Author Topic: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency  (Read 45128 times)

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Offline Alister

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Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« on: Jul 18, 2005, 04:46PM »
With fuel prices being ridiculously high, I thought this experiment might be worth conducting...
I also encourage other U13 Bluebird owners to do it too so we can compare our results :)

Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
Vehicle: 1994 U13 Bluebird LX Auto
KMs: ~187000
Last service: ~180500
Extra weight: Standard Nissan U13 tow bar fitted but actual tow ball fitting removed
Mods: no mods taking up excess weight
Fuel: Shell ULP (91 RON)
Driving type: 67% highway, 33% city
Driving style: very sedate
Tyre pressure: 38PSI
Aircon/window usage: None (unless vital)
Cruise control: not used
Current average fuel consumption: Between 9-10.5L/100KM (depending on type, style etc of driving)


Prediction
I predict that my fuel effiency will drop below 9L/100KM but range between 8L/100KM and 9L/100KM.

I've removed all the junk from my car and left in all the seats and the spacesaver spare. As above, in order to gain maximum fuel efficiency i'll be changing my driving style to very sedate/granny :)
I'll be checking/maintaining the pressure of my tyres weekly and carrying no passengers if I can avoid it.

I've just filled up my tank (until the first click) and reset my trip meter. When I have covered about 500KM, I will fill up my tank again (until the first click) and calculate my fuel consumption. In case anyone doesn't know how, fill up until the first click, reset trip meter, fill up (until the first click) after a reasonable amount of KMs (500ish), note how many Litres go in and how many Kilometres you have covered. Divide the Litres by Kilometres covered and multiply by 100...

Example: 50L / 500KM * 100 = 10L / 100KM

I'll post my results probably on the weekend or early next week if I do a fair bit of driving...
Or else, in a couple of weeks.
If other U13 owners can be stuffed, give it a go please :)
Cheers.

PS - "Mods: no mods taking up excess weight" means that sure I have an aftermarket stereo and tail lights, they are practically taking up no more weight then the stock components would. Say if I had a heavy sub box (that I didn't want to remove for the experiment), i'd mention it under Mods or if I had any performance mods which would alter fuel consumption.

PS - I will not be driving with the aircon on or windows open at any time. UNLESS i'm dying of heat and in that case - aircon on fan speed 2 if doing 80-100KM/H and window open if doing under 80KM/H. Window open at high speeds = increased drag, aircon on = increased load on engine...
I will not be using cruise control as it is more inefficient than holding your speed manually.
« Last Edit: Jul 18, 2005, 05:09PM by Alister »

Offline Ka-Bluey

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #1 on: Jul 18, 2005, 04:51PM »
I'll give it a go mate, will fill up this Thursday and see how i go. I will fill out all my details once i go thru the tank

Vehicle: 1994 U13 Bluey SSS Manual
Kms: 193000
Last serviced: 190000
Extra weight: Me, towbar (with ball) sub box (2x12"), amp
mods: CAI
Fuel: Caltex Vortex (96)
Driving type: about 40% highway, 60% city
Driving style: mainly sedate
Tyre pressure: 32PSI all round
Aircon/window usage: no aircon, window only quarter opened, drivers side only
Cruise control: sometimes on highway
Current average fuel consumption: Filled up with Vortex 96 41L to first click on 23/07/05.
« Last Edit: Jul 25, 2005, 01:39PM by Ka-Bluey »
 

Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #2 on: Jul 18, 2005, 04:54PM »
Cheers mate  ;D
Just added some more info...

Offline wicked

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #3 on: Jul 19, 2005, 08:52AM »
I'm moving at the moment and my car will be filled up with stuff for the next two weeks or so. In the meantime, I'll quote what I've got about 2 weeks ago.

Vehicle: 1995 LX Manual
Kms: 120000 (while I was driving)
Last serviced: 110000
Extra weight: Myself and 3 passenger (total weight about 270kg ish)
mods: panel filter 2.25'cat, 2.25' cat back, R33 turbo muffler
Fuel: Caltex Unleaded
Driving type: 80% highway, 20% city
Driving style: sedate, shift at about 3K
Tyre pressure: 33 front, 31 back
Aircon/window usage: Aircon
Cruise control: 60% on highway
Current average fuel consumption:  8.8l/100km

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #4 on: Jul 19, 2005, 10:57AM »
This is an excellent little experiment Alister.

I will post up data on my car as well (doesn't have to be U13 only does it ;))  My current record keeping has an average fuel economy of 13-14litres per 100km.  I would however say, my driving is far from sedate at times :P.
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Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #5 on: Jul 19, 2005, 04:30PM »
Thanks for giving it a go guys  ;D
I've been babying my car around the place since yesterday and not using cruise and it's getting really annoying  ::)

Budgie: Cheers, yep everyones welcome :)
Might be worth moving it to general so everyone can take part in it.

Offline NissanPower

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #6 on: Jul 20, 2005, 02:19AM »
the most out of a tank i got was 510km thats with premium unleaded fuel and a ratio of 90% highway driving - 10% city driving the least i have gotten was about 420km lol  :-\

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #7 on: Jul 20, 2005, 04:07PM »
Vehicle: 1989 RNU12 Bluebird ATTESA Ltd (Auto)
KMs: ~102288
Last service: ~98500
Extra weight: Subwoofer/amp
Mods: 3" zorst, increased boost, bov
Fuel: Shell Optimax, Mobil Synergy 8000 & 6000
Driving type: 50% highway, 50% city
Driving style: moderate, sometimes quick
Tyre pressure: 35PSI
Aircon/window usage: None at the moment, too cold!
Cruise control: N/A
Current average fuel consumption:

Last three recorded tanks-

389km - 50litres (12.8 to 100km) - Synergy 8000
357km - 49litres (13.7 to 100km) - Optimax
357km - 50litres (14 to 100km) - Synergy 8000

My current tank was filled with Mobil Synergy 6000 due to the stupid price of fuel.  No pinging as yet, I will see how economy suffers!
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline BoGAn

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #8 on: Jul 21, 2005, 02:04PM »
IMO, the difference in price between unleaded and hi-octane (mobil 8000) is easily justified by the extra klms you get out of the hi-octane, making the klm/$ about equal for the two. If you have the car set up to run on its fine, and not much of an excess cost.

This is a good idea. Ill consider doing it, but im relucatnt to change my driving style just now, and im not overly concerned with petrol prices. Theres more important things than that. (Note that i dont mean anything bad by that last sentence, im not having a dig. Just that petrol prices arent the only thing that matters). That being said, I do try to work it so that i fill up on days whe petrol is 'cheaper'.


Offline BoGAn

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #9 on: Jul 21, 2005, 02:08PM »
Oh yeah, antother thing. I remember an article in Wank 4s or some similar magazine a while back where one of the writers did a similar experiment. His normal driving vs granny driving. I think he saved about $10 or so. Not bad, but he didnt think the saving was worth the cost of not enjoying driving.

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #10 on: Jul 21, 2005, 04:33PM »
Yeah, after a few days of granny driving i'm starting to agree with the wank 4's guy.

Off boost is no fun in a 1.8litre car :(

I will just stick with it for this entire tank and see what I get.  I also fixed an intake leak, and my tyres were WAY to low (26 psi instead of 36!) so it should be better no matter what!
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Offline JIMB0

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #11 on: Jul 21, 2005, 05:25PM »
I tried this once and driving like a granny did not save me any fuel at all. I have a 5sp CA20e.

10L/100k - Mostly city/urban driving

The best I have ever got is 7.5L/100k on the highway with aircon going, cruising at about 100-110kmph.

Offline wombat

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #12 on: Jul 21, 2005, 08:45PM »

Model: R31
Engine: CA20E
Gearbox: FS5W71C
Modifications: Mobile phone holder, no wheel covers, boot full of crap.

over a few tanks - 123.8 litres to do 1343 kilometres - 9.2 l/100km or 25.5 miles to the US gallon

not bad for an old George.
« Last Edit: Aug 12, 2005, 05:20PM by wombat »
I'm so far behind at work, I'm almost retro!

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #13 on: Jul 21, 2005, 09:29PM »
My old corsair would do 600ks to a tank... with the CA20E.

I miss that aspect of the car very much!
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Offline Resin

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #14 on: Jul 21, 2005, 10:04PM »
my milage for the past few months...alot better than my previous car .....
The cefiro is very fuel efficient for a 2 litre turbo ...i was quite suprised


kms           L              Lper100km

270           33            12.22222222              new car cefrio no gear 5 used   
268           32            11.94029851              cefiro no gear 5 used   
338           38.77        11.4704142   
363           46.81        12.8953168               aircond installed halfway through tank
404           35             8.663366337             byron bay trip country driving   
490           48             9.795918367             byron…..country + city   
531           44             8.286252354             byron bay trip country driving   
447           50.05        11.19686801             vortex   contry and some pretty hard city driving
420           46.79        11.14047619             vortex   city driving   
381           44.23        11.60892388             vortex   city driving   
402           51.79        12.88308458             shell optimax      
391           51.69        13.21994885             caltex vortex   pretty dam hard driving   
434           55.11        12.69815668             caltex vortex    normalish driving.   
500           54.68        10.936                      mobil 8000   country 160km…. Plus a lot of hooning up the old ac and city driving aswell   
345           45.98        13.32753623             vortex   city driving   
430           52.23        12.14651163             BP ultimate   city driving    
373           38.69        10.37265416             shell optimax   hooning up to the huntervalley   
« Last Edit: Jul 21, 2005, 10:24PM by Resin »

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #15 on: Jul 25, 2005, 11:52AM »
Just got my best fuel economy ever :P

378ks - 44ltrs - 11.6ltrs to 100km

Probably because it was 96 Octane Mobil Synergy 6000 and would cause the car to ping if I tramped it at all, so I took it very easy!
dont piss me off with your pillarless shit captain snappy wrist

Offline aussie-gli

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #16 on: Jul 25, 2005, 02:39PM »
I found after returning my ignition timing to stock, i get much better fuel economy.  I average between 11 and 13 liters per 100.  I find that driving like a nanna or driving aggressive has minimal effect on my fuel economy.

Considering I'm sitting on 340,000 Ks with original stock injectors, I reckon that's a fair effort. I run Bosch super 4s + Bosch leads.
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Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #17 on: Jul 25, 2005, 06:37PM »
Just filled up...

514.5km covered, 45.07L used...
8.76L/100KM!

Not bad at all :)
Reckon I can get it down to 8.5L/100KM taking it a bit easier (had a couple TLGPs ;))

Offline Budgie

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #18 on: Jul 25, 2005, 08:13PM »
Damn N/A cars :P
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Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #19 on: Jul 25, 2005, 08:17PM »
Damn N/A cars :P

Heh, not bad for a large 4 though...
My old car (91 Camry 2.0L 4cyl) did a best of around 9-9.5L/100KM in the time that I had her, and that was taking it easy and never using the aircon either.

Offline wicked

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #20 on: Jul 26, 2005, 08:39AM »
Just filled up...

514.5km covered, 45.07L used...
8.76L/100KM!

Not bad at all :)
Reckon I can get it down to 8.5L/100KM taking it a bit easier (had a couple TLGPs ;))

That is great. Just to clarify that it's an auto u're driving? What mods have u done, what sort of driving conditions? Would u like to share a bit more info? ;D

Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #21 on: Jul 26, 2005, 02:43PM »
wicked: Yeah, it's an auto :)
No real mods that would affect fuel economy except for a standard U13 towbar fitting which adds extra weight...
As for driving conditions, pretty sedate, but I gave it an occasional boot, raced an old Holden, got it up to 100km/h quickly on a merge onto a highway (daily).
Approximately 67% highway, 33% city driving.
Check my first post for more info.

PS - Best economy figures ever :)
As for $$ savings, around $6 saved a tank.

Also, official fuel consumption figures for the U13 Bluebird Auto are:   
City  10.0   
Highway  6.6


Figures for the Manual are:
City  9.5   
Highway  6.4

 
 
« Last Edit: Jul 26, 2005, 02:52PM by Alister »

Offline rollaboy

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #22 on: Jul 28, 2005, 04:39PM »
in my usual drivng, bout hald highway, half city, half suburban driving, i average:

12L/100km granny
13L/100km average
15L/100km hard driving.

fist night i got itm i used 20L for the first 100kms!!!!!

4wd, 2L turbo, lil extra boost, car weighs bout 1450-1500kg with me in it.
milk and juice may come in 2 litres, but they dont have turbochargers bolted to the side of em

Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #23 on: Jul 29, 2005, 06:23PM »
Rollaboy: You have a GT4 right?

For comparison, my GF has a 2001 Holden Astra City (3 door, 1.8L auto, 35000km) and she got 7.64L/100KM with 85% highway, and 15% city and she drives like a granny all the time :)

Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #24 on: Aug 12, 2005, 12:43PM »
Just filled up...

514.5km covered, 45.07L used...
8.76L/100KM!

Not bad at all :)
Reckon I can get it down to 8.5L/100KM taking it a bit easier (had a couple TLGPs ;))

539.8km covered, 46.84 used...
8.67L/100KM!
And that's driving sedately but with a couple of quick runs up to the speed limit :)

Offline wicked

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #25 on: Aug 12, 2005, 01:02PM »
539.8km covered, 46.84 used...
8.67L/100KM!
And that's driving sedately but with a couple of quick runs up to the speed limit :)

That looks good. I haven't filled up a full tank for a long time. The fuel price never seems to drop very much below 107 cents. :( Will probably do a test when the fuel price drops a bit.  ;D

Offline wombat

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #26 on: Aug 12, 2005, 05:22PM »
looks like it's between me and alister for best fuel figures!

The heat will be on!
I'm so far behind at work, I'm almost retro!

Offline xxcbonexx

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #27 on: Aug 12, 2005, 05:57PM »
Dont know if anyone else caught it, but on mythbusters they showed that using aircon had no effect on gas mileage. windows down, however, did. so if you got aircon and its in good condition, dont feel bad using it.

Offline ashman01

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #28 on: Aug 12, 2005, 06:11PM »
Fuel Efficiency
Vehicle: 1991 Nissan Pintara TR.X
KMs: ~209000
Last service: ~207000
Extra weight: Air Con
Mods: no mods taking up excess weight
Fuel: BP Ulitmate (98 RON)
Driving type: 10% highway, 90% city
Driving style: The occational high rev.
Tyre pressure: 38PSI front - 40PSI Rear
Aircon/window usage: No Aircon about 10% windows down.
Cruise control: Dont have it.
Current average fuel consumption: No Idea

Last full tank: The Cruise:

550km - 60litres (9.16L to 100km) - BP Ulitimate ($1.15 a/L)

Offline Alister

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Re: Experiment - Fuel Efficiency
« Reply #29 on: Aug 12, 2005, 08:21PM »
Dont know if anyone else caught it, but on mythbusters they showed that using aircon had no effect on gas mileage. windows down, however, did. so if you got aircon and its in good condition, dont feel bad using it.

That's debatable, in my old car a 91 SV21 Camry having the aircon on any speed would result in the cars power basically disappearing and fuel economy rising...
No noticable difference in power and economy with the aircon on a lowish to medium setting on my U13. Never have it on high :)
Yeah, windows down = drag, less fuel efficient as a result...

Wicked: I'll be interested to see your fuel consumption figures :)

Wombat: Bring it on! :)
Heading for sub 8.5L/100KM this week, and then i'll try my luck on BP Ultimate over a few tanks.

Ashman: Not bad figures...
Considering you would have given it a bit of the boot on the cruise ey :)