Caldina 2.0G economy

[paulngui]

Hi, I just filled up my car and worked out that I got 10.9 L/100km from my last tank. My drives are 90% suburban with just a couple of motorway trips; and I try to drive economically, never revving it higher than ~2400rpm.

This seems extremely high for an NA Caldina with the not-very-powerful 3S-FE motor; just wondering if anyone else with this engine gets this bad economy.

[sergei]

Try revving it higher .
Try 95 and see if it helps.
Additionally check for error codes.
You could also put voltmeter on VF pin in diagnostics connector, and see if it is 2.5V (or close), while the car is running (and fully warmed up).

10L/100Km is normal for car like that, but that is just driving normally and not saving fuel. If you are "hypermiling" it, you should get 8L/100km in town.

[BZG Wagon]

My turbo caldina gets better economy then that.

Is yours 4wd? Automatic? What type of fuel do you run? When was the last time you checked the air in the tyres?

Be careful with not revving it too high - you can put the enging under enourmous stress by not revving it out properly (I'm not saying redline it -just drive it normally).

Try giving it a really good service too - clean out the throttle body, change the oil, filters etc. And a thrash every once and a while can do wonders for a car (loosen up all the built up carbon in the motor).

[paulngui]

Knew I'd forget stuff! It's the FF auto model.

Admittedly, it's been a while since I checked the tire pressure, but I do give them a pump maybe twice a year. Is this way too infrequent? And it does get a service annually. But to be fair it's always ranged between 10-11L/100km for that kind of driving (90% suburban) in the 4.5 years I've had it.

With regards to checking error codes, and checking the voltage on the diagnostics connector, I'm not sure how to do those. Is it easy enough to explain on here? If not don't worry

[Bling]

Doesn't sound outrageous for an auto. I get that with my 1600.... granted I hardly ever rev it BELOW 2400

Have you tested the mileage on a long trip? I get 400km to roughly 40L around town, but would get much closer to 500km open road.

[BZG Wagon]

I try to check my tyres monthly (maybe a little obsessive). A couple times a year is on the other end of that scale so you should definately keep an eye on it more frequently. You can also look at less grippy tyres if you've got something fancy on it.

An annual service is a poor effort too - every six months or 10,000kms at least. More often if you drive it in traffic regularly.

To run diagnostics just locate the check connector, which should be close to the drivers door, by the little compartment thingy where your knees are. Bridge TC & CG and turn on the ignition. Count the engine flashes then google them to see if there are any issues.

[iOnic]

That's pretty shocking. My Mondog gets between 6 and 8L/100km and weighs as much as a small planet.

[Al]

That's pretty shocking. My Mondog gets between 6 and 8L/100km and weighs as much as a small planet.

C'mon this is TS, you will be soon told how rubbish your Mondeo is. Even though it probably cost 1/4 of the price of a featureless Camry and gets better milage.

[iOnic]

[peas]

My GT gets about 8-11kml/100km round town (according to the computer thing anyway) Though it was running worse than that until I replaced a fairly bad wheel bearing. I'm not a light footed driver by any stretch of the imagination either. Seems to use a lot more fuel until it reaches operating temp.

[rollaholic]

your mondeo is rubbish and you should have paid twice as much for a 96 corolla with 280k on the clock

[iOnic]

Paid more for my 85 Corolla with 350kms on the clock and it used almost twice as much fuel before I added a turbo...Maybe I should sell the mondeo for something non european that will be cheaper to run and more reliable.

[Sick Puppy]

Hi, I just filled up my car and worked out that I got 10.9 L/100km from my last tank. My drives are 90% suburban with just a couple of motorway trips; and I try to drive economically, never revving it higher than ~2400rpm.

This seems extremely high for an NA Caldina with the not-very-powerful 3S-FE motor; just wondering if anyone else with this engine gets this bad economy.

I do too, with a manual 4WD g-spec one. Just figured it was heavier than the 2WD 3S-GE Curren I had, and sucked it up. Darn family wanting a four door wagon

[paulngui]

I try to check my tyres monthly (maybe a little obsessive). A couple times a year is on the other end of that scale so you should definately keep an eye on it more frequently. You can also look at less grippy tyres if you've got something fancy on it.

An annual service is a poor effort too - every six months or 10,000kms at least. More often if you drive it in traffic regularly.

To run diagnostics just locate the check connector, which should be close to the drivers door, by the little compartment thingy where your knees are. Bridge TC & CG and turn on the ignition. Count the engine flashes then google them to see if there are any issues.

Thanks for the info, I'll check it out when I get a chance

Best I've had from driving the open road during road trips or whatever is I think just over 7 L/100km. Average for open road is more like 8 though.

[Sick Puppy]

One tank of 98 at 65L got me 500km of city driving, which comes to 7.7km/L.

I think I need to check my oxygen sensor...

[samlloyd]

Dont try and keep the revs under a certain amount. Its all about how hard you press on the accelerator.

[sergei]

Dont try and keep the revs under a certain amount. Its all about how hard you press on the accelerator.

Not true. There is a thing called pumping loss. When you close the throttle engine is working against it, the higher RPM the harder is for engine to suck through the throttle. To reduce pumping loss either reduce RPM or increase throttle opening.
Basically most efficient way of accelerating is ~3/4 of the throttle at medium to high RPM. Once you there put it in high gear/low throttle.