MPG Improvement from 40 to 60mpg

[vikingaero]

I normally drive our diesel MPV to work - shorter commute of 7.5 miles, no business use of car whilst at work. Mrs V. has a 40 mile each way commute so she takes my company car and uses the fuel.

I check the MPG of the bus religiously on each fillup, brim to neck, get receipt with amount purchased, note down how many miles on the trip meter and it's normally 40mpg/450miles from one tank on a mixture of motorway, dual carriageway and town centre.

At the beginning of September I was asked to start at 6am. So I get in for 5.30am every morning (I don't do late or rushing in at the last minute). Obviously at this time of morning there is no stopping and no traffic. And because I start earlier I leave earlier at 3pm = less traffic. MPG at last fill up was: 47.55 litres/4.54 = 10.47 gall. 647.1 miles/10.47 gall = 61.80 mpg.

I've put down the figures in case I've made a mistake and you lot will haul me over the coals for it. Amazing what a small adjustment to the day can make.

[Krikkit]

Surprising for such a short trip with a diesel engine. What MPV is it?

I assume your company car is provided as a perk, rather than being expected to be used during the day?

[eldar]

The difference between driving stop start in traffic and driving at a constant speed with no traffic, I suspect.

[daemon]

Diesels just arent at their best (economically) on short runs.

My brother has a 2012 Leon 1.6TDI which apparently he struggles to break 50mpg in - usually gets high 40's, but he generally does shortish runs.

By contrast i've the same engine in a 2012 Golf and i can get an honest 68-69mpg over the course of a fill brim to brim. But then my commute is 45 miles each way at a steady 55mph with no stop starts.

[Seeker UK]

7.5 miles is not enough to get the diesel up to optimal temperature. I used to have a 10 mile commute (mostly dual carriageway) and that wasn't enough to get the best from the engine. In my experience, 15 - 20 miles is the minimum to get the engine returning a good mpg.