'MSE News: Mrs MSE's a gas guzzler!' blog discussion

It may not just be her style, it may also be the type of driving. For example if you used it for a long distance trip involving A roads and motorways that will give a better figure than short hops to the shops involving lots of stopping and starting and the choke being used for much of the trip, no matter how carefully it was driven.

Agree with Reaper about the type of driving.
The other thing I wondered was whether you, Martin, normally drive alone while Mrs MSE normally takes a passenger? The extra weight is significant. Even the weight of our small children makes a difference in MPG in our people carrier. An extra adult in a Smart car is going to make a big difference.

I will say I am a bit of a gas guzzler but I do know its my driving style, but I do maintain my car makes me do it (its small, nippy and noisey). My other half said I was talking rubbish until she borrowed the car and drove it like I do.

I know one thing my better half use to do which annoyed me was not holding revs for certain speeds so the pedal is like on/off/on/off/on/off every few seconds to hold it at 30/40mph, I think we have slowly got her out of that habit.

vikingaero wrote: »

Mrs V annoys me when she makes a phone call in the car. Invariably she leaves the engine idling for her "short" twenty minute call.

At least she pulled over to make the call!

Incidentally, though, what is the time limit of standing still that makes it worth switching off the engine? (Specifically, in my case, in an old diesel?)