1. Cars home
  2. Motoring Rules & Regulations

Ask an expert

junglebunny1
By junglebunny1 | AA Member | 2 Posts | 6 March 2015 at 7:40am

I have recently bought a brand new Mitshubishi based on the stated fuel efficiency of 7.5l/100km, however as per the table below, I am not getting the stated efficiency. The dealer has checked the car with an on board computer and states that it is running correctly. I have also been told that I should run the car in for 15000km and change the fuel to 95 and not use the air conditioning.

Below is an extract from the website.

More efficient than ever
Outlander’s reputation for economy takes a real boost in the new models, with improvements across the range. The new 2.4 litre petrol engine is 19.3% more efficient, while the 2.0 litre engine is 13.2% more efficient that its predecessor.

Mitsubishi Outlander VRX 4WD                  
               
60l tank @ 7.5l/100km = 800km                  
                  
Date    ODO   Petrol l    km/l    "l/100km
7.5"
23 February 2015    419   50.56    8.16    12.24
1 March 2015    769   36.14    9.78    10.22

This is becoming an expensive car to run, what do I do now?

tjhull
By tjhull | AA Member | 85 Posts | 6 March 2015 at 8:11am

I agree,I have never got more than 600 kms from a tank of fuel in mine ie 10L per 1000 kms .Mitsubishi state the engine runs on 91 fuel so the advice you were given is incorrect?.Personally I feel these vehicles are a load of rubbish.

Anon
By Cade | AA Expert | 3937 Posts | 6 March 2015 at 9:59am

Hi there,
This seems to be a common question.
It's very rare for drivers on NZ roads are able to match the manufactures vehicle claimed fuel usage stats.
Every driving style/ road condition is different.
The test regime for the new vehicles are in a labratory on a rolling road/dyno.
We would use these figures as a guide only.
I don't see why the fuel economy would drop after 15,000kms. And I would switch back using 91 octane fuel.

junglebunny1
By junglebunny1 | AA Member | 2 Posts | 6 March 2015 at 10:38am

So what you are saying is that what the EECA and the car dealers are displaying is in fact misleading. The fuel efficiency is done in a laboratory with a ghost driver, no radio, a/c on, no passenger or extra weight in the car eg. shopping bags. Question, why do cars have these functions if they cannot be used. What is the point of having seats for passengers.

How about a bit of honesty.

Anon
By Cade | AA Expert | 3937 Posts | 6 March 2015 at 10:47am

By law, manufactures have to display a fuel efficiency label. This is the world wide standard and method of obtaining these figures.
I agree that there should be a real world figure used. Or at least an explanation on the fuel figures used.