how to get better mpg?

[patrickyuis]

currently i am running a 2001 c180 sport coupe.....its the 4-cylinder 2.0Litre.
and ive just read up a few reviews and tech specs on my car and i didnt realise that it was 30 MPG on the COMBINED cycle.

even the c230 does around 34 MPG COMBINED and that also has 196bhp, i think my model has around 130bhp, but at the end of the day i dont think ill be changing my car for a while,so im looking for some way of saving on the petrol.

i drive about 100 every day to uni and back, then to work. so even that lil bit less fuel consumption would help.

Ive just started using the cruise control on the motorway,which i was told helps a bit,AND i've only just realised that i have left my air-con on 24/7 since ive had the car lol,as i read in the manual that the button is to turn the cooling off,not ON.and i always thought that it was the opposite lol

so anybody have any tips on how to get better mpg out of my car?
oh i also run the car on nothing but optimax

 

[davidsl500]

Apart from the obvious things like making sure the services on done on time and checking your tyre pressures the only other thing you can do is to improve your driving style- anticipate what other drivers are going to do to avoid braking and accelerating again etc.,

You can also try driving at different speeds on the motorway each week to see what effect this has on mpg i.e first week at 70mph, 2nd week at 65mph, 3rd at 60mph and so on. You might have to get up earlier though !!

If you can afford it an lpg conversion may be the way to go - fuel at 40p or less a litre and with a good conversion close to the same mpg. Might cost £1000 or so to do but you can work out the payback period.

 

[patrickyuis]

its just costing me alot to run at the moment,escially since im doing like 100miles+ a day. it costs me EXACTLY £5 for like a 37 mile trip to uni,and then £5 back.
i know this because since ive been going to uni,i've been counting how many bars it goes down by the time i get there,and it's always 1 bar. and everytime i fill up it costs £5 per bar.

does that sound expensive?
compared to my dads 320ci,it only seems to cost about £3.50 for that 37 mile trip.plus its a v6 and i dont exactly go that slow in it either.

oh btw
have any of you guys tried this?
http://www.ecotekplc.com

some nice reviews about this product

 

[philharve]

Fuel consumption

Hi patrickyuis

As you can see, I own a c230k, a supercharged model, which will manage 34mpg if driven carefully. The manual says 20 to 38mpg, combined 34.

I tried driving to work at different speeds, not easy to do on country roads, and found that driving style rather than road speed had the greatest influence upon fuel consumption.

My round trip to work is only 40 miles which I undertake 5 days a week. Providing I can keep my right foot under control, I can get close to the maximum. On a long motorway journey I might even better it.

However, if I use all the power on tap, and use it regularly, the mpg can virtally halve, from close to 40mpg down to 20mpg.

I've tried cruise and speedtronic and they produce some fuel savings but not a lot.

Apart from maintaining things like tyres pressures, you don't have many options to improve mpg.

I would have thought though, that driven with care, your car ought to be able to at least match, if not better my car's mpg figures.

REGARDS Phil

 

[Keverstone]

I am always fascinated by the MPG indicator on my SLK 200 and find that,although this has averaged 36 since the car was new,I can get over 40 mpg for a non-urban journey when driving carefully, such as if I was giving a lift to an elderly and frail passenger.

Accelerate slowly, approach roundabouts and junctions without the need for heavy braking, and observe the speed limits, and you should get good mpg too. If you put the roof down you can also enjoy the sun, fresh air, and scenery at those speeds !

 

[Mark-R]

Strange as it may seem, I find switching my 190E automatic gearbox into S mode is more economical than E mode if driven steadily. I expect it is due to the box changing down when I go up a hill so I am not burying my right foot on the throttle to get up the hill. I also have an lpg conversion which on a run averages around 31 mpg and around 20 mpg urban. and costs just 34p per litre.

 

[Keverstone]

Since my entry 2 posts ago I have been looking more closely at my fuel consumption and have found a very curious situation. From home to the golf course (about 20 miles) and driving sensibly I easily get 40 mpg but for the return journey I only get 36 mpg, even though the golf course is about 300 feet higher than my home. This happens every time and I am baffled.

 

[SLinKyjoe]

Since my entry 2 posts ago I have been looking more closely at my fuel consumption and have found a very curious situation. From home to the golf course (about 20 miles) and driving sensibly I easily get 40 mpg but for the return journey I only get 36 mpg, even though the golf course is about 300 feet higher than my home. This happens every time and I am baffled.

am guessing but are you resetting the fuel meter.....and what is the first bit of driving like as that influences the readings.

 

[mark999]

As stated before make sure your servicing is up to date. But do check obvious things such as the air filter. Has this been changed recently?
Also consider a diagnostic tune up, although if the engine is running well I suspect this may be a waste of money.
You may save money by switching from optimax to standard unleaded.