Fuel economy

[Hawthorn37]

The down side is that you are always carrying the weight of 35-40 liters of fuel about with you. This will have an mpg impact. By running the tank down the van gets lighter so mpg should increase. However, if it give one peace of mind that has a value.

Very true, but considering the other half ton of stuff being lugged when camping, I’m not sure the fuel will make that much impact ! I’d also considered travelling with an empty fresh water tank - but we still fill it to avoid bother (and the guarantee at least one tank of potable water for the trip).

 

[WelshGas]

One thing I would like to know, in the U.K. Diesel is more expensive than Petrol, but on my recent Scandinavian trip Petrol was more expensive than Diesel. Anyone know why?

 

[Wildcamper]

One thing I would like to know, in the U.K. Diesel is more expensive than Petrol, but on my recent Scandinavian trip Petrol was more expensive than Diesel. Anyone know why?

Tax?

 

[Wildcamper]

At three stations I passed in Gloucestershire today petrol was the same price as diesel. Not seen this in years.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

At three stations I passed in Gloucestershire today petrol was the same price as diesel. Not seen this in years.

Still eye watering whether petrol or diesel..Hopefully one day when things return to normal we won’t need to take out a second mortgage to fill the tank...

 

[Vagophile]

Still eye watering whether petrol or diesel..

Apparently having a strong influence on decisions to purchase electric cars, especially used.

 

[chockswahay]

Well I tried all sorts of chicanery today and I reckon the T6.1 does NOT have the pukka coast function (even tho mine is a Coast….. haha see what I did there?)

 

[Jim2007]

Tax?

Just passed petrol on offer for an eye-watering €2.49 a litre in the Netherlands. Diesel €2.19.

I, too, have no idea why.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Just passed petrol on offer for an eye-watering €2.49 a litre in the Netherlands. Diesel €2.19.

I, too, have no idea why.

Younger folk on this thread are going to be just as boring as me when you get older! One of my reputed sayings, apparently when I’m feeling that the worlds going crazy, and I’m feeling old - “When I started driving, I could fill my car, get 2 chocolate bars and a bottle of Coke and still have change of £10 ! “. (it was £0.70/ gallon - that’s 15p/ litre). Whats the comparison going to be for present times ?

EDIT: Funny what you think of - I guess the cost of petrol is going to be as meaningless in the future as was the price of a ton of coal to my generation! More like “HOW much per kilowatt hour did you pay?”

 

[subthree]

Well I tried all sorts of chicanery today and I reckon the T6.1 does NOT have the pukka coast function (even tho mine is a Coast….. haha see what I did there?)

I have just driven 250 miles today, and the 6.1 (mine is an Ocean, made in Dec 2019) most definitely does drop in to coast/eco mode. Were you using ACC? If so, ACC will not "coast".

 

[Stu@rt]

I have just driven 250 miles today, and the 6.1 (mine is an Ocean, made in Dec 2019) most definitely does drop in to coast/eco mode. Were you using ACC? If so, ACC will not "coast".

Agree completely. Coast works well on my MY21 Coast. You see 'D'number turn to D. Eco pops up on the display, but the biggest giveaway is the revs dropping to tick over and any noticeable in gear engine retardation disappears. I.e. speed increases downhill even when off throttle.
With ACC on, "Coasting" / "Eco" isn't available

 

[chockswahay]

I tried it both with and without ACC…….. I wonder if there is a setting embedded somewhere that I haven’t found yet? All I can say is that when driving my sons van I can see it working and when driving mine it doesn’t. He borrowed it for 700 miles a while back and noted the same thing.

I dunno if it will improve mpg much, I simply like the idea of it (that’s me probably also being of a certain age haha)

 

[Herman]

I used the coast setting when I first got my automatic T5 SE and found that it made it quite unpleasant to drive, so I turned it off. How much fuel do you save by driving down hill or decelerating with the throttle closed? Does this save money when compared to the extra cost of replacing pads and discs resulting from more frequent use?

 

[chockswahay]

I used the coast setting when I first got my automatic T5 SE and found that it made it quite unpleasant to drive, so I turned it off. How much fuel do you save by driving down hill or decelerating with the throttle closed? Does this save money when compared to the extra cost of replacing pads and discs resulting from more frequent use?

You have a point there, however when in coast mode (at least on the T6) just a touch on the brake pedal will re engage the gears and provide engine braking. I quite like the downhill rush on a big road in Cornwall when driving my sons van whereas on my van the DSG changes down and engine brakes instead

 

[Snowball1935]

I have mixed views about the true significance of how the amount of fuel on board relates to obtained mpg. For me, fuel is part of the essential items as applies to engine oil, gearbox oil, ad blue and coolant.
On the flat the weight variable is probably too small to even measure. Up hill there may be some loss, but down hill the extra weight possibly gives added impetus.
I would bet that, of those who do give consideration to carrying more fuel than needed, many of these drivers probably nullify any advantage gained by wasteful driving characteristics. A heavy right foot most likely produces more early expense than any fuel frugality can compensate for.

 

[Cali Phillip]

You have a point there, however when in coast mode (at least on the T6) just a touch on the brake pedal will re engage the gears and provide engine braking. I quite like the downhill rush on a big road in Cornwall when driving my sons van whereas on my van the DSG changes down and engine brakes instead

Agreed it can be a bit of a jolt when coming from coast to in gear and braking.
I find its slightly annoying to when the auto fun police decides the hills too steep or acceleration is too fast and puts it in gear, normally too low a gear. If the run out is safe and suitable I just manually put it in a higher gear.
ACC is a revelation for me following drivers unfamiliar with our highland roads.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Younger folk on this thread are going to be just as boring as me when you get older! One of my reputed sayings, apparently when I’m feeling that the worlds going crazy, and I’m feeling old - “When I started driving, I could fill my car, get 2 chocolate bars and a bottle of Coke and still have change of £10 ! “. (it was £0.70/ gallon - that’s 15p/ litre). Whats the comparison going to be for present times ?

EDIT: Funny what you think of - I guess the cost of petrol is going to be as meaningless in the future as was the price of a ton of coal to my generation! More like “HOW much per kilowatt hour did you pay?”

When I was an apprentice petrol was four shillings and sixpence a gallon, by today’s standards very cheap but I started my apprenticeship on less than £2 a week. A skilled man earned £12 a week. Petrol is now roughly £8 a gallon and say an average wage of £600 a week we are better off well at least with the price of petrol.
And coal is now £450 a ton..and just went up £70 a ton in one go.

 

[Hawthorn37]

Agreed it can be a bit of a jolt when coming from coast to in gear and braking.
I find its slightly annoying to when the auto fun police decides the hills too steep or acceleration is too fast and puts it in gear, normally too low a gear. If the run out is safe and suitable I just manually put it in a higher gear.
ACC is a revelation for me following drivers unfamiliar with our highland roads.

I bet it would be for them too - the other way round - following you! Set it to 60 and strap in for the ride !!

 

[Snowball1935]

I had cruise control on my previous two Tourans, but it isn’t fitted as standard to my 2017 SE Caravelle. I do miss it at certain times and am considering having the OE retro-fitted to my Caravelle.
My best ever mpg was returning from a holiday in Cornwall, towing our 1470 kg MTPLM caravan - from the overnight stop at Wellington in Somerset to our home in south Leicestershire, the MFD showed an average of 43 mpg. This is a very unusual return - probably had a good following wind.
Normally, my average mpg is around 33 - 35 mpg.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

I had cruise control on my previous two Tourans, but it isn’t fitted as standard to my 2017 SE Caravelle. I do miss it at certain times and am considering having the OE retro-fitted to my Caravelle.
My best ever mpg was returning from a holiday in Cornwall, towing our 1470 kg MTPLM caravan - from the overnight stop at Wellington in Somerset to our home in south Leicestershire, the MFD showed an average of 43 mpg. This is a very unusual return - probably had a good following wind.
Normally, my average mpg is around 33 - 35 mpg.

You actually got 43 mpg towing a one and a half ton caravan? That has to be a world record.

 

[Cali Phillip]

I have mixed views about the true significance of how the amount of fuel on board relates to obtained mpg. For me, fuel is part of the essential items as applies to engine oil, gearbox oil, ad blue and coolant.
On the flat the weight variable is probably too small to even measure. Up hill there may be some loss, but down hill the extra weight possibly gives added impetus.
I would bet that, of those who do give consideration to carrying more fuel than needed, many of these drivers probably nullify any advantage gained by wasteful driving characteristics. A heavy right foot most likely produces more early expense than any fuel frugality can compensate for.

not forgetting water and waste on board, all adds to the KG.

I bet it would be for them too - the other way round - following you! Set it to 60 and strap in for the ride !!

I don't drive quick, in the summer you learn to chilli out, steady, observing speed limits to save fuel and tyres.
Good to be cautious here in summer, it oddly feels safer in winter.

 

[Snowball1935]

Nobody could be more surprised than me! The first part of the journey (very hilly) was from Chacewater and on the A30, when the average was about 31mpg.
The 2nd leg was M5/M42/M69 and, presumably with a good following wind, I can only presume that this was the reason for a good average. The DSG was doing very little changes during this time - mainly in 6 and 7 gear.

 

[Ozzy Pete]

Nobody could be more surprised than me! The first part of the journey (very hilly) was from Chacewater and on the A30, when the average was about 31mpg.
The 2nd leg was M5/M42/M69 and, presumably with a good following wind, I can only presume that this was the reason for a good average. The DSG was doing very little changes during this time - mainly in 6 and 7 gear.

I would have thought around 20 - 25 mpg tops for an average towing a caravan but hey ho you got the best T6 ever produced.

 

[chockswahay]

Right then, can anybody here tell me how I can get my MY20 Coast to actually coast? Just been out to collect something off Gumtree and over the entire 24 mile round trip I deffo did not coast. The manual says nothing at all about it. Have I got the only non coasting coast in the village?

 

[GrannyJen]

I would have thought around 20 - 25 mpg tops for an average towing a caravan but hey ho you got the best T6 ever produced.

I never surpassed 24mpg.