L3H3 AWD 2020 Fuel Economy

[ChallengeAdventures]

For anyone interested I now have the van and with a few hundred miles on it I am getting 28mpg on the computer. Seems to actually be pretty close to the reported 29mpg

May even improve a little as the engine loosens up, though by then I will have added a roof rack and started fitting out the inside with stuff so more likely to drop but so far it's doing slightly better than the truck it's replacing which is all good,

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[hughesyn]

Nice van!
Thanks for the picture.
Looking forward to seeing the build!

[Funkyjazzlover]

Cool! Look forward to seeing the buildout.

Best try and figure why mine's so thirsty.

[ChallengeAdventures]

Cool! Look forward to seeing the buildout.

Best try and figure why mine's so thirsty.

Just fitted a Rhino Rack and panels will be going on next week when I get a dry day.

Last run yesterday with the new Rack on and it was still logging 29.1mpg. Still on the super eco tyres though I expect it to drop with the back built out and panels fitted. But optimistic it will still stay above 25mpg even with chunkier tyres and weight in the back.

I assume the different engines and your map may account for the fuel difference. Or maybe you fly around the place, I drive quite sensible and stick to 60max.

My build is on my Challenge Adventures FB page and Instagram page.

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[Willber37]

Looking good mate! Fav colour. The Ford 4wd seems to sit same as fwd or rwd? Is it not 20mm higher?

You should see an MPG decrease for sure when you start adding more stuff on roof.

Here's my MPG timeline FYI L3 H3 FWD 2.0l :

Stock : 34-36mpg
MaxxFan added : 33.7mpg
Remap : 33.4mpg ??
320w Solar Panel + 80/20 roof bars : 31-32 mpg
Diesel Heater : 28-31mpg (understandable it's Winter)

K02 Tyres... Coming soon.
Still under 3 tonne for now.

[ChallengeAdventures]

Looking good mate! Fav colour. The Ford 4wd seems to sit same as fwd or rwd? Is it not 20mm higher?

You should see an MPG decrease for sure when you start adding more stuff on roof

Here's my MPG timeline FYI L3 H3 FWD 2.0l :

Stock : 34-36mpg
MaxxFan added : 33.7mpg
Remap : 33.4mpg ??
320w Solar Panel + 80/20 roof bars : 31-32 mpg
Diesel Heater : 28-31mpg (understandable it's Winter)

K02 Tyres... Coming soon.
Still under 3 tonne for now.

No difference on height to a standard RWD.

My diesel heater will be using an internal small tank and not the main tank so as not to upset fuel figures. This is because it's a company vehicle and need to log fuel etc for tax stuff.

Easily the best colour for a camper. Black shoes dirt and silver stands out too much. This will blend in nicely.

I have 360w (3 panels) to go on the rack next week and will see what damage that does.

KO2s will take 2mpg off easy as the bigger size affects Speedo and trip readings plus heavier rolling weight as you can't get them in standard van size.

[Funkyjazzlover]

I assume the different engines and your map may account for the fuel difference. Or maybe you fly around the place, I drive quite sensible and stick to 60max.

Ha. My driving has slowed significantly since getting the van. I'm now on an average of 20.6, so gradually clawing it back...

There is a lot of stuff to slow it down (tyres / roof rack / solar panels) plus the remap - I'll have to do a little more digging. It may even just be I need to reset the average to get a better reading.

I'll give your IG a follow too.

[ChallengeAdventures]

As an update of Fuel Economy as the build is pretty complete now.

Still averaging 26mpg give or take 1 MPG on steady journeys and 24-25 on short town or hilly drives.

6,000 miles done now from new and average is just under 26mpg overall.

That's at close to 3.5t now with roof rack, solar panels, vent and spare wheel mounted on the roof.

Still seems to pull ok too wit only 130PS to play with. I think the lower gearing in the AWD models helps with that.

[dumper]

The roof rack will make a big difference to mpg a wind deflector on the front will help a bit my own van L4H3 not a 4x4 and a manual I have changed the Crown wheel and pinion from a 3.1 to a 3.7 and I may have lost 1 mpg and it gets 29.7 yesterday on a 165 mile run at 55 mpg it’s made the van so much better to drive as I can now use 6 th on normal roads it’s so much better now to drive off-road.the only downside of the conversation is that the cruise control will not work still struggling to find someone to sort it but I can live with this as the only bad point.

[ChallengeAdventures]

The AWD 2021 models come with a 4.1 diff already so pretty low and lower than yours.

I can use 6th from 35mph (on the flat and 40 on hillier roads) all the way to top speed. Never have to drop down on hills though and still getting an average of 26mpg but have got nearly 28 still on a continuous motorway run at 60mph.

The really low 1st helps on steep hill starts and crawling over rough ground. Roof rack already has a deflector as standard.

[dumper]

It should get better as it gets more miles on it and frees off .i only whet for the 3:7 as my mk6 135 junbo had one my mk8 is a 125 2.2 vantuner mapped it to about 155 so really happy with it if I was going to by new a l4 if they do one the same spec as yours would be great

[man le-mans]

It does amaze me that the MK7 and MK6 are better on fuel than the newer MK8. I know the emissions are different but you’d still think the mpg would be better

[dumper]

My mk8 is about 2 mpg less then my mk6 with it been a bigger van the frontal area will give more wind resistance and I expect it to be heavier then a mk6 or 7 .

[thebarber]

I didn't realise the h3 made that much difference in mpg
I'm l3h2 fully kitted out and bfgs on and just got 31.3 on a lakes trip.
29's around the doors

[ChallengeAdventures]

The AWD system makes a bigger difference than the height. Lower gearing, more weight and more friction/resistance through the driveshafts and extra transfer box etc.

Like I say my AWD L3H3 is only 2-3mpg off the official figure of 29mpg so can't really complain about that especially as it's fully loaded and has a roof rack with panels and a spare wheel up there. That won't help aerodynamics.

This post is really about the AWD model and comparing 2wd economy is not really relevant.

If it was a 2wd I would be expecting 30+