First long-ish trip in George is a dissapointing 48.8 US MPG. Actually that is pretty good but below "EPA" (aka ECE) combined ratings but I'm not unhappy as I didn't hypermile much.
I noted all the way "there" that the SG2 registered MPG as around 48 which was frustratingly low - until I realised it hadn't recalibrated to UK gallons, this was US MPG. I refilled after the tank logged, recalibrated the SG2 and it reported a more realistic 55+, so we shall see after this tank.
I did different speeds as the manual on "breaking in" suggests not sitting at any one engine speed for long, and the weather was awful on the trip down and some of the trip back. For the last weather clear 1/4 of the trip from the McBorder to home I just wanted home by then and found that George was actually quite good at speed.
Good points about George on this trip
- Faster than I thought. I got stuck behind a couple of Caravans on a motorway on-ramp and we got past with no issues. I thought "this is really impressive for a 1-litre" as we climbed the hill quickly, well quicker than I thought we would
- Cruising at 70-75+ is easy, even on hills. In fact faster cruising suited him more than 55-65.
The MPG figures improved at 70-75 (indicated) vs (60-65)
- Quieter than he should be, no engine noise or wind noise. Some tyre roar on some surfaces - Quieter than Helga
- Steering light and sharp to use off the motorway. The electric system can be caught out in car parks though
- Wipers effective at speed, no lifting
- Narrow tyres really really secure in heavy rain - they seemed to cut through the surface water rather than riding on top
- Seats surprisingly comfortable - no "numb bum", or any aches at all at either end
Bad points about George on this trip
- Steering is more sensitive than it needs to be at speed, hard to stay in one position in the lane - although there were heavy side winds and lots of rain
- Darkened rear windows are a bit of a pain in heavy rain, it can be hard to spot the morons in "stealth mode" with no lights on
- Rear wiper is for show more than effect
- Still not entirely sure about eco-driving a petrol vs a diesel in terms of throttle position and instant MPG. Just what is going on ?
- Ventilation system does not allow warm air to face and demisting, so drying hair after heavy rain
is hard work. It does work well in both positions individually though
- Problem - paint inside the rear (plastic) bumper has come away on one side, so I will need to visit Mr Dealer and see what is what
- Problem 2 - One rattle which needs a look at from the passenger (aka Left) A-pillar. No other ones though
- Opening the hatch lid in the rain allows water to run off it into the boot