Fuel Consumption -petrol Or Diesel

[nikkih]

Hi

Im looking onto buying a RAV 4, can anyone tell me realistically how many miles you get to the gallon for petrol and diesel?

Thanks

Nikki

[NMaria]

Hello Nikki

Depends on whether you buy the latest or the previous model; the engines and cars are not the same.

I have the 4.3 (i.e. latest model) diesel (2.2 D4D) and on longer runs it returns up to 45mpg. General pottering about town, bit of shopping, etc. - somewhere around 40. All calculated from mileage and refuelling figures as the figure displayed on the dashboard by the onboard computer lies through its teeth.

Used to have the 4.2 model petrol (2.0 VVTi) which returned about 34mpg on average but if I took it really really gently it could rise to 40mpg.

They are all great cars and I hope you find one that suits you!

[chatman]

This is one of those questions rather like the Chicken or the Egg....

We need to know if you intend to do lots of miles...Me I do about 25k a year so i got a diesel others are doing 8k a year so have a petrol...

As the diesel do have a premium price over the petrol...Now if you intend to tow a caravan or other large trailers then a diesel is your best bet... current fluctuations in the petrol/Diesel prices seems to make a difference as well...

[Manxrav]

They reckon if you don,t do over 15000 miles per annum your,e better off with petrol as opposed to the higher priced diesel. Me personally I always go for diesel purelly for the better torque.

Clare

[john1944]

They reckon if you don,t do over 15000 miles per annum your,e better off with petrol as opposed to the higher priced diesel. Me personally I always go for diesel purelly for the better torque.

Clare

The difference between computer read outs and actual consumption is probably only marginal; the main difference is probably more geared to your mode of driving. Having previously worked in a fuel station, and questioned many Rav owners on their consumption figures, I have derived the fact that on the 4-2 and 4-3 there is no comparison between petrol and diesel. The petrol models are undoubtedly thirsty, returning figures around 30 m.p.g., whereas the diesels are very economical, returning around 50 m.p.g. Having personally owned a 4-2 diesel and my present wonderful 4-3; I would never contemplate going for a petrol (where are you Bothwell Buyer); but you also have to consider other factors, diesels are dearer to buy, cost more to service, and petrol is currently about 10 p. a litre cheaper.

[NMaria]

The difference between computer read outs and actual consumption is probably only marginal; the main difference is probably more geared to your mode of driving.

Errr, actually, the difference is around 8mpg - not so marginal. Or, even whackier, when it has just been serviced the difference is just a few mpg, but as the next 10,000 miles pass, the anomaly gradually increases to 8 or 9mpg. No, I am not making it up or figuring it out from vague notions as to how many miles I do before the fuel light comes on; I note the miles per tank on the trip meter and do the straightforward calculation - mileage/litres*4.54. Now someone will probably tell me to go back to school...

I agree that mode of driving makes an enormous difference! But that subject has been discussed ad tedium in this forum.

[bothwell_buyer]

for whats its worth I am happy I get 22mpg

[john1944]

for whats its worth I am happy I get 22mpg

Do you know how to switch your engine off Mr. Bothwell Buyer !!!

[Davrav]

Hi

Im looking onto buying a RAV 4, can anyone tell me realistically how many miles you get to the gallon for petrol and diesel?

Thanks

Nikki

Hi Nikki,

I have been recording fuel consumption on my 4.3 XTR 2.2 D4D since new in July. [Never had a diesel before and curious]

Just completed 6333 miles and have calculated by same method as NMaria - returning 41.8 over first 6 months [very slightly below published combined cycle figures]

I have mainly been using the car for 15 mile commute to/from work on country roads, interspersed with a few short [less than 100 miles] motorway trips The OBC has consistently proved to be about 10% on the generous side. The one thing I have noticed that has had the most detrimental effect on consumption has been the recent very cold snap.

As others have said, there are many factors that affect fuel consumption and you have to consider what you want the vehicle for, the way you drive and your annual mileage against what you are prepared to pay for the vehicle in the first place.

Hope that helps somehow

[James..]

The difference between computer read outs and actual consumption is probably only marginal; the main difference is probably more geared to your mode of driving.

Errr, actually, the difference is around 8mpg - not so marginal. Or, even whackier, when it has just been serviced the difference is just a few mpg, but as the next 10,000 miles pass, the anomaly gradually increases to 8 or 9mpg. No, I am not making it up or figuring it out from vague notions as to how many miles I do before the fuel light comes on; I note the miles per tank on the trip meter and do the straightforward calculation - mileage/litres*4.54. Now someone will probably tell me to go back to school...

I agree that mode of driving makes an enormous difference! But that subject has been discussed ad tedium in this forum.

I noticed that the MPG figure was out as well BUT you need to reset the MPG before you fill up the tank every time, otherwise it will average all your driving since the service. Do you do this? I did the reset at the last refill and am waiting to see how this compares with the mpg gauge. Currently at 44mpg and dropping on my XT4 4.3 D4D. (My car is probably worse than an XTR as the wheel adds mpg and I have a family to cart around!), I have seen 31mpg on the gauge from demo diesel RAVs at a Toyota garage I visited, so it can be considerably worse ....

[john1944]

The difference between computer read outs and actual consumption is probably only marginal; the main difference is probably more geared to your mode of driving.

Errr, actually, the difference is around 8mpg - not so marginal. Or, even whackier, when it has just been serviced the difference is just a few mpg, but as the next 10,000 miles pass, the anomaly gradually increases to 8 or 9mpg. No, I am not making it up or figuring it out from vague notions as to how many miles I do before the fuel light comes on; I note the miles per tank on the trip meter and do the straightforward calculation - mileage/litres*4.54. Now someone will probably tell me to go back to school...

I agree that mode of driving makes an enormous difference! But that subject has been discussed ad tedium in this forum.

I noticed that the MPG figure was out as well BUT you need to reset the MPG before you fill up the tank every time, otherwise it will average all your driving since the service. Do you do this? I did the reset at the last refill and am waiting to see how this compares with the mpg gauge. Currently at 44mpg and dropping on my XT4 4.3 D4D. (My car is probably worse than an XTR as the wheel adds mpg and I have a family to cart around!), I have seen 31mpg on the gauge from demo diesel RAVs at a Toyota garage I visited, so it can be considerably worse ....

It is quite right that cold weather seems to effect consumption. And as commented, resetting the meter at each refill is a good idea.

[North Pole]

Ive had a Rav 4.2 diesel for 3 years recently bought a 4.3. (kicking myself for not waiting longer as the prices have plumeted further) Although I've had the new Rav for a short period I've noticed an improvement in performance and fuel consumption - too early to quantify.

Maybe its due to the clean air in the north of Scotland !!!!!!!! and the high percentage of peat in the fuel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bothwell_buyer]

Ive had a Rav 4.2 diesel for 3 years recently bought a 4.3. (kicking myself for not waiting longer as the prices have plumeted further) Although I've had the new Rav for a short period I've noticed an improvement in performance and fuel consumption - too early to quantify.

Maybe its due to the clean air in the north of Scotland !!!!!!!! and the high percentage of peat in the fuel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haha

The laughroig (wrong spelling but as I've just drunk a few then what the hall) is not best used in the petrol tank

You will however get the benefit of the clean air/ higher oxygen, and more probably the temp of the incoming air.

[bothwell_buyer]

for whats its worth I am happy I get 22mpg

Do you know how to switch your engine off Mr. Bothwell Buyer !!!

Aye

I have a switch - on the 4.1 petrol, it has an off position and an on position. When I switch it to on, it goes on. When I switch it to off, it goes off.

Unlike my diesel motor which switches on then won't switch off til the diesel supply is choked shut. Is yours the same ? :P

[Fujisan]

for whats its worth I am happy I get 22mpg

With that engine and driven the way it should be driven, I'd also be happy with that

[Nightstalker]

Lo there... :D

I dont think that the extra cost (1 for the Rav and 2 the actuall price of diesel) justifys getting a diesel unless you do loads of miles...

I also dont go by the MPG figures I rather go by how far I can get on a tank of fuel and with my petrol on a trip up the Motorway to Glasgow I tend to get approx 300 miles out of my tank before I get weary of the Rav running on fumes...

However for bumming around town and going to and fro from work (14mile round trip) I tend to get about 260miles out me tank...

Hope that helps...

Eitherway the Rav is a fab car and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who thinks this but I believe you would not be dissapointed if you were to get one...

If you ever need mechanical/technical help we have our resident Guru Anchorman, if you need any parts and pretty good prices there's Kingo, also we have our resident banter man bothers who I am sure you will have come accross already on this forum... Dont worry about him, we all think he has been filling his 3door rav with too much rocket fuel and the fumes are gradually having an affect on him.... - He's a good egg really! ;)

You will notice that not much gets taken seriously on this forum and that's what makes this place FAB :)

Regards

Rob

B)

[bothwell_buyer]

Lo there... :D

I dont think that the extra cost (1 for the Rav and 2 the actuall price of diesel) justifys getting a diesel unless you do loads of miles...

I also dont go by the MPG figures I rather go by how far I can get on a tank of fuel and with my petrol on a trip up the Motorway to Glasgow I tend to get approx 300 miles out of my tank before I get weary of the Rav running on fumes...

However for bumming around town and going to and fro from work (14mile round trip) I tend to get about 260miles out me tank...

Hope that helps...

Eitherway the Rav is a fab car and I'm sure that I'm not the only one who thinks this but I believe you would not be dissapointed if you were to get one...

If you ever need mechanical/technical help we have our resident Guru Anchorman, if you need any parts and pretty good prices there's Kingo, also we have our resident banter man bothers who I am sure you will have come accross already on this forum... Dont worry about him, we all think he has been filling his 3door rav with too much rocket fuel and the fumes are gradually having an affect on him.... - He's a good egg really! ;)

You will notice that not much gets taken seriously on this forum and that's what makes this place FAB :)

Regards

Rob

B)

gawd bless ye!!

Whits yer address so ah can send the fiver ????

[shutty]

All the Ravs I have run

4.1 Rav 28mpg normal runs but can fall to 22 ish round town,

4.2Rav Petrol - 30Mpg on normal runs can fall to 27

4.2Rav Diesel about 39-40mpg

By the time you add the fact petrol is 10% cheaper to buy the petrol version it equates to about 33mpg v diesel and In my view doesnt make the diesel worth buying due to my mileage and the reliability issues of a Diesel.

Of course I would say that as my Petrol is for sale !