Car Detail + Fuel = Question?

**Aidi** · 27th March 2011, 20:37

Ok chaps what do you reckon to this.

Drove from Dorset to the cotswolds on friday like i do most weekends. I'm never in a hurry, so keep to the speed limits and back off a bit when the roads are clear and i am not going to hold anyone up. Trip is 87 miles door to door.

Average MPG is about 38mpg.. and i have done this exact same journey countless times with the same mpg.

Detailed the car on Friday.. paint is now smooth as silk

Return journey today, no difference in driving style or traffic, and i managed just under 41mpg!! Big difference.

Normally use Tesco 95 petrol but today topped up with Esso 95.

I am pretty sure that the different fuel played the biggest part in the increase of mpg, but cant help wondering if the new super silky paintwork played a part?

Anyone care to comment if they have noticed a difference in fuel economy after detailing the outside of their car?!!

Rgds
Aidi

**Handyandy-UK** · 27th March 2011, 20:43

Drag is surprisingly expensive stuff.... clean and polish your car... save a good bit over time.

Non-supermarket fuels typically contain a lower percentage of bio-ethanol (the supermarkets get a better tax/profit margin with a higher mix) which most people will notice the engines prefer and perform a little better with.

**R-ford_Vec_C** · 27th March 2011, 22:40

Yes! Always seems more eager to move off and smoother on the motorway etc, however I think this may just be mind over matter

**bobssignum** · 28th March 2011, 08:30

Another factor is that the outside temperature,s have risen over the last week 18 deg c on friday which also increases fuel consumption

**Grumpy1954** · 28th March 2011, 09:26

Originally Posted by bobssignum

Another factor is that the outside temperature,s have risen over the last week 18 deg c on friday which also increases fuel consumption

Do you mean increases fuel consumption, which would mean using more, or increasing MPG? Curious as I'm interested in the temperature's affect on cars.
Allready know cold air = diesels go better lol.

**CLOMP** · 28th March 2011, 09:47

never noticed a difference with a car, but my cars are waxed/ polished as soon as I get them,, but Some years ago I used to do a lot of metal polishing, a chap who had a 125cc racer, It was doing 105 mph through the speed trap,average over 5 runs,, after I polished the fairing ect, with a polish I used to get get from the US, AVERAGE through the speed trap was 108 mph, lots of factors were taken into consideration but the rider was convinced the bike was quicker after I had polished it.

**Fruit'n'nut** · 28th March 2011, 10:28

Originally Posted by Grumpy1954

Do you mean increases fuel consumption, which would mean using more, or increasing MPG? Curious as I'm interested in the temperature's affect on cars.
Allready know cold air = diesels go better lol.

Mine's recording an improved mpg figure of around +5mpg now the temperatures have been between 7-15c, rather than sub-zero.

I suppose winter fuel has a different degree of additives, which makes the fuel less economic.

FWIW, I think the difference between winter/summer diesel and correct pressures in your tyres will make more difference than whether or not your car has been polished, in the long term.

**bobssignum** · 28th March 2011, 11:20

Originally Posted by Grumpy1954

Do you mean increases fuel consumption, which would mean using more, or increasing MPG? Curious as I'm interested in the temperature's affect on cars.
Allready know cold air = diesels go better lol.

Sorry i got totally backwards it should be colder the temps higher the fuel consumption .
apologies folks