How do I get better fuel economy?
Hi there,
I bought the new Opel Astra in January, a diesel 1.7L CDTi with 110hp. The car is well run-in at this stage with over 4,000km on the clock. I am only getting about 42mpg; the tank holds 56 litres and I am lucky to get 800km from this. The dealer has told me that it should be closer to 55mpg. I have a provisional appointment made with the dealer for him to do an emissions check on the car. Can you think of what might be causing the poor mileage considering I am not a hard driver and do obey the speed limit?
Carl Cody (Kilkenny)Expert answer
Hi Carl,
The thing about fuel economy figures from the manufacturer is that they are often very difficult to match. We seldom match them, as they are recorded using specific lab conditions and are often not really reflective of real-world conditions.
There are some things you can do to improve your fuel economy however:
1 Pump up to cut down
Under-inflated tyres create more resistance. That means your engine has to work harder, so more fuel is used. Check and adjust your tyre pressures regularly, and also before long journeys.
2 Less clutter means less CO2
Clutter in your boot is extra weight in your car. By removing it, you could reduce your engine's workload. This will burn less fuel.
3 Drive at an appropriate speed
Staying at or within the speed limit not only increases driver safety, it also reduces fuel consumption. At 110km/h you could be using nine percent more fuel than at 100km/h, and up to 15 percent more fuel than at 80km/h.
4 Less stopping and starting
Every time you stop then start again in a traffic queue the engine uses more fuel. Keep an eye on the traffic ahead and slow down early by gently lifting your foot off the accelerator while keeping the car in gear. The traffic may have started moving again by the time you reach the vehicle in front, so you can change up a gear and be on your way.
5 Over-revving accelerates emissions
Modern car engines are designed to be efficient from the moment they are switched on, so revving up like a Formula 1 car in pole position only wastes fuel and increases engine wear. Using your gears wisely by changing up a gear a little earlier can also reduce revs.
6 Idling is wasting fuel
When the engine is idling, you're wasting fuel. If you're likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes, simply switch off the engine.
– Source: Defra UK
Where to go for car finance?
I know finance is hard to come by these days but I'd really like to buy a new car. Where should I go first to get finance because I don't want to be turned down by loads of banks?
Joseph Murphy (Kerry)May 2010 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
It is very true that obtaining finance is a major problem at the moment. A survey by the Peugeot dealer network in late 2009 showed that 71 percent of car finance proposals were being rejected compared to 30 percent in September 2008. In the last 12 months GE Money, Friends First and Lombard Ireland all left the market, which is now dominated by the likes of Permanent TSB, Bank of Scotland Ireland and the two main banks, AIB and Bank of Ireland. Evidence also suggests that the credit union has become a prominent lender for private individuals in the car market. It isn't a free for-all from the credit unions, but if you do have a decent savings record with a credit union they are a very good option.
In most dealerships, if you go through the likes of Permanent TSB, then you will usually need a pretty hefty deposit. Volkswagen Group now have their own bank and are said to be getting very high pass rates. As with most cases, it does depend on the state of your own finances and your ability to pay back the loan.
What seems to be clear is that motor finance is available, but like so many of the radio advertisements will say, ‘terms and conditions apply’. Large deposits and tough credit checks have replaced the sort of one-click, one-signature availability of the recent past