If was to believe the dash read out for MPG I would be trading the car in. Around town 21-22 mpg but I don't put anymore fuel in,than I did with my old manual FL2 which I had. That would return 28-32 around town. MY13 HSE LUX Aintree Green
MY57 SE Stornoway Grey. Gone
Nissan X Trail
Discovery V8 LPG
Series II Land Rover

I haven't worked mine out properly yet, reset the trip last time I filled up so will be able to work it out on the next fill

Don't know how this vehicle got a bad rep for economy. Just did the first road trip in our new to us 2010 3.2l. Averaged 8.3 l/100km. For a tall all wheel drive with torquey 6cyl, I think that's pretty fantastic. I'm assuming the computer is fairly accurate, haven't had a chance to verify it yet but will reset the trip on our next fill and get an actual number. So far, I'm pleased. Much better than the 06 Acura MDX we replaced.

Have been keeping an eye on mpg recently covering the same route with same traffic conditions. If I set the cruise control to 50mph and stay in 5th I tend to get around 48mpg, according to the onboard readings. Now if I go to 60mph to get it into 6th then drop back to 50mph still in 6th it averages about the same give or take a gnats.
Now I would have expected it to return a noticeably better mpg in 6th than in 5th but it appears not be so.

48mpg even on the clock is outstanding, I suggest you keep quiet and enjoy it before someone questions your honesty, despite photo's you may be able to supply  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

Being in a higher gear means that the engine is turning more slowly so less internal friction but not necessarily at it's most efficient . However I understand that you should operate the engine at the max on it's torque curve for best mpg which is around 1700(?). Similarly maximum road speed requires maximum power and I know that some high performance cars don't achieve their max speed in their highest gear. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Doing 50mph in 5th equates to engine speed of 1700rpm as does 60mph in 6th gear. Now obviously then 50mph in 6th gives a lower engine speed somewhere around the 1500rpm mark which I would have though must lead to a higher mpg. As you say if at its most efficient at 1700 rpm that is the answer.
To obtain the figure of 48mpg all I can do is trust the onboard computer for that. I have done calculations using the fuel guage ie knowing how much diesel it takes from say a 1/4 full to 3/4 full tank and knowing reading at both points get a rough estimate of consumption. Overall with mix of town and country I am tending to average 37mpg with which I am very happy so
I have no reason to doubt the figure of 48mpg is way off the mark.

As I understand it, the turbo does not come on "song" until 1700 rpm. Asking the engine to pull strongly below 1700 rpm, without the turbo providing max effort WILL be less efficient.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

dorsetfreelander wrote:

Being in a higher gear means that the engine is turning more slowly so less internal friction but not necessarily at it's most efficient . However I understand that you should operate the engine at the max on it's torque curve for best mpg which is around 1700(?). Similarly maximum road speed requires maximum power and I know that some high performance cars don't achieve their max speed in their highest gear.

dunkley201 wrote:

As I understand it, the turbo does not come on "song" until 1700 rpm. Asking the engine to pull strongly below 1700 rpm, without the turbo providing max effort WILL be less efficient.

Bob

You really notice this when towing a caravan! 5th gear better for UK roads! (limit 60 MPH) 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

When I have towed the van it rarely stays in 6th anyway, maybe down a hill. Having read all the posts on here about mpg is odd that mine seems to be way over what some people are getting. I do have a Synergy Ronbox fitted but honestly do not think that is making much difference as I have experimented using it switched off for long periods and am not convinced it makes much difference to the mpg, if any. Over the next few days I will do a detailed study of the mpg.

On board readings can be a little optimistic. My fuel consumption has been monitored for some 2 years, including towing the caravan. It is the 'van and short journeys which brings my MPG down. See the current overall figure in my sig below. Unfortunately it is a German run site so if you click on it you will only see consumption detail in litres/100km.

Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Slightly optimistic yes

First car, a TD4 manual the clock told me I was getting 41mpg, in reality it was more like 34 ish. 450 miles to a full tank.
Current car, SD4 Auto says Im getting 30, more like 25, 350 miles to a tank. 2011 Freelander 2 SD4 HSE
2007 Freelander 2 TD4 SE - Gone

Ooh er, not sure I am that low normally get over 400 miles per tank even when most of the driving is fairly local, there again depends how high you fill it, when travelling solo I can get 520 miles on a tankful, up here to Dunkerque or Calais before the light comes on my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.