fuel economy

[DVR68U]

hey guys i just returned from a weekend blast down into vic did 2000kms in 2 and a half days, on the trip up from geelong to albury i got an amazing 8.9l per hundred. this it from a 2lt petrol manual '93. 3 ppl and a motorbike in the van. the 2l petrols are very good on fuel. the other tank i got 9.1l per 100.
both outstanding figures. and the whole time i was at the speed limit. and hopefully not over it , no tolerance speed cameras all over vic. good way to ruin a nice state :(
cheers brenton

[GoLfMan]

was this a transporter 2L?
would be gutless though wouldnt it?!

[DVR68U]

lol yeah a 2lt depends what you mean by gutless , would easy sit on 130 all day long. it can tow vr6 passats all the way from port mac down to sydney .
i dont think they at gutless. its a van anyway ?
cheers brenton

[Golf Loon]

Yeah I think its a load of hooey about em being gutless, you just rev em hard and they like it.

They pull hard with a load on or a trailer and I cane round in mine when its empty.

Reliable too. In 50,000kms I have changed a coil and the oil, thats it.
I have never run a tank of fuel through it without pulling a trailer either, so it works hard.

Still thinking TDI, but I love my T4 2L.

[BigWhiteT3]

Comparing economy to the older models, my '91 T3 (injected 2.1) gets about 11.5-12.0l per 100km on the open road and about 12.5 around town. That brick-like profile doesn't do much for you on a long trip I can tell you. Still, wouldn't swap it for anything.

Ash

[DVR68U]

hey bigwhite what speed do you sit at on the hwy ?
cheers brenton

[BigWhiteT3]

This is sitting at 110kmh mostly...

[Rebuild]

T5 2.5L TDI auto, best I've done is 8.3L/100km over a full tank.Have done 7.9L/100km over a short run

Around town 9.5-10

Most country runs about 8.5-9

[DVR68U]

wow so im getting down in the tdi fuel economy, thats pretty interesting, my van would weight less than a tdi, every day a like my van more. untill it breaks every other day lol.
cheers brenton

[baldy]

first tank of diesal in 128 swb 120kms to 72lt trip computer telling me ive got another 120ks left bit strange with only 8lt left in the tank.

let you know how far i get on the next tank the computer is telling me 10 to 10.5 lts per hundred with driving around town

[gregozedobe]

Don't believe the fuel consumption figures the trip computer tells you. Mine can indicate it is using anything up to 20% lower than what it actually did use (calculated with distance travelled and amount of diesel put in the tank).

Generally I get an actual 7.2 to 7.8 litres/100Km (mostly highway cruising at 100 to 110 Kmh) from a 128Kw manual T5 van. I can get much better economy at 80 Kmh but besides taking forever to get anywhere you are in constant danger of being mown down from behind :(

[baldy]

you must get well over 1000k's to tank being an 80 lt tank

[gregozedobe]

you must get well over 1000k's to tank being an 80 lt tank

The MFD often tells me I could, but I don't like to run diesels down to too low a fuel level in the tank. Most of my trips are Canberra-Sydney return, so I fill up when I get home after 6-700Km. Of course the last two trips to Sydney it has come home on a flat-top truck with oil in the coolant, so great fuel economy for the distance covered, but significantly less owner happiness :(

[BobD]

Nearly every tank my 128kw Multivan Auto gets between 650 and 700 km and takes between 76 and 80l in the 80l tank. I have twice put in 84l and the computer was telling me I had 30km to go to empty both times.

As I have said before I am extremely disappointed with this fuel consumption, especially when the T4 TDI manual was getting 850km to 900km and 65 to 70l out of every tank in the same conditions. Most of the driving is ferrying kids around town but I don't find much improvement driving at 120kmh in the country either.

With this sort of fuel consumption you may as well get a petrol. I am wondering whether the particulate filter is what causes this large increase in fuel consumption, especially as it uses diesel to burn off the carbon if it doesn't get hot enough around town. The torque converter is locked in nearly every gear at any speed and I can't imagine a more efficient auto so the extra consumption over the T4 seems extremely high. I can't understand how anyone can even get close to the 8.9l/100km that they are supposed to get but many of you seem to report that sort of consumption out of your T5's.

As someone else mentioned the computer's reported consumption is way lower than what it is actually getting based on the fuel put in and the milage travelled.

[BobR]

Hi all
Lots of 2.0 litre and diesel figures on economy, but not much in regard to 2.5 petrol vans.
Can some of you 2.5 petrol owners list their economy figures for comparison?
Still looking for a decent t4, and leaning towards a 2.5 manual. I tried a few 2.0 litre vans and found them a bit underpowered.
Thanks
Bob

[DVR68U]

hey bobd , how much heavier are the t5 then the t4 ? and also when doing the long drive sitting on 100 is way better than 120, 80k's would be the best but when ppl are around they will tailgate lol. auto very rarely get the same fuel economy as manuals, yours isnt a 4wd aswell is it ?
cheers brenton

[soulspirit]

Can some of you 2.5 petrol owners list their economy figures for comparison?
Bob

I have a '97 2.5 Petrol Manual.

I can try to calculate some city figures if you like? I rarely drive on the highway, and I usually drive badly from a fuel economy perspective.

I would like to know whether LPG conversions are possible, and whether anyone ever does them? A cabbie was telling me stories the other day... his mate with the transporter etc.

Oh - and in terms of the 2.0 to 2.5 power difference - the 2.5 feels way more drivable than the 2.0 - I test drove about four 2.0 before I drove the 2.5, and there is a noticable difference. I would recommend the 2.5 especially if you do a lot of inner city driving. Maybe its different on the open road.

[Transporter]

Nearly every tank my 128kw Multivan Auto gets between 650 and 700 km and takes between 76 and 80l in the 80l tank. I have twice put in 84l and the computer was telling me I had 30km to go to empty both times.

As I have said before I am extremely disappointed with this fuel consumption, especially when the T4 TDI manual was getting 850km to 900km and 65 to 70l out of every tank in the same conditions. Most of the driving is ferrying kids around town but I don't find much improvement driving at 120kmh in the country either.

With this sort of fuel consumption you may as well get a petrol. I am wondering whether the particulate filter is what causes this large increase in fuel consumption, especially as it uses diesel to burn off the carbon if it doesn't get hot enough around town. The torque converter is locked in nearly every gear at any speed and I can't imagine a more efficient auto so the extra consumption over the T4 seems extremely high. I can't understand how anyone can even get close to the 8.9l/100km that they are supposed to get but many of you seem to report that sort of consumption out of your T5's.

As someone else mentioned the computer's reported consumption is way lower than what it is actually getting based on the fuel put in and the milage travelled.

DPF has some effect on fuel consumption, I'm getting 9.3L/100km - 10.0L/100km I'm pleased with that, since I do very short trips. I do take foot of the accelerator where ever I can, since until you touch the brakes you are not using any fuel if you're still moving. I have no DPF in my 2005 T5. :)

P.S Still if it's under 10L or around 10L/100km with automaic, it's very good fuel economy.

[Tornado T5]

hey bobd , how much heavier are the t5 then the t4 ? and also when doing the long drive sitting on 100 is way better than 120, 80k's would be the best but when ppl are around they will tailgate lol. auto very rarely get the same fuel economy as manuals, yours isnt a 4wd aswell is it ?
cheers brentonTrue, my T5 is almost 300kg heavier than my old T4 and lets not forget it's a 128kw engine vs a 75kw engine, that's a 20% weight gain and a 70% power gain...so it's not that bad. I also concur that there is a noticable rise in consumption above 100km/hr, probably when the turbo starts to reach speed (I think it's around the 1900rpm+ mark although you would need to read the specs to confirm when the turbo starts adding appreciable boost)

[Tornado T5]

I have a '97 2.5 Petrol Manual.

I can try to calculate some city figures if you like? I rarely drive on the highway, and I usually drive badly from a fuel economy perspective.

I would like to know whether LPG conversions are possible, and whether anyone ever does them? A cabbie was telling me stories the other day... his mate with the transporter etc.

Oh - and in terms of the 2.0 to 2.5 power difference - the 2.5 feels way more drivable than the 2.0 - I test drove about four 2.0 before I drove the 2.5, and there is a noticable difference. I would recommend the 2.5 especially if you do a lot of inner city driving. Maybe its different on the open road.My new T4 was a 1997 and modded to dual fuel at time of purchase through the dealer. Naturally it was the old mixer type and used the Ford "triple scuba tanks" under the floor mid point. Only trouble was a blown airbox when it backfired once otherwise Ii thought it probably ran better on LPG due to the tune optimised more towards LPG. A very good lpg technician was helpful as he owned his own T4 and knew them back to front even quoting part numbers from memory.

The 55L range was the only downside (310-350km) and when towing I got upto 21L/100km economy (270km). I'd assume with today's liquid injection technolgy such a setup would be fantastic although expensive. I changed the oil every 5000km and it was more wear and tear on components (non-LPG) that started to take effect on the T4 some 290,000km later, (85% was on LPG).

[filthy phil]

Hi there
Yep, the old flying brick doesn't have the best aerodynamics, but I suspect the old-fashioned fuel injection system is substantially to blame for the lousy fuel consumption, around 12.5-13.5 l/100km. The injectors themselves must be a pretty old design [20+ years] ,also the cylinder head design etc. Is there anyone out there who is a guru with regards to improving the fuel efficiency of these beautiful old cars? I seem to always take the T3 instead of my lovely red Mk4 Golf these days - its just a beautiful car to drive....BTW, my first T3, a new manual one bought in 89 did 330K kms before we parted company, and the motor had never been out....a bit better than a lot of the sad T4/T5 experiences I've encountered. Never had a gearbox problem in any of my 4 real kombis, till the auto shat itself in this one - which reminds me, Alfie Russo at Artarmon is THE BEST auto repairer, if ever you need one.
Anyone looking for a set of 30mm lower springs for a T3?
Cheers

[BobR]

Heres some figures on my manual 2.5 petrol T4.

City driving only 600.5 ks for 72 litres or 12l/100klm.
Highway driving (max 100kph) 401 ks for 41 litres or 10.25l/100klm
Freeway driving (min 110kph) 495 ks for 57 litres or 11.51l/100klm
Average 11.36l/100klm

The van was serviced prior to recording those figures. Previously I had an aircooled T3 2.0 manual 4 speed averaging 14l/100klm, and a watercooled T3 2.1 manual 5 speed, averaging just under 12l/100klm. Considering an extra cylinder on the T4, not bad. But the T3 "Wasserboxer" is still my favorite.
Chers
BobR

[Tornado T5]

Heres some figures on my manual 2.5 petrol T4.

City driving only 600.5 ks for 72 litres or 12l/100klm.
Highway driving (max 100kph) 401 ks for 41 litres or 10.25l/100klm
Freeway driving (min 110kph) 495 ks for 57 litres or 11.51l/100klm
Average 11.36l/100klm

The van was serviced prior to recording those figures. Previously I had an aircooled T3 2.0 manual 4 speed averaging 14l/100klm, and a watercooled T3 2.1 manual 5 speed, averaging just under 12l/100klm. Considering an extra cylinder on the T4, not bad. But the T3 "Wasserboxer" is still my favorite.
Chers
BobR You've jogged me memory , when i had the T4 I had similar numbers when I ran it on petrol. I guess the T4 really would have appreciated a six gear, iirc, at 100km/hr it was doing nearly 3000rpm in 5th.

[Ivo]

I have been buying my diesel from a Shell truck stop lately, seems to be giving me slightly better performance and better economy.

[Tombi]

Just did the Melbourne-Sydney-Melbourne trip with a side trip to Mt Buller also in my new 128Kw manual Transporter. Filled at Rouse Hill on the way home and filled again 55ks from Melbourne when fuel light came on.:)

Happy happy

[Ivo]

I got 8.8l/100km actual on my trip down to Jindabyne. 3 adults, 2 kids, snow boards, XC skis and all associated junk! Its exactly half what I used in my 100seriesLlandcruiser the year before. Happy with that!

[Tonz]

Someone mentioned LPG. Ive converted my holden rodeo diesel to a diesel/LPG mix, very much improved performance and slightly better economy as well. Who's done this on their VW diesel?

[BrianJ]

On my recent trip to north QLD my T5 96kw 6sp AUTO Kombi Beach got 7L/100km with a tail wind. It did 1000km and the reserve light had not come on, and took 70L when I filled it.

Typically it gets 8L/100km on average. Needless to say I am extremely pleased with it.

Brian

[soulspirit]

My new T4 was a 1997 and modded to dual fuel at time of purchase through the dealer. Naturally it was the old mixer type and used the Ford "triple scuba tanks" under the floor mid point. Only trouble was a blown airbox when it backfired once otherwise Ii thought it probably ran better on LPG due to the tune optimised more towards LPG. A very good lpg technician was helpful as he owned his own T4 and knew them back to front even quoting part numbers from memory.

The 55L range was the only downside (310-350km) and when towing I got upto 21L/100km economy (270km). I'd assume with today's liquid injection technolgy such a setup would be fantastic although expensive. I changed the oil every 5000km and it was more wear and tear on components (non-LPG) that started to take effect on the T4 some 290,000km later, (85% was on LPG).

There's atleast one person whos converted to lpg.

I would also like to ask a similar question: when you say unleaded - do you fill with 10% ethanol fuels, regular unleaded or premium? Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[Tornado T5]

There's atleast one person whos converted to lpg.

I would also like to ask a similar question: when you say unleaded - do you fill with 10% ethanol fuels, regular unleaded or premium? Does anyone have an opinion on this?I should clarify, when I said new T4 I meant I bought it brand new in 1997 and the dealer did the conversion on my behalf before I took delivery. I sold it in 2007 after 295,000+ km when I bought a new T5 diesel.

To answer your question, back then I only used premium unleaded, namely because I only ever ran it on petrol once a month at best so it wasn't a big expense and I needed to maintain some petrol in the tank full time as this lpg system would always start in petrol and click over to LPG above approx. 1500revs. It made cold starts very easy. Righly or wrongly I was led to believe the premium fuels were better for the manner I operated. Sometimes the petrol in the tank could be over 2-3 months old. Should add that it was a "mixer" type LPG setup back then. I may have mentioned this somewhere else, the man who serviced it after I stopped using the dealer, so for about 7 years in total, owned his own LPG converted T4, specialises in LPG install for all brands and used to be called in by the selling dealer to undertake the service if there were problems when I did use the dealership in those first 3 years.

[BobR]

Hi All,
In the few months i've owned my T4 I have used both premium and standard unleaded in the van with no discernable difference in economy or performance. My Serviceman suggested every 2nd or 3rd fill be premium, so that is what I do. Still averaging 11.5 l/100klm (2.5 manual) mainly city driving. Would be interesting what other owners fill up with and why or why not.
Regards
BobR

[shogun2]

Someone mentioned LPG. Ive converted my holden rodeo diesel to a diesel/LPG mix, very much improved performance and slightly better economy as well. Who's done this on their VW diesel?

It's something I was interested in doing, until I found out that the govt rebate for lpg only applied to private vehicles.

[Silver Caravelle]

Hi All,
In the few months i've owned my T4 I have used both premium and standard unleaded in the van with no discernable difference in economy or performance. My Serviceman suggested every 2nd or 3rd fill be premium, so that is what I do. Still averaging 11.5 l/100klm (2.5 manual) mainly city driving. Would be interesting what other owners fill up with and why or why not.
Regards
BobR

BobR,

To clarify, min 95 octane for the 2.5 petrol or 98 octane if you want the higher premium. Standard unleaded 91 octane is not specified.

Regards,

Scott