hi i have a discovery td5 2004 (the new one with the facelift) and i live in the south of italy, i often make trips to england and back with a 3.5 ton trailer sometimes fully loaded. haven't had any problems (touch wood) but was wondering on how i could improve my fuel economy. i was thinking of doing the egr valve thing but i have a EU3 disco so it has the control on the intake aswell and so it would efectivly just starv the engine of air.
when doing long distance i use the blue diesel which does improve fuel consuption quite abit and saves me 2 stops of filling up when going from italy to england, also i just climb to 100kmh and then put the cruise control on and leave it as its near enough straight roads, no traffic or road works.
so if anyone has got any ideas on how i can get better fuel economy i would be greatful.
thanks
mike
If you want to improve your mpg you need to:
1. Get the engine working more efficiently &
2. Adopt a different driving style.
Engine efficiency:
A. Do the De-EGR thing, works even better on Euro3 cars as you can get rid of the valve which is currently partially blocking the inlet tract, cost about £30;
B. De-Cat the exhaust - currently you will have a cat in your exhaust downpipe, get rid using a non-cat downpipe, cost about £60;
c. Change your air filter much more regularly than manufacture specs. The vehicle is working hard and sucking air like a mad thing, so put a new one in REGULARLY;
D. Check your tyre pressures often, make sure they are well up, especially if towing a big lump. I run 2.1 at the front & 2.6 at the back unless towing heavy stuf then the back goes up to 3.2.
E. Have your tracking checked, if it's not right it introduces drag, which you don't want;
F. Check for binding brakes, even if only slight will mean less mpg.
G. Don't use aircon unless you really have to, reduces mpg by about 10%
It's all about efficient running really, reducing drag wherever possible, don't use electrical systems unless you have to, creates more drag via the alternator.
Considor removing the the viscous and keep in the boot. Both our TDi's run without fans and run perfectly. Improves mpg by about 5%.
Driving Style:
Using the cruise control, whilst being convenient, is not the best way to get highest mpg imo. Especially when towing heavy loads I would suggest that you need to accept that you will slow down a bit on long climbs with 3.5tons on the back !!
I use cruise when running solo and when running at 110-130kph as I find that no matter what hills I come across on motorways, the cruise can manage them WITHOUT having to drop a gear (which also drops you out of Torque Converter lock-up).
When pulling heavy loads, manage your approach to hill climbs so that you stay above 80kph, that way you'll stay in 4th gear and lock-up, which is the most fuel efficient package. IF that's not possible, then select 3rd and good time before the hill slows you down, as the box will stay in 3rd gear lock-up so long as the vehicle stays above 70kph.
There's a few things to think about