Real world mpg and a windscreen wiper issue!

[Shnozz]

Bought my Aston in October/November of last year and enjoyed about 2k miles in her already. Loving it as a GT car.

Noticed this weekend on a 200 mile round trip that I was only getting about 18mpg despite being mostly motorways and dual carriageways so one would expect that environment to give optimal mpg. I didn't buy the car to be frugal on fuel and not that bothered but this just seems to be way off the mark. What should you normally expect at a steady 7-mph 6th gear run? Even checking on instant mpg on the gauge I rarely saw over 20 when cruising.

Another little foible (especially this weekend!) is that my drivers side windscreen wiper keeps loosening down the arm and eventually coming away from the end so I have to re-attach it. There doesn't appear to be any retaining clip and I bought a new blade to see if that resolved it but as far as I can see it still simply slides down the shaft and doesn't have any particular "latch" that clips in other than just being pulled down to the end of its travel. It feels very sturdy when in place but a few hundred miles of use later and its making a bid for freedom! Anyone else or is this bizarre issue just me?! I will look to a home made solution if needs be.

[gibbon]

Would somewhat depend on what Aston it is...

[Shnozz]

Ooops. Yes, 4.3 V8 vantage. Apologies.

[davek_964]

I think mine says it's only averaging about 15mpg on short journeys / around town, so technically 18mpg is optimal.

I think that on long journeys I do get into the low 20s - although obviously since it's an average, you'll only see that if you've reset the counter. But I've always thought that the amount of fuel mine drinks is a tad more than it should given it's weight / performance.

[Shnozz]

Thanks Davek - I live in a city and so mostly see 10 - 15 mpg which isn't an issue. Just felt that this weekend on a steady m'way run I might see closer to claimed figures. As I say, doesn't worry me other than to seek reassurance it mirrors the mpg of others and there's nothing to be concerned about.

[Grumpydev]

I get low-mid 20s on a motorway run, my overall average, which is largely erring towards the more "spirited" driving is 17-18mpg (4.3 Vantage) - I do use Tesco Momentum 99, which may make a difference.

[davek_964]

Grumpydev said:

I get low-mid 20s on a motorway run, my overall average, which is largely erring towards the more "spirited" driving is 17-18mpg (4.3 Vantage) - I do use Tesco Momentum 99, which may make a difference.

I also use Momentum 99, and rarely drive mine in a spirited fashion - but short journeys / cold engine are what kills my mpg I think.

[Frances The Mute]

Not sure on the wiper issue unless I saw it.

With regards to the mpg, I average around 22mpg to a tank (same car as you) so 18mpg is close to what I'd expect.

[bogie]

Most of the time I used mine on longer runs, and would average 18mpg. You may get 25mpg on the motorway, but then the town/low speed stuff at 12mpg will drag that down. Over 85K miles I never saw better than 19mpg ever as an average.

The new 4.7 is improved, with 21mpg average so far...not bad, another 40bhp and 3pmpg

[Speculatore]

If your MPG drops and you haven't altered your driving style then it will most likely be your tyre pressures. Over a period of time you will lose pressure which has an effect on handling, road noise and MPG.

[leerandle]

I've just been on a 720 mile round trip from Bristol, via leeds, Newcastle and the Lake District in my 4.3 Vantage. So a good mix of motorway and A/B roads. My average was about 23MPG. I had a few top end speed runs on the motorways and some aggressive starts, but overall a balanced drive. If cars were people, then I'd consider my Aston to be an alcoholic.........But, I never bought it to count the fuel costs.

[Shnozz]

Thanks all.

As I say, I couldn't give a flying fook about mpg insofar as costs are concerned, solely whether its running as it should and all seems well on that front. Now just to fix this windscreen wiper that seems to have an issue staying on the car..