Charles's 2.1 SD Manual (formerly Citroenxm's)

[Dieselman]

I used to get 34 MPG average from my 2.1TD auto.

[citroenxm]

NOT necessarly Charles, Auto or manual, when sitting idleing they should use the same fuel. Good thing is you can move on idle too, though carefull clutch control will alow the manual to move on idle revs too...

[Charles M]

I have to say Paul, the clutch is lovely and light. My leg shows no signs of BMW knee, a crippling disease brought on by excess marketing pressure to produce a sporty clutch!

[russ92xmsed]

NOT necessarly Charles, Auto or manual, when sitting idleing they should use the same fuel. Good thing is you can move on idle too, though carefull clutch control will alow the manual to move on idle revs too...

Yeah...I would imagine sitting idling there would be no difference....but I can imagine loads of stop starting would be dreadful for mpg in an auto. So 41.5 is still excellent.
In reality I have never worked out my mpg. But it isn't awful. Much better on a motorway cruise as to be expected. 34 round town might be near the mark....no idea!

[Dieselman]

An auto is still under load when idling and definitely uses more fuel as a result.

[russ92xmsed]

Even if popped in neutral.

[Dieselman]

No, but putting an auto into and out of neutral wears the box, so they should be left in D.

[russ92xmsed]

Good to know. citroen handbook says put in neutral if stationary for a long time. I only pop mine in neutral if I am waiting for ages.

[normantilbury]

So do I when i stop

Norman

[Charles M]

Anyway, back to my car.

Spent much of the weekend blackening all the internal plastics which are starting to come up a treat, amazing how neglect can make them look so flat. I did the same to my Mercedes 190 Cosworth too, and it must be said that has seriously good plastics in it, but the Citroen is not far behind.

Rear seats and footwells have just been washed with Brisk Extra then the wet and dry to take the excess moisture out of the material. The osr footwell had a lot of residues of things that grew or stained while the rear quarter window was smashed and let the damp in. With vigorous scrubbing a lot of filth is coming out, the really hard bits responding well to being attacked with the plastic nozzle as a light chisel, but I can see it remaining stained. The aim is then to ensure all the area not covered by a mat is fine, and the bit underneath is as clean as sensible time will allow.

Car now nice and warm and the de-humidifier running, which will probably be needed for a number of days.

The upholstery is looking an awful lot better though!