As above, recently got the Freelander, and clocked it twice to see what mpg it is doing.We are getting 22-24 miles to the gallon, which is a little dissapointing.Driving normally, and cruising at 70 on motorways. Is there anything we can look for that might be affecting the diesel consumption.?
Low mpg TD4 diesel
- Thread starter freeladdy
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Singvogel
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Hi,
22 - 24 mpg
I could give you a list of items to check, but it would help to know:
What year?
What mileage?
When serviced last?
My order of priority checking would be:
Air Filter
EGR
pcv
Turbo solenoid vent filter
Tyre pressures
fuel filter
We LR types tend to use jargon a lot - if you are unsure of anything - ask.
Also I've found that supermarket diesel is not cost-effective in that I get about 3 mpg less and get smoke on accelerating. I only feed my Hippo on Shell V-Power now.
As you don't know much about how the previous owner treated it, I would whack in a bottle of Wynns diesel injector cleaner in the tank and use Millers diesel additive for a couple of tankfuls to clear out any crud / gunge from the system.
I've made a few simple mods to mine and I'm regularly getting 15 to 20 mpg more than you are. I don't hang about either.
22 - 24 mpg I could give you a list of items to check, but it would help to know:
What year?
What mileage?
When serviced last?
My order of priority checking would be:
Air Filter
EGR
pcv
Turbo solenoid vent filter
Tyre pressures
fuel filter
We LR types tend to use jargon a lot - if you are unsure of anything - ask.
Also I've found that supermarket diesel is not cost-effective in that I get about 3 mpg less and get smoke on accelerating. I only feed my Hippo on Shell V-Power now.
As you don't know much about how the previous owner treated it, I would whack in a bottle of Wynns diesel injector cleaner in the tank and use Millers diesel additive for a couple of tankfuls to clear out any crud / gunge from the system.
I've made a few simple mods to mine and I'm regularly getting 15 to 20 mpg more than you are. I don't hang about either.
cruise at 60mph instead. big difference lugging a nearly 2 tonne lump that extra 10mph. and the time gained is minutes. highest i got was cardiff to telford and back approx 44mpg at 60mph. along with air filter,egr blanked off, stainless exhaust. 2003 td4 by the way. generally getting about 35mpg varying cardiff city, motorway driving and green laning too.
My order of priority checking would be:
Air Filter.....Any particular one, or just a standard one. I can change that.
EGR....could you point me in the direction as where to find it
pcv.....ditto
Turbo solenoid vent filter.....ditto.....sorry
Tyre pressures.....All set at 30psi, running on 4 new AT Grabbers
fuel filter............again not sure where its at.
Wynns diesel injector cleaner in the tank and use Millers diesel additive for a couple of tankfuls to clear out any crud / gunge from the system.
Thanks will get some tomorrow, is it ok to put both in tank together.
Is there a How to, on servicing a TD4 Diesel on here..
The hippo is a Y reg, 95k on the clock, brilliant condition inside and out.I don't know when it was last serviced, I'm still awaiting the service and handbooks off the dealer who sold it.
44mph sounds great, the hippo has been named by my boy,.......THE SLUG.Thanks.
Air Filter.....Any particular one, or just a standard one. I can change that.
EGR....could you point me in the direction as where to find it
pcv.....ditto
Turbo solenoid vent filter.....ditto.....sorry
Tyre pressures.....All set at 30psi, running on 4 new AT Grabbers
fuel filter............again not sure where its at.
Wynns diesel injector cleaner in the tank and use Millers diesel additive for a couple of tankfuls to clear out any crud / gunge from the system.
Thanks will get some tomorrow, is it ok to put both in tank together.
Is there a How to, on servicing a TD4 Diesel on here..
The hippo is a Y reg, 95k on the clock, brilliant condition inside and out.I don't know when it was last serviced, I'm still awaiting the service and handbooks off the dealer who sold it.
44mph sounds great, the hippo has been named by my boy,.......THE SLUG.Thanks.
Ian jones
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- Location
- north east england
Hi , I agree with cox325 on the speed keep to 60 mph , cold climate causes less mpg i have found . I can get 41 on a run 10 less round town , mismatched tyres can affect mpg , is your vcu hot after a run ? worth checking it !
Singvogel
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Wow! OK - Where do I start???
First off - get yourself a Haynes manual for the FL - be sure to get the right year. Don't try fixing anything till you have one. You should then be able to identify all the bits.
I could start to explain all of the items you are not familiar with, but in my opinion our time would be better spent by you taking a couple of hours to search for threads on this forum for them. You will easily find pics and learn what the snags may be. There are pages and pages of info on the EGR for example. Now I know the age and mileage I'm pretty sure that inside it will be full of oily gunk.
Come back to me/us on the forum and we will do our best to help, if you are stumped.
None of the items mentioned will need anything other than the usual tools, but you would be better of a long reach 5mm Allan key to make the air cleaner cover screws removal easier, and a set of little Torx sockets.
In the meantime I would start by pouring in a bottle of injector cleaner on its own. Millers additive can wait till the next tankful.
First off - get yourself a Haynes manual for the FL - be sure to get the right year. Don't try fixing anything till you have one. You should then be able to identify all the bits.
I could start to explain all of the items you are not familiar with, but in my opinion our time would be better spent by you taking a couple of hours to search for threads on this forum for them. You will easily find pics and learn what the snags may be. There are pages and pages of info on the EGR for example. Now I know the age and mileage I'm pretty sure that inside it will be full of oily gunk.
Come back to me/us on the forum and we will do our best to help, if you are stumped.
None of the items mentioned will need anything other than the usual tools, but you would be better of a long reach 5mm Allan key to make the air cleaner cover screws removal easier, and a set of little Torx sockets.
In the meantime I would start by pouring in a bottle of injector cleaner on its own. Millers additive can wait till the next tankful.
Thanks for all the help and info, have read a little on the EGR, and blanking off. I will order a Haynes manual tonight,...Tool kit, is quite decent, but the long reach allan key I will need to get.Just one last thing, how much oil and what type would I use, when I change the oil filter.Thanks again.
markyzs180
Active Member
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most important question missed by all...
manual or automatic?
if its an auto you're not far off what the book says....
manual or automatic?
if its an auto you're not far off what the book says....
Singvogel
Well-Known Member
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Thanks for all the help and info, have read a little on the EGR, and blanking off. I will order a Haynes manual tonight,...Tool kit, is quite decent, but the long reach allan key I will need to get.Just one last thing, how much oil and what type would I use, when I change the oil filter.Thanks again.
I struggled for years changing the air filter without the long allan key - it makes a very awkward job much, much easier. The Torx are for the pcv filter change. Get the upgraded BMW plastic vortex bit only - its quite important at the mileage / age you have - plenty info - search for crankcase breather.
You will need 6.8 litres of 5w 30 oil. I use Tesco's Fully Synthetic Diesel Oil - it meets all the specs and is made by Ca***ol I believe - £20 for 4 litre - why pay more?
Happy to help.
Singvogel.
Ian jones
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- north east england
He,s not wrong !
Singvogel
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LandRover fuel figures quote the 'combined' figures for a TD4 as:
Manual: 37.2 mpg and Auto: 32.7 mpg
My last 300 mile round trip to Edinburgh (50% dual carriageway & Motorway) gave me 42.5 mpg - Checked brim to brim and by Sat Nav
2004 TD4 Auto at 95K using Shell V-Power with 250ml Tesco 2-stroke.
Every little helps as they say at ASDA - I don't buy their fuel though.
Manual: 37.2 mpg and Auto: 32.7 mpg
My last 300 mile round trip to Edinburgh (50% dual carriageway & Motorway) gave me 42.5 mpg - Checked brim to brim and by Sat Nav
2004 TD4 Auto at 95K using Shell V-Power with 250ml Tesco 2-stroke.
Every little helps as they say at ASDA - I don't buy their fuel though.
I too have not long had my freelander, the first tank full returned me about 25 mpg. very disappointing. checked tyre pressures and filter etc. eased back on the old right foot kept the speed below 60. All my journeys are 70% dual carrageway managed 32mpg. gutted.
Removed the cheap and nasty chip that the previous owner had fitted that tricks the ECU into thinking the engine needs more fuel, Bingo I'm now getting 43-45 mpg. Sure by removing the chip I've lost power and the throttle response is a little slugish. But hell its a landy when all said and done, if I want power, speed and low MPG I'll get my sports car out of winter storage.
So If your vehicle has been chipped take it off and check your MPG
Singvogel
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I agree with you Manoftin - throw away any cheap and nasty chips.
Some of them are not quite so cheap though. Still rubbish - expensive and nasty.
I did a load of research and trial trip demos in friends' cars before I fitted a Synergy2 'Ronbox'.
For fun, power and speed I stick with my TD4
For power, speed, low mpg, and extra fun I take my BMW 528i which also is in Winter storage.
Some of them are not quite so cheap though.
Still rubbish - expensive and nasty. I did a load of research and trial trip demos in friends' cars before I fitted a Synergy2 'Ronbox'.
For fun, power and speed I stick with my TD4
For power, speed, low mpg, and extra fun I take my BMW 528i which also is in Winter storage.
I agree with you Manoftin - throw away any cheap and nasty chips.
Some of them are not quite so cheap though.
I did a load of research and trial trip demos in friends' cars before I fitted a Synergy2 'Ronbox'.
For fun, power and speed I stick with my TD4
For power, speed, low mpg, and extra fun I take my BMW 528i which also is in Winter storage.
Porshe Boxster low MPG loads of fun.
TD4 very nice to drive very comfortable very well equiped ticks all the right boxes for me over the winter. Its my winter hack
Singvogel
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Like you I had a manual TD4 before getting my present auto-box.
I undertake several really long journeys (2000+ miles) several times a year and made the conscious decision that I had to reduce the cost of them. I was using over 250 litres in a week.
I did lots of little things, the EGR by-pass made a big improvement, a little, perhaps psychologically, was gained by changing the pcv, but the single biggest transformation was the Synergy2 box.
I am in no way a salesman for Ron but his box transformed the car.
I would guess that most buyers are looking for improved performance - well they will not be disappointed. However if you then set out to drive the TD4 gently and economically, there can be a huge reduction in fuel costs.
The great temptation is to have fun with, and exploit the new found acceleration. It's possible to overtake in places where before you had to stay behind and wait for a longer gap etc. If you use that new power you will possibly get even less mpg.
Check Ron's website - there are several different boxes depending on what your priorities are. I have a Synergy2a+ with dash switch.
I'm sure you could improve on 24mpg but everything else about your car must be in tip-top shape too. Air-Filter, brakes, tyre pressures, oil etc.
City driving is the thing that ruins my mpg figures. You pay for the convenience of the auto-box in heavy stop-start traffic.
No guarantees, but hope this helps.
santefe999
New Member
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Mine is a 2005 Auto. When I got it the MPG was around what you quote. I did a good service and changed the crankcase breather. The car drove much better and the MPG increase was noticeable. I have now purchased an EGR By-pass and will fit that, weather permitting ASAP. I dream of some of some of the miles per gallon returns quoted by some owners but I wonder what level of enjoyment of driving is experienced by those owners who achieve such figures? I love my landy and enjoy driving it the way I do. There is always a price for everything.
Singvogel
Well-Known Member
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Very true santefe999 - there is always a break even point.
I had a choice of either slow up and have a boring time, or do something about the efficiency of the motor.
I chose the latter.
I drive pretty much on the speed limits in the UK.
In mainland Europe and especially in Deutschland where there is often no limit the TD4 is happy to cruise at 85 - 90 mph but can willingly pull to over 100.
One of my favourite pastimes is storming up Alpine passes -- but I descend with care as I know what brake fade is like.
Happy motoring - Freude und Fahren - Hoo-ah!
I had a choice of either slow up and have a boring time, or do something about the efficiency of the motor.
I chose the latter.
I drive pretty much on the speed limits in the UK.
In mainland Europe and especially in Deutschland where there is often no limit the TD4 is happy to cruise at 85 - 90 mph but can willingly pull to over 100.
One of my favourite pastimes is storming up Alpine passes -
- but I descend with care as I know what brake fade is like. Happy motoring - Freude und Fahren - Hoo-ah!
i have a synergy 2 that i took off my other td4 what setting do you use for better mpg ?Like you I had a manual TD4 before getting my present auto-box.
I undertake several really long journeys (2000+ miles) several times a year and made the conscious decision that I had to reduce the cost of them. I was using over 250 litres in a week.
I did lots of little things, the EGR by-pass made a big improvement, a little, perhaps psychologically, was gained by changing the pcv, but the single biggest transformation was the Synergy2 box.
I am in no way a salesman for Ron but his box transformed the car.
I would guess that most buyers are looking for improved performance - well they will not be disappointed. However if you then set out to drive the TD4 gently and economically, there can be a huge reduction in fuel costs.
The great temptation is to have fun with, and exploit the new found acceleration. It's possible to overtake in places where before you had to stay behind and wait for a longer gap etc. If you use that new power you will possibly get even less mpg.
Check Ron's website - there are several different boxes depending on what your priorities are. I have a Synergy2a+ with dash switch.
I'm sure you could improve on 24mpg but everything else about your car must be in tip-top shape too. Air-Filter, brakes, tyre pressures, oil etc.
City driving is the thing that ruins my mpg figures. You pay for the convenience of the auto-box in heavy stop-start traffic.
No guarantees, but hope this helps.
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