Having read about and discussed the various fuels to use in our fine vehicles.

And after sorting out my seized hand brake (although I didn't know it was seized until I opened it up - the expanders just didn't expand)


I have filled up the last 5 or 6 times with Shell V Power (at the extra cost)


Today - after filling up and driving about 30 miles:
- the 'Range' is reading about 560 miles and
- the 'MPG for all miles' is quoting around 40MPG

I can't believe it as the highest I've seen in the 5/6 months of ownership was 34MPG on a motorway run.

And range has never been higher than about 490 miles.

Do you think this is the fuel or the handbrake or both? 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

a bit of both had exactly same problem with handbrake causing shudder through vehicle expanders were solid now 41.6 avg mpg was 38.4

Did you turn the wheels before you took them off? Mine were seized but the wheel still turned freely. More than likely to be the fuel but I may be wrong

I would imagine the fuel to be the difference, the brakes would be hot and smelling if dragging?
V Power has proved itself for me in my previous car, too early to say with the Freely, but managed 38 overall last week, Blackburn..Bristol..Reading..Heathrow..Blackburn

I too use V-Power and I do not drive economically at all but still got 560 miles out of it. Once after filling it up and doing a steady motorway journey for a weekend away before returning to my usual commuting duties, I managed to get 590 out of the tank.

My car is still only on 12.5k miles so the mpg should get better with more miles on the clock. V-Power also brings better response under acceleration, smoother running engine and less smoke. Worth the extra overall  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

V-Power every time for me.  2010MY Freelander 2 HSE Auto
Santorini Black with Ebony Napoli Leather

My local garage charges an extra 8p a litre which is 5.7% on their standard £1.399 for standard DERV. Do you get 5.7% more mpg or is the better throttle response and smoth running the attraction? - 2007(57) XS Auto, Rimini Red, Alpaca Leather.
- GCS Hawke - Sports, BRG, Vulcan 2.1 inj'. My toy - built it myself in 2001.

Last edited by freedieselauto on 6th Sep 2011 10:51 am. Edited 1 time in total

freedieselauto wrote:

My local gagarge charges an extra 8p a litre which is 5.7% on their standard £1.399 for standard DERV. Do you get 5.7% more mpg or is the better throttle response and smoth running the attraction?

Just the pleasure of saying I use 'V-Power'  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

on these basic citroen (PSA) engines I doubt it makes much difference certainly not in excess of 5%.

and improved throttle responsde maybe important in performance car but the FL2 is a truck , like it or not

I used to think V-Power was pointless but it's not just the minor mpg gains or throttle response that are different. The smoother running at idle and on the move is improved and there is less smoke under acceleration.

After so long of using V-Power I decided to fill up with normal Shell Fuel Save (which in itself is superior to supermarket fuel) and I was astounded by the sluggish response and roughness of the engine. Suffice to say I went back to V-Power and have enjoyed smoother motoring since. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

seriously , I do not get any smoke at all.

I use V power or BP never supermarket sometimes Esso.

I drive fairly hard and tow about 25% of the time, consumption is around 32mpg when not towing.

It is an auto and I think the fuel usage is reasonable