BT50 fuel economy

[BT50]

Have just returned from a trip to East Gippsland towing a 16' pop top caravan. The ute had no problem at all towing it at 100ks on the flat and up and down hills. Fuel usage increased a fair bit with the extra weight and wind resistance.

My normal fuel usage unloaded is between 9 and 10l/100kms and I can get between 600 and 650k out of a tank. I could probably get better if I removed the lead from my foot.

The following was mostly sitting on 100km/h according to my GPS.

Traralgon to Nicholson and back to Sale, all fairly flat with a few starts and stops I managed to get 14.5l/100kms.

Filled up at Sale, travelled to Morwell and then turned left over the Srtzlecki ranges to Leongatha and Korumburra then filled up again. This very hilly piece averaged 15.5l/100ks.

So I'm fairly happy with that considering the load being towed.

How's other BT50/Ranger owners doing?

Denis

[reastwood]

I have only driven unladen and have been using a mix of diesel suppliers, so here are my stats so far:
1st tank, shell, 9.72 l/100Km
2nd tank, BP, 9.59 l/100km
3rd tank, BP (some sand driving), 10.29 l/100Km
4th tank, Shell, 8.87 l/100km
5th Tank, SAFF (B20) 9.5 l/100km
6th tank, SAFF (B20) 9.72 l/100Km
7th tank, SAFF (B20), 9.91 l/100km
8th Tank, Shell, 8.63 l/100km

I do pretty much the same route every day and drive in a relatively consistent manner. After the first 1000 Km the economy settled down and I expect it to get better as the engine loosens up.
I am surprised about the B20 (20% bio with 80% normal) from SAFF (SA Farmers Fuel) as it is supposed to be better, smoother, quiter etc, but when using Shell (from London Rd, Mile End) it drives much better and economy is 1 l/100km better!

(BT-50 DX+ Freestyle Manual) 3957 Km, Michelin LTX 235/70R15 @ 36psi)

[arcticwolf]

I am having a shit fight with mazda about two injectors dieing at 4000 ks and they were trying to blame bio diesel which I have never used so be carefull. You might want to look at diesel contamination thread

[reastwood]

The BT-50 Manual states that up to 5% Bio is OK, so having a small percentage of Bio is technically OK. I have used SAFF Premium Diesel in other engines and it meets the Australian Diesel standards, I had no issues what so ever with the SAFF B20, except for slightly worse fuel economy.
I have however gone back to Shell diesel as it gets better economy and is cheaper.
Rick.

[MR AIRCON-BT50-]

Hi all sorry to talk about an old thread, I haven't been back for ages. Happy there are heaps more BT owners now on the forum.
Ive been getting about 550 600k's tops that is freeway and city driving, your right foot has a massive difference at the pump as do tyre pressures. I'll let you guys know too how I go once i get the DP chip installed.