Fuel consumption

[Andresz]

What is the level of fuel consumtion of your California?

I am particularly interested in comparison of my California 2007 with Polyroof (which is 2.6 meter high) againts the majority of Californias, with foldable roof, (2 meter high).

Mine is: 2007, 5 cylinder 140 HP, 2.5 liter. Polyroof 2.6 meters high.
When driving carefully, out of a town, engine warmed up, 90 km/h (56m/h), I can go down to 8l/100km, so 35.3mpg.

 

[Andy]

2011 4 cyl 180 7 speed DSG. Currently done 14500 miles.
Over a 3500 trip in europe last year I averaged 35 mpg. Was mostly motorway driving.
At home in Milton Keynes I average 26 mpg. There are a lot of roundabouts on dual carriage way which explains poor mpg.

 

[Andresz]

2011 4 cyl 180 7 speed DSG. Currently done 14500 miles.
Over a 3500 trip in europe last year I averaged 35 mpg. Was mostly motorway driving.
At home in Milton Keynes I average 26 mpg. There are a lot of roundabouts on dual carriage way which explains poor mpg.

Thanks Andy, 26 mpg makes 11 liters/100km, it would be similar in such conditions with mine..

 

[Freeley]

What is the level of fuel consumtion of your California?

I am particularly interested in comparison of my California 2007 with Polyroof (which is 2.6 meter high) againts the majority of Californias, withth folding roof, (2 meter high).

Mine is: 2007, 5 cylinder 140 HP, 2.5 liter. Polyroof 2.6 meters high.
When driving carefully, out of a town, engine warmed up, 90 km/h (56m/h), I can go down to 8l/100km, so 35.3mpg.

I struggle to get 30mpg out of mine at any time so you're doing well i reckon.
You must have a very light right foot!

 

[BerndRos]

180DSG........last year about 25000 miles in Europe.....never on motorways, pretty laden....casual driving style .....hard to break the 30mpg barrier.......

 

[Andresz]

I struggle to get 30mpg out of mine at any time so you're doing well i reckon.
You must have a very light right foot!

Well, I am not too much impressed with this 35mpg result, since with my late T4 camper 2001, also 5 cylinder, also 2.5 liters (but 84 HP), 2.4m high it was 38mpg. I thought that the newer technology will be greener. I guess this is the weight which counts.

Yes this is right foot here, and left foot in the UK, isn't it ? :goodone

 

[choplee]

They may have a green engine now ,but as I was told by vw germany greener doesn't mean better fuel economy...

 

[Andresz]

They may have a green engine now ,but as I was told by vw germany greener doesn't mean better fuel economy...

That sounds like perfect salesman statement :smile

 

[James]

Beach Bluemotion pushing out 35 - 40 around town. Had up to 47/48 on a run.

Carol the loan 140 full Cali around 5 or 6 mpg less, easily.

Much smoother engine though.


James

 

[Andresz]

Beach Bluemotion pushing out 35 - 40 around town. Had up to 47/48 on a run.

Carol the loan 140 full Cali around 5 or 6 mpg less, easily.

Much smoother engine though.


James

Looks like Bluemotion does pay off...

 

[James]

It's certainly a good deal more economic but I am comparing a heavier Cali against a Beach. I don't think a 140 Beach would be much worse.



James.

 

[Andresz]

It's certainly a good deal more economic but I am comparing a heavier Cali against a Beach. I don't think a 140 Beach would be much worse.



James.

Nevertheless 47/48 mpg is very impressive for a van of this size.

 

[James]

It's certainly a good deal more economic but I am comparing a heavier Cali against a Beach. I don't think a 140 Beach would be much worse.



James.

Nevertheless 47/48 mpg is very impressive for a van of this size.

I think so - I mean that is a good long run but re regularly see around 44 - 45 - I know with some careful driving people have pushed that figure higher.

James

 

[choplee]

I think mile per tank ( mpt ) would be more accurate and not what's on the computer ..lol ,as you can really see what you get out the tank and quickly work out your mpg ... I usually run down to fuel light( which is not long ) then fill up till the click .. Trip computer not good for avg mpg only that moment it leads u in a false sense of security ...lol

 

[Andresz]

I think mile per tank ( mpt ) would be more accurate and not what's on the computer ..lol ,as you can really see what you get out the tank and quickly work out your mpg ... I usually run down to fuel light( which is not long ) then fill up till the click .. Trip computer not good for avg mpg only that moment it leads u in a false sense of security ...lol

I did compare the the computer indications and real fuel consumption based on the outgoing and incoming liters, and it was very close.
The trouble also is, if you want to use the mpt and in the same time use the webasto heating it is impossible to determine the real comsumption without the computer indication...

 

[Custardtart]

140 beach very low mileage:

Fully loaded long journey typically 70mph on motorway - 37mpg
Fully loaded long journey typically 80mph on motorway - 33mpg

Really loaded (5 people and around 0.75t of firewood ), long journey at 63mph on motorway - 41mpg!!!

Around town/commuting I'm getting about 37mpg.

I drive pretty calmly.

I think these results are really good for a van of this size.

 

[choplee]

I think mile per tank ( mpt ) would be more accurate and not what's on the computer ..lol ,as you can really see what you get out the tank and quickly work out your mpg ... I usually run down to fuel light( which is not long ) then fill up till the click .. Trip computer not good for avg mpg only that moment it leads u in a false sense of security ...lol

I did compare the the computer indications and real fuel consumption based on the outgoing and incoming liters, and it was very close.
The trouble also is, if you want to use the mpt and in the same time use the webasto heating it is impossible to determine the real comsumption without the computer indication...

Your not wrong there about the night heater messing with your mpg ...
Also I find that sometimes on runs the mpg is around 31-32ish and other times same sort of run up at about 36 ... There doesn't seem to be a real level and throw in afew short trips and the needle drops like a stone ...
I've given up with it and just fuel her up and try not to think about it ... Lol

 

[choplee]

I suppose we really we buy these buses for what they are and how much we fall in love with them and not for the fuel figures ...if I was that worried I would have a polo bluemotion with a Diddyvan caravan in tow ... (Not quite the same I guess lol )

 

[James]

I suppose we really we buy these buses for what they are and how much we fall in love with them and not for the fuel figures ...if I was that worried I would have a polo bluemotion with a Diddyvan caravan in tow ... (Not quite the same I guess lol )

Lee

I bought mine purely for the economy - I was hoping for something akin to a Nissan Leaf???? Have I been mistaken???




James

 

[Andy]

I think mile per tank ( mpt ) would be more accurate and not what's on the computer ..lol ,as you can really see what you get out the tank and quickly work out your mpg ... I usually run down to fuel light( which is not long ) then fill up till the click .. Trip computer not good for avg mpg only that moment it leads u in a false sense of security ...lol

My figures are done from manual figures, miles done & litres at fill up. Always brim it. These figures are about the same as the on board computer.

 

[choplee]

I suppose we really we buy these buses for what they are and how much we fall in love with them and not for the fuel figures ...if I was that worried I would have a polo bluemotion with a Diddyvan caravan in tow ... (Not quite the same I guess lol )

Lee

I bought mine purely for the economy - I was hoping for something akin to a Nissan Leaf???? Have I been mistaken???




James

ok james your the exception to the cali rules as betty was made to be more fuel efficient and does it well..... But any of us when buying a cali was thinking that they are going to get the vw booked mpg and mpg being at the top of their list when buying one then i feel they should have looked else where for a campervan .....
it could be worse

 

[James]

I suppose we really we buy these buses for what they are and how much we fall in love with them and not for the fuel figures ...if I was that worried I would have a polo bluemotion with a Diddyvan caravan in tow ... (Not quite the same I guess lol )

Lee

I bought mine purely for the economy - I was hoping for something akin to a Nissan Leaf???? Have I been mistaken???




James

ok james your the exception to the cali rules as betty was made to be more fuel efficient and does it well..... But any of us when buying a cali was thinking that they are going to get the vw booked mpg and mpg being at the top of their list when buying one then i feel they should have looked else where for a campervan .....
it could be worse

lol Lee - I always knew the figures would not be great - I think it's much of a muchness.

I want to try your Berg out

James

 

[njs777]

(07' 2.5 174) Last year drove from Aberdeen to Folkstone flat out and computer told me 32mpg probably near enough due to bad weather conditions etc but from Calais to Bordeaux once again flat out computer said 23 mpg?? reckon I went slightly faster in France due to the better pay roads poss. 10mph more vehicle was fully loaded four bikes steel framed awning etc - but did same journey year before and computer said 36mpg?? think average for a Cali is from 30 -35 combined but depends completely on journey length and driving style.

 

[Andresz]

Thank you all, I think it is quite beneficial to exchange those information. Of course T5 is not the most economical car in the world by definition, we all know that, but it does not mean that we should not be concerned by the fuel spending at all.

For me it is good to know that the 2.6 meter Polyroof actually does not make much of a difference as far as the fuel consumption is concerned. (It does make a difference for the French toll roads though, it goes to category 2)

 

[James]

Thank you all, I think it is quite beneficial to exchange those information. Of course T5 is not the most economical car in the world by definition, we all know that, but it does not mean that we should not be concerned by the fuel spending at all.

For me it is good to know that the 2.6 meter Polyroof actually does not make much of a difference as far as the fuel consumption is concerned. (It does make a difference for the French toll roads though, it goes to category 2)

Andresz

I am surprised no one has asked you about the Polyroof on your Cali - they are quite something and I've never seen one in the UK.

I have seen pictures on the net - any chance of some pics of yours?


James