1997 1.9 diesel: reasonable fuel consumption?

[Menophanes]

I am a new member and have recently bought an early (Jan. 1997) 1905cc diesel saloon (manual) rather cheaply on eBay. First impressions are very agreeable (nearly everything works, and the engine is so quiet that I can hear lute solos on Radio 3 and my tool-box bouncing in the boot!), but I wonder if the fuel consumption could be improved. On trips of between 5 and 12 miles, including half a mile of bottom-gear crawling every day (I live at the wrong end of a cart-track laid down in the 1880s in the middle of nowhere), I get about 34mpg, whereas the five other cars I have owned with the same engine (405 saloon, 405 estate, two 306s and a Citroen ZX) all gave 40mpg or better under exactly the same conditions. Admittedly the 405s and the Citroen were not turbocharged and none of the five had air-conditioning; I realise that both these features carry a penalty, as does the sheer size and weight of the car.

Is this all I can reasonably expect? If so I am happy enough – a large, comfortable, quiet and well-equipped car with the fuel costs of a Morris Minor is no great cross to bear – but naturally I should like to be able to improve the figures if possible.

Oliver Mundy.

[Gary406]

ye 35-40mpg is normal for these... you can probably improve it a little.

full service . fuel filter and air filter *** and make sure tyres are correctly inflated ... i put 34 psi in my wheels on my 1.9td ..

how many miles has the car done ?

[Menophanes]

Thank you for this.

Current mileage is 168,400 or so. The car has been rather neglected. I found the front pads in a lamentable state, and since replacing them earlier this week I have noticed that the car pulls significantly better; I think the nearside front brake had been binding slightly after each application, possibly because the caliper was not sliding quite freely on its guide-pins. I have some hope, therefore, that the fuel usage will already have improved a little, but it is too soon to say.

Oliver Mundy.

[Bigcol]

Hmm, that does seem a little low... i get 46-47mpg from mine around town on veg oil, and thats with 15" Nimrods on it with 34psi in the tyres. As Gary says a good service with oil and filter change should see an improvement. Welcome by the way

[rwb]

The 406 is also heavier than those other cars.

My XUD averaged 46 over its lifetime of one year. This was 300 miles per week consisting of 12 miles of London rush hour and the rest mainly motorway.
By comparrisson, my HDi averages 60.

So I think you can be reasonably hopefull of some improvement.

[gumby6371]

Welcome in mate.

I believe the 'book' says about 35 mpg urban, anything more I would consider a bonus. As has already been said a good service, tyre pressures and limited use of aircon will help.
If I'm pootling through a 30/40 mph area I try and shift up just under 2000rpm so not to creep into the turbo band, as you get to know the engine you'll know how high a gear you can get away with so your not straining it. Neither of my 1.9td's like 5th at 30mph and the GLX with 170,000 on the clock takes exception to 4th unless it's perfectly flat.

A bit early to know what my new car is averaging but the old one would still give me 50 mpg at a steady 60/65 mph.

[Menophanes]

First indications are that the figure for my normal usage has improved to about 37mpg.

I am a very unambitious driver and have always preferred the bottom of the high gears to the top of the low. My present car will hold 28mph in fourth gear up a 1 in 12 hill without juddering. I do find it very difficult to avoid touching about 2400rpm in third when pulling away. My 1994 306 (with the same engine) was certainly livelier – but I don't complain (it had many disadvantages, including an engine sound like an FX4D taxi and a disconnected heater).

Thank you all for your welcome and advice.

Oliver Mundy.