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CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 16

Thoughts on TD5 Fuel Mileage

Hi all,

Question re: Defender 110 TD5 fuel mileage. Typically in mixed driving I have been getting around 19-20 MPG (US)

Last weekend I did a trip (almost 800miles) primarly highway and got 17.5MPG (US) at an Average of 70MPH on the highway.

Does this sound about right?

The defender has slightly taller yellow springs from what I can tell, but close to stock size tires (265/75/16). Fuel pressure regulator was rebuilt last year and I actually did a full service (fuel/oil/rotor/air filters) were all changed prior to the trip. There was 3 people in it the entire time with our bags + some tools.

30th Aug 2024 8:47pm

revd

Member Since: 20 Apr 2024
Location: England
Posts: 110

33-34 mpg (UK) I drive like Miss Daisy - Premium diesel, 7.5 x 16 Michelin Latitude Cross tyres

works out at 28 mpg (US)

30th Aug 2024 8:53pm

CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 16

So that does mean I have a big issue then

Where to start diagnosing what could be affecting my MPG? If I could get it to 23 Mixed (US) would be plenty (I don't nesccarily drive like miss daisy lol)

30th Aug 2024 9:00pm

Retroanaconda

Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2639

Not necessarily no.

If you’re averaging 70mph that will have an impact. Try a journey cruising at 60mph and see how it does.

30th Aug 2024 9:05pm

revd

Member Since: 20 Apr 2024
Location: England
Posts: 110

My HT is lighter than SW and more aerodynamic than HCPU/DCPU, no a/c, chequer plate, roof rack/bull bar/spot lamps

All oils recently changed - including transmission oil/diff oil

With the TD5 there is a sweet spot around 64-68 mph which I seldom venture beyond

Last edited by revd on 30th Aug 2024 9:12pm. Edited 1 time in total

30th Aug 2024 9:10pm

bankz5152

Member Since: 02 Feb 2017
Location: South London/North Kent
Posts: 2156

Mines heavy, lifted on 33s with a very large turbo. Averages about 19 - 23mpg (15 - 19US) around town. Around 26 - 28 (21 - 23) on long motorway runs Instagram @defender_ventures
Empire Tuning - Agent

30th Aug 2024 9:12pm

Mike c

Member Since: 11 Aug 2017
Location: Maldon, Essex
Posts: 928

I am currently getting just over 30mpg with recent fill ups, that's lots of short local trips including some AC use.

A few longer summer trips thrown in has in the past seen this go up to 33/34mpg including AC use . This is in a pretty much standard 90 csw with michelin latitude cross 235/85/16 tyres. 2004 Defender 90 Td5 CSW
2002 Discovery 2 td5 GS (gone)
1994 Defender 90 300Tdi CSW (gone)

31st Aug 2024 7:43am

34064

Member Since: 12 Dec 2023
Location: South Central
Posts: 168

Is it an Auto or Manual? 110 Td5 Ex Utilities slowly converting into a pop top camper one day

Build thread:https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1024784.html#1024784

31st Aug 2024 8:09am

TexasRover

Member Since: 24 Nov 2022
Location: Paris
Posts: 1040

2002 Defender 110 Td5 DCPU Chawton White

Retroanaconda wrote:
Not necessarily no.

If you’re averaging 70mph that will have an impact. Try a journey cruising at 60mph and see how it does.

Exactly despite the sleek and aerodynamic shape of the defender the difference between 60 and 70 mph could easily be a 50% increase in fuel consumption.

If you want to go somewhere fast, in comfort and cheaply you have chosen the wrong car.

31st Aug 2024 10:45am

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 716

CJs110 wrote:
So that does mean I have a big issue then

Where to start diagnosing what could be affecting my MPG? If I could get it to 23 Mixed (US) would be plenty (I don't nesccarily drive like miss daisy lol)

What sort of altitude and are you driving on level grades or up a lot of mountains?

Is it an auto or manual.

Also how are you working out your mpg? Might be worth double checking that too. Personally I’d say your numbers look a little on the low side, esp for a manual. But maybe not so far off if an auto.

Might be worth doing say a 50 mile round trip and keeping the speed down a bit to see if it helps much.

31st Aug 2024 12:09pm

Jabberwocky

Member Since: 27 Oct 2021
Location: Luxembourg
Posts: 222

The key to good mpg is a light right foot, my 130 with a heavy camper conversion does 25mpg (UK) on a long motorway trip, but the key is I sit at 55 mph. If I go faster the fuel consumption increases dramatically.

31st Aug 2024 12:53pm

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 930

2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green

70 mph will defo affect your mileage. I get about 9-10 Litres per 100 kms cruising at 100 kph (that is about 30 mpg). Slow down to 60 (100kph) and you’ll see a big change in mileage. My experience is that the Td5 consumes huge amounts of diesel at high RPMs.

Try verifying at slower speeds and being gentle on the pedal, then you’ll know if you have an issue or not.

Good luck. 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

31st Aug 2024 6:06pm

CJs110

Member Since: 06 Sep 2023
Location: Windsor
Posts: 16

So I had a chance this morning to go on 57 mile highway loop. Topped up the tank before hand - started and ended at the same gas station.

My result was 19.8 MPG (US) @100 KMH (closest I can get to 60 MPH my speedo is in KM's). Mind you this is with just me - no real gear or tools just some spare fluid bottles etc in the rear.

I don't think I passed a single car and I ramped up to speed at a fair pace (the ramp to the highway near me is actually a decline)

For my previous run @70MPH where I got 17.5 that was primarily flat ground not sure the altitude above sea level.

It is a manual 5spd. I understand the concept of faster = worse mpg because my Jeep which is also a box basically has the same phenomenon due to wind resistance. But I guess the question is for a mostly stock vehicle without a rack or heavy bumpers etc is the following make sense?

@70 MPH --- 17.5 MPG (US)
@60 MPH --- 19.8 MPG (US)
Mixed driving as low as 30MPH as high as 70 MPH (for very short stints) --- 19-20 MPG (US)

Is there anything else to check?

31st Aug 2024 6:37pm

4RF RDS

Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 930

So do you have black smoke at all while driving? What do you know about the ECU? As in do you have a tune in it? 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

31st Aug 2024 6:46pm

derbywill

Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 556

I have a 2005 90 XS on 265/75r16 BFG AT KO2’s it’s done 191000 miles and last week got 28.5 mpg (Uk)
That is with a mixture of towing motorways and country roads, all driven quite hard.

It is tuned by Ian @IRB
Cheers

Will 2005 90 XS
1954 86'' Series 1 tilt
1968 88” 2A 200tdi
2002 110 Hardtop

1st Sep 2024 9:57am

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