fuel economy is poor.

Have to agree with Ben re the advertised figures being optimistic - the windscreen sticker on my 06 D4D Hilux said 7.8 l/100; this was occasionally achievable with gentle suburban driving - like those nice old folks with white hats on the parcel shelf. Realistically about 8.4 was the norm, but note that when the original Bridgestone 693s were changed for 694s, consumption increased to 9.0l/100. As each service approaches (10 000km) the consumption increases slightly again due to dirty air filter - yes, they are that sensitive. I learned this early on when after 20 000km on the filter the consumption had increased by about 1l/100km.
May I suggest you try driving with the motor revs generally a bit higher - I think these motors produce their max torque quite a bit higher than many others, hence may be happier and more economical spinning a bit faster. Just a thought.
Also, beware the cruise control - it will keep pushing the throttle down harder trying to maintain the set speed as you climb. I would suggest not using it except on pretty level roads.
I know these observations are pretty basic, but I have taken some interest in this topic as I like to know why things happen and have been fascinated to see the changes in consumption in my vehicle. I have never had a vehicle before with a trip computer and have observed the variations in consumption in detail.

Regards, John.

Strewth Mick
I get 7.8km/lt out of my old 4.2, and I am about to put an Intercooler on it, if I can get one at the right price.

Guy down the road gets 8.5km/lt, and when he gasses it up expects 9.5

Cheers Bucky

G'day bucky, yep the 4.2's are better on the hghway cycle in a lot of cases but chew a bit more in the heavy stuff. I was getting a constant 9 to 10 Km per L out of my Navara. and 7-8 kpl when towing the tambo. Hope the new V8 ute will give me something to skyte about in the fuel economy stakes.

Cheers Mick

Woops, "with an average of 9.35 Km /100Km." should read with an average of 9.35 L /100Km.

Sorry.

Haven't you got anything to do Trevor, go and turn the telly on and watch the qualifying for Bathurst and behave yourself LOL

Hi mrt,
We've also got a 3lltr CRD ute purchased May 08 for the farm.
Initially my farmer husband complained about the fuel consumption and reckoned the speedo was out (he was used to driving the old Navara around with the foot flat to the floor and the speedo on this new fancy ute said it was going considerably faster than he thought it was) that was until I followed him into town one day, - all I can say is that he was lucky that the ute wasn't impounded under Victoria's hoon laws.
So he slowed down and naturally, fuel consumption improved. He's done just over 50,000kms and says that he would be happy if he got 14l/100kms. Towing an off-road camper and knocking around the farm it tends to work out at 19l/100kms.
We also find that it has a cut-out when it get to 4,500 revs so if anyone has a cure for that we would really interested to know about it.
Good Luck
Dee

Hi Dee, to answer your question about achieving more than 4500rpm and as you said it will not go any higher......that's because the Governor has come in to stop it reving any higher other wise it would blow up......now most diesel motor achieve their maxing HP at around 3500 to 4000 rpm so any revs over that is a waste. The torque in a diesel motor is the most important comes in around 1800 rpm and peters out around 3000 rpm and that is where you should operate the motor in this rev range to achieve the best economy and power.

To Cocky

Revving one of these motors out to that may well qualify you for the Guiness book of records...


Fastest known detonation of a Grenade LOL


Just kidding maybe

LOL, roofrack & winch.....

I've got a roofrack fully loaded with camping gear & 2 bikes. I have a winch, dual batteries, rear wheel carrier with 2 spares, raised suspension, the rear full of gear & for the past 9 months i have towed a caravan weighing over 2 tonne around Australia.

On the entire trip - 36,000km so far - i have averaged 15.6L/100km in an '05 GU 3.0L, not the CRD version. There are too many examples out there of poor consumption in the CRD models for there not to be an issue.

I met a guy at Kununurra who was on his 4th 3.0L GU. He was towing a 3 tonne Kedron van & had done so with all 4 vehicles. He loved the first 3 but absolutely hated his current CRD as it had less power & used 5L/100km more fuel

Shouldn't need to do any of that with a new vehicle

I had my 4.2l TD GU fuel system serviced with about 12,000km on the clock and it made at least 10% difference.

Maybe it shouldn't need it but it did make a difference in my experience. The guy who serviced the system explained why and it made sense at the time.

As the motor comes down the production line they just bolt bits on. When it come to injectors they just pull the required number from a bin and screw them in. They are all within spec but given the tolerances alowed there can be a fair bit of variation, By tuning out that variation the fuel efficiency is improved.

Duncs

Hi Fatso

Thats always been an arguement of mine and translates to a diesel with 1/3rd better economy than a petrol being worth only about 6-7% of the true running costs , for some though because you put your hand in your pocket every week for fuel its a much more visible 6-7% and mentally harder to plan around.

Link to Govt site explaining labels