Quote:
Originally Posted by lowglider
Cheers
My car has the newer version of your engine. I suggest to do go for a partial grill block in the colder days because it warms up faster, improves aerodynamics and on slower runs the coolant stays at optimal temperature. You can semi block both the upper and lower openings.
I would advise against EOC and using too low viscosity eco oils or fully extended oil change intervals, these cars have very delicate turbos and engine bearings and it`s just not worth risking it.
As for aerodynamics the easiest thing is to check all underpan plastic covers are intact and maybe adding a small front air dam from black rubber. Vauxhall Astras use it and it does the job while being discreet and doesn`t shatter when it gets hit.
Good luck!
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Thanks for the advice - as mentioned above, I am not going to bother with EOC, and the oil I am using meets the manufacturers spec - I intend to change every 9-10k (much shorter than the official interval which I believe is 15 or 18k).
I am still not sure about a grill block, but like the idea of a possible air dam. Do you know where I can buy said black rubber from?
Quote:
Originally Posted by vibrating_cake
I used to to half that commute on the motorway, Honda civic 2.2 diesel...
A few observations.
80 mph cruise control, you spend most of your time slowing down and speeding up for those doing the speed limit... No go.
70mph you end up matching the traffic flow until the inside two lanes are blocked by slower vehicles. Which means changing speed again. No no.
The fastest mpg rout is to find a coach, they regularly do the full 70mph . Just latch onto the rear of the coach at a safe distance, you'll probably jump about 10mpg increase over the distance with a low loss of time
Next slowest is to tag onto a fast lorry (one that's overtaking other lorries) brilliant as long as the speed is high enough you can slot between lorries when they overtake.
That used to be the best most reliable option, with the lower speed also you could be nearer to gaining 15mpg over the trip.
The most efficient I found (from a base line of 50mpg)
Was to follow a car carrier fully loaded, the turbulence from them is huge so they literally open up a huge pocket of air for you to enjoy, that netted me +18 mpg.
Which in fact ended up being a better result than sitting behind a 53mph lorry...
Consistency is everything though. 
The car is rated at 53mpg but the driving like a normal person in normal traffic you'd get 50mpg so that's my base |
I tried following lorries on my travels today - but most were too slow as you mention. I ended up averaging 54mph on the way in (no traffic) but was rarely content behind a lorry because I was DWL - scrubbing speed on climbs and gaining on descents.
I have followed coaches in the past, they are definitely the unicorn of vehicles to follow because they often travel at 65-70 and displace a fair bit of air as you said. I hadn't thought about car carriers... I will look out for both.