Nissan Patrol 3.0 TDI Diesel Fuel consumption

I was getting 10.5 to 13 l/100km in my 2002 auto 3.0GU depending on conditions. Changed my tyres to 285/75 BFG and consumption suffered badly. Only getting 14-15 l/100km around town and 12-13 l/100km highway.

Just back yesterday after a week on Fraser Island and averaged 20l/100km. The going was really hard.

Haven't had any noises, but did have a host of other problems that were all fixed under warranty.

Hi Ianascot,

My 2003 GU 3.0TD (12,000kms old) manual gets 11.9 l/100km city (freeway carpark!) driving and 15.7 l/100kms when towing my 1.6T van. These figures are calculated by a GPS corrected odometer (the factory speedo is typically 6% optimistic). But heavy low range 15 psi sand driving will see 20+ l/100kms.

There is something very wrong with the figures your quoting under normal driving circumstances.
-Does it blow black smoke when accelerating, coasting or normal cruising?
-Compared to another 3.0TD, how does the power seem?
Have they checked the air flowmeter? This is a quick fix solution that a dealer should look at straight away. Amongst its other symtoms, poor fuel economy is one.

When you say Nissan are wiping their hands, are you using the purchasing dealer or just the closest dealer? Any other Nissan dealer is not as interested as they haven't made any money on the deal and Nissan's warranty rate is not worth their effort.

I find my dealer is slow of the mark, but after heavy verbal persuassion they even offered a free loan car while fixing a rattle from the dash under warranty. They would get more brownie points from me if they offered the "caring service" upfront, not after I have to argue with them.

I hope you can resolve the issue because I find the 3.0TD a great vehicle.

Cheers

Mark

Gidday Ianascot,

I have a 2003 3.0TD Auto and have Cooper A/T's 285/75/16 on it. I get about 12l/100kms city and about 10l/100 open road. I also tow a 16 foot van and get about 14-15l/100kms. Hope it helps

Mick

had a friend who had so much trouble with his 3.0 patrol that nissan actually replaced the car.
when a nissan mechanic was attending one of his many breakdowns he noticed a small part had not been replaced by the dealers. nissan did not do a recall , but had the part replaced on 'services ' by the dealers i think.
could be the air flow meter thing mentioned by captain. the new part decreased the
fuel consumption dramatically.
this was about 18 months ago though and yours is a 2003 model,but you never never know

It is all to do with where they put a 4 clyinder sending a boy on a mans job.

One can not expect a 4 clyinder working it guts out to get good consumpion.Possibly why people buy 6 clyinders for there truck.

Around town I generally get 11.5-11.8l/100km. Towing the Ultimate goes up to 13.0-14.5l/100km depending on how hard I push it. 400km on half a tank is a good idicator that you are doing under 12l/100km. Just passed 45,000km and no problems at all. Worth thinking about a Dtronic as it certainly sorts out the engine management system.

Peter

Andrew,

I've had the Dtronic for about 25,000km. It makes a big difference to performance and fuel consumption is unchanged. I used to take it out for service but now leave it in. The local Nissan guys also think it makes a huge difference.

Peter

It has been my experience that the biggest determiner of fuel consumpsion in turbo diesels is the operator.In trucks I have seen variations of up to 20% between drivers on the same truck,same load, same route. I have a friend with a 3.0L Patrol and 16' van who returns figures more in keeping with a B double because she persists in jamming her right foot against the firewall and only changing down as a last resort. Front of the van is black! She refuses to believe that I use not much more than 1/2 the fuel in my HJ61 4.0l turbo towing a 24' full height van.
Mick