Fuel economy / fuel standard

[Col.T]

G'day all,
noticed recently a drop off in my fuel economy. '08 3.0CRD
One load from a discounting BP servo and two from Coles/Shell in metro Adelaide.

It's nearly 2 Litres extra per 100K's and is quite noticeable over about 2500 K general usage.( Up to now over about 4 years have always got about 10.5 to 11.5 L/100K but it's now hitting 13.5) .

Do you reckon the dealers are now getting a cheap, crappy standard of fuel from Singapore to make up for the discounting war between Coles and Woolies? Any independents would also get dragged in if they hoped to stay in business of course.
Totally certain the vehicle is not at fault.
Thoughts?
Col

[Drew]

Welcome to my fuel consumption. I'd say what you were getting was the exception rather than the norm.

I spoke to my bp fella after my Eco went really well for a tank then returned to normal and he said that the diesel hadn't changed. Who knows what they do but I do find I get consistent figures when I use bp and all over with others

[threedogs]

Thinking all fuel must be of a certain STD. What has changed, I'm using Col.Ts elimination process.
Have you fitted new tyres recently,?
when was MAF cleaned last?
Is your air filter in good condition?
A few feel you get more bang for your buck from BP
That includes gas
I take it you're running STD size tyres.

Or are refineries adding "stuff"

[Col.T]

Drew, funny thing . I first noticed the change after a couple of fills of BP!
John no change. Service, including MAF, happened to be a major so all new filters fitted, standard treads etc. etc. Dunno. Did hear a rumour that some dealers fuels (diesel) had higher/lower 'solid' or 'wax' content than others and there was some way you could check it by putting a bottle of it in the fridge and seeing what condensed out. Trouble is it didn't effect me at the time and I can't recall details.
Still, at my stage in life, the world's full of mysteries. Guess I'll just keep filling, keep driving and all will be well.
Thanks fellers
Col

[MEGOMONSTER]

My norm is mid/high 13 L/100.
It astounds me that a brute of a truck can get 10's.
so you used to normally get 800+ kms out of 90lt tank of diesel.

[Drew]

I was reading this site http://mydieseldoctor.com/FAQ.html and surprised to read ..

"The University of Idaho conducted tests on the life expectancy of fuels to determine the time line of degradation of stored #2 diesel fuel. The results indicated 26% degradation after 28 days."

I suppose a good reason to get fuel from a station that has a high turnover.

[Col.T]

Megoman, yes, that's right. Not 10.0 but 10.5 to 11.5 depending on short/long usage.
Drew, a bit surprised that there's that sort of degradation in an oil type fuel. Nevertheless, surely nowadays with the increase in the number of oil burners, the vast majority of suppliers wouldn't be flogging 'stale' type diesel.,
Interesting,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Col

[MEGOMONSTER]

Megoman, yes, that's right. Not 10.0 but 10.5 to 11.5 depending on short/long usage.

Same, same. A 10 second car can still run 10.99 secs to be a 10 sec car.

[threedogs]

Only way my Patrol could get close to those figures is if I put 265s HTs back on.
But Mego as you know no 2 Patrols are the same or driven the same.
So you get 13 around town I get 12.8 or 13 if you like. would they ADD anything to the fuel
for the colder months.
Doing an eco run ATM but 330k to half tank looks the norm and 570k till light comes on
Yendor has the same year and he gets a bit more than I do, but not much

[Col.T]

G'day again.
Megoman, yes, 10.99 is still a 10 but over a tankful (plus reserve), that is quite a lot of K's difference.
When I changed from the world's greatest vehicle (4.2diesel, manual, no turbo, all low revs, fully crap high revs) I couldn't believe the high revs grunt this new 3.0CRD had. Oh baby, let it sing and hang on for the ride.
Then I noticed the dollar notes blowing out it's clacker. I'm now back to good economy but still don't like that it needs I reckon an absolute minimum 500 RPM more for the same torque. Just doesn't give the same low revs pull and control or economy. Still, it looks lovely in white and the missus thinks it's sweet........Shoot!
As said, lifes full of mysteries
Regards to all
Col

[Sir Roofy]

yep the difference would be noticed in that from a tractor to a sports car
but would have kept the 4.2 oiler

[Col.T]

Roofy,
don't I wish

Col