Fuel Economy and Rear Lights

Ian, in my opinion your figures sound like accurate and honest figures. Around 14 for mainly suburban driving, keeping up to the traffic etc is OK. Highway driving at speed limit should be better say 11l/100. Many people quote inflated figures either by miscalculation or dishonesty. A mate told me he regularly got 9l/100 on the highway from his 3l TD Patrol. I get 10.8 - 11.0 in my TD Prado and was surprised that his figures were better. In conversation he mentioned that he he had covered 450km and used exactly 50 litres. This of course gives 9km/litre which is 11.11l/100 which is much more realistic. He simply didn't know how to do the calculation and was surprising a number of friends with his "excellent" economy. I'd go ahead and connect those lights. An earlier Prado I had a few years ago had all the lights working. That gave 4 tail lights and 5 stop lights which I thought was an excellent aid to safety. The rule relates to restricted view of the lights by the spare wheel but if the ones in the bumper are legal then surely you're covered!

Ian,
Yes you can be booked for having the upper lights working on the GU. Don't meet ADR's, that's why they are in the bumper from the factory. Having said this you would have to be extremely unlucky, but others have been booked so no complaints if this happens. You can either purchase Arab spec tail lights and replace or fit lamps and holders to your current lights by drilling the mounting hole. Several different types have been used, last version I saw was BA Falcon lamp holders, total cost around $35. Just remember to upgrade the fuse if you do fit them. You could also check with the local dealers, some in Vic have a change over service, check:

http://www.peterstevensmotors.com.au/service/specials.shtml

Rolande

Hi silva,
I too enquired about the rear lights and I emailed the ADR office and was trold that there is no problem connecting up the "dummy" lights even though you will have 4 working tail lights and 5 stop lights.
Amazing that they can get away with just one reverse light on a new vehicle, I know people that have received unroadworthy's for less

Peter

Hi Silva,
I also have a 3.0l Auto Patrol, except mine is a early 2003 model. I lease my Patrol and part of the deal is that I can only fill up at a Caltex or BP station using a fuel card. So every time I fill up, I have to quote the mileage, which is printed on the receipt.
Going by the figures that I have, I am getting on average, between 10.5 and 11 liters per 100 km in the city. For example I used 105.06 liters to do 947Km. Going by my calculations this gives me 11.09L/100Km. (105.06X100/947) Please let me know if anyone thinks I'm doing this wrong! My best figures were 8.7L/100Km (Freeway with no load) and worst 13.2L/100Km (Towing Camper with a Head Wind)
One thing that I have found regarding fuel consumption is that you will use more if you use 4th gear too much in city driving at low speeds.
I have heard other 3.0L Patrol owners quote similar figures.
Chaz
http://members.bettanet.net.au/~conody/index.htm

As this is my first 4WD _ This is a very informative site to answer any questions I might have.
All I can say is a very sincere THANK YOU to the people have helped in answering my questions
THANKS VERY MUCH
IAN

Talking to a Vic who had a new Nissan. Connected the lights and blew the computer! Dealer who did it, couldn't find out why that would happen after looking for 3 weeks. He got a replacement vehicle for his trouble.
They didn't try the lights again!

I have a 2000 ZD30 Patrol. I kept extensive records of costs relating to fuel, service and accessories I can tell you that between the period 2.2.02 to 31.5.04 I averaged 12.09km per 100kl. Primarily city driving and some long country touring on outback roads and some in the high country. Not a lot of low range stuff but did tow an off road trailer on occasion.

Best on a trip was a 9.5ltr/100kl for 600 odd ks and the worst 13.80ltr/100kl towing a trailer. Must admit I'm conservative with my right foot as far as acceleration goes and try to get it into top gear ASAP. Also I'm quite happy to tour at 100kph for most of the time on cruise control. 110kph is worth another 1.5 to 2.0ltrs.

Don't listen to your dealer about the lights. No problem as far as I am aware to connect the "real" tail lights. Larger Nissan dealers sell a kit to convert the lights. Some electricians will do it without the kit but usually just as expensive. A friend of mine has done it with the kit and completly legal.

I have a 2000 ZD30 Auto Patrol. Average over 26 months was 12.09ltr/100km. Mostly City commuting in Canberra (not too many interuptions) long outback trips. Not a lot of 4wd/ low range. I'm light on the accelerator and usually on cruise control at 100kph outback to conserve fuel and relax. Best of 9.5 and worst of 13.80ltr/100km

It's not illegal - and you can by a conversions kit from the larger Nissan dealers.

Hi silva,

A little late to comment on this thread, but for what it is worth I have jan 2004 GU manual 3.0TD and are finding that I am only getting 13l/100 around town at best. Must be the Brissy driving (also a northsider), you will find that your fuel economy will improve after the 10.000 k service (feels like the engine losens up) and again at 20,000. Just out of curiosity why would you want to fit the extra lights, you could save for that illusive diff-lock!!!!!

Have fun with the new truck.

Timbo