Fuel economy question

Reduce your speed and wait for a following wind, the second may not be exactly practical but they are the two main causes of high fuel consumption. One thing the trip computer in a modern car allows you to do is monitor fuel consumption in different situations. Going south last year over the A75 against a north wind I reckon we were losing   3-4 MPG over what we would normally expect on that route I appreciate its not exactly scientific but it was very noticable.

I am aware of my mpg but try not monitor it closely as it would be depressing. I know my motor is greedy,so put up with it.

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We and I say we as OH records mileage and fill quantites, monitor ours out of intrest, my last car invariably did between 24.5 and 26 mpg over nearly 50K miles towing and it did not depress me at all because that what it took to do what we needed it to do..

Write your comments here...I would have to be going downhill with a following wind for that figure.

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

We and I say we as OH records mileage and fill quantites, monitor ours out of intrest, my last car invariably did between 24.5 and 26 mpg over nearly 50K miles towing and it did not depress me at all because that what it took to do what we needed it to do..

Write your comments here...I would have to be going downhill with a following wind for that figure.

What have you got?

Write your comments here...Lexis 350 Navigator. Brilliant car in every way  except mpg.

We and I say we as OH records mileage and fill quantites, monitor ours out of intrest, my last car invariably did between 24.5 and 26 mpg over nearly 50K miles towing and it did not depress me at all because that what it took to do what we needed it to do..

Write your comments here...I would have to be going downhill with a following wind for that figure.

What have you got?

Write your comments here...Lexis 350 Navigator. Brilliant car in every way  except mpg.

When on the road ......  my R320 does around 21/22 while towing, mid/high 20s around town & about 30/31 at motorway(ish) speeds

I suspect it depends on the rolling resistance of the tyres in use. The tyres with the lower rolling resistance at the new loading, would be the best to take the load. I suspect that unless the car is already close to its maximum tyre loading it will be the least resistive, as it is the more probable to have low resistence tyres fitted  and probably more loading reserves than the ones on the caravan.

All though I suspect will turn out in practice to be half a part of nothing difference in real terms. Erring on the upper side of the allowed inflation pressures would be wise for cutting down on the rolling resistance.

I don't worry about fuel costs just put diesel in when it's needed. I drive a Toyota Land Cruiser LC4 Auto. Fuel is cheap under £1.00 a litre.

Loading might have some effect but it will be negligible. The two main factors as said before are weight and wind resistance. You can keep weight to a minimum but any saving will not be great so to keep fuel useage down driving technique is the best way to save.  Speed is probably the biggest area but you do have to get there.