ZD30 Fuel Consumption

Submitted: Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:00

ThreadID: 30244 Views:16542 Replies:11 FollowUps:9

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Member - JJ (QLD)

Hi Folks,
I have a Patrol ZD30 auto with 10,000 k's on the clock that I've had since new. The best fuel consumption I've achieved was 14.2ltrs per 100k driving around the outer suburbs of Brisbane, (not in peak hour traffic), with some highway work. The worst was towing a 1000kg camper trailer where I used 16.5 ltrs per 100k.

We have just returned from a 2000k round trip towing the camper trailer (1000kg) where I averaged 15ltrs per 100k highway driving (cruising speed was usually 100kph). So far, the Nissan owners I have spoken too, reckon they are getting better towing economy than that, even when pulling 2.5 ton full height vans. My consumption when I'm not towing does not appear to change much. On the forum I see in the discussions, people claiming figures of 900-1000k from both tanks (not towing of course). These are figures I can only dream about.

My Nissan dealer reckons my figures are acceptable for a 3.0 lt patrol.
The ADR label on the vehicle indicated 10.9lts per 100k. The only way I could achieve this would be by getting a tow.

Are my figures comparable with fellow ZD30 owners? Is it worth getting a dynotune to see if there is a problem? or do I learn to live with the sucky fuel economy?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, JJ

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Reply By: DesC - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:05

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:05

have you done any mods? tyre sizes? roof racks?

AnswerID: 151791

Follow Up By: Member - JJ (QLD) - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:17

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:17

Hi DesC,
It's a stock standard ST and no roof racks.

JJ.

FollowupID: 405376

Reply By: Notso - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:12

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:12

I get long term average figures for

Towing Full Caravan in 4th 6.5 Kilometres/Litre or about 16 litre/100 ks.

I tow at around 90 KPH

Non Towing Highway 9.1 Kilometres/Litre or about 11 litres/100 ks

I drive at around 110 on the freeway, 100 elsewhere

Truck has done 170,000ks

AnswerID: 151793

Reply By: Outbacktourer - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:28

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:28

Yes your economy looks about 2-3 l/100Km more than I would be getting. definitely worth getting it checked out.

AnswerID: 151798

Reply By: Squizzy - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:47

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:47

JJ,

We did a NT - WA trip early last year towing our CT which would be over 1000kg loaded.
We also have a roof rack, and our average for the round trip was 13l/100km.
We averaged around 95km/hour for the whole trip, and had the air con going for the best part of the trip.

Hope this helps,

Geoff.

AnswerID: 151802

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:55

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 14:55

Hi JJ,

I average:
11.5 l/100km around town (typical freeway, stopstart stuff etc...)
11.0 l/100km in country running (100km/km flat terrain).
15.7 l/100kms when towing my van (1.6T) at 100km/hr.

This is with 33" tyres (GPS corrected speedo readings for fuel economy) and roof racks plus Dtronic fitted (do not think Dtronic has any impact on fuel economy). So yes, your fuel economy sucks and is not typical of any normal 3.0TD I know about. Definielty take back to your dealer and don't let your dealer get away with being slack about fixing the problem!!!

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 151803

Follow Up By: Member - toohey - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 16:00

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 16:00

hi jj
mine's about the same as captain,dtronic also,van the same weight ,with canopy and the gear i cart inside it has the same tare weight as a patrol,245/70 tyres..
cheers toohey

FollowupID: 405400

Reply By: GUPatrol - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 15:23

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 15:23

JJ,

You need to make sure that you compare the figures with auto ZD30s and not manuals, the auto has the same final ratios as the TD42 while the manual ones have lower gearing...

Will

AnswerID: 151808

Reply By: mrgrahamc - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:41

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 17:41

Hi JJ,
I Have an Auto 2001 3.0ltr Patrol done About 150,000ks
I Live on the Gold coast and do about 640ks a week and half city half highway,
I also have a pretty heavy foot 120kph on the highway, plenty of boot when the lights go green, and I usually use around 83ltrs for 640ks
My last trip 1500ks was about 11.5ltrs per hundred ks Also travelling at about 120kph, lots of kick downs for overtaking.

AnswerID: 151855

Reply By: JW - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:26

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:26

JJ,
According to p 22 of the latest 4WD Australia, your 3.0 L auto should do 110 kph at 2600 rpm.
Is that correct?
Jon W

AnswerID: 151869

Follow Up By: JW - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:31

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:31

Sorry, I meant 4WD Monthly.
Jon W

FollowupID: 405441

Follow Up By: Patrick - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:45

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:45

I thought that claim was bit a bit much when I read it over the weekend. My manual ST sits on 2600rpm at 100kph not 110.

Fot the record I acheive 11.7 to 12.5 around Brisbane with 15.5 to 16.3 when towing out 2T van. I have a DTronic fitted and am not a heavy footed driver.

FollowupID: 405444

Follow Up By: JW - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:49

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 18:49

Patrick,
Is that 100 kph as indicated on the speedo?
Jon W

FollowupID: 405450

Follow Up By: Patrick - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:22

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:22

JW,

That is a speedo read. I run 265/75R/16 and have had the speedo checked by GPS to ensure accuracy.

FollowupID: 405464

Follow Up By: JW - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:28

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 19:28

I am no tyre expert, but maybe my 265/70/R16 tyres account for the difference.
JW

FollowupID: 405465

Follow Up By: Member - JJ (QLD) - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:37

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:37

Hi JW,
I'm not exactly sure of the rev's at 110kph but I'll check it out in the morning on the highway. MY tyres are the standard duelers 275/65r17 and as a rule I'm not heavy on the throttle.
JJ

FollowupID: 405493

Reply By: stano - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:24

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:24

JJ,
I have a 3ltr manual '03 and I have never bothered checking fuel consumption till a recent run 300 kms up the Hume Freeway in Victoria. I made a point of travelling at 2500 revs. which sees the speedo reading approx 95kph ( I expect that that is more likely 90kph in reality) and for that trip with a passenger and only a moderate load I managed 9 litres for each 100 km. It is fairly quiet driving but pleasant not to rush the big machine along.
Stano.

AnswerID: 151895

Reply By: Member - JJ (QLD) - Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:45

Monday, Jan 30, 2006 at 20:45

Thanks everyone, your feedback confirms my suspicions of a problem. It appears I'm not in the same ballpark when it comes to fuel consumption. I't time to talk to Mr Nissan. I will let you know how I go.

AnswerID: 151905

Reply By: Member - Andrew(WA) - Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 00:53

Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006 at 00:53

JJ

I was speaking to my dealer re this very issue some time back...not that mine suffers it but he was telling me this is an indication she is being over fueled and has the potential to be 3.0tdi victim. It'll be your ECU for sure. Nissan will replace them if they think it's a threat..I have had mine done re other issues.

You just need to find a dealer who knows the issues and that it is overfueling that makes them go BOOM. Shop around..your problem will be solved.

I wouldn't drive to far from though until it's fixed. How old is it anyway? still under warranty I presume...they'll fix it.

AnswerID: 151994