Diary of an Ordinary Van

[Vee4]

Shall I compare thee to an Econetic?
Thou art more lovely and more Ordinary ...*

More of that later - here are the figures:

From the last full quarter running the old Mk5:

Average MPG from fuel receipts: 34.96
Best MPG on one tankful: 36.97

Comparable figures from the new Mk7:

Average MPG from fuel receipts: 37.75 (note: this is still on an upward trend)
Best MPG on one tankful: 39.58
Trip computer MPG: 39.2

I have not reset the trip computer, so 39.2mpg is a long term average. I did have it at 39.7 for quite a while, but one long queue on the A3 did for that. Readers who checked out the Econetic write-up in Backbone (Winter 2009) and the specifications in the eBrochure (Sep 2009) will recognise the figure of 39.2mpg is also that given for the Econetic in 'combined' operation when the cDPF (particulate filter) is fitted.

The Econetic is similar to the Ordinary Van in most respects. It is a 6-speed 115/T280 and the final drive ratio is the same (4.36:1). The 16" wheels result in the 'longer gearing', compared with the Ordinary 15" wheels . However, the Econetic has a 70mph speed limiter, engine mapping 'optimised for fuel efficiency', full wheel covers and cDPF.

So far, I have achieved similar results to the Econetic with the Ordinary Van. I was hoping for an average over 40mpg, but that may come. Certainly it would with an economy-oriented remap. It was interesting to see the final figures for the Mk5 too. I calculated it at 35mpg when new, and 12 years later, it was still the same!

An unanticipated benefit of the Mk7's increased range (650 to 700 miles compared with 500 miles for the Mk5) is my ability to choose filling stations known to have the best fuel price. That adds a further saving to the saving from better fuel efficiency.

*with apologies to The Bard.

[transitandy]

this is a good thread but needs more pics go on treat us m8y

[Vee4]

this is a good thread but needs more pics, go on treat us m8y!

Thanks for the words of encouragement, transitandy. A few weeks ago, ake made the same point:

viewtopic.php?p=458884#p458884

Interesting to see that the origin of the phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand words" is 20th century, from the advertising business, although I'm sure the sentiment had been expressed before that:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_picture_ ... sand_words

I particularly like the cartoon from the Wikipedia entry (linked here with thanks and respect to cartoosh). It sums up my problem quite nicely - lack of time:



I need to make the image capture, processing, uploading and linking procedure more efficient than it is at the moment. Perhaps there will be a chance to make a nice, Christmassy portrait of the Ordinary Van with some snow and a holly wreath before too long. Apart from that, the Ordinary Van is so ordinary, it gets embarrassed when the cameras come out.

As a footnote to the earlier posting, here is a link to the full text of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18, one of his better known verses:

http://www.artofeurope.com/shakespeare/sha3.htm

Note the phrase "the darling buds of May" which was used by H E Bates as the title of his 1958 novel (http://www.hebates.co.uk/HEbibliog.htm), later televised by the BBC. I've noticed that quite a few poems and other verses are not 100% correct when reproduced on websites, even allowing for American spellings, so if you are learning it by heart as your Christmas party contribution, be sure to check an authoritative edition.

[Vee4]

First real sub-zero frost last night, and red warning light on the dash. First road salt of the season too - I can feel my seams rusting already ...

The Quickclear cleared the windscreen and the mirrors this morning in a very satisfying manner.

At last - a proper diary entry!

[Vee4]

DMF - can't live with it, can't live without it

Recent discussions in the Mk7 Technical Section:

viewtopic.php?p=491579#p491579

reminded me to add links to DMF information on the links page:

viewtopic.php?p=457302#p457302

Here are the links in their original context:

viewtopic.php?p=439308#p439308

[ake]

Have you, or are you going to Waxoyl your ordinary van?

[Vee4]

Have you, or are you going to Waxoyl your ordinary van?

To Waxoyl or not to Waxoyl: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of creeping corrosion,
Or to take arms against poor build quality,
And by Waxoyling end them?

Oh, no - not Shakespeare again! I'll be sure to include something from Rabbie Burns in the future.

I am a believer in the efficacy of Waxoyl treatment. I did a full number on the Mk2 and I as far as I can tell, it did make a difference. Most obviously, the rear doors were good to the end. It wasn't rust but engine failure that finished it off.

I haven't done anything with the Ordinary Van yet. That is partly through lack of time to do it or even consider it, and partly through not wanting to start taking it apart just yet. My short-term strategy is to keep the insides of the wheel arches clean with the pressure washer and consider a Waxoyl treatment next year (2010) when the weather is warmer.

That is more or less what happened when I bought the Mk5. I never did get round to Waxoyling it and I was hoping that because I had it from new and took care of it, the rust wouldn't be as bad as it would be on a well-abused secondhand van. It lasted 12 years but rust on the wheel arches and rear doors was visible after about 8 years. I knew that the wheel arches were likely to be a problem from my observation of other Mk3 and Mk4 vans and I asked the dealer to steam clean the wheel arches when it went in for service but they never took me seriously and eventually I stopped asking. Now I have my own pressure washer, I'll be able to do it myself on the Mk7.

The question was raised in an earlier posting too: viewtopic.php?p=456609#p456609

Apologies to ake for the delay in replying.

Here is Shakespeare's perhaps most famous soliloquy, from Hamlet:

http://www.artofeurope.com/shakespeare/sha8.htm

[Vee4]

this is a good thread but needs more pics go on treat us m8y

At last - by popular demand! Well, both of my readers asked.

The Ordinary Van on site:



The van in front is a Transit ...



Nothing out of the ordinary, I think you'll agree.

Note the rear step bumper: this is a mandatory upgrade with the parking distance sensor.

I wouldn't have ordered it on its own but now it's there I have found the step to be useful in its own right while I'm hopping in and out. It has a good 'tread' on it so it is not slippery when wet. The parking sensor is useful too, and it does respond to less solid items such as shrubs. With a large solid object, the beeping starts at about six feet (1.8m) and becomes a continuous tone at about 16 inches (400mm). It is an adjunct to (but not a substitute for) careful use of mirrors and/or looking out of the window.

[Vee4]

First foggy night of the winter ...

There was an opportunity to try the front fog lamps on an unlit country lane. It wasn't a real 'pea souper' and the fog lamps didn't make any difference to long range vision, rather they illuminated the road immediately in front and to the sides of the van. The fog lamp switch is in mechanical interlock with the headlamp switch so the fog lamps can't be used on their own. Perhaps they will make more difference when visibility is greatly reduced.

Fog lamps were discussed here: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=49471&start=0&hilit=fog+lights+lamps

[ake]

Nice to see some pictures, you can use the Front fogs when you just have sidelights on

[ake]

How many miles has the ordinary van done now

[Vee4]

You can use the front fogs when you just have sidelights on

Thanks for pointing that out - I was going by the illustration in the handbook which shows the switch in the headlamp position. The switch can indeed be pulled out in the sidelight position.

How many miles has the ordinary van done now?

On about 5000 now, lower than average, but work has been such that I seem to be schlepping round town rather than heading off on nice long runs to exotic locations, like Scotland ... The average MPG has taken a hit for the same reason but it's still good - I'll publish some updates further down the road. The 6-speed box helps, because the Ordinary Van will go along quite happily at 30mph in 4th at 1500rpm.

[Luke]

i'm a great believer in waxoil too any vehicle i intend to keep gets it done

[MrMPuk]

you can use the Front fogs when you just have sidelights on

And that infact is how you are meant to use them.

[AndyG]

this is a good thread but needs more pics go on treat us m8y

At last - by popular demand! Well, both of my readers asked.

The Ordinary Van on site:



The van in front is a Transit ...



Nothing out of the ordinary, I think you'll agree.

Note the rear step bumper: this is a mandatory upgrade with the parking distance sensor.

I wouldn't have ordered it on its own but now it's there I have found the step to be useful in its own right while I'm hopping in and out. It has a good 'tread' on it so it is not slippery when wet. The parking sensor is useful too, and it does respond to less solid items such as shrubs. With a large solid object, the beeping starts at about six feet (1.8m) and becomes a continuous tone at about 16 inches (400mm). It is an adjunct to (but not a substitute for) careful use of mirrors and/or looking out of the window.

With nearly 2,500 views, I think there's more than just a couple of us viewing this thread