Hi guys,

I know fuel consumption has been covered many times, but my question is somewhat different.

I am just wondering how close to the rated fuel consumption is a 3.5 KJ2?
I have heard/read many times that people do not come close to these ratings, and wonder if this is true for all other cars out there too?

And finally, on carsale fuel consumption is rated at about 11L/100km for urban driving, and other cars with manual, smaller engine etc are about 9-10L. Is the difference really that small? Or will other cars come closer to rated consumption than a Verada?

Help is appreciated

Fuel consumption figures are worked out in a laboratory and are unrelated to the real world. Higher figures are the norm in reality. A Magna will do anything from 22L/100 km in stop-start traffic to 8.5 L/100 km on the open road, driving sedately.
Just drive the thing, put fuel in it when it needs it. If you can't afford the fuel, just drive less or take a bus. At $1.50/L nobody is happy with pumping that much money into their car.

$1.50. Lucky bugger.

pardon? :-)

I have to admit, I stopped watching fuel prices a while back. Too annoying. I just put $50 in whenever it gets low.

Dreggzy probably uses 98 or something.

I've had my 3.5 TJ drink as little as 6.5L/100km over a 300km distance.. and then also did a 660km trip and still had a 1/3 of a tank to spare, filled up then with 47L. (This included stop and go's and some hilly terrain, but driven economically start to stop). Worst I have done in urban driving with lots of idling and an average speed of approx 24km/h was 17L/100km.
To compare, I also have a VE commodore 3.6L and I've done the same trip as above and the Commodore used 58L.. 11L more than the Magna. Best trip I have done with the commodore was 180km and averaged 7.5L/100km but that was with a heavy tail wind and following some trucks closely.

I've now put a sports exhaust on and about to do a 500km trip today on 98 octane fuel so it will be interesting to report.

It's not that I use premium fuel. If $1.50 is the worst it gets for you then watch out. I have seen it peak at $1.65 or so. I used to use 95 occassionally but I can't afford it these days.

The official rated consumption is more useful in allowing you to compare like for like between cars under controlled conditions, rather than being an accurate reflection of your real world fuel consumption.

You will find that in most circumstances, your real world use will be higher than what's on the fuel rating sticker.

And finally, on carsale fuel consumption is rated at about 11L/100km for urban driving


My Sisters KJ Verada does better than that around town with her driving. Not even close though if I drive it. You will find in some cases you can better the fuel rating but it's very dependant on both the driver and the road conditions.

price i paid this morn for 95 = $2.27c , NZ is harsh for fuel pricing

pardon? :-)

I have to admit, I stopped watching fuel prices a while back. Too annoying. I just put $50 in whenever it gets low.

I have to admit, I'm with MadMax here, I wait till my low fuel warning lights turns on, then I fill it back to the top again. If I can't afford to fill it, then I don't drive it.

That NZ price is harsh! $1.42 here in Adelaide today am.

In comparison, UK = 138.10p/L (=$2.21)

US = $3.84 per GALLON, (= 96c Aus/L)

Bahrain = 0.19 Euro /L. (24c Aus/L)

Looks like NZ is up there with the best of them! Taxed to death, fuel is, in both countries by the looks of it. Bad enough here in Aus.

It's not that I can't afford to fill up a tank of petrol, I was just more curious at how it would affect my finances in general, hence the comparison with other cars.
For example, the Verada has a rated consumption of 11L, and another car might have 10L, which in reality isn't a big enough difference to care about. But the question is, in reality would the difference only be 1L, or roughly 10% for the exact same driving pattern?

I use Shell, and premium at that. :P
http://www.californiagasprices.com/index.aspx?fuel=C&area=Oroville&dl=Y&intro=Y
4.43 a gallon@93 Octane if i remember correctly.
That US price you have would be great. :)

But now that i read into it more, you guys have it worse - my bad.
Though, I do drive a lot. I needa 4 cylinder. But i'm keepin my car too:)