robgee1964's Forum Comments
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Diesel still better than hybrids?
Both hybrids and certain common rail diesels have "ships on the horizon", in terms of future maintenance costs. Currently, the lowest running cost option (in high fuel tax countries) is probably an LPG converted petrol. Lower exhaust emissions too.
posted by robgee1964 March 8, 2010 at 7:44 AM
Full tank of fuel or not?
1/2 full 1/4 whatever, can't see it makes a lot of difference really.
Just a quick note for DTMAce
ALL cars ever made MUST draw fuel from the bottom of the tank. Otherwise, the engine would get starved while the tank still had fuel!
Actual pipe entry points vary, but they all arrange the suction pipe so that its just far enough the bottom of the tank to stop debris being sucked in.
posted by robgee1964 March 5, 2010 at 1:33 PM
Diesel still better than hybrids?
Ignore the manufacturers claimed figures when looking at diesel mpg. Real world figures are invariably a lot less. Even driving them "like a Vicar" its hard to get close to the claimed combined figures.
The hybrids real world economy seems a lot less than the claimed figures too. As the other poster says, thats before you take into account battery replacement costs. More over, battery costs are likely to harm residual prices of such vehicles, thus increasing the overall cost of ownership.
The figures on this website for both diesels and hybrids make interesting reading.
posted by robgee1964 March 5, 2010 at 1:20 PM
Idling with an auto
Its not suprising that an auto uses more fuel when idling in drive. Personally I always slip them into neutral, no chance of running into the car in front, plus it keeps the tranny fluid that bit cooler.
FIAT500, don't know what planet your on, but the bluemotion does nowhere near 83 mpg in reality - just check out the figures on this website.
As for the "stop start" technology, I'd hate to have a car like that at some of the difficult junctions near where I work.
posted by robgee1964 March 5, 2010 at 1:14 PM