Are you driving more economically this year?

[Barakka]

Not really, but gave up my circa 2 litre diesel company cars and opted for the allowance to buy a celica, brings between 24-35 mpg (depending how much I use lift ) but overall I actually think it's saving me on fuel costs. I just filled up at 106.9/litre and the diesel pumps were 118.9/litre - combine that with the inefficiency of using a diesel for my 5 mile commute and I don't think it costs any more.

OR Short Answer

No

[staffsMike]

I'm commuting in the Ignis everyday now so I've had to tone it all down else it gets stupid. I run it on premium too which, it is designed to run on before anyone moans and yes there is a noticeable difference, even between brands of premium. Keeping it off cam is the key in that car which means less than 70mph if I can which is a touch annoying on dual carriage ways but I stick something good to listen to on (not the radio or music) and just cruise in.

I'm getting about 45mpg though which considering the traffic isn't too bad. It'll drop badly if I were to go 80.. units.

If there aren't people behind me I tend to let the car slow down a little on hills and then speed up again going down them, or just let it run without the throttle if it's steep enough, every little helps lol

[floppybootstomp]

No

I drive a 24 year old Mercedes 280SE. straight six 2.8 litre automatic.

It gives me 15mpg in London and around 22mpg on motorway jaunts.

It will also do 110mph easily, I haven't tried to go beyond that.

I really think I must be stoopid, a Ford Transit Connect would be so much more sensible, practical and economical for me but I just like the Merc so much.

It has it's MOT due on Friday so may decide to sell it once it has a year's ticket - but I don't want to, not really.

Wallet or enjoyment?

[digit]

I'm shocked you still have money left! The amount you must spend on petrol, that and it being an automatic!

[joshwa]

A little bit - mostly on motorways - I'll stick it on cruise control at around 70mph depending on traffic. I tend to average 50 - 53mpg over a journey these days - I used to average 49mpg on motorways. (Passat 1.9 TDI Estate) Everyone else seems to go slower on motorways these days too... often TOO slow (less than 50mph!)

I've also bought an (old) Mini - and have no idea what MPG this gets as it doesn't tell me and I haven't used it enough to work out the MPGs - but I figure it should be roughly as economical as the TDI around town. But fuel, tax, and insurance are cheaper

[Guy]

Joshwa: Does cruise control make a big difference economy wise? A few family members rarely if ever use CC any more claiming they can get more miles per tank if they stay clear of it.

[joshwa]

Joshwa: Does cruise control make a big difference economy wise? A few family members rarely if ever use CC any more claiming they can get more miles per tank if they stay clear of it.

The way I drive it does - as it reminds me to stick to 70 - 65 mph depending which I pick at the beginning of the journey. Sure it's probably possible to stick to 70 yourself but I seem to have got the best mpg by using cruise control - and it seems a little bit easier to stick to the chosen speed. You do need to change speed, but you can use cruise control to gradually speed up as well (it's got up / down buttons that let me change speed) - letting cruise control take you from 50 to 70 isn't always a good idea as the car simply floors it to get back to 70mph as soon as possible. CC can be a pain in heavy traffic though.

[ionicle]

my answer is:

no: sod that

i'd rather sell everything i have, to keep my car running, but i would hope i wouldnt have to, stupid government, increasing costs..

[staffsMike]

my answer is:

no: sod that

i'd rather sell everything i have, to keep my car running, but i would hope i wouldnt have to, stupid government, increasing costs..

Bit extreme isn't it?

At least when there is no point driving like whatever is behind you is going to blow up you might as well try and drive a bit more economically.

[martinm10]

no way got to enjoy what your doing when you can

[McMav]

Nope not changed but then I didnt batter the car in the first place. Still get around 500 to the tank so that'll do me

[staffsMike]

no way got to enjoy what your doing when you can

I guess everyone is different but I don't find anything exciting about high speed in a straight line, it's just a more dangerous version of bordem, and more stressful as you will be constantly slowed down.

I agree when you are on back roads, why not have a bit of fun but again there is obviously a time and a place and you don't have to be constantly punching down gears into corners etc..

[Zak33]

a lotta people doing the honourable thing and cutting back on other stuff to keep the fast cars

But I'd like everyone to cut and paste Howards comment about never having a diesel... just in case one day we can catch the old boy out

[Howard]

Mwahaha Nevar

[Mblaster]

What car is that them Mblaster? Ditto for anyone else quoting MPG figures.

It's a Seat Ibiza 1.4 petrol, although I intend to change my car after I finish uni next year (if I manage not to spend all my savings), and those mpg values will likely be decreasing.

[yamangman]

Nope. Don't care. I enjoy driving I Don't drive like a pillock but I don't hang about either, especially in the MX5. The day I roll over and buy a crappy diesel is the day a ground frost hits Hell overnight.

The day I understand someone who takes issue with a particular form of petrol... no lets not kept that analogy going. Crappy diesel? Are you 5 or Jeremy Clarkson?