Over the moon

[JanvdW]

I am extremely pleased with my first test result using the principles learned on this website.
I got 35MGP over 302km.
That may not sound WOW at first glance, but wait....there's more!

This was achieved by a 1998 Land Rover Defender 110
Curb weight = 4363lbs
CD = 0.65
Permanent 4x4
large Mud tyres

EPA not available, but the following was pulled from another website, assumed to be NEDC values:
20.8/23.3/21.6 (I am about 62% over that, with room for improvement!)

I still hit heavy bumper to bumper traffic in Johannesburg on both legs of the trip.

I hope to improve on this by installing an engine kill switch, alternator kill switch, and leaving home earlier to avoid the wrath of the traffic.

Onward to 40MPG

[JanvdW]

Let me try to post a pic of the Truck


As you can see, it is not the Short-wheelbase model that was imported to the US around 1993.

I also removed the Roofrack/Tent and the Bullbar.

[Sven7]

That's almost suspiciously good. If the mud tires are larger diameter they could be skewing your results. Something to check if you haven't yet.

Not meaning to discourage you by any means though! Great job. Keep rockin'

[JanvdW]

Hi Sven7,
1) Tires are wider than standard, but not taller.
2) I have already applied a 0.95 odometer correction factor to the km's as determined by GPS vs odo readings before.

I am also surprised. I used to get around 23MPG before, without doing anything like gliding, P&G etc. My average speed has also dropped.
I drive at 60km/h to 80km/h(38 to 50 mph), glide downhill with the engine off etc.

The vehicle is an aerodynamic nightmare, so I have to compensate by keeping the speed down.

I wish there was a way to verify the results.

This first test was done over about 302km (around 190 miles)
I will do the next test over a full tank (80 liter)

If I can avoid the heavy traffic over the last 25km of the trip, it could even improve the results.

[Piwoslaw]

35mpg isn't bad for a smaller car than Landy. Good job Very good, actually, for just changing your driving style, and removing a few unneeded things

Sorry if this question hurts, but: Do you really need a car like that? Do you chase lions up and down the savannah from 9 to 5? If so, could you leave your car at work and commute in something smaller? Maybe you can replace the tires with something more road friendly?

How is it with modding your ride in SA, can you get away with wheel skirts, bellypans or a Kammback? Someone here got great results when he boattailed his Jeep a few months ago...

[JanvdW]

Hi,

The question is valid, and I will explain.

The vehicle is primarily used for outreaches to neighboring countries (Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia etc.) where we support missionaries.

Typical Mozambique road




Nissan Patrol with burnt-out clutch



Unspoiled wilderness...

I have an Audi A4, 2.0 Tdi, 6 speed manual, that would normally be used to go to work. It has unfortunately broken a cam-belt recently, and is still at the workshop.

I was forced to use the Land Rover for a purpose it was not designed for (commuting)
Knowing that I had to use it, led me to search the internet for ways to reduce fuel consumption and to this website. I decided to make every attempt to reduce my fuel consumption that is reasonable. New "road biased" tires would reduce consumption, but will become redundant when the Audi is back.

Hope this makes the situation a bit more clear

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by JanvdW

The question is valid, and I will explain.

The vehicle is primarily used for outreaches to neighboring countries (Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia etc.) where we support missionaries.

Ah, that makes sense. I guess I wasn't too far off with the savannah...

And kudos for trying (and with what effect!!) to improve on such a nightmare.

[Olympiadis]

That is better than excellent for that type of vehicle. Great job.

[euromodder]

Originally Posted by JanvdW

The question is valid

And so is the choice of vehicle in this case

Good to see someone who's actually using an off-road vehicle for its intended purpose - even if it has to stand-in as a commuter for a while.


For many users of 4x4s and all-wheel drive SUVs, parking on the soft shoulders is as close as they ever get to going off-road.

[JanvdW]

Originally Posted by Piwoslaw

Ah, that makes sense. I guess I wasn't too far off with the savannah...

And kudos for trying (and with what effect!!) to improve on such a nightmare.

The overlanding trips are (unfortunately) still few and far appart. (and self financed)
The daily commuting is a combination of country, suburban, highway and city roads, with less than 0.5% being gravel road, the rest all surfaced.

I still need the day job to help fund the other trips!