Petrol Usage

[BigBoyDan]

I always thought running 91ron and 95ron fuel was not very good for a 98ron car? Seems to be a few people running 95ron in their stags.

i was told to run reg. when i bought it off the importer, used it not by choice though, the caltex fuel refinery burnt down just before christmas so reg is all you could get where i am.

the ron is the fuels resistance to explode (so you can get higher compression)

the stagea has a knock sensor which detects knock (premature fuel detonation) and then retards the ignition timing. retarding the ignition timing reduces the tendency to detonate, but also reduces power output and fuel efficiency. so it shouldn't matter if you run a lower grade (i think, correct me if im wrong) you'll just get really really bad fuel efficiency

Edited January 3, 2009 by BigBoyDan

[KiwiRS4T]

i was told to run reg. when i bought it off the importer, used it not by choice though, the caltex fuel refinery burnt down just before christmas so reg is all you could get where i am.

the ron is the fuels resistance to explode (so you can get higher compression)

the stagea has a knock sensor which detects knock (premature fuel detonation) and then retards the ignition timing. retarding the ignition timing reduces the tendency to detonate, but also reduces power output and fuel efficiency. so it shouldn't matter if you run a lower grade (i think, correct me if im wrong) you'll just get really really bad fuel efficiency

Yes you're correct but i don't know why the importer told you to use regular - Nissan specify premium. Maybe you could get a drum of toluene and add a bit per tankful. here is a (US sourced) article on the benefits of toluene, what proportions to use and some case histories of improved performance - especially with turbos: http://www.elektro.com/~audi/audi/toluene.html

p.s. if you do try it you may be able to help the ecu to adapt after the new fuel has fed through the system by disconnecting the battery, pumping the brakes (allegedly to get rid of residual power although I don't know why the interior light wouldn't do that) and then reconnecting and roaring off into the distance. This resetting is not something I have done myself although there are many references to it throughout this forum.

[RBPOWA-(TJ)]

just got back from a city to bush drive, around town driving and home again, on one tank.

560km sitting on boost for alot of the driving 110kph speed signs up there

its such a nice car to drive consistant at those speeds. and to over take at those speeds, just a little squirt and your around them.

too bad about the bugs though, must locate a car bra

[pixel8r]

Just got back yesterday from my holiday in adelaide (drove the stagea there and back).

Fuel economy was nothing special - about 11L/100km most of the way on the highway. (Its an M35 - my previous s2 used to get ~10.5L/100km in the country).

Driving around Adelaide gave me around 11.5-12L/100km which is similar to what I get here in Brisbane (combined motorway/driving to work).

However on the way back I had an idea. I discovered that if I locked it into 5th by using the tiptronic, it would drop the revs and hold it just on 2000rpm at 100km/h. It would do this when in Drive too, but it was very difficult to get it to stay there, but using the tiptronic it held it perfectly. This also made it a lot easier to keep the speed constant.

Doing this dropped it to about 9.8L/100km but I reckon I could've achieved a lower figure if I'd done this on some of the more flatter parts of the trip. If only I'd known about this before I left...

Not sure if this also applies to the earlier stageas - I think my previous stagea wouldn't lock the torque converter when in tiptronic (in 4th), but I could be wrong there.

Another piece of info for those interested is that its not on boost at all when cruising at 100 or 110km/h. Boost pressure is related to engine load, not revs, so its actually negative pressure when cruising at 100km/h etc. I still let it run for a minute or so when stopping at a servo - just to make sure.

[southern_tango]

Another piece of info for those interested is that its not on boost at all when cruising at 100 or 110km/h. Boost pressure is related to engine load, not revs, so its actually negative pressure when cruising at 100km/h etc. I still let it run for a minute or so when stopping at a servo - just to make sure.

That's right on monday we went to portsea using the freeway and most of the time I had negative(vacuum)readings...

[webng]

...

Not sure if this also applies to the earlier stageas - I think my previous stagea wouldn't lock the torque converter when in tiptronic (in 4th), but I could be wrong there.

Interesting, when using the auto function, if cruising at 100-110kmh, if you flick the auto gear to the left (tiptronic) the rev increases even though it's still in 4th, flick it back to auto and the revs drop straight away.

[QWK32]

Interesting, when using the auto function, if cruising at 100-110kmh, if you flick the auto gear to the left (tiptronic) the rev increases even though it's still in 4th, flick it back to auto and the revs drop straight away.

yeah the lockup torque converter wont kick in when your in tiptronic. with an aftermarket exhaust it is really noticable when it kicks in, mine will kick in at speeds as low as 50-60kph.

[pixel8r]

yeah the lockup torque converter wont kick in when your in tiptronic. with an aftermarket exhaust it is really noticable when it kicks in, mine will kick in at speeds as low as 50-60kph.

This is what I thought too - and it is true for s1 and s2 stageas.

However in the M35, it seems to work the other way - in Drive the throttle is too sensitive and likes to unlock the torque converter as soon as you press the throttle slightly further down - causing the revs to jump up again. Its so hard to keep the revs around 2000rpm at 100km/h in Drive, yet in tiptronic it stays there even up slight hills. The gearbox also seems to still drop back to 4th when needed however, thus protecting the gearbox from taking too much load in 5th - so no fear of harming anything.

My s2 used to rev around 2600rpm at 100km/h whereas the M35 is around 2400-2500rpm without the torque converter locked and about 1900-2000rpm with. Basically it translates to slightly better fuel economy on long trips - to the tune of around 1L/100km at a rough guess. The M35 is only 30kg heavier than the s1/s2's but has lots more torque due to the newer engine, so it doesn't need to rev as much to keep the car moving at a constant 100km/h. Also the gear/diff ratios seem to be quite different too. Anyone know what these are for the M35?

[ALLBLITZ2]

i get 390 - 400km, no hooning.

2003 AXIS

[Ross]

i get 600km for m35, driving sedate with a few bursts of fun

[KiwiRS4T]

This is what I thought too - and it is true for s1 and s2 stageas.

However in the M35, it seems to work the other way - in Drive the throttle is too sensitive and likes to unlock the torque converter as soon as you press the throttle slightly further down - causing the revs to jump up again. Its so hard to keep the revs around 2000rpm at 100km/h in Drive, yet in tiptronic it stays there even up slight hills. The gearbox also seems to still drop back to 4th when needed however, thus protecting the gearbox from taking too much load in 5th - so no fear of harming anything.

My s2 used to rev around 2600rpm at 100km/h whereas the M35 is around 2400-2500rpm without the torque converter locked and about 1900-2000rpm with. Basically it translates to slightly better fuel economy on long trips - to the tune of around 1L/100km at a rough guess. The M35 is only 30kg heavier than the s1/s2's but has lots more torque due to the newer engine, so it doesn't need to rev as much to keep the car moving at a constant 100km/h. Also the gear/diff ratios seem to be quite different too. Anyone know what these are for the M35?

I saw 3.3 in another SAU post. I don't know how reliable that information is but if true would help account for the better fuel consumption of the M35.

[iamhe77]

i get 390 - 400km, no hooning.

2003 AXIS

WTF?

I don't understand how your economy can be so poor.

Is your car running smoothly?

What kind of conditions do you drive in day-to-day?

Are you using 98RON fuel? (DO NOT use less)

What does it idle at?

Do you drive uphill all day or have a couple of pianolas in the back?

You should be getting ~550-650 before the light fuel comes on.

I am sure that if you are driving constantly on-boost then those number would be fair.

I am currently getting around the 680km before the light comes on in my RS - and yes I do enjoy it (with a turbo/exhaust upgrade, how could I not??)

Try accelerating 10-15kph higher than your intended speed, then ease off gently until you reach the intended speed, hold it there by pushing a "tiny" bit more on the loud pedal.

Use the "leaf" screen and aim for cruising at 10L/km (or more) - best way to get accustomed to you accelerator pedal

Works for me!

Edited January 26, 2009 by iamhe77

[andy65b]

WTF?

I don't understand how your economy can be so poor.

Is your car running smoothly?

What kind of conditions do you drive in day-to-day?

Are you using 98RON fuel? (DO NOT use less)

What does it idle at?

Do you drive uphill all day or have a couple of pianolas in the back?

You should be getting ~550-650 before the light fuel comes on.

I am sure that if you are driving constantly on-boost then those number would be fair.

I am currently getting around the 680km before the light comes on in my RS - and yes I do enjoy it (with a turbo/exhaust upgrade, how could I not??)

Try accelerating 10-15kph higher than your intended speed, then ease off gently until you reach the intended speed, hold it there by pushing a "tiny" bit more on the loud pedal.

Use the "leaf" screen and aim for cruising at 10L/km (or more) - best way to get accustomed to you accelerator pedal

Works for me!

I keep tell'in you Cameron. Sydney roads are crap.

I agree that is a bit low, I am currently getting 450 - 550 of commuting driving to the fuel light comes on. I usually put in 65-70L.

Plus the heat at the moment is shitting up the economy.

Cheers

Andy

[RS444]

yeh its f*ked i get between 15-30 km max when lite stays on STEADY i reset trip b when it is then u no wats left !!

[PetroDola]

One thing to keep in mind looking at this thread, is we've got at least two types of stageas being compared - series 1 versions (which I have) and series 2 versions (neo engine?) , then also possibly some later model ones with the VQ series engine ? If there are people comparing fuel consumption of the VQ series engine with the RB, I reckon the VQ will win hands down, as anyone who has owned a Maxima will attest, they are fantastic engines and very efficient.

I dunno man im thinking im pushing 15-20-litres per 100 around the city depending on lead foot with my m35 series 1 - vq25det

and well above 12 for normal driving and country.

can go anywhere from 270ish-450ish depending on how one drives. (but even in the country i never got better than 475!)

we have a curb weight of 1780kg's without fuel or driver also .. not sure what a maxima is ?

but only mods is dump/fmic -which has improved efficency marginally.

Edited November 1, 2010 by PetroDola

[Commsman]

Here's something interesting, at least I think so.

I've been taking note of the M35's fuel economy lately. The display shows a long term average of 12.1 L/100kms.

2 of the last 3 fills (tank filled till pump clicks off a few times) returned 11.92 & 12.44 L/100kms.

Then I went on the Qld Stagea cruise last Sunday. Most of the way up was driven at 110 - 120km/h on the freeway (hardly fuel efficient, I know) & then blasting away from every light and on ramp with the other guys. Now, remember my long term average (12.1) was displayed on the screen. This means that it doesn't increase every time you put your foot down to overtake or decrease when you coast down a long hill. (It does that if you reset it, then it becomes a short term average, yeah?)

You could imagine my surprise when, right in the middle of some spirited driving over Mt Mee, my display drops by 2 points!

It went down to 11.9 when I was having a "fang". How's that for an ecomomy run!

So when I got home and filled up after 609kms, it had used 11.22L/100kms. Interestingly, the computer gave me a warning that I was going to run out of fuel about 75kms before I filled up. And when I filled up, I still had over 12L left. I could have gone beyond 700km in one 80L tank!

This drop in fuel consumption happened one other time but I didn't have records to back it up. A blast over the Burringbar Range & back didn't deplete the tank as much as I thought. In fact it seemed the opposite. But I told myself to wake up and smell the premium.

This started me thinking about those guys who achieve great economy by pulse & glide techniques and also an article I read in Autospeed that talked about the most efficient way to run an engine (high throttle opening (but not WOT) at low(ish) revs.

So maybe that's the secret..... Take the winding road and "give it a bit" instead of using the freeway at pretty much closed throttle.

Cheers, Leon.

[zoomzoom]

I have wondered about that as well. I wonder if gentle acceleration loses more % of power to heat through the torque converter slippage.

I would classify my driving as medium throttle at low revs, making full use of the turbo (that is what its there for, Ive never understood people wanting to drive "off boost" all the time).

My city consumption is around 12.5L/100km. Admittedly its canberra which isnt totally stop-start traffic like sydney etc.

Oh and cruising is fairly efficient as long as you keep that damn torque converter locked up, which on the S1 at least, it does not like to despite the engine being able to produce sufficient torque at low revs to maintain speed even uphill. I would like to address that with a trans modification but the cost/benefit doesnt really work out.

Edited December 5, 2010 by zoomzoom