Fuel Economy

[Newbi]

Hi,

I've recently purchased a 2012 2.0 diesel TR & am not sure about the fuel economy. I reset the Ave MPG clock on a recent journey (Mainly motorway & main roads so my approx ave speed wouldve been 55mph). The Journey was approx 170miles but my reading on the clock shows 48.7mpg. Now this is alot less than I'd expected given the MPG quoted & as my previous car - a 2007 2.0 diesel avensis was still showing in the high 50s for a similar journey.

The 1 thing that I'm having to do is change gears at a higher rev or if I dont the steering vibrates & the shift indicator comes on - This means that I'm shifting the gears at a higher speed than I wouldve previously done. I've spoken to my local dealer about this & he thought that gear changing was normal & wouldnt really impact on the fuel economy anyway.

I was wondering if anyone on the forum has had a similar issue or perhaps could give me some advice as to my next steps. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[FROSTYBALLS]

If you're comparing the car's fuel consumption against the official EU figures, you probably won't get near to these, as the EU consumption tests are laboratory based testing regimes - see the following example http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/155252-eu-fuel-consumption-tests/

The Honest John website has a section called Real MPG where owners can post details of the consumption they're getting:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/toyota/avensis-2009/20-d-4d

[A-Harris]

Just to say I have had an 2007 Avensis estate T2 D4D 2 litre for over 9 months and am stunned at the fuel consumption, it has never done less than 55mpg on a tankful. So would have thought a newer model would have been a bit better.

[Druid Boy]

Check your tyre pressures, condition and quality. They will make a huge difference to fuel consumption. Steering alignment also if the front tyres are rough when you run your hand around them one way but not the other.

[Heidfirst]

Just to say I have had an 2007 Avensis estate T2 D4D 2 litre for over 9 months and am stunned at the fuel consumption, it has never done less than 55mpg on a tankful. So would have thought a newer model would have been a bit better.

Newer models have bigger wheels/tyres, more emissions equipment, more safety equipment & I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are heavier too.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the computer is more accurate.

Have you just been looking at the computer's figures or checking brim to brim fuel-ups?

I'm fairly certain that my T27 2.2 Tourer is thirstier than my T25 2.2 Tourer but I've only run it over the Winter so mpg should improve as the weather warms.

[A-Harris]

Just to say I have had an 2007 Avensis estate T2 D4D 2 litre for over 9 months and am stunned at the fuel consumption, it has never done less than 55mpg on a tankful. So would have thought a newer model would have been a bit better.

Newer models have bigger wheels/tyres, more emissions equipment, more safety equipment & I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are heavier too.

I also wouldn't be surprised if the computer is more accurate.

Have you just been looking at the computer's figures or checking brim to brim fuel-ups?

I'm fairly certain that my T27 2.2 Tourer is thirstier than my T25 2.2 Tourer but I've only run it over the Winter so mpg should improve as the weather warms.

As I thought the computer may be wrong, I did a tankful test, and the results I got were slightly different, but not much. The computer said I had averaged 58.9mpg for mixed driving with mainly just me in the car, but my calculations came out at 57.8. which is still stunning in my book. So next I checked the mile-ometer (how do you spell that?) against the AA figures on a set route and it was very accurate. However I am now doing an accumulative test with a 2nd tankful of fuel and will report back in a few weeks when I have used it all up.

[FROSTYBALLS]

One thing to bear in mind is that, when filling up, the fuel consumption and range readings can give false readings unless you put at least 15 litres in.