Discussion
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
Nicks90 said:
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I’ve read the mpg discussion with great enthusiasm. I drive a D5 V70 and my last calculation for fuel economy was about 45 mpg (49mpg indicated on the car’s readout). Albeit, mines a 2WD manual car, but it’s still a euro4 DPF car.Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I think most cars of a certain age would benefit from a new thermostat. I know it made a difference in mine, as my car never got above about 74deg, as I found out after a full diagnostic health check and an engine carbon clean. Running at a lower temperature will dent the fuel economy and cause a bigger soot build up.
I think 45mpg long term average, which includes the hit it takes during DPF regeneration, is amazing for a what the car is.
robertfleckney said:
Nicks90 said:
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I’ve read the mpg discussion with great enthusiasm. I drive a D5 V70 and my last calculation for fuel economy was about 45 mpg (49mpg indicated on the car’s readout). Albeit, mines a 2WD manual car, but it’s still a euro4 DPF car.Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I think most cars of a certain age would benefit from a new thermostat. I know it made a difference in mine, as my car never got above about 74deg, as I found out after a full diagnostic health check and an engine carbon clean. Running at a lower temperature will dent the fuel economy and cause a bigger soot build up.
I think 45mpg long term average, which includes the hit it takes during DPF regeneration, is amazing for a what the car is.
Nicks90 said:
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
Manual or auto?Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
The auto is the killer for most of the D5's tbh. Your MPG seems incredibly impressive - over 100k of miles on fuelly across the years suggests mid 20's for the D5.
guitarcarfanatic said:
Nicks90 said:
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
Manual or auto?Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
The auto is the killer for most of the D5's tbh. Your MPG seems incredibly impressive - over 100k of miles on fuelly across the years suggests mid 20's for the D5.
guitarcarfanatic said:
Jim on the hill said:
Mid 20s! That's worse than my Forester Sti with a big fuel pump. Weird.
Sorry - that's the XC90 which is over 2 tonnes 
For the XC70, it ranges from about 29-36 on Fuelly.
Mines an auto, and yes it's over 2 tonnes and no I don't drive like my grandad. I make good progress but smoothness is the key and the big volvo rewards smoothness anyway with its cossetting seats and mega stereo.
I put it down to using good fuel and partially hyper mile-ing (and a new thermostat!!!!) I hate using the brakes and feel a tiny twinge of failure if I don't anticipate the flow on the mway slowing down and don't judge releasing the cruise or lifting off in time to gradually match speeds. Accelerate back up to speed is always done briskly, as I've found that to use less fuel overall. Especially so when towing.
Around town is do drive conservatively, smooth is the key and I can get 5mpg more than my wife who is a bit 'on or off' with the throttle and always fails to anticipate red lights and has to slam on.
I put it down to using good fuel and partially hyper mile-ing (and a new thermostat!!!!) I hate using the brakes and feel a tiny twinge of failure if I don't anticipate the flow on the mway slowing down and don't judge releasing the cruise or lifting off in time to gradually match speeds. Accelerate back up to speed is always done briskly, as I've found that to use less fuel overall. Especially so when towing.
Around town is do drive conservatively, smooth is the key and I can get 5mpg more than my wife who is a bit 'on or off' with the throttle and always fails to anticipate red lights and has to slam on.
Nicks90 said:
Mines an auto, and yes it's over 2 tonnes and no I don't drive like my grandad. I make good progress but smoothness is the key and the big volvo rewards smoothness anyway with its cossetting seats and mega stereo.
I put it down to using good fuel and partially hyper mile-ing (and a new thermostat!!!!) I hate using the brakes and feel a tiny twinge of failure if I don't anticipate the flow on the mway slowing down and don't judge releasing the cruise or lifting off in time to gradually match speeds. Accelerate back up to speed is always done briskly, as I've found that to use less fuel overall. Especially so when towing.
Around town is do drive conservatively, smooth is the key and I can get 5mpg more than my wife who is a bit 'on or off' with the throttle and always fails to anticipate red lights and has to slam on.
This all sounds familiar, and very much akin to my own driving style. I’m interested in the ‘get up to speed briskly’ approach and whether that makes a difference. I probably don’t really approach my driving in that way, but perhaps I should. Perhaps some research is in order. I put it down to using good fuel and partially hyper mile-ing (and a new thermostat!!!!) I hate using the brakes and feel a tiny twinge of failure if I don't anticipate the flow on the mway slowing down and don't judge releasing the cruise or lifting off in time to gradually match speeds. Accelerate back up to speed is always done briskly, as I've found that to use less fuel overall. Especially so when towing.
Around town is do drive conservatively, smooth is the key and I can get 5mpg more than my wife who is a bit 'on or off' with the throttle and always fails to anticipate red lights and has to slam on.
I definitely think the thermostat makes a difference, but it is not something that people routinely change when there gets older.
Doofus said:
robertfleckney said:
Nicks90 said:
How are you guys not even hitting 30mpg from an xc70? You must be driving it like you stole it or just bumbling about town all day long.
Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I’ve read the mpg discussion with great enthusiasm. I drive a D5 V70 and my last calculation for fuel economy was about 45 mpg (49mpg indicated on the car’s readout). Albeit, mines a 2WD manual car, but it’s still a euro4 DPF car.Xc90 here in 205bhp d5 flavour. Spends it's life doing tips runs and general odd-soddery and then once a week between Leeds and Manchester Airport for work. Averaging 34mpg over the last 10000 miles / 2 years and I'd say 1000 of those miles are towing a 6.5m twin axle tin villa.
If it's just the work commute, I get in excess of 40mpg as a mix of steady motorway driving on the m62 and the usual stop start ballcocks through Stockport to the m56/Airport. Have to admit, I generally stick to 75max on the motorway and 55 when towing.
I think most cars of a certain age would benefit from a new thermostat. I know it made a difference in mine, as my car never got above about 74deg, as I found out after a full diagnostic health check and an engine carbon clean. Running at a lower temperature will dent the fuel economy and cause a bigger soot build up.
I think 45mpg long term average, which includes the hit it takes during DPF regeneration, is amazing for a what the car is.
Most people will have a thermostat which is partially open, even when the vehicle is cold. This means the car never reaches optimum operating temperature (~90deg) so will be over fueling. You will never know this, because the temperature gauge in a car doesn’t move in a linear fashion. Once the car reaches a certain temp (~70deg for example), the needle shoots to an indicated 90deg, and the driver thinks all is hunky dory.
Only by recording live data while the engine is running would you know this.
Re: the D5 mileage debate our XC60 auto is getting 33mpg and that's mainly motorway miles. Disappointing and glad we're not the only ones. Having said that it's feels and drives like a tank and the slushy auto-box doesn't help!
OP - do you find the gearlever a bit clunky when shifting between P/R/N/D?
OP - do you find the gearlever a bit clunky when shifting between P/R/N/D?
Countdown said:
Re: the D5 mileage debate our XC60 auto is getting 33mpg and that's mainly motorway miles. Disappointing and glad we're not the only ones. Having said that it's feels and drives like a tank and the slushy auto-box doesn't help!
OP - do you find the gearlever a bit clunky when shifting between P/R/N/D?
It's a bit more mechanical than the latest cars. The gearchanges were a bit rough between R & D (the dog fell over once), but have sorted themselves out. I think a flat battery meant that the gearbox had forgotten its adaptions.OP - do you find the gearlever a bit clunky when shifting between P/R/N/D?
Doofus said:
surveyor said:
I forgot to reset this until just before hitting wales, so the below consumption is based on at best A roads, and they were in the majority twisty, so not good for cruising. Pretty acceptable I thought.
Ah yes, but it's well documented that Radio2 listeners drive everywhere at 56 mph.
I took delivery of a 4 yr old BMW X drive 520d M sport last August, great car but in December after reading this thread I started looking at the XC 70 as I had already decided to go the full ageing family man Volvo estate, they are like rocking horse s**t to find, looking for a D5 up to 55k miles, got close to a lovely one but it went to another buyer on NYE, I still look for them everyday which is more worrying, the Mrs thinks I'm mad!
Doofus said:
My car - a low MPG culprit - has a total, 100%, main dealer service history from new.
I'm not entirely sure that a fully stamped book is indicative of a healthy car. Plenty people with get a service to get the stamp but ignore any advice for remedial work plus many things simply won't come in to a service unless requested... the state of affairs with the thermostat being one of them. See also Haldex fluid, rear diff fluid, freeing off the ride height sensors, clearing the intake of carbon build up. A service is mainly replace X components, cursory look round, advise the customer, be branded "rip of merchants" wash it and send it on its way for another 20kPedro25 said:
I took delivery of a 4 yr old BMW X drive 520d M sport last August, great car but in December after reading this thread I started looking at the XC 70 as I had already decided to go the full ageing family man Volvo estate, they are like rocking horse s**t to find, looking for a D5 up to 55k miles, got close to a lovely one but it went to another buyer on NYE, I still look for them everyday which is more worrying, the Mrs thinks I'm mad!
They exist. Today I went into a field. Initially, I was going to go no further than the gate, before deciding sod it and driving up the wet grass hill with no problems at all. It does need a wash!
Davie said:
Doofus said:
My car - a low MPG culprit - has a total, 100%, main dealer service history from new.
I'm not entirely sure that a fully stamped book is indicative of a healthy car. Plenty people with get a service to get the stamp but ignore any advice for remedial work plus many things simply won't come in to a service unless requested... the state of affairs with the thermostat being one of them. See also Haldex fluid, rear diff fluid, freeing off the ride height sensors, clearing the intake of carbon build up. A service is mainly replace X components, cursory look round, advise the customer, be branded "rip of merchants" wash it and send it on its way for another 20kOver the past three years, I spent, on average £860 per year with the dealer. In 2020 and 2021 cfdombined it only did 1,404 miles. In 2017 they had over £3k off me.
Looking through the paperwork, it had a thermostat in 2021, 2019 and 2016, which is when I bought it..
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