Hi guys!

[FiorinoDeano]

Just bought a 1.3 Fiat fiorino . Was impressed with the reported fuel economy, but it seems not to be quiet as good as thought. Joining here to bench test the beasty!

[Draigflag]

Hi Deano, welcome. Is that the little van with the 1.3 diesel unti? I used to have that engine in my Panda, it can be very effecient, but you have to be gentle. Pretty sure somebody got over 80 MPG in the MPG marathon a few years back! I'm assuming you're probably getting late 50's maybe?

[FiorinoDeano]

Hi,
Sadly not. Getting about early forties with diligent driving
Hopefully its only teething problems and a good shot of redex diesel will sort it out ....I hope
It has 100k on the clock ,but full service history too, so should be 'okay' ?
Its the 1.3 16v 75 bhp, so should be in treble figures

[Draigflag]

Don't expect too much, it is a van after all, it has aerodynamics against it! You should get mid 60's with a bit of practice. Are you carrying much weight in the van?

[FiorinoDeano]

Hi,
no, nothing at all,just me

[FiorinoDeano]

Just did a very careful drive for 20 miles urban. Got 55 mpg, but that was driving incredibly diligently.

[Jay2TheRescue]

That's pretty good. Poor aerodynamics come into play more for highway runs. In a low speed urban environment, aerodynamics are negligible. My Escape Hybrid (Maverick in the UK) does really well in the summer because my mostly urban drive is at speeds of 35 MPH or less, and even though the Escape is about as aerodynamic as a cinderblock, it does quite well, averaging 34-36 MPG (US)

[Draigflag]

I think you should do the usual checks, like tyre pressures etc, and maybe adjust your driving style. Just the way you drive alone can make up to 25% difference in your fuel consumption. I had that engine in my old Panda as I said, and even around town it never did less than 65 MPG.

[FiorinoDeano]

The odd thing is I have a Seat Leon Eco. That 'should' do 70 mpg (lol) but it does a steady 45 mpg no matter where I drive it. Its been to Wales and back, all over town,urban the lot, every time its between 41-46, no variation in 3 years of ownership from new. Odd how this van will vary so widely. I have a Kangoo too and this will do a steady 40 mpg all day long. That's a '99 plate and smoky

[Draigflag]

Thats what I like about diesels, you can change where you drive, and how you drive them and they still give good consistant economy. With Petrol, it seems you have to concentrate and try hard to get economy. Just a thought, have you checked the brakes and wheel bearings? On my old Fiat 500, the brakes used to stick on when hot, that dried the bearing out so the wheels didn't spin as easy, and that affected the economy. There are so many things that can affect fuel effecientcy, its almost impossible to tell what can be causing bad economy.