Hi. I have just returned from a 3 week tour thru south-west Qld, Thargomindah, Quilpie etc, driving a Nissan Patrol 4.8 litre petrol engine, and towing a Jayco Starcraft Caravan.
I monitor fuel usage out of interest, and to indicate when maintenance may be required.
This trip my best result was 22.9 lites per 100 klm, or 4.36 klm per litre,,,,,the worst was 34 litres per 100 klms, or 2.9 klm per litre.
If there are any other nomads driving similar set-ups I would love to hear your results.
Cheers all. KB
Peter_n_Margaret said
10:15 AM Jul 15, 2018
Best and worst aren't very useful.
What was the average for the whole trip - total km Vs total liters used?
Cheers,
Peter
Desert Dweller said
10:56 AM Jul 15, 2018
Makes our Nissan Navara's average fuel consumption when towing our caravan look pretty good. 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Sunday 15th of July 2018 10:57:57 AM
keiron said
12:33 PM Jul 15, 2018
Hi Peter, I hope this is helpful. KB
Bought at
Date
Litres
cost / ltr
total cost
distance klms
Ltrs / 100 klm
klms / ltr
filled @ Wyong Freeway
10-Jun-18
31.93
$1.739
$55.53
138.60
23.04
4.34
filled @ Wallabadah
11-Jun-18
65.58
$1.669
$109.45
263.30
24.91
4.01
filled @ Armidale
13-Jun-18
46.73
$1.749
$81.73
181.00
25.82
3.87
filled @ Bingara
14-Jun-18
60.89
$1.629
$99.19
268.90
22.64
4.42
filled @ Texas
16-Jun-18
46.60
$1.629
$75.91
185.80
25.08
3.99
filled @ Mitchell
20-Jun-18
21.62
$1.621
$35.05
87.20
24.79
4.03
filled @ Roma
20-Jun-18
67.07
$1.739
$116.63
197.00
34.05
2.94
filled @ Charleville
21-Jun-18
49.85
$1.759
$87.69
211.70
23.55
4.25
filled @ Quilpie
22-Jun-18
51.51
$1.660
$85.51
209.00
24.65
4.06
filled @ Thargomindah
22-Jun-18
44.55
$1.600
$71.28
194.20
22.94
4.36
filled @ Cunnamulla
23-Jun-18
53.60
$1.769
$94.83
198.90
26.95
3.71
filled @ Bourke
25-Jun-18
70.23
$1.620
$113.77
253.70
27.68
3.61
filled @ Walgett
26-Jun-18
59.06
$1.699
$100.34
226.40
26.09
3.83
filled @ Narrabri
28-Jun-18
56.78
$1.619
$91.93
198.80
28.56
3.50
filled @ Dubbo
29-Jun-18
65.79
$1.738
$114.35
266.00
24.73
4.04
filled @ Orange
30-Jun-18
41.67
$1.689
$70.38
154.00
27.06
3.70
Total of 16 Fills
Totals
833.46
$1,403.57
3,234.50
412.53
Averages of 16 fill=ups
52.09
$1.68
$87.72
202.16
25.78
3.92
Phillipn said
02:06 PM Jul 15, 2018
keiron wrote:
Hi Peter, I hope this is helpful. KB
Bought at
Date
Litres
cost / ltr
total cost
distance klms
Ltrs / 100 klm
klms / ltr
filled @ Wyong Freeway
10-Jun-18
31.93
$1.739
$55.53
138.60
23.04
4.34
filled @ Wallabadah
11-Jun-18
65.58
$1.669
$109.45
263.30
24.91
4.01
filled @ Armidale
13-Jun-18
46.73
$1.749
$81.73
181.00
25.82
3.87
filled @ Bingara
14-Jun-18
60.89
$1.629
$99.19
268.90
22.64
4.42
filled @ Texas
16-Jun-18
46.60
$1.629
$75.91
185.80
25.08
3.99
filled @ Mitchell
20-Jun-18
21.62
$1.621
$35.05
87.20
24.79
4.03
filled @ Roma
20-Jun-18
67.07
$1.739
$116.63
197.00
34.05
2.94
filled @ Charleville
21-Jun-18
49.85
$1.759
$87.69
211.70
23.55
4.25
filled @ Quilpie
22-Jun-18
51.51
$1.660
$85.51
209.00
24.65
4.06
filled @ Thargomindah
22-Jun-18
44.55
$1.600
$71.28
194.20
22.94
4.36
filled @ Cunnamulla
23-Jun-18
53.60
$1.769
$94.83
198.90
26.95
3.71
filled @ Bourke
25-Jun-18
70.23
$1.620
$113.77
253.70
27.68
3.61
filled @ Walgett
26-Jun-18
59.06
$1.699
$100.34
226.40
26.09
3.83
filled @ Narrabri
28-Jun-18
56.78
$1.619
$91.93
198.80
28.56
3.50
filled @ Dubbo
29-Jun-18
65.79
$1.738
$114.35
266.00
24.73
4.04
filled @ Orange
30-Jun-18
41.67
$1.689
$70.38
154.00
27.06
3.70
Total of 16 Fills
Totals
833.46
$1,403.57
3,234.50
412.53
Averages of 16 fill=ups
52.09
$1.68
$87.72
202.16
25.78
3.92
What speed were you doing, and what wind direction on your trip? I am pleased it was you paying for the fuel.
Ozzie_Traveller said
08:31 PM Jul 15, 2018
G'day mate
We're doing a similar trip to you - but so far have gone further north and have yet to hit Thargomindah!!
However in our 4500kg motorhome sitting on a Ford Transit diesel and cruising around 95km/h on the open hwy, we've clocked in at 14.3Lt/100km [about 7km/Lt] over the last 7000km or so. Done heaps of back roads as well as highways, some very big headwinds and a few tail winds, lots of hills and valleys and had a ball touring :)
Hope this helps
Phil
Warren-Pat_01 said
10:00 PM Jul 15, 2018
G'day Keiron,
You don't say whether your car is a manual or auto, nor the size & weight of the van. Your figures are one reason why I chose an outdated diesel for my tow/everyday use car. And because of higher fuel consumption of this engine, I added the diesel-gas system. It took me considerable time to find "hen's teeth" - my TD42Ti powered Patrol (manual). My van has an ATM of nearly 2T.
I too keep detailed spreadsheets for the car - the fuel one is essential but so is my service/spare parts one, the van service/spare parts one, distances & the trips/places/parks we visit. As my car has the diesel-gas system on it, I have to ensure that my burn rate does not exceed 25%. Coming down on this trip I noticed the old girl was a bit lax on power & soon found the burn rate was floating around 19% (a bit low) - my fuel consumption at a couple of places was a bit high too (nearly 20L/100kms) whereas normally it is 13-17l/100kms towing. It was quite windy in a few places & that didn't help.
I had the burn rate increased slightly at Geelong last week & feel now it may be a little too high as the car with the van on today was like a new one (has over 420,000ms on it). A car driver that overtook me got a bit of a shock - I was still winding up when he cut in front of me.
My suggestions for you (you may already do these) would be to decrease your speed to 90kph, ensure your air filter is clean & the engine tuned. I know the 4.8L is supposed to be more fuel efficient than the older 4.5L but you're paying quite a bit while on the road.
keiron said
09:59 AM Jul 16, 2018
Thank you Warren for your comments. I am envious of such economy rates.
As for my set-up;; I very rarely exceeded 80 kph throughout this last trip. Several reasons, including being to stay alert for longer periods at the slower speeds; enjoy the scenery much more; and being able to pull-over (in shorter distances) to see stuff when SWMBO yells out "look at that"....
My vehicle is a 5 speed automatic, had a full service, including filters and a dyno test / tune days before we left. I use 98 octane Premium Unleaded fuel, tyres on van around 35-40 psi, Patrol similar pressures. The van weighs in around the 2.5 - 3.0 tonne loaded, dual axles and 21 foot.
I feel destined to grin-and-bear-it and make the most of what I've got.
Thanks again and happy travels.
Thargomindah, by the way, is west of Cunnamulla, and probably 200 klms from Birdsville.
Cheers.
sandgrooper1 said
12:43 PM Jul 16, 2018
Hi Keiron,
I had a 1996 Toyota Landcruiser 80 series 4 speed Auto with the 4.5 6cyl petrol motor in it and towed a 19 ft pop top at times.
This vehicle returned on average 4km per ltr on petrol and 3 km per ltr on gas towing.
The above figures are provided for you as a comparison with a similar vehicle.
The 4.8 Patrol has a good name for reliability and performance but not economy.
The figures you have provided would be pretty average for a 4.8 Patrol.
A friend of mine has a 2001 model 4.8 and has recently brought a Y62 Patrol....but cant bear to part with the 4.8(owned since new only 130kms)
Cheers AL
keiron said
01:07 PM Jul 16, 2018
Yes Alan, the 4.8 is certainly reliable and does perform well. (Just thirsty). I will be keeping mine. KB
Aus-Kiwi said
01:29 PM Jul 16, 2018
I find dropping speed 10 kph ( from 100 to 90 ) drops ny fuel consumption big time . In my case 6.5 litre turbo diesel . Depending on wind direction . Head on Iâve slowed down to 70 kph . Being auto in head wind the auto wants to kick down due to extra drag . So I slow down till it STAYS in top and not kicks down to maintain set speed . Strange part is .. on cruise control it stays in TOP much better . So it gives me an indication of how much wind resistance there is . Effecting fuel consumption big time !
Hi. I have just returned from a 3 week tour thru south-west Qld, Thargomindah, Quilpie etc, driving a Nissan Patrol 4.8 litre petrol engine, and towing a Jayco Starcraft Caravan.
I monitor fuel usage out of interest, and to indicate when maintenance may be required.
This trip my best result was 22.9 lites per 100 klm, or 4.36 klm per litre,,,,,the worst was 34 litres per 100 klms, or 2.9 klm per litre.
If there are any other nomads driving similar set-ups I would love to hear your results.
Cheers all. KB
What was the average for the whole trip - total km Vs total liters used?
Cheers,
Peter
Makes our Nissan Navara's average fuel consumption when towing our caravan look pretty good. 11.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Sunday 15th of July 2018 10:57:57 AM
Hi Peter, I hope this is helpful. KB
What speed were you doing, and what wind direction on your trip? I am pleased it was you paying for the fuel.
We're doing a similar trip to you - but so far have gone further north and have yet to hit Thargomindah!!
However in our 4500kg motorhome sitting on a Ford Transit diesel and cruising around 95km/h on the open hwy, we've clocked in at 14.3Lt/100km [about 7km/Lt] over the last 7000km or so. Done heaps of back roads as well as highways, some very big headwinds and a few tail winds, lots of hills and valleys and had a ball touring :)
Hope this helps
Phil
You don't say whether your car is a manual or auto, nor the size & weight of the van. Your figures are one reason why I chose an outdated diesel for my tow/everyday use car. And because of higher fuel consumption of this engine, I added the diesel-gas system. It took me considerable time to find "hen's teeth" - my TD42Ti powered Patrol (manual). My van has an ATM of nearly 2T.
I too keep detailed spreadsheets for the car - the fuel one is essential but so is my service/spare parts one, the van service/spare parts one, distances & the trips/places/parks we visit. As my car has the diesel-gas system on it, I have to ensure that my burn rate does not exceed 25%. Coming down on this trip I noticed the old girl was a bit lax on power & soon found the burn rate was floating around 19% (a bit low) - my fuel consumption at a couple of places was a bit high too (nearly 20L/100kms) whereas normally it is 13-17l/100kms towing. It was quite windy in a few places & that didn't help.
I had the burn rate increased slightly at Geelong last week & feel now it may be a little too high as the car with the van on today was like a new one (has over 420,000ms on it). A car driver that overtook me got a bit of a shock - I was still winding up when he cut in front of me.
My suggestions for you (you may already do these) would be to decrease your speed to 90kph, ensure your air filter is clean & the engine tuned. I know the 4.8L is supposed to be more fuel efficient than the older 4.5L but you're paying quite a bit while on the road.
Thank you Warren for your comments. I am envious of such economy rates.
As for my set-up;; I very rarely exceeded 80 kph throughout this last trip. Several reasons, including being to stay alert for longer periods at the slower speeds; enjoy the scenery much more; and being able to pull-over (in shorter distances) to see stuff when SWMBO yells out "look at that"....
My vehicle is a 5 speed automatic, had a full service, including filters and a dyno test / tune days before we left. I use 98 octane Premium Unleaded fuel, tyres on van around 35-40 psi, Patrol similar pressures. The van weighs in around the 2.5 - 3.0 tonne loaded, dual axles and 21 foot.
I feel destined to grin-and-bear-it and make the most of what I've got.
Thanks again and happy travels.
Thargomindah, by the way, is west of Cunnamulla, and probably 200 klms from Birdsville.
Cheers.
I had a 1996 Toyota Landcruiser 80 series 4 speed Auto with the 4.5 6cyl petrol motor in it and towed a 19 ft pop top at times.
This vehicle returned on average 4km per ltr on petrol and 3 km per ltr on gas towing.
The above figures are provided for you as a comparison with a similar vehicle.
The 4.8 Patrol has a good name for reliability and performance but not economy.
The figures you have provided would be pretty average for a 4.8 Patrol.
A friend of mine has a 2001 model 4.8 and has recently brought a Y62 Patrol....but cant bear to part with the 4.8(owned since new only 130kms)
Cheers AL
Yes Alan, the 4.8 is certainly reliable and does perform well. (Just thirsty). I will be keeping mine. KB