1.8 VVT Owners

**Rebellion8878** · 16th December 2010, 00:18

Curious more than anything else, but trying to drive really economically lately and wanted to know what you think of the engine what gear do you find is best for various speeds. For example driving around in 5th at 30mph can't really be good for the engine or mpg sure its plenty of strain and not even sure it'll happen in fairness. Is driving at 30mph in 4th at 1500rpm too low revs and causing more strain on the engine and giving less mpg? My veccy doesnt display mpg so hard to tell.

**scarydeath** · 16th December 2010, 01:45

I've tried driving in various ways over the last 18 months with my Veccy 1.8 VVT (08 plate), and so long as you don't press the pedal to the floor, and change before 2500 revs it doesn't seem to make much of a difference for me with general country road / town centre / dual carriageway driving.

I get around 34 - 36mpg normally, and that's with a mixture of hard fast "got to pick the wife up from work in 5 mins, I'm going to be late. Wish I'd never had that last race on Forza 3!" and "I'm only going *to* work, I best just do 60 on this dual carriageway".

Last year I had over 40mpg when I was driving in Europe, with 4 people in the car, fully loaded with cases, but where it's all motorway and they insist you do 50mph everywhere - so I imagine 42 - 43mpg is probably the theoretical maximum if it's just me.

I wish I got a diesel to be honest, petrol's so damn expencive nowadays

I would say 30mph, best in 4th, anything above in 5th, unless you are going up a steep hill or something in a 40. I often enter 30mph zones, and find that the car does not struggle at all in 5th, until it gets to a hill.

**Rebellion8878** · 16th December 2010, 02:04

I wouldn't say its a bad car on fuel it does a damn sight better than a friends 1.6 megane he tops his up £45 a week for the five journeys to work at 40miles for him, i do 42 miles same route and only need £30 or max £35. Been really eyeing up those 3.0TDI Audi A4's and not too bad on fuel either for a big engine, dare i say better mpg than the vectra 1.8.

**whiskyno7** · 16th December 2010, 06:13

i have the 1.8 Sri 03 plate. if i full my tank right up. driving it just to work and back it takes two weeks to empty. if on a long run. say Norwich to thetford with a full tank it takes 46 mile miles before the fuel needle moves. the best i have done with the car is Norwich to York and back. and had to refuel just out side Norwich. good going i think my vw i would have had to fill up twice. so iam happy with my 1.8

**Birchy63** · 16th December 2010, 10:05

Drive it at the start of the torque band, that's where the engine is burning fuel most efficiently. ie getting most bang for your buck...

**CLOMP** · 16th December 2010, 10:36

although my old 1.8 is happy in 5th at 30 on the flat, my mates vvt is not, his car is higher geared than mine, when I had his vvt for a while I averaged 43mpg 50% knocking about 50% good A road, his vvt seems to do more mpg at aprox 2700 rpm which is 70 mph in 5th, with practice you will get a feel for the car and know what gear is best for a given mph.

**john_k_sri** · 16th December 2010, 19:28

I had a 1.8 non-VVT and then a 2.0T. I used to save fuel in the 2.0T by doing 30mph in 5th, and 40mph in 6th, with no problem. But that engine pulls all day long from 1100 revs.

The 1.8 was a different kettle of fish, one gear lower than the 2.0T at 30mph, and 40mph.

I have a 1.9CDTI 150 now and I normally use 3rd at 30mph, and 4th at 40mph.

**Exclusive BV** · 18th December 2010, 10:01

my 1.8vvt is happy in 5th at 30. It seems to have a flat spot at 70 and prefers sitting at 75

As for mpg, not exactly sure but i've been getting anywhere between 450 - 550 miles out of a tank. depends on how i drive and if i get stuck in traffic

**JagRigger** · 18th December 2010, 12:33

Watching the instant consumption, 30 on any incline and you're better in 4th.

Last month, 3 up plus luggage, on a 1000 mile run - A roads / motorways at 'around'

the max speed, I got 41.9 mpg

( oh - and the speed awareness couse is Monday

)

**Wolflinn** · 18th December 2010, 18:51

31 Mpg 4th at 30mph - Half town, Half A-road. Around 15mins journey time so engine pretty cold for most of drive.
Goes up 2 mpg in the summer.
Hits 36/37 with a mix of roads and longer journeys.
40 mpg on motorway at 80mph
44/45 mpg 68mph