Why is my car getting MORE to the gallon as it gets older?

MrsE_2

Why is my car getting MORE to the gallon as it gets older?

Bought Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 petrol, plus model in Dec.

It tells you how much you are getting to the gallon.

In Dec when new I was getting 27.4 MPG
That has gone up slowly in 0.1 increments to 28.8 MPG 6 months on.

Any ideas why?

Keith

Differing use perhaps, but mainly the little screen isn't correct so it's worth checking with by working it out yourself.

inmypocketnottheirs

MrsE wrote: »

Why is my car getting MORE to the gallon as it gets older?

Bought Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.6 petrol, plus model in Dec.

It tells you how much you are getting to the gallon.

In Dec when new I was getting 27.4 MPG
That has gone up slowly in 0.1 increments to 28.8 MPG 6 months on.

Any ideas why?

I guess it is because the consumption is an average figure.

If I zero my computer it starts at a lower figure then gradually increases to an average based on miles travelled/fuel consumed.

TITEASCRAMP

Weather. It was cold in December therefore it would use more fuel.

MrsE_2

Keith wrote: »

Differing use perhaps, but mainly the little screen isn't correct so it's worth checking with by working it out yourself.

Usage is virtually the same.

Its 0.1 every 2 weeks or so, very consistant.

I wondered if it were down to me getting used to it & driving more economically?

I had a bad crash in Dec (wrote last car off), I was a bit slow & cautious for a while.
I wonder if as I am getting my confidence back & I'm speeding up a bit, maybe I'm driving at a more economical speed?

MrsE_2

TITEASCRAMP wrote: »

Weather. It was cold in December therefore it would use more fuel.

Never thought of that:o

So it should start to go down again after summer?

Interesting.

tomstickland

Engine loosening up.

TITEASCRAMP

MrsE wrote: »

Never thought of that:o

So it should start to go down again after summer?

Interesting.

Yes it will. Its to do with starting it cold. Petrols dont like starting in cold weather. As you say it's been getting gradually more and more.
For exmaple if you had a maual choke, you would have to leave it on for longer in winter (thus using more fuel) until the car warmed up. This is now not obviously because of automatic chokes. But think back to having a manual one and how long you left it on for in winter and oppose to summer.
All the time the chokes on it using more fuel.

MrsE_2

TITEASCRAMP wrote: »

For exmaple if you had a maual choke, you would have to leave it on for longer in winter (thus using more fuel) until the car warmed up. This is now not obviously because of automatic chokes. But think back to having a manual one and how long you left it on for in winter and oppose to summer.
All the time the chokes on it using more fuel.

How old do you think I am:mad:

My first car had an auto choke (20 ish years ago:o )

TITEASCRAMP

MrsE wrote: »

How old do you think I am:mad:

My first car had an auto choke (20 ish years ago:o )

You are 40. I had a car H reg '91 with a manual choke. Anyway thats your answer.

Conor_3

Engines free up as they get a few miles on them. New engines are quite tight so use a bit more fuel.