Fuel efficiency on motorways

Hintza

But it could be a 4 hour commute in some places.

My point being you want a car you can be relaxed driving and comfort tends to come with a wee bit of size.

LandyAndy

vikingaero wrote: »

Depends on the gearing of each of the cars. A smaller engined car may perform better if it is geared correctly for your commute. A larger engined car may not be ideal. In my Mazda diesel 50mph is too low for 6th gear and I need to remain in 5th or speed up.

In mine (Mazda6 2.2 163bhp) 50mph (= c. 1450 rpm) is the lower limit for 6th gear above that it will pull quite happily. I am currently getting about 55mpg in mixed motorway driving (some at 80-85 some at 60).

fluffysox

Hintza wrote: »

But it could be a 4 hour commute in some places.

My point being you want a car you can be relaxed driving and comfort tends to come with a wee bit of size.

This discussion has made me chuckle, I used to drive almost exactly the same distance that OH drives now- although it took longer due to it being half on country roads rather than just motorways and due to the time of day- he rarely travels at rush hour. The car I had at the time was an old Clio- the heater didn't work so in the depths of winter I had to drive with the windows open to stop the windows steaming up. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:. Times are easier now thank goodness!

OH would like cruise control because he has to stand up all day at work and its easier on the ankles on his way home. Also the point about the journey to France is valid- also we like camping (and fishing for OH) holidays and we wouldn't fit all the gear and the baby in our current Clio. We've driven to Brittany before now and it was a killer on the ankles- but we're likely to buying a bigger family car in a couple of years anyway. Hmmn a lot to think about. Thanks everyone!

LandyAndy

fluffysox wrote: »

This discussion has made me chuckle, I used to drive almost exactly the same distance that OH drives now- although it took longer due to it being half on country roads rather than just motorways and due to the time of day- he rarely travels at rush hour. The car I had at the time was an old Clio- the heater didn't work so in the depths of winter I had to drive with the windows open to stop the windows steaming up. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:. Times are easier now thank goodness!

OH would like cruise control because he has to stand up all day at work and its easier on the ankles on his way home. Also the point about the journey to France is valid- also we like camping (and fishing for OH) holidays and we wouldn't fit all the gear and the baby in our current Clio. We've driven to Brittany before now and it was a killer on the ankles- but we're likely to buying a bigger family car in a couple of years anyway. Hmmn a lot to think about. Thanks everyone!

I have cruise and like it although it is better in an automatic than a manual because it allows the car to change down on hills without disengaging the cruise. Best to set it slightly slow and use the accelerator occassionally than too fast and be constantly braking and having to re-engage it.

Flyboy152

fluffysox wrote: »

Hi

We're looking to buy a second hand car for OH to commute to work each day. He does approx 65 miles a day- almost entirely motorway at 70 mph.
Anyway we have different ideas about which car would be the most efficient fuel wise.
We're agreed that a diesel is a good idea. But is it better to have a bigger engined car e.g. 2.0 possibly with 6 gears so the car is driving in lower revs or a smaller, lighter car with a smaller engine e.g. 1.4???

Would be grateful for your views:p

fluffysox

There's your problem right there. Try driving at sixty, all he will lose is about eight minutes each way, but improve his fuel consumption by about ten per cent.

wba31

My Honda Civic 1.7 diesel got 65 mpg yesterday, averaging 70-75mph... its not the new model but the one before. the journey was my house in north birmingham, a38 from Shenstone to the M1, then the M1 up to Leeds, then back again. Doesnt have cruise control though

reeac

Slight diversion but re. cruise control I've never felt comfortable using it and made this comment once to my neighbour on a trans-Atlantic flight who was at that time in charge of RAF training. He said that my discomfort was probably due to not feeling confident about finding the brake pedal in a hurry due to my right foot having no reference point as it did when on the accelerator. That sounded right to me and I guess that it's a phenomenon that pilots would know about.

wba31

reeac wrote: »

Slight diversion but re. cruise control I've never felt comfortable using it and made this comment once to my neighbour on a trans-Atlantic flight who was at that time in charge of RAF training. He said that my discomfort was probably due to not feeling confident about finding the brake pedal in a hurry due to my right foot having no reference point as it did when on the accelerator. That sounded right to me and I guess that it's a phenomenon that pilots would know about.

I've had 2 cars with cruise control, and used correctly i think it's an awesome thing. but the key thing to do is still sit correctly, i used to rest my right foot on the accelerator so it could be moved to the brake if needed, but i only ever used CC on the motorway where i try to avoid braking at all costs, mostly it is sufficient to hit "cancel" on the CC and let the engine slow the car down.

I would only ever set cruise control to 70mph if the motorway was quiet enough to rarely having to ever slow down, and if it was busy but moving at 70ish, i'd sit in the inside lane at 60 on it.
My father believes he can use it at 70mph at all times on the motorway, which has caused arguments when i have told him that his constant stepping on the brake is making me feel sick and is dangerous for the cars behind. the last time i told him to either slow down or turn it off (sunday afternoon on M40 to London and back) due the fact it was on and off like nobody's business.

I have never driven a car with variable cruise control (where if it senses the car is getting close to the back of another it slows down until the path is clear) and not sure if i would fully trust it...

Flyboy152

reeac wrote: »

Slight diversion but re. cruise control I've never felt comfortable using it and made this comment once to my neighbour on a trans-Atlantic flight who was at that time in charge of RAF training. He said that my discomfort was probably due to not feeling confident about finding the brake pedal in a hurry due to my right foot having no reference point as it did when on the accelerator. That sounded right to me and I guess that it's a phenomenon that pilots would know about.

LOL. The brakes don't work very well at thirty thousand feet.

fluffysox

OK conclusion with this, we've bought a Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDi. It has cruise control and is very comfortable inside. Also huge boot and lots of leg room in the back- ideal for family trips etc. And much more efficient mpg than our little petrol clio which I'll be using for the my travel to work (only 4/5 miles away) and local driving to shops etc.
Thanks everyone for your comments :T