthy road trip with consumption like that (say 4000k's as I did last sept school hols) . For my situation, fuel consumption will always be a consideration with a vehicle purchase. Not the over-riding factor, but a consideration
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For me, I like numbers and calculating things.
In my profesional life I have always been measured against KPI's and this tends to rub off on the personal life, so I tend to track useless things.
I am also happy to admit I have a bit of a competative streak, so I like track things to see how I compare "with the rest of the world"..........and then I like to beat my personal bests. Not just in fuel economy, but other things like how long it takes to mow the lawn, how long it takes to setup and pull down the camper, even to the extent of how long it takes to empty the dish washer.........do I have ocd (is that capitals or little letters) OCD? lol
Ultimately it does not matter in the big scheme of things, but I do like to keep track of it.
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The Subaru Forester has one of them new fangled fuel computer gizmos sitting on the shelf under the front window, near the round steering thing, just above the gear making lever. It shows how much diesel the donk drinks whilst running. Its interesting viewing, but not what one would call life threatening information.
For those who'd like to know, she consumes under 5lt to the 100km's on the highway, averaging in the vicinity of 5.6 under standard city driving conditions. With the Swift in tow, a miserly sub 9 along the black stuff and a tad more over unsealed terrain, but you'd have to try really really hard to get it over 12. I think its actually a camel.
I'm not that concerned about fuel consumption (for obvious reasons), mind you if I had a fuel guzzler I'd probably be more conscientious.
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I don't measure mine round town as it's scary.
Long distance I like to know when I'll need to get the missus to push so I take more interest and keep better track.
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I know what you mean Swannie. I don't check my economy very often but I do always reset the trip meter when I fuel up. As others have said, it shows if something ain't quite right.
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I think fuel economy is extremely important, and pay careful attention to it, like I do with everything that costs money.
When the average person spends in between $2500 - $6000 a year in fuel, I think its something worth looking into. No need to get obsessed, and after all most of us drive big bricks, but it does pay to consider it (literally!)
Aaron
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Ive owned 5 patrols, a few hiluxes, 4 subarus and others, all used for work doing similar job. They all use about the same fuel. Staring to think Im the problem.
I know I could save fuel by slowing down to 90kmh, one day Ill try it.
Resale and depreciation are the biggest costs and the one most ignore or kid themselves about.
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I don't worry too much over day to day driving, but on long trips that extra klm/lt can add up quite a bit :'( I've found if I sit at or about 90 kph I get about an extra 1.5/2 klm/lt more than if I sit on 100 kph. Not a lot, but if you're on a trip around the country that would add up to a tidy amount ;D Maybe even a bottle of scotch or 3 >:D
And if you combine the 90kph with doing your lap of aus anti clockwise then you will save even more ;D ;D
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I am mechanically challenged but realise that if my fuel economy starts to dive it is time to book in for a service (serviced regulaly in any case) or at least mention it the the mechanic at the next service.
SWMBO doesn't care and NEVER remembers to keep receipts/odo from fills so no point in trying to do it on the Cruiser. I do it on the Laser. Also a personal challenge to see how low I can get the economy on my trip to work (need somethig to amuse me).
Bunyip
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My 2c
For a typical user of a late model vehicle, fuel cost is a small fraction of total annual car costs. The difference between 1 car and another is an even smaller fraction.
eg.
Doing 15000km/yr at 12L/100km
Fuel cost ($1.60/L) = $2880
$40k car
Other costs:
Depreciation $5k/yr (could be more, could be less)
Lost interest $1000/yr (ie. you should have that money in the mortgage, not in a vehicle ... of course this is a bit of a difficult one as most families do really *need* a car of some sort - but the *extra* car for camping etc, well you really need to include the $1000 here)
Insurance and Rego $1500/yr
Servicing and other typical maintanence (eg. new tyres) $1000/yr (could be more or less than this)
So total "other" costs of over $8000 per year, fuel is therefore about 25% of the total car costs.
Having said that, in the modern "green" world the amount of carbon you use seems to be a big deal for many people so reducing that is as big a factor in fuel economy as reducing cost is.
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It would seem to me that in the new car world manufacturers have created a new measure of exclusivity and snobbery. Often the statement 'my car uses x l/100km' seems to be used in wider conversation as a one upmanship statement to indicate that the speaker can afford the latest technology. Of course in the instance of forums with a technical side such as this it is a case of monitoring vehicle condition.
Just my observation anyway
So if mine uses more litres per hundred than most of my mates, does that make me a snob? ;) ........ Cool, I always did think I was better than most of them :) :D
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O.k I have the flame suit on, I thought I would start measuring the fuel on the 80 etc but TBH I can't be bothered worrying about it. It gets to a 1/4 of a tank and I fill it at a servo I pass.
Why is it that no matter where you look on the web everyone brags about their fuel economy numbers? or am I missing something? I'm not having a go at anyone but just struggling to understand why people are obsessed with it. I really did try and get interested but can't
Swannie
Dunno. Probably why so many buy turbo diesels then spend a bloody fortune trying to keep up with the traffic (me included).
You could combine the question with why do so many buy diesels...........
I keep track of mine as I play around with the steinbauer chip trying to keep up with the traffic :D
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Im with you swannie,i reset the trip gauge a few times when i filled up the 100 series when i first bought it,but by the time the fuel ran out i had forgotten to do the economy so ive never checked it,just fill it up when its empty.
scott
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I'm not sure how some people come up with their fuel usage figures.
I'm sure some people are full off $h!t, when it comes to fuel economy or they must drive around towing their camper/caravan at 80 kph. ???
:cheers:
Glenn
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I hate fuel ....
So I am burning as much if it as I can . ;D ;D
V8 all the way .. I need power and until I can get a 200t/d the v8 petrol is way in front of any other car for power vs cost .
When people say " nice truck how much fuel does it use"
I just say "not much "
They say "oh I know a bloke who said 20l/100"
Then I just say "lots more than yours hey " and then strap myself in for 20mins of them telling me how great Their 4cyl is.
I don't worry about fuel I just use it.
Jet :cheers:
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After reading this thread I thought I'd run down to the servo and do a top up as I reset the trip meter after each fill.
From full, driving around town on 31's AT's, front and rear bars, winch, not towing, some 80km/h zones, embarrassed a young bloke at the lights where we had to merge into one lane after the intersection, I travelled 101km and used 23.7 litres of 98ron BP Ultimate.
Driving around in a powerful, luxurious, super smooth V8 you seem to forget about how much fuel it uses. :D
My standard responses to someone who asks "What's it like on fuel" is "It loves it" or "It'll drink you under the table". ;D
:cheers:
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lf you cant afford it , get SWOMBO to push it while you steer & turn up the CD so you wont have to listen to her whinge .
Well it might work ;D :cheers:
lts got to run out eventually in the mean time . Black Smoke is Power You Can See :cup: :cheers:
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I've only worried about it twice & that was to calc how far I can get on a full tank with each 4x4 in outback touring i.e. Gunbarrel H/way type conditions. If you want the vehicle you've got then what's the issue ???
Steve
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l have found when fuelling up out there take your hat off & place it over the $ on the pump , Then place it over the Visa statement when it arrives . The more you pay the longer you can brag at the camp fire , or stay home .
We dream of the trip & so we must enjoy all of it . The Good , The Bad & The Ugly & :cheers:
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It gets to a 1/4 of a tank and I fill it at a servo I pass.
x2
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Any pig is a good pig :)
Mull pig
Line pig
Fuel pig
Grog pig
Sex pig
If it can be consumed at a fast rate with large volumes, put me down for it!
Above admission excludes fat pigs :) :D
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Any pig is a good pig :)
Mull pig
Line pig
Fuel pig
Grog pig
Sex pig
If it can be consumed at a fast rate with large volumes, put me down for it!
Above admission excludes fat pigs :) :D
You forgot oz pig
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My bike doesn't have a gauge :) If I didn't know how far my bike goes on a tank I could find myself in the middle of nowhere without fuel.
The car on the other hand loves a drink.
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I have been so tempted to ask this question of late
I have never worked out the economy on any vehicle I have ever owned, and that's quite a few
Even as a broke youngun I just didn't care, it it needed it, I put more in. Simple as really
I guess it comes from having mostly V8's
Always worked on the theory that the more power you were making the more fuel you were using so the more fuel you used the better
I still remember the days as a young bloke we used to brag about how little km we got out of a tank haha
Oh, and just ordered a new V8 and am eagerly awaiting delivery!!!
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OK, maybe I am anally retentive obsessive compulsive tight with money ... take your pick.
I have had a couple of cars with dodgy fuel gauges and it made sense to keep a note of when fuel was bought.
Now I have an app on the ipad and log the details every time I fill up. it's just for me, not for bragging competitions around the campfire.
But it is nice to know how many jerrycans I needed for a recent trip when it was 1150km between servos.
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Driving a V8TTD Cruza I find it doesn't pay to obsess about fuel consumption.
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I hate fuel ....
So I am burning as much if it as I can . ;D ;D
V8 all the way .. I need power and until I can get a 200t/d the v8 petrol is way in front of any other car for power vs cost .
When people say " nice truck how much fuel does it use"
I just say "not much "
They say "oh I know a bloke who said 20l/100"
Then I just say "lots more than yours hey " and then strap myself in for 20mins of them telling me how great Their 4cyl is.
I don't worry about fuel I just use it.
Jet :cheers:
I hate fuel ....
So I am burning as much if it as I can . ;D ;D
That's Gold, I' also trying to rid the world of fossil fuel.
Thing is it just doesn't matter when it comes to getting away.
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Hey Swannie,
Have you checked this thread yet? Fuel economy (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38358.0)
I keep records cause I always have, many moons ago when we owned a two cab taxi business we would document every thing, it has carried on from there. Recording repairs, maintenance anything spent on the vehicle.
As other have mentioned, it is also an indication of how the vehicle is running, Dirty fuel filter, air cleaner will give a higher fuel usage, as well tyre pressures.
If anyone is interested there is an online website were you can keep track of you fuel usage.
Fuelly (http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/land_cruiser/1991/Hairs/50117)
Unfortunately we need it.
Wish it was still 50c/lt, like when I first got my cruiser in 2004 :'(
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Hey Swannie,
Have you checked this thread yet? Fuel economy (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38358.0)
I keep records cause I always have, many moons ago when we owned a two cab taxi business we would document every thing, it has carried on from there. Recording repairs, maintenance anything spent on the vehicle.
As other have mentioned, it is also an indication of how the vehicle is running, Dirty fuel filter, air cleaner will give a higher fuel usage, as well tyre pressures.
If anyone is interested there is an online website were you can keep track of you fuel usage.
Fuelly (http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/land_cruiser/1991/Hairs/50117)
Unfortunately we need it.
Wish it was still 50c/lt, like when I first got my cruiser in 2004 :'(
Hey hairs, yep read that one. It was a great read ;D
Swannie
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There is some fair reasons around keeping an eye on how the vehicle is running etc which TBH never really thought
Swannie
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Range. Sometimes the next servo isn't just around the corner......
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C'mon guy lets face it. If you could spend $100 to fill up instead of $200 to fill up and go the same distance in he same terrain then I know what I would rather pay.
I have better things to spend my hard earned on rather than burning it filling up all the time.
A lot of the comment on this thread are from the petrol V8 guys who's vehicles drink more than a fish. Maybe trying to justify their choice of vehicle?
Good on em, I'd love to drive around in a V8 but I personally arent prepared to sacrifice the money for a bit more power when a 4cyl turbo diesel will still get me there. And unless your on a racetrack in roughly the same time too
My patrol isn't the most fuel efficient 4x4 around but I don't really care because its reasonable (10 -14lph depending on what and where I'm going) and its got large fuel tanks and will go 1000ks without having to fillup. And I like driving around in that style and type (truck) of vehicle.
I had a V6 petrol 4wd ute and it used 20l/100k's on a good run, not driving to conserve fuel down the highway at 100kph. Range was 300 - 350 klms to the tank. What pissed me off most about that was the amount of times I had to stop and fill the thing up.
So in that aspect fuel economy in my next 4wd was a factor.
My best (worst) figures in the V6 was driving Darwin to Perth fully loaded up with 2 motorbikes and heaps of other stuff and hooking in because i was in a rush - 30lph - 200klm range stopped at. Every petrol station. I was filling up 3 times to the corollas 1 fill.
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Range. Sometimes the next servo isn't just around the corner......
Not a lot of corners between here & Darwin or Perth :cheers:
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C'mon guy lets face it. If you could spend $100 to fill up instead of $200 to fill up and go the same distance in he same terrain then I know what I would rather pay.
I have better things to spend my hard earned on rather than burning it filling up all the time.
A lot of the comment on this thread are from the petrol V8 guys who's vehicles drink more than a fish. Maybe trying to justify their choice of vehicle?
the reality is you're not likely going to halve your fuel usage on any vehicle you own unless you go from driving at 140kph to 85 kph (ok in extreme cases you could if it was running really really badly), so like many of the posters already i don't care what my fourby uses...it uses what it uses. would i be happy if it used less then what it does, yeah for sure, but i honestly don't work out my ltrs /100 klms usuage and don't really care what it is to tell the truth. i went away on a trip with a mate up North who at every fuel stop would work out what his economy was he was getting, and then he'd even work out what i was getting....i honestly didn't care what it was, i was on holidays and had enough money in my bank account to pay for our trip away, that's all i cared about 8)
By the way, i have a 4.2 diesel Landcruiser and not a V8 ;D ;D
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I've only worried about it twice & that was to calc how far I can get on a full tank with each 4x4 in outback touring i.e. Gunbarrel H/way type conditions. If you want the vehicle you've got then what's the issue ???
Steve
1 x 4 cyl & 1 x 6 cyl Diesels, by the way!
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The less I spend on diesel = more I spend on accessories... or beer, but mainly beer! :cheers:
And I get great fuel economy swannie!!! ;D
Ha Knoath. I get 1 carton a day economy.... ooops sorry wrong vehicle. LMAO
Dave
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The recent Cape trip I think I used around 23ltrs per 100klm towing a fully laden camper. Its only a 6 cyclinder.
As mentioned knowing the distance you can travel is the main objective.
But for the cost of the fuel, $2.40 per litre for petrol in Siesia, knowing what fuel stops are along the way and fuelling up where it is cheaper helps.
For the amount spent on the trip for fuel, it pals into significant, compared to the adventure and fun I had on the trip. Memories are priceless.
Mark
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Had an old guy checking out my 200 at a carpark, he asked me (of course) whats the consumption like and i said about 13l per 100 around town and sometimes dips into the 10's on the highway, his response was "not much better than my v6 pajero!" Classic case of looking at only one factor......i was going to point out the other things eg power, comfort, NVH etc but clearly if he had test driven one he would of bought one ( budget allowing of course!)
Not knocking the pajero either for those who own one
Cheers
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C'mon guy lets face it. If you could spend $100 to fill up instead of $200 to fill up and go the same distance in he same terrain then I know what I would rather pay.
I have better things to spend my hard earned on rather than burning it filling up all the time.
A lot of the comment on this thread are from the petrol V8 guys who's vehicles drink more than a fish. Maybe trying to justify their choice of vehicle?
Good on em, I'd love to drive around in a V8 but I personally arent prepared to sacrifice the money for a bit more power when a 4cyl turbo diesel will still get me there. And unless your on a racetrack in roughly the same time too
My patrol isn't the most fuel efficient 4x4 around but I don't really care because its reasonable (10 -14lph depending on what and where I'm going) and its got large fuel tanks and will go 1000ks without having to fillup. And I like driving around in that style and type (truck) of vehicle.
I had a V6 petrol 4wd ute and it used 20l/100k's on a good run, not driving to conserve fuel down the highway at 100kph. Range was 300 - 350 klms to the tank. What pissed me off most about that was the amount of times I had to stop and fill the thing up.
So in that aspect fuel economy in my next 4wd was a factor.
My best (worst) figures in the V6 was driving Darwin to Perth fully loaded up with 2 motorbikes and heaps of other stuff and hooking in because i was in a rush - 30lph - 200klm range stopped at. Every petrol station. I was filling up 3 times to the corollas 1 fill.
Maybe you should have put all the gear and the motorbikes in the corollas... :-*
Jet
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Maybe you should have put all the gear and the motorbikes in the corollas... :-*
Jet
Now that would be a sight to see driving down the highway!
There are just too many variables in this debate.
Totally different types of vehicle, one is designed for something the other something else. But who is to say which is better than the other.
What one does the other can not and vice versa.
But like for like, I'd prefer an economical vehicle over a guzzler if they can both do the same thing. Moneys better in my pocket.
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But like for like, I'd prefer an economical vehicle over a guzzler if they can both do the same thing. Moneys better in my pocket.
That's what all 3 litre Nissan Patrol owners say.
Poor buggas ;D
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That's what all 3 litre Nissan Patrol owners say.
Poor buggas ;D
We are talking about fuel economy mate, not the price of exploded engine rebuilds ;D
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Poor buggas ;D
That's what a Patrol owner says when they are recovering all other 4x4s :)
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That's what a Patrol owner says when they are recovering all other 4x4s :)
:cheers:
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Now that would be a sight to see driving down the highway!
There are just too many variables in this debate.
Totally different types of vehicle, one is designed for something the other something else. But who is to say which is better than the other.
What one does the other can not and vice versa.
But like for like, I'd prefer an economical vehicle over a guzzler if they can both do the same thing. Moneys better in my pocket.
you just saw the light mate .. so long as you have the vehicle to suit YOUR purpose you will never worry about the fuel economy.
In your case you did not need the bigger power so down graded and the bonus was less fuel ;D
In my case if i did that I would have a completely useless set-up all for trying to save a few $$$ I would compromise my intire set-up.
Using my V8 for a school run car is just as silly IMO as people trying to tow 3T and another 1T of gear with a small 4cyl
The old adage "horses for courses' rings true in this debate. ;D ;D ;D
Jet :D
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I think this thread should be reported to the mods, >:D fuel economy is a dirty word is it not. ;D
But fuel economy is easy to fix, just add another tank, :cup: problem solved, :cheers: that is what I did.
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I think the argument that fuel economy is irrelevant when you compare it to the total car ownership cost is flawed; money is money, whichever way you want to look at it. Just because your vehicle is costing a fortune in insurance, depreciation, maintenance, rego etc doesn't mean you can't save by keeping a bit of an eye on your economy
Aaron
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(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/14/esyzupe4.jpg)
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I think the argument that fuel economy is irrelevant when you compare it to the total car ownership cost is flawed; money is money, whichever way you want to look at it. Just because your vehicle is costing a fortune in insurance, depreciation, maintenance, rego etc doesn't mean you can't save by keeping a bit of an eye on your economy
Aaron
Just put $100 of fuel in each time then l/100ks means zilch ;D. By the way, why did we go from Miles per Gallon to Litres per 100 kilometres when we went metric? Much easier to work out at kilometres per litre, surely ???
Steve
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Using my V8 for a school run car is just as silly IMO as people trying to tow 3T and another 1T of gear with a small 4cyl
These days with modern technology a small 4cylinder turbo diesel vehicle is capable of pulling 3+ tonnes of weight and quite often do it better and more efficiently than a V8.
There are many trucks which are 4cylinders that have a GCM of over 11000kgs.