Fuel/MPG calculator

facade

forgotmyname wrote: »

doing 0 MPG whilst the engine warmed and i cleared the windows.
I wont drive off without perfectly clear windows.

I put a fan heater in mine, as I have a drive, whilst I have breakfast. costs about 11p to clear all the windows, so I can just reel the extension back in, start the engine and drive off. much cheaper than the wasted petrol idling on the drive:D

MattyDee

I've found that the manufacturers claims aren't actually that far off in general, so long as you're driving in the scenario they claim and not wastefully.

Urban - Getting around in a town, not stationary or stuck in traffic but moving along with some stopping. Also not accelerating and braking hard.

Extra Urban - Up to speed on a motorway fast road, not including the few miles of urban driving leading up to it. Also doing no more than 60mph. Wind direction and strength plays a big role as well, a 20mph head wind has the effect of adding 20mph drag to your car.

People often hear or see the best extra urban figure of 70mpg or something and expect that all the time. Also the number of people I see braking hard up to roundabouts and junctions or following too close having to brake all the time, it's no surprise so many don't get good mpg figures. Don't forget to factor in tyre spec and pressures, extra weight in the car and even having a window open, all effect mpg.

So really it all comes down to how you drive and the conditions you drive in. I find the average mpg figure is what I get, on average.

AdrianC

MattyDee wrote: »

I've found that the manufacturers claims aren't actually that far off in general, so long as you're driving in the scenario they claim and not wastefully.

It's worth remembering that they aren't "manufacturer's" figures or claims.

They're an official figure, derived from a standardised test, and it would be illegal for the manufacturer, importer or dealer's salesman to give any other figure as part of the sales process.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/vca/fcb/the-fuel-consumption-testing-scheme.asp

The urban figure is "part 1" of that, from a cold start in 20-30deg ambients, 4km and 13 minutes, reaching a maximum of 50kph (31mph).
The extra-urban figure is "part 2", straight from the end of part 1, 7km and 6min 40, reaching a maximum of 120kph (75mph).
The combined figure is the whole cycle, 6.8 miles from a cold start and 9min 40.
The official emissions are measured on the same cycle.

forgotmyname

Standardised test, except reports of some manufacturers removing trim to make the cars lighter and bypassing the alternator and aircon during the test so reduce engine load.

So many variables the true MPG is a hit and miss affair. Buy a car and do the same journey to work and back every day the average MPG will vary because you sat at the traffic lights 30 seconds longer or there was a parked car you had to slow down for or the weather. So many variables.

Buy a car you want, if it comes down to whether it does 50 or 51mpg according to the sales brochure then your deluding yourself.

You may as well just buy the car with the cheapest tax. Dont get me started on that one.

AdrianC

forgotmyname wrote: »

Standardised test, except reports of some manufacturers removing trim to make the cars lighter and bypassing the alternator and aircon during the test so reduce engine load.

Which would be actively against the test standards.

Buy a car you want, if it comes down to whether it does 50 or 51mpg according to the sales brochure then your deluding yourself.

You may as well just buy the car with the cheapest tax. Dont get me started on that one.

I'll cheerfully agree on that.