1991 1.6 Vitara JX fuel economy

[1995 Zuk]

hi, update. running mud tyres and with doing some off road driving I am getting about 28 mpg out of my vit.

[Anton]

I wouldn't be terribly unhappy with 28mpg out of an older 4x4, to be honest. In fact, if I could up my SJ (which is smaller and lighter than your Vit) to 28mpg, I'd be rather happy!

[d_r_1989]

I get on average 44mpg in my sj but it does come with problems and a completely different drive style. My brothers vit with similar xud engine gets about 40mpg but again not without its cons! If I was to start again I wouldn't go diesel. You probably spend more in fixing broken parts and reinforcing bushes for extra power.

my partners vitara with su carb averages 28mpg maybe slightly more on a constant run.

[Anton]

I would love a diesel (sorry donkeychomp, but I would!). I like the idea of a VW 1.2 TDI, but they're very expensive. Not as powerful as an XUD turbo, but still very very torquey, whilst being super lightweight - slightly lighter than a G13! Plus being able to say I've got an SJ312TDI... I bet that'd get people scratching their heads!

[donkeychomp]

Well I did the maths after 4 fill ups and Piglet6 is getting 34mpg. No doors helps but I am very impressed with those figures!

[1995 Zuk]

mine is slightly heavier than it was as the rust holes have been filled in with metal now .
Monday I did about 100 miles, motorway 40 miles, and the rest A roads and mainly off road. in 4x4 mode and it did drop down to about 22.
I don't mind as I enjoy myself

[Anton]

4x4 mode? On tarmac?

Vits and older GV's don't have a centre diff, in 4x4 mode the front and rear axles are locked together 1:1. When you corner, one axle will need to move slightly further than the other.



Without a centre diff, you'll find that your transmission will try to force the rear to move the same distance as the front axle, and it cant. This can cause transmission windup and damage your transmission. On tarmac you should be in 2wd only.

[d_r_1989]

I think he meant he was in 4x4 on the off road bits.

For yhe cost of doing it your better off staying petrol. Unless it's a daily and you plan on keeping it for a long time then obviously it will work out better. I probably put £20 a month in and use it almost every weekend.

[Anton]

Doh! Yeah, I see that now. Dopey me. LOL!

I like the idea of a lightweight diesel, not just for the fuel economy though, for the torque. I have a 1.6 8v to go in, so for the moment that'll do.

[d_r_1989]

I reckon the 8v will have a lot more useable torque to be honest. Diesels don't rev enough. I'm lucky as xud'is will Rev, granted mine only revs to about 5000rpm but it's torque curve is really progressive and doesn't come in one big lump like most others.