Fuel Economy - What do you get out of a tank? (3rd gens only)

[Craig O]

Just bought a 2004 AWD about a month ago, and have started reading this site. The question of fuel econmy is a good one which i put to the test recently.
Having packed the wife and kids, camping gear (on roof racks) and absolutely filling every corner of the car we took off for the north coast of NSW. We averaged 9.5lts over a three hour drive. Next we dropped off the camping gear and racks in Forster on our way to the ACT, we got 8.2lts to Sydney and got down to 7.3lts between Syd and ACT. This was sitting on 110 most of the way with the AC on. All fuel results were the same on the return trip. The car ran faultlesly the whole way and is awesome to drive, much better than my old TF and much better fuel economy too.
One annoying note the fuel light comes on when ive got 18lts of fuel left in the tank and a range of over 130ks to go. A bit of overkill i think.
Great car, great drive

How the flipping hell do you get those figures with an 04 AWD!!!! The best I get with my 04 VRX AWD is 9.4lt/100kms on the open road, and thats with the cruise set at 100kph.

[Disciple]

Using cruise uses more fuel. That could be one explanation.

[ron74]

Only thing i can think of is that the drive from Sydney to canberra is flat, good quality roads and little traffic. I just put the cruise on and steered, very boring but the car just got in a groove and i dont think it changed gear once 2.5hrs.
Also checked it agianst the fuel amount used and it was right on the money, i did notice a big difference in driving north of sydney where i saw mid 8s, alot more hills, crappy roads and heaps of traffic.
I know it seems hard to believe but i double checked everthing.

[Craig O]

Only thing i can think of is that the drive from Sydney to canberra is flat, good quality roads and little traffic. I just put the cruise on and steered, very boring but the car just got in a groove and i dont think it changed gear once 2.5hrs.
Also checked it agianst the fuel amount used and it was right on the money, i did notice a big difference in driving north of sydney where i saw mid 8s, alot more hills, crappy roads and heaps of traffic.
I know it seems hard to believe but i double checked everthing.

I know this is a thread where you just state fuel economy, but is your car stock or any mods!!!!. I am still shocked at those figures as the best I got as stated was 9.4 on a recent trip from Mt Barker here in SA to Melbourne.

[dainese]

Using cruise uses more fuel. That could be one explanation.

eh?

i dont think it does. if anything it uses, well, not less. but as opposed to an unsteady foot, and fluctuating throttle openings.

[Disciple]

eh?

i dont think it does. if anything it uses, well, not less. but as opposed to an unsteady foot, and fluctuating throttle openings.

Using cruise control uses more fuel than not using it. I've had this discussion on here before, not meaning to be rude, but believe it or not. Try for yourself.

[Joukowski]

Using cruise control uses more fuel than not using it. I've had this discussion on here before, not meaning to be rude, but believe it or not. Try for yourself.

yes it uses more fuel on the AWD too, and I"m surprised at how much more - almost 30% as it constantly accelerates then back off, and accelerates again to match the set speed - I think the cruise control could be tuned with better in-build intelligence. I don't use it.

[dainese]

Using cruise control uses more fuel than not using it. I've had this discussion on here before, not meaning to be rude, but believe it or not. Try for yourself.

nah, thats ok.

but why?

[Disciple]

nah, thats ok.

but why?

As stated above...

yes it uses more fuel on the AWD too, and I"m surprised at how much more - almost 30% as it constantly accelerates then back off, and accelerates again to match the set speed

[dainese]

yeah but it shouldnt fluctuate that much. unless you are on a very uneven/hilly road.