OT: Volvo V50 diesel MPG

P

Pacman

Guest

• Sep 10, 2006

• #1

I know people here have "normal" cars as well as Land Rovers, hence why I'm
asking here:

2 weeks ago I took delivery of a 6 month/7000 mile Volvo V50 Sport 2.0D and
whilst i'm impressed with the car generally, the fuel consumption is high;
I'm getting about 33 mpg for town and motorway driving (figures based on
full tank, reset tripometer and filling again after 200 miles and
calculating consumption) . With 6 gears and the engine doing 1500rpm at
60mph in 6th I'd expect consumption to be a lot better. I read reviews
about the car before buying and a couple of people said consumption was on
the high side at around 40 mpg (quoted combined is 48 mpg) but 33 mpg is
very poor.. I've never owned a diesel before but even I know this isn't
right.

Does anyone have/know anyone who has a Volvo V50 2.0D? What sort of average
fuel consumption do you get?

It's going back to the dealer tomorrow for a couple of other minor issues
but I'm going to ask them to investigate, otherwise they can have it back!

--
Thanks
Paul
1992 RR Vogue SE
2006 Volvo V50

 

S

[email protected]

Guest

• Sep 10, 2006

• #2

> Does anyone have/know anyone who has a Volvo V50 2.0D? What sort of average
> fuel consumption do you get?
>
> It's going back to the dealer tomorrow for a couple of other minor issues
> but I'm going to ask them to investigate, otherwise they can have it back!
>
> --
> Thanks
> Paul
> 1992 RR Vogue SE
> 2006 Volvo V50

Paul


Paul

I have an 05 registered one as company car with 37k on the clock. I
reckon to get about 38mpg on average but it's not my car so it's abused
and thrashed (interior resembles a skip most of the time!!). Only thing
I do treat it to is decent diesel, not supermarket stuff. My main beef
with it is the small fuel tank, only about 350 mile range. Most
comfortable car I've ever had though. Previous car was a focus tdci and
that did 43 to the gallon no matter how I drove it. Don't read to much
into official figures, you'll never get anywhere near them.

Having said that, your fuel consumption doesn't sound right at all but
at only 7000miles engine isn't fully bedded in yet plus what was
previous owners driving style/useage?

Sean

73FL74 101 GS
1984 110 2.5N/A LR Military demonstrator
2000 110 CSW Blingwagon
Medway Military Vehicle Group
www.mmvg.net

 

D

Derek

Guest

• Sep 10, 2006

• #3

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>> Does anyone have/know anyone who has a Volvo V50 2.0D? What sort of
>> average
>> fuel consumption do you get?
>>
>> It's going back to the dealer tomorrow for a couple of other minor issues
>> but I'm going to ask them to investigate, otherwise they can have it
>> back!
>>
>> --
>> Thanks
>> Paul
>> 1992 RR Vogue SE
>> 2006 Volvo V50
>
> Paul
>
>
> Paul
>
> I have an 05 registered one as company car with 37k on the clock. I
> reckon to get about 38mpg on average but it's not my car so it's abused
> and thrashed (interior resembles a skip most of the time!!). Only thing
> I do treat it to is decent diesel, not supermarket stuff. My main beef
> with it is the small fuel tank, only about 350 mile range. Most
> comfortable car I've ever had though. Previous car was a focus tdci and
> that did 43 to the gallon no matter how I drove it. Don't read to much
> into official figures, you'll never get anywhere near them.
>
> Having said that, your fuel consumption doesn't sound right at all but
> at only 7000miles engine isn't fully bedded in yet plus what was
> previous owners driving style/useage?
>
> Sean
>
> 73FL74 101 GS
> 1984 110 2.5N/A LR Military demonstrator
> 2000 110 CSW Blingwagon
> Medway Military Vehicle Group
> www.mmvg.net

I wouldn't differentiate between fuel suppliers by discounting (no pun
intended) the supermarkets just look for BP pumps the last time I checked
they sell diesel with a much higher cetane level than other suppliers at 55
[ BTW in California BP ecd diesel is at 60 !!!]( cetane is the indicator
of how fast therefore how completely the fuel burns and therefore higher is
generally cleaner ) however certain supermarkets are turning to biodiesel
which can be higher rated than most at 51. handy to know also that Tesco
are introducing a 99 octane petrol which is close to the old 5 star rating
of 101 nice if you have an E type or similar classic and in effort to keep
us all happy BP are going sell Ultimate 102 (surprise!) a 102 octane fuel
for motorsport enthusiasts.
One other thing there is a plant under test which can produce a biodiesel
with a cetane number of 75-80 from wood.
Derek

 

P

Pacman

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #4

[email protected] wrote:

>
> Having said that, your fuel consumption doesn't sound right at all but
> at only 7000miles engine isn't fully bedded in yet plus what was
> previous owners driving style/useage?
>

The previous owner was the dealer, it was a demo car, so no doubt it
was probably thrashed a bit when demo-ing its capabilities. Someone
else mentioned that the mileage may have something to do with it, but
would it really make that much difference?

Paul

 

P

Pacman

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #5

Derek wrote:
>
> I wouldn't differentiate between fuel suppliers by discounting (no pun
> intended) the supermarkets just look for BP pumps the last time I checked
> they sell diesel with a much higher cetane level than other suppliers at 55
> [ BTW in California BP ecd diesel is at 60 !!!]( cetane is the indicator
> of how fast therefore how completely the fuel burns and therefore higher is
> generally cleaner ) however certain supermarkets are turning to biodiesel
> which can be higher rated than most at 51.

Having never owned a diesel before I didn't realise that there was much
difference in diesel ratings. Does it tell you the rating on the pump
handle like unleaded does?

Paul

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #6

On or around 11 Sep 2006 00:36:01 -0700, "Pacman" <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>
>Derek wrote:
>>
>> I wouldn't differentiate between fuel suppliers by discounting (no pun
>> intended) the supermarkets just look for BP pumps the last time I checked
>> they sell diesel with a much higher cetane level than other suppliers at 55
>> [ BTW in California BP ecd diesel is at 60 !!!]( cetane is the indicator
>> of how fast therefore how completely the fuel burns and therefore higher is
>> generally cleaner ) however certain supermarkets are turning to biodiesel
>> which can be higher rated than most at 51.
>
>Having never owned a diesel before I didn't realise that there was much
>difference in diesel ratings. Does it tell you the rating on the pump
>handle like unleaded does?

not noticed it.

I have in the past found definite improvement in MPG running on shell when
compared to running on murco. The figure was not huge, but measureable -
about 3% I think. The motors "feel" better on shell, too.

This is probably a manifestation of the same thing.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"Brevis esse laboro, Obscurus fio" (it is when I struggle to be
brief that I become obscure) Horace (65 - 8 BC) Ars Poetica, 25

 

B

beamendsltd

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #7

In message <[email protected]>
Austin Shackles <[email protected]> wrote:

> On or around 11 Sep 2006 00:36:01 -0700, "Pacman" <[email protected]>
> enlightened us thusly:
>
> >
> >Derek wrote:
> >>
> >> I wouldn't differentiate between fuel suppliers by discounting (no pun
> >> intended) the supermarkets just look for BP pumps the last time I checked
> >> they sell diesel with a much higher cetane level than other suppliers at 55
> >> [ BTW in California BP ecd diesel is at 60 !!!]( cetane is the indicator
> >> of how fast therefore how completely the fuel burns and therefore higher is
> >> generally cleaner ) however certain supermarkets are turning to biodiesel
> >> which can be higher rated than most at 51.
> >
> >Having never owned a diesel before I didn't realise that there was much
> >difference in diesel ratings. Does it tell you the rating on the pump
> >handle like unleaded does?
>
> not noticed it.
>
> I have in the past found definite improvement in MPG running on shell when
> compared to running on murco. The figure was not huge, but measureable -
> about 3% I think. The motors "feel" better on shell, too.
>
> This is probably a manifestation of the same thing.

UK deisel has a BS number (no idea what!), but we do have "winter
diesel" - I'd hazard a guess that Austins 3% is due to having that.

Also,haing speny many happy hours waiting for Avtur to unloaded
at Tiverton Junction, it was very obvious that some sort of sharing
scheme is/was in operation between the oil companies - the depot
was Shell, but BP and other tankers loaded up there regularly.

Biodeisel (or part-biodiesel in this case) from the pumps is dire -
my 200Tdi fuel consumption went up by something like 30% when I
tired it, and the power dropped embrassingly towards 2.5 NA diesel
perfomance. It may just be that one company, but the increased
fuel consumption completely negated any environmental benefit
and left me extremely concerned about the health of my engine.

Richard
--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
www.radioparadise.com - Good Music, No Vine
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

 

O

Oily

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #8

"beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote :-

<snip>

>
> Biodeisel (or part-biodiesel in this case) from the pumps is dire -
> my 200Tdi fuel consumption went up by something like 30% when I

> tired (you really meant to spell it that way)

it, and the power dropped embrassingly towards 2.5 NA diesel
> perfomance. It may just be that one company, but the increased
> fuel consumption completely negated any environmental benefit
> and left me extremely concerned about the health of my engine.
>
> Richard
> --
> www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
> www.radioparadise.com - Good Music, No Vine
> Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

 

A

Austin Shackles

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #9

On or around Mon, 11 Sep 2006 10:38:06 +0100, beamendsltd
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>
>UK deisel has a BS number (no idea what!), but we do have "winter
>diesel" - I'd hazard a guess that Austins 3% is due to having that.
>

don't think so. Possible, though.
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
"If you cannot mould yourself as you would wish, how can you expect
other people to be entirely to your liking?"
Thomas À Kempis (1380 - 1471) Imitation of Christ, I.xvi.

 

P

PhilC

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #10

"Pacman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> >
> > Having said that, your fuel consumption doesn't sound right at all but
> > at only 7000miles engine isn't fully bedded in yet plus what was
> > previous owners driving style/useage?
> >
>
> The previous owner was the dealer, it was a demo car, so no doubt it
> was probably thrashed a bit when demo-ing its capabilities. Someone
> else mentioned that the mileage may have something to do with it, but
> would it really make that much difference?
>
> Paul


Most diesel engines need about 10K miles to bed in nicely so 7K is about
there. I won't use supermarket fuel as I believe it is manufactured to
minimum standard. I'm fairly sure we dont have 'winter diesel.' any longer
unless you live in Scotland - stand to be corrected. Fuel consumption
differences could be noticed between full fat and low fat diesels - fat =
sulphur - but again I'm fairly sure only low sulphur is now available.
There are cetane enhancers available I used one some time ago and there was
an improvement in performance not sure about mpg but this was in an engine
designed for regular sulphur fuel.

PhilC

 

D

Derek

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #11

"beamendsltd" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:73939f644e%[email protected]...
> In message <[email protected]>
> Austin Shackles <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On or around 11 Sep 2006 00:36:01 -0700, "Pacman"
>> <[email protected]>
>> enlightened us thusly:
>>
>> >
>> >Derek wrote:
>> >>
>> >> I wouldn't differentiate between fuel suppliers by discounting (no pun
>> >> intended) the supermarkets just look for BP pumps the last time I
>> >> checked
>> >> they sell diesel with a much higher cetane level than other suppliers
>> >> at 55
>> >> [ BTW in California BP ecd diesel is at 60 !!!]( cetane is the
>> >> indicator
>> >> of how fast therefore how completely the fuel burns and therefore
>> >> higher is
>> >> generally cleaner ) however certain supermarkets are turning to
>> >> biodiesel
>> >> which can be higher rated than most at 51.
>> >
>> >Having never owned a diesel before I didn't realise that there was much
>> >difference in diesel ratings. Does it tell you the rating on the pump
>> >handle like unleaded does?
>>
>> not noticed it.
>>
>> I have in the past found definite improvement in MPG running on shell
>> when
>> compared to running on murco. The figure was not huge, but measureable -
>> about 3% I think. The motors "feel" better on shell, too.
>>
>> This is probably a manifestation of the same thing.
>
> UK deisel has a BS number (no idea what!), but we do have "winter
> diesel" - I'd hazard a guess that Austins 3% is due to having that.
>
> Also,haing speny many happy hours waiting for Avtur to unloaded
> at Tiverton Junction, it was very obvious that some sort of sharing
> scheme is/was in operation between the oil companies - the depot
> was Shell, but BP and other tankers loaded up there regularly.
>
> Biodeisel (or part-biodiesel in this case) from the pumps is dire -
> my 200Tdi fuel consumption went up by something like 30% when I
> tired it, and the power dropped embrassingly towards 2.5 NA diesel
> perfomance. It may just be that one company, but the increased
> fuel consumption completely negated any environmental benefit
> and left me extremely concerned about the health of my engine.
>
> Richard
> --
> www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
> www.radioparadise.com - Good Music, No Vine
> Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

Thats quite odd I've seen UK Biodiesel cetane rating at >46 which seems
very low compared to elsewhere (pump diesel minimum is 51) I reckon there is
still work to do and until the bigger oil companies start fighting it out
over Bio they have a vested interest in making it seem a poor alternative.
So far as winter diesel goes yes come winter the refineries put antiwaxing
additives in which is a big improvement on when I used to work out how much
Derv we had bunkered and add it in myself. I have fuelled the Merc up
recently (after reading the cetane chart which I can't find now ) with BP
and yes it does make a noticable difference especially when climbing loaded
I would hate to be paying for it myself as the price is 2-3p a litre higher
and I do use a fair bit I love my fuel card : ) although I suppose to get
the best out of it I should push up the boost pressure slightly not very
likely on a leased vehicle

Derek


http://www.speeding.co.uk/dieselfuelonly.wav

 

P

PhilC

Guest

• Sep 11, 2006

• #12

"Pacman" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> [email protected] wrote:
>
> >
> > Having said that, your fuel consumption doesn't sound right at all but
> > at only 7000miles engine isn't fully bedded in yet plus what was
> > previous owners driving style/useage?
> >
>
> The previous owner was the dealer, it was a demo car, so no doubt it
> was probably thrashed a bit when demo-ing its capabilities. Someone
> else mentioned that the mileage may have something to do with it, but
> would it really make that much difference?
>
> Paul

Most diesel engines need about 10K miles to bed in nicely so 7K is about
there. I won't use supermarket fuel as I believe it is manufactured to
minimum standard. I'm fairly sure we dont have 'winter diesel.' any longer
unless you live in Scotland - stand to be corrected. Fuel consumption
differences could be noticed between full fat and low fat diesels - fat =
sulphur but again I'm fairly sure only low sulphur is now available.
There are cetane enhancers available I used one some time ago and there was
an improvement in performance not sure about mpg but this was in an engine
designed for regular sulphur fuel.

PhilC