Miles per gallon - the effect of running in

Alex M Grieve

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OK, I know that we no longer have a formal "running in" period for cars these days, but various threads have commented on the effect that is noted as the (diesel) engine loosens up with use.

I have just transcribed some "brim to brim" average consumption data from the log of our W 203 C 220 CDI AG Estate auto, and thought this may be of interest.

Mixed motoring, one driver, all fuel from same source so as many of the variables as we can stabilize have been addressed.

0-5,000 miles - 38.66 mpg
5,001-10,000 - 40.92 mpg
10,001-15,000 - 48.18 mpg

So those C class owners who were disappointed by their initial consumption should take heart. Dosco reported, in a separate thread, a brace of E 220 CDI manual saloons which can average 57.1 mpg and giuseppe has seen over 60 mpg in his E 220 CDI, although I think all of these cars have 6 figure mileages to their credit.

It seems that the further you go, the better it gets.
 

Cole@MBS

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Agree Alex, both my R,classe's increased with miles, dont have the figures, but increase in mpg and use less oil as the miles were poured on!!
 

roadhog

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Have you considered the effect of the driver slowing down with age? :D
 

Blobcat

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My W210 E320CDI ran a lot better at 90,000 miles than it did at 17,000 miles when I bought it (her).
 
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Alex M Grieve

Alex M Grieve

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Have you considered the effect of the driver slowing down with age? :D

Sadly, the driver was already knackered before the study started, so assuming logarithmic decay, we can hopefully discount this effect as the delta would be minimal - but that you for your suggestion!
 

television

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Maybe it is better to get a re map done at 100k then, and you will get the 15%
 

*Thumper

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I can concour with the above, although, I'm not achieving those figures yet ........... getting 40-45mpg, after 16,000 ........oil burn has been an issue, having added,2 litres bfore the 1st service .......... I await to see improvements in mpg, and oil burn !

Round town is crap !!!!!!!! ....... but she is quick off the lights .......lol
 

turbopete

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my car has done 148k miles and its had the same 3 gallons (approx) of fuel in it for almost a month! that must be good economy!! :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::shock::shock:
 

television

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I'd be interested in understanding what you mean by re map.

I've 105,000 and still going strong.

15% is the in topic right now or it has been on the mapping threads,,some say that it is impossible to get the increase in power and the improvement in the fuel consumption at the same time
 

jberks

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84,000 now and still getting better by the mile.
Smoother too.
I've pretty much decided that when I change (long long way off yet) I won't buy another ex demo but go for something with a few more miles on it.
No doubt I'll walk into the showroom and fall in love with something newer again, but its a plan ....
 

television

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No doubt I'll walk into the showroom and fall in love with something newer again, but its a plan ....


Yes, men and their motor cars,,you never know, its as though we have a little feminine instinct in us :D
 

jackwall5

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Showrooms ... don't talk to me ... they pump in something into the air in them ... I'm convinced :p

I have ~185K logged total [I'm responsible for the last ~20K] and I regularly achieve 5.1L/100Km on my long run presently. That's getting on for ~46 miles/gallon. I'll take that.

Typically, I cruise at about 110 - 120 km/h [68-75 m/h] for about 260Km [161 miles]. This is all motorway on cruise control save for 40km [25 miles].

Diesel costs me ~0.94 GBP a litre in Austria [ drops to ~0.89 GBP across the border in Hungary !] Petrol 95 retails at ~ 1.01 GBP as an aside. [Nov 2009 prices]

Hardly thirsty or expensive in my opinion and I get out at the other end without needing much rest.

Safe Driving
 


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