Week 2 of my FL2 ownership and going to and from work (which is only about 4 mile of traffic lights and roundabouts) I am returning about 25mpg which for the size of the car I think is reasonably however I am wondering which is a better way to accelerate from stationary to maintain good mpg

1) The softly softly approach, gently pressing the accelerator thus slowly gaining speed but obviously keeping your foot longer on the gas

2) The heavy foot approach so you speed up much more quickly and thus can ease of the gas much earlier Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
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There was an article in Auto Express some months ago about a guy who accellerated hard and then took his foot off the throttle and he was returning higher MPG. Auto Express then tried it with several drivers and they all returned higher MPG but it was not a very comfortable driving style.

I cannot remember if they tried it with manual and auto cars, I pass my old mags on so cannot look up the article.

Mine is now up to 30.3 mpg over distance of 560 miles and will be 3 wks old tomorrow. It's picking up about 0.3 mpg per day currently. I find taking it smoothly is best as the engine has plenty of torque and picks up fast anyway. Makes for an extremely relaxing yet rewarding drive, I love every minute of it and go out just for an excuse to drive it. Obviously avoid heavy braking too.

I read the AutoExpress article and and tried that method on my manual Xtrail but there's no way you can enjoy that approach, b r the potential fuel saving, I'd sooner enjoy my drive.

Also, I don't know that an AUTO would like that sort of treatment! They're supposed to adapt to your driving style, but if you want to try that method I would suggest using the semi-auto command / sport shift mode. Was GS TD4 Auto, Privacy, Santorini with Tundra & Alpaca, Cold Climate Pack. Traded for Discovery Sport HSE Auto.

I've driven autos all 35 years I've been driving, here's a couple of thoughts I'd offer.

If you look at the specs you'll notice that first gear in the auto is lower than the manual, so there’s an immediate loss here every time you set off; then of course there is the constant loss through slippage in the torque converter. Given these two factors I would go for a style that encourages early upshift and reduces lost revs at the torque converter, for me that would be the gentle start.

Mrs Avtur runs an auto, she doesn't drive unduly fast but she is very heavy footed on the gas pedal when setting off, her mpgs are dreadful, strange that whenever I drive her car the mpg's improve quite noticeably in response to my 'lighter' right foot.

I've been keeping tabs on the mpg in my FL2 SE Auto, now @ 9400 miles, over 9 months of ownership. Overall I'm impressed by the averages I achieve whilst still enjoying the FL2 driving experience; my best average is 34.5 mpg, my worst average is 29.5 mpg.

I was surprised to find that sports mode and command shift can produce a better mpg that auto drive position. Driving when cold gives very poor mpg, and plays havoc with the average figures; I have noticed my mpg improving slightly as the weather is now more Spring like, and my best mpg was in the summer last year.

I don't like heavy right foot driving, but you do just have to blast the FL2 every now and then don't you?! :  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Did anyone notice a different mpg if changing the gears manually in an autobox vs letting the box change the gears as it wants?
Changing the gears manually in an auto would get the same mpg as a manual box ? FREELANDER 2 TD4 SE (XS UK) IZMIR BLUE SIDE STEPS COLD PACK BI-XENON TINTED WINDOWS - AND PROUD OF HER

Doubt it.

The auto box is a lot heavier I think which accounts for some of the mpg difference

snappa wrote:

Doubt it.

The auto box is a lot heavier I think which accounts for some of the mpg difference

If you want good MPG from your Auto, use the Cadbury's Bunny approach to driving, "Take it Easy"
My TD4 Auto, has averaged between 33 MPG and 42.5 MPG, over its 1800 miles, it depends on the types of journey I am doing and I haven’t even used the ECON button yet. Motorway see the higher MPG figures.
Listen to your engine, and try to drive consistently. Look for all opportunities to reduce the amount of throttle you are using, but still maintain the same speed. In most cars I have had you can hear this point after a while, the engine makes a slight noise before the car accelerates, so become sensitive to this and avoid this noise. Coasting is good, in fact uses no fuel at all if you leave it in gear, so coast up to the red lights, don’t accelerate then brake. Use the terrain in combination with the throttle, i.e don’t just hold the same throttle position down a hill, gaining speed, reduce the throttle and maintain the same speed. Keep an eye on your tyre pressures, make sure they are correct and even.
The final thing to try is adopt a relaxed style to driving, The number of times I have joined a Motorway next to a car that zooms off into the outer lane, where they will spend their time rush from one queue to the next, only to meet the same car leave Motorway often miles later.
I used to be that rushing driver, saving ten minutes on my 2 hour journey time, and taking half a hour to relax when I arrive.
I am completely satisfied with my TD4 autos MPG, and the effect the FL2 is having on me and my driving.

Chris.

I must say that my FL2 has definately improved my manner of driving. It is more of a cruiser and quite happily maintains 70-80mph with ease on the motorway - with that little bit extra when you need to get past one of those caravans . My previous car, a BMW Coupe, had a smaller engine but always wanted to be driven hard, I cant explain why, but I was always ending up cruising on the motorway at 80-90mph without realising it - hence 3 points on my licence!

I certainly find it easier to maintain speed limits in my FL2 so my licence and wallet are very happy with that!!  Now - 2017 BMW X3 M Sport Carbon Black
Gone - 2014 BMW X3 M Sport Space Grey, faultless!
Gone - 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE Bali Blue with xenons
Gone - 2008 Freelander 2 TD4 HSE Rimini Red with bodykit

The two previous posts seem spot-on. I'm now getting 34+ easily, even around town. The car almost drives itself as the ratios are well spaced and you can make good progress without reaching or exceeding 2000 rpm.

My driving style is far more relaxed in the FL2 than any previous car, so tending to keep near the speed limits and enjoying the drive, playing mind games with the mpg readout, seeing how I can improve it. I'm sure it's improving my driving too.

Smoothness appears to be the key, and carrying sufficient speed onto inclines so that she doesn't have to shift down very often. With this engine's power and torque, you don't need a heavy right foot. Was GS TD4 Auto, Privacy, Santorini with Tundra & Alpaca, Cold Climate Pack. Traded for Discovery Sport HSE Auto.

Definately using auto and taking the softly softly approach improves the fuel economy. I noticed a big difference in fuel consumption when I was driving by myself in Command Shift and then when my Wife arrived over here my more grown up approach using auto and shifting earlier when using Command Shift......I always look forward to driving around by myself now

Command Shift increases the rev limit (higher than sport auto) and also gives engine breaking on the downshifts all of which means you work the engine harder and use more fuel.

Couple of tips from the folks at Consumer Reports:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/ne...save%20gas

In my SE Auto I have been trying both auto and commandshift around town. To be honest I haven't noticed much difference - approx 29mpg with either. On a run I'm looking at 37mpg at the moment but only done one long distance trip. Next week I'm towing the 'van for the first time so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can get doing that.