Only ever managed 21/22 mpg (just over 16k on clock) think I'll be checking....
12th Jan 2008 12:29 am
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
In the absence of jacking up and stripping brakes, I offer two suggestions before ducking below the wall.
1. Sit in neutral at traffic lights or in a car park, without EPB, at all opportunities when your (undoubtedly HUGE) intelligence tells you its very nearly level. If you do it often enough you can "feel" the rolling freedom or otherwise, as your assessment of all these level places is 1-2% out.
2. Buy an infra-red thermometer "gun" from Maplin and check all tyres and brake discs / drums on or after a journey. It's an excellent clean-handed way of checking for tyre pressure imbalance and unusual brake activity.
{ducks low}
Andy2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
12th Jan 2008 12:38 am
Bill Wright
Member Since: 03 Nov 2007
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 3254
I stripped and cleaned the rear disc pads today. The inside pads were jammed up with crud (mud and brake dust and the caliper piston was pretty tight. Cleaned the bits up and used a G cramp to push the piston and free it. Greased the tabs of the pads where they contact the locatijng springs. Brakes tested and working fine. I'm doing a longish run tomorrow and it'll be interesting to see if it's made a difference to MPG.
I have to say that the hardest part was jacking the wheel up high enough to get it off. The instructions for placement of the scissor jack indicate holes in the chassis (but which ones?) Each one I tried ended up with the jack tilting over. I used a trolley jack in the end.
Just to the rear and outboard of the cat on the left side there is a plastic cover with a hole in it (easily confused with the jacking position). Anybody tell me what it is please?
Bill WrightNever take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
D4 SDV6 SE Tech Kaikoura Stone MY15.
12th Jan 2008 2:49 pm
Disco_Mikey
Member Since: 29 May 2007
Location: Dundee, Scotland
Posts: 20728
Bill Wright wrote:
Just to the rear and outboard of the cat on the left side there is a plastic cover with a hole in it (easily confused with the jacking position). Anybody tell me what it is please?
Bill Wright
Not the suspension compressor is it? Had quite a few jacked up there and the compressor...
12th Jan 2008 4:43 pm
Bill Wright
Member Since: 03 Nov 2007
Location: Glorious Devon
Posts: 3254
Spot on Disco_Mikey thanks. It would appear that is exactly that. I've since read other threads on here relating to it. Seems a naff place to hang it.
BWNever take life too seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.
D4 SDV6 SE Tech Kaikoura Stone MY15.
12th Jan 2008 9:49 pm
character
Member Since: 01 Jan 2008
Location: wiltshire
Posts: 5779
Hey guys, your the greatest
Posted a thread a few days ago on technical called "feeling the road at 35-65mph"
When I saw one reply on your thread saying he only gets 21 mpg, that's what we are getting including a fair portion of motorway driving!!!!
Car into stealers for warranty repair, will be on the phone at 8.00am.
Will post the results
14th Jan 2008 12:47 am
Renny
Member Since: 30 May 2006
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 292
Re: 10,000 miles with the brakes on!
JMC wrote:
I had put the reduction in economy down to my less careful use of the right foot, but I was getting concerned when after trying hard to drive nicely, the best I could do was 25.6MPG.
I know how you drive JMC. I didn't know your right foot had an ecomomy setting
That was almost TD5 fuel consumption.Renny Thomson
aka Scottish Scrutineer or MM0KOZ
MSA Scrutineer
14th Jan 2008 7:15 pm
Renny
Member Since: 30 May 2006
Location: Fife, Scotland
Posts: 292
Re: 10,000 miles with the brakes on!
JMC wrote:
I had put the reduction in economy down to my less careful use of the right foot, but I was getting concerned when after trying hard to drive nicely, the best I could do was 25.6MPG.
I know how you drive JMC. I didn't know your right foot had an ecomomy setting
That was almost TD5 fuel consumption.Renny Thomson
aka Scottish Scrutineer or MM0KOZ
MSA Scrutineer
I just filled up and zero'd everything for the first time since starting this thread. Drove through Aberdeen and then onto the dual carriageway for the run home. Into the driveway and flicked through the LCD before switching off. Here's the news:
Trip: 35.7 miles
Range: 511 miles
Until getting the brakes changed, I was beginning to struggle to get 400 miles out of a tank.
All this with no obvious signs of a problem The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
Founder member of Club FFRRV
Club Orange, Mint or Fruit
Club Walnut Sniffers
17th Jan 2008 12:54 am
SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
right, following thius thread had dealer check brakes, all fine, however they did clean out the EPB bits and voila, I also now have my mpg back and car no longer drops down to 5th at the slightest incline
Amazed it made such a difference end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
I must be due a medal from Greenpi$$ after starting this thread
Just think,..... All these 'Gas Guzzling 4x4s' are now consuming somewhat less of our worlds resources thanks to a relatively simple tip. In fact, I've come over all emotional at the thought of a warm greeting from one of the great unwashed with dank hair and a smelly rainbow cardigan...... The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
Founder member of Club FFRRV
Club Orange, Mint or Fruit
Club Walnut Sniffers
5th Feb 2008 11:12 am
SPOTTER
Member Since: 06 Dec 2006
Location: Adrift........
Posts: 3095
JMC for President of Greenpeace end of an era ....... maybe a Defender when it appears.......
Don't know if I'm up to that task SPOTTER (Why do we have to shout your name? )
I'm too busy in my roles as Lord Protector of Scotland and reigning D3 Group Buy Monarch...... The older I get, the more I realise that people confuse wrinkles for wisdom
Founder member of Club FFRRV
Club Orange, Mint or Fruit
Club Walnut Sniffers
5th Feb 2008 11:35 am
AndrewW
Member Since: 06 Aug 2007
Location: Saddleworth
Posts: 2302
SPOTTER wrote:
JMC for President of Greenpeace
Group buy of inflatable boats to chase whalers? 2006 D3 finally swapped for a 2016 D4 Graphite in Graphite grey. No mods
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Thanks for that. I'll have a go
the compressor...
It would appear that is exactly that. I've since read other threads on here relating to it. Seems a naff place to hang it. 
