280 miles to tank - about right or low?

[johnlewis]

Hi guys trying to gauge whether my 2.5d Freda is doing the right amount of miles to a tank. Does this sound about right? It smells a bit funny like marine diesel too, maybe running a bit rich? Any ideas or am I getting myself at it?

Ta

[Gasy]

A little low
Mines a 98 diesel 4x4
I get a bit more from a tank full
On a 250 mile journey up to lakes I've got plenty left to run about on for a couple of days
And that's at 70mph on motorway family of 4 vehicle loaded
Carnt remember what I get in miles to a tankful las reads in k
Someone will be along soon to help

[Simon Jones]

What point are you using to define 'empty'? Gauge on zero, low fuel light on (if fitted) or engine conks out? Only reliable way to measure consumption is to fill tank to the brim, note the mileage, use the van as normal, fill to the brim noting the litres used & note the mileage again. From that you can do the maths & work out consumption.

[Bob]

I recon about right.

Ours is a '96 diesel.

[francophile1947]

It might be a bit low, but it all depends on the type of motoring - 280 around town is fantastic
Do as Simon says above - it's the only way to check your fuel consumption.

[johnlewis]

Yeah it is door to door 280 miles (Saltash to Upminster), smooth motorway driving at 60-70mph (one stop). 2wd. I know where the 'run completely out point' is as I found it in the first few days, causing a big jam on the A38 at rush hour on my way to the garage, what a nugget! I would hit it at 280 if I didn't bottle it and tank up.

So it's looking a bit on the low side then for a 97. What should I look at, this banjo filter? fuel and air filters too? Pretty sure it's gonna save me the cost in fuel quickly.

Ta

[francophile1947]

You can't go by the gauge - fill her right up, run for a couple of hundred miles then fill up again - it's the only way to check

[Muzorewa]

I've managed to just get 400 miles out of ours, 4WD diesel. I know where the empty bit on the gauge is now

Your fuel filters won't be affecting things, your air filter might and you should check other things like binding brakes as 280 is too low unless you drive like Lewis Hamilton

[Driver+Passengers]

I calculate that you're about 20mpg... lower than some. If you fill to the brim each time, you can use http://www.fuelly.com to keep tabs on it for you.

Tyre pressure can affect fuel consumption, too.

[Simon Jones]

The tank capacity is quoted as 65 litres but I don't know if that included the filler neck too, but lets assume not.

65 litres / 4.55 = 14.29 gallons
14.29 / 280 miles = 19.6 MPG

That does sound low as most people reckon it should be around the 25 mark, but without the exact amount of fuel being noted, then its all a bit of a guess.

EDIT: What he said

[Driver+Passengers]

An overview of all Bongos registered on fuelly.com can be seen here:
http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/bongo/

Or for diesels only:
http://www.fuelly.com/car/mazda/bongo/diesel%20l4

[janie]

mines a 96 2wd and i get around 28mpg around home (dinky cornish roads), so it does sound a bit low.

[mellon man]

Don't forget weight - I have been using mine as a bit of a work van lately carrying heavy building materials and noticed it's drinking a lot more diesel than norm and can be sluggish pulling up hills

[mikexgough]

620 km out of mine.... or 385 miles in old money when I bottled it and filled up...
Town only stop start miles I usually get 480km or 298 miles in old money and mines a 4x4

[Guru]

Wow. This thread makes me feel a lot better!

I've got a 1995 2wd 2.5TD and was shocked how often I had to fill her up.

However, I manage to get 400 miles out of a tank on a motorway run and the plus side, whenever it runs 'empty' I go to fill her up and I can only put 55 litres in....... That suggests that my fuel gauge is a little pessimistic and I still have 10 litres left!

I did put a bit of Wynn's additive in though. Bit dubious if that actually helps or not?