high mileage?

samantha__2

My job involves using my own car and I do about 800-1000 miles per week. I was in my job 3 month before my last car packed up cos I just drive, put fuel in an hope for the best. I've had my current car 6 months, it's busy getting a full service today and timing belt getting done next month. Any tips to save fuel, keeping the bits ticking over and any other tips just generally to save my car from dying lol.

Thanks

oh I have a focus(54) 1.8 diesel on 97k

kolin_2

I have a 1.8 Focus TDDi (03) at 140K miles, how much are you spending on petrol a month?

for example i've found that last weekend, 51 Litres of diesel allowed me 600 miles of driving through the wind-y roads of wales.

are you mostly motorway driving? or small road/town driving?

kolin_2

also if it helps I've found that the best speeds/gears to drive in are
3rd - 20-30
4th - 30-37
5th - 37+

and on the motorway, just drive at 56-63mph. the turbo seems to kick in more in 5th gear at 2200rpm (65mph+) so if you're driving faster than this, then the turbo is being used more, and thus using more fuel.

it also reduces stress when driving

samantha__2

I do a mixture, I'm in rural parts of northumberland then for some I'm up and down the A1. I've put £80 in since friday, I've done about 700-800 miles. I did 600 miles on a full tank when I went on holiday which I thinks pretty good for the size of the car

samantha__2

in a month I probably spend £325-£350

Joseph_Bloggs_2

Regular oil and filter changes will help.

kolin_2

for a focus diesel, get it serviced every 9000 miles, or 8months based on the fact that you're doing so much mileage.
The tddi engine is supposed to be a really good and long lasting engine, i cant speak for the TDCI engine though (which yours may be...)

daveyjp

Ensure you open the bonnet every week to check fluid levels - oil, water, brakes, power steering - dropping levels are often the first sign of a problem.

Then check tyre pressures and condition. Blow outs at 70+ mph aren't nice.

Regular oil and filter changes. My sister has a Fiesta 1.4TDCi on 150,000, no problems whatsoever.

benham3160

daveyjp wrote: »

. My sister has a Fiesta 1.4TDCi on 150,000, no problems whatsoever.

That's novel, normally people are sick to death of these at about 75,000 lol

I agree though, check the levels, but the golden rule with any car.

Keep the oil clean....

This engine could return 300,000 without any major engine faults, as long as you keep the oil clean.

Regards,
Andy

skiddlydiddly

Drive in the highest gear possible without labouring the engine or having to use more throttle than you would in a lower gear.Your right foot is the best money saving device in your car.

At higher speeds the turbo isn't going to boost any more really once you are up to speed.It makes more boost initially when under load ie accellerating then once you ease off the throttle and maintain your speed the boost drops too.Obviously going up hills will create more load and so you will boost more.More boost means more fuel goes in too.

samantha__2

thanks (yeah mines a tdci), returned from service just needing 1 new tyre, wiper blades, has minor oil leak and like I expected the timing belt done at 100k. Thanks for the tips