90 mpg Clio 1.5 dci
 

Hi

Had my Clio 1.5 Dci eco2 since 37000 miles and just about to clock over 110000 miles. I have a 120 mile commute per day and usually average 85-90 mpg per tank. Completely stock car apart from lowering springs. Still full interior with spare wheel etc. Haven't had to spend a penny on the car apart from servicing every 10k miles.

Nice.

Welcome, and have a Thanks.

Thanks. Pretty lucky with the commute as it's 95% motorway and relatively flat. 60 mph on cruise control. Obviously they are UK figures.

It looks like they are too lowered... What is the lowering delta? What is the current ground clearance? Do you have a photo of the side view?

These were never available in my country, yet I have seen some (none of them Diesel actually) with Uruguayan plates. BTW what's its manufacturing year? Does it still not have to use AdBlue?

It looks properly stanced. Anything more than 3.5" means the road are poor.

Not lowered as standard hence why I fitted the lowering springs. To be honest, it's lowered it more than I wanted on the front but is what it is. I would hazard a guess its lowered around 40mm. Manufacturing year is 2015 and the car is not fitted with AdBlue.

Unlike with many other manufacturers, the ECO version of the Clio really only had one modification which is a longer fifth gear. Hence why I added the lowering springs, in an attempt to copy the likes of the polo blue motion.

Few issues with the car at the minute:

The car comes fitted with quite substantial undertrays (Under the engine compartment and in front of the rear axle). Unfortunately, these were obliterated when I managed to run over an exhaust backbox on the M62 @ 60 mph. Caused substantial damage to the underside of the car including the undertrays which I haven't replaced to date. This is on the list.

The tracking also requires doing which is a constant battle with the current condition of the UK roads. I set the tracking up myself which saves some money and I set up with the minimum amount of Toe.

I am only running cheap tyres on the car, which are on the standard 16" x 6.5J rims at 195/55/16. I plan to buy a set of 15" x 6J steel wheels as standard on the lesser models and fit the smaller 185/65/15 tyres. I will try and go for some ECO tyres if I can justify the higher price with the savings.

Car never came fitted with the ECO button (strange considering it's the ECO version) however all the wiring is installed in the car. Not sure if this will make any real world difference.

I will get some more photos of ride height and ground clearence.

Even though the overall diameter of the 185/65/15 tyres is not so noticeably bigger than the 195/55/16 you're using now, seems to be a good choice.

It should be almost the same, they both are factory tyres.

But I assume, 15 should be lighter and more aero.

Difference is less than one milimeter actually. But anyway, I'm more favorable to the 15s too.

Nice mpg you're getting there geeovana.

185/65/15 tires should also help in dealing with poor roads, 13mm more sidewall adds some protection. Plus they're cheaper to buy in the first place, that's always a plus.

Along with the undertray and some aero hubcaps you should be good to go as far as the easy mods are concerned.

Btw, do you block the grill in winter?
I have the same engine on my Laguna and I can easily block 1/2 of the grill from autumn to spring, without ever having to worry about any overheating.

Even though it won't increase ground clearance so effectively, a higher sidewall with a smaller rim is usually better to cope with harsher conditions, decreasing the efforts the suspension has to deal with.


I still remember when I could say that about 13" tyres, to which some sizes are now either on short supply or available at a cost that renders them suitable only to collectors who can afford to keep their classics looking period-accurate.

geeovana If you change the wheels to a different size, you need to go to a Renalt Dealership in order to change the parameters of the wheel in the meter and in the ABS to a different size.
For me, when I had a Renault, I had to change the size of the wheels in the meter and in the abs.