Mysterious MPG INCREASE!

[RockinRick]

Hi Y'all-

A strange thing happened- When I fill up from empty I always reset the trip mileometer, & it usually tells me I've got about 460/70 miles left to go before fill up again, & generally does between 450/70 until I do.

This time, I filled up as usual (to the top- same as always), & the trip said I had 540 miles left- & having used most of the tank now- it seems to be on course to cover the 500 plus miles! The most it has ever done before is 470.

Can anyone explain this? Funnily, I was going to call vantuner to get it tuned for economy- can he do it by the power of thought?

I know the obvious explanation is that I've never filled it properly before & managed to get more in it somehow, but I always fill it till it clicks off, wait a bit then fill some more.Also- It cost about £95, & I have put in £99 before, so I don't see any way I can have put in 2 gallons extra.

I don't drive it hard, & cruise the motorways at 70- been driving it exactly as usual.

Don't get me wrong- I'm not knocking it- I'd just like to ensure it keeps like it!

Mk7 Jumbo 140, 148K

Any ideas?? Thanks Rick

[DEAN MACHINE]

Hi Y'all-

A strange thing happened- When I fill up from empty I always reset the trip mileometer, & it usually tells me I've got about 460/70 miles left to go before fill up again, & generally does between 450/70 until I do.

This time, I filled up as usual (to the top- same as always), & the trip said I had 540 miles left- & having used most of the tank now- it seems to be on course to cover the 500 plus miles! The most it has ever done before is 470.

Can anyone explain this? Funnily, I was going to call vantuner to get it tuned for economy- can he do it by the power of thought?

I know the obvious explanation is that I've never filled it properly before & managed to get more in it somehow, but I always fill it till it clicks off, wait a bit then fill some more.Also- It cost about £95, & I have put in £99 before, so I don't see any way I can have put in 2 gallons extra.

I don't drive it hard, & cruise the motorways at 70- been driving it exactly as usual.

Don't get me wrong- I'm not knocking it- I'd just like to ensure it keeps like it!

Mk7 Jumbo 140, 148K

Any ideas?? Thanks Rick

i drive the same van and ive noticed if i brim it when filling up my trip says 517 till empty but if i only fill to first click it reads 548 till empty but i still get the same out of it ,it just takes more miles before the trip moves at 517 , i can do around 40 miles before it drops to 516, but on the 548 it starts to drop after a couple of miles, im getting around 525 either way

[RockinRick]

Hmmm---

I seem to be getting (Previously) about 60/70 miles a tank less than you- I'd better do something about it- unless, of course, something has cleared in the works & it's going to stay like this all the time.

I'll post what happens when I fill it again.

Rick

[angeleye]

these computer estimates will go up and down with the tempreture,just use the odometer to check milage

[ME]

Its the Weather Cold and damp.

My 140 is the same, its doing 500/550s to a tank from empty to empty at the moment instead of the usual late 400's

[RockinRick]

I'd respectfully like to point out it's been cold & damp for the last 6 months, & it changed about 10 days ago! I am also checking with the odometer & it seems to be doing the extra mileage- as opposed to being a figment of the computers imagination.

Is there anything that could maybe stick, then unstick, to cause this~?

Rick

[Petest]

Can't help with a solution / answer but I hope someone can. My 115 mk7 lwb semi high does 450 to a tank average from full and thats a mix of motorway and loacal driving. Driving like a vicar doesn't seem to alter the mileage. I don't normally carry much weight either.
I may get it chipped for economy eventually.

[DEAN MACHINE]

Can't help with a solution / answer but I hope someone can. My 115 mk7 lwb semi high does 450 to a tank average from full and thats a mix of motorway and loacal driving. Driving like a vicar doesn't seem to alter the mileage. I don't normally carry much weight either.
I may get it chipped for economy eventually.

it must be down to the axle ratio, cause mines not been chipped and i will get about 450 if i floor it , not sure what axle mine has but i have to be doing at least 50 before i put it in 6th otherwise the engine really labours , but its great for motorways which most of my job is

[bortaf]

No idea TBH but i used to get more in the tank when my Mk3 was loaded

[RockinRick]

Quick update-

Since the first post I've now filled it maybe 6 times, & it's doing an average of 50-60 miles per tank more than it was before- for no apparent reason.

No idea why- I just hope it continues!

Cheers Rick

[Footsoldier]

Are the Mk7 and Mk6 fuel tank capacity the same?

[DEAN MACHINE]

yes 80 litres ,but you can get a bigger one

[Footsoldier]

How big is the bigger one? Is it a custom tank or is it form Ford?

[ake]

Option from Ford, 105 litre

[Terry]

Hi
Just out of interest I checked mine, I appear to be doing 50 ish miles better per tank too.
Usually I get to about 440 miles before the low fuel light comes on. (72 litre tank)
last couple of fills its gone justover the 500 before the light came on.
I wonder if the fuel companies are feeling guilty and adding something ? ! ? ! OR
More likely taking an additive out to improve their margins now the price has topped £1.35 per litre for diesel.
On the I.O.W. last week I saw diesel at £1.49.9........... ! ! ! Yes I am sure I did a double take too.
Have fun
Terry