Robert's Turbo SD

[robert_e_smart]

I'll be interested to see what figures I can get out of this in comparison to the 2.1 Auto. The economy from a diesel is what I need, and I have been driving diesels mainly since I started driving with about 2 years petroling it when I was driving the CX, and petrol XM, so I am used to them.

LPG is the way forward if you can buy a car that has already been converted, or if you do big miles, and can re-coup the costs in a short period of time.

[Peter.N.]

The way to drive it for best economy is to keep the revs below 2000, this isn't difficult as it will pull quite well from 1400 or even less under light load, it takes a while to realise you don't have to change down.

Peter

[hobblerian]

The way to drive it for best economy is to keep the revs below 2000, this isn't difficult as it will pull quite well from 1400 or even less under light load, it takes a while to realise you don't have to change down.

Peter

Also you mustn't be in a hurry to accelerate, the engine will pull you up to 50mph quite happily with hardly any application of throttle and just changing gears, just takes a little while to get there.

[Dieselman]

If anyone wants maximum economy from a diesel that doesn't have an economy gauge, fit an EGT gauge. Every small movement or increase of load shows up instantly. When in the mood it can really focus your mind on keeping engine load low.

[andmcit]

All I can say is, you lot must be bloody frustrating to be stuck behind!

[Dieselman]

All I can say is, you lot must be bloody frustrating to be stuck behind!

Not at all. A turbodiesel being driven steadily will still out accelerate most N/a petrol cars and drivers.

[andmcit]

Maybe, maybe not - this wasn't a diesel/petrol snipe, more a comment about everyone on a mission to get 80mpg!

Anyhow, you don't need to tell me - I know there's a skill to maintaining momentum and covering ground efficiently and
effectively - anticipation and consistency being the key. Years of driving a 2CV when a young driver imprints this into you.
Every new driver needs to have a compulsory 2CV for 6 months - I guess the roads would be full of more slow car's though
they'd be better more thoughtful drivers at the end of 120days!!

Andrew

[Peter.N.]

As long as the nearside lane is doing 60 mph I'm usually quite happy to stay there. I used to do up to 30,000 miles a year when I was working and very soon discovered that driving at a steady speed was not only far less tiring but gave great economy, but you my need to wait until your'e as old as me to find that out

Peter

[Ciaran]

I must admit I haven't a clue what MPG my 2.1 does, but I do boot the shit out of it TBH, so its probably not great

I imagine its got a little better since I turned the fuel down a *wee* bit. It was giving Golf GTIs and the like a run for their money for a wee while there, but for anyone behind it, it was like the black mist
I think it was doing 20-30MPG at that point

You're quite correct though Peter, driving at a steady speed instead of constantly working to move around lanes and make progress, is definitely much less tiring, and leads to a far more relaxing drive. My trouble is 99% of the time I'm in a hurry to be somewhere, no way to live really is it!

Ciarán

[Peter.N.]

I used to be like that in the olden days