I average about 50 mpg but find the computer optimistic by about 4 to 5 mpg.

I've read that on the automatic transmission, the eco mode does some subtle changes but on the manual transmission it is just an indicator of when to change gear.

Ben

 

I took mine from Selby to Edinburgh some weeks ago and did a steady 65 to 70 all the way and its stated 57mpg, not in eco mode though.

 

Thanks for the replies, I've read that the tyres can have a lot to do with mpg and that the Nexen tyres that come as standard aren't much use on British roads.

 

Thanks for the replies, I've read that the tyres can have a lot to do with mpg and that the Nexen tyres that come as standard aren't much use on British roads.

I put my Nexen in the bin. I don't think changing to good tyres has made a big difference to the fuel consumption, but they are quieter, more predictable and smoother riding.

 

What tyres did you put on in the end? I've looked at some and they are at around £150 a corner.

 

What tyres did you put on in the end? I've looked at some and they are at around £150 a corner.

Michelin Primacy 3's. Yes they are expensive. But, do you want to gain the benefits of:
<ul>[*]Better braking in all conditions[*]Much much better wet handling[*]Quieter ride[*]Smoother drive (less twitchiness)[*]Slightly improved fuel economy[*]The knowledge that these tyres have been tested to destruction and that bit extra grip or stopping power could be the difference between life and death?[/list]The Michelins may cost twice as much as the Nexens to replace, but you don't buy tyres every day and the extra cost on top of running a newish big car like an Optima is negligible in the long run.


There are other good brands as well, but I particularly liked the A rated wet grip and the quieter noise in the official tests and made the decision based on previous experience of Michelin Primacy HP tyres and reading the specs.

The car is totally transformed on wet motorways and feels solid and planted to the road.

Ben

 

Thanks Ben, I will be looking into changing mine especially now we're heading towards autumn/winter.

 

If you're happy with the summer performance of the Nexens, why not buy winter tyres for winter and swap back to summer ones in summer?

It doesn't cost much extra in the long run if you find a friendly local garage for swapping the tyres.

I'm in Yorkshire and venture into the hills at all times of the day. I had winter tyres on my previous car and drove through 6 inches of snow on one of the highest peaks in the area with little problem. (I say little problem, I mean no problems with traction, but severe problems with visibility in the white out!)

(Sorry for going off the original topic!)

 

Around 49 to 50 average, 54 on a longer run with ECO on.

 

Are those figures for a manual or automatic? Calculated manually or per the computer?

I find my computer over estimates by 4 to 5 mpg.

Ben

 

My auto is returning 42mpg in real world driving with the eco mode off.This figure is according to the on board computer.

for a car that produces emissions of 158 g/km which is pretty poor by modern standards, I think my fuel consumption is ok and im spending around the same on diesel as when I had a 2 litre manual Insignia.

 

Mine is a 2 Tech Manual. That was with Morrisons diesel and went down to 48/49 avg with Sainbury's diesel on the next fill up. Now trying Shell and getting the same figures listed with Morisson's so far. Will advise better once the full tank has gone We do mainly 60/70 mph roads with maybe 5% 30 to 40 mph roads with occassional stop/start. On longest 1hr plus run with Morrison's diesel on 60/70 mph roads got up to 54.2 mpg but dropped quite quickly once we started going down through the gears and hitting slower roads.

 

My 2 Tech, with 2.5k miles on the clock, returns about 54 mpg on my daily commute of 70+ miles whereas my previous car, a Passat, would consistantly give 60+. However I am expecting my beloved Optima to improve as the engine 'loosens up' a little

 

Managed to get it reading around 61mpg on the computer an a long trip the past few days doing 60-70. Dropped to 52 on the return leg doing a higher speed.

Normally around 42-45 as mainly in town driving.

 

Update:

Having had my Optima for 4 months now and doing journeys of 250 miles at the weekend I've found my mpg improving dramatically. I was getting around 50-51 mpg on the journey and now it's up to 55-57 mpg on the same journey.

I did put a measure of Redex into a full tank so I don't know if that had anything to do with it, also I've changed to winter tyres, Bridgestone Blizzak LM25, so that might have something to do with it as well.

 

I wish I could get that sort of economy! Last tank was 47mpg and that included several hundred miles of motorway at 70! Mine is a manual.Edited by: mrbenny

 

I too have the 2 Tech with a manual gearbox so I can't understand the difference in mpg. Have you tried using Redex?