I know this is a dumb question, but I'm determined to learn how to work on my 1990 masterace I just bought and I dont know anything. I thought I would first like to know the mpg Im getting. It seems pretty bad and I've read what some have done to improve it, but how do I calculate it in the first place?
Would anyone also know the specific part numbers for my specific model on fuel filter, air filter...etc. It seems like there are so many different ones everyone talks about, and usually there different models than mine. Since I just bought it I would like to change the oil, filter, air filter, flush the radiator...etc. Where's the best place to order these, is there any does and donts. Does higher price mean better quality always? Thanks for any help you can offer, I know it's a lot of questions.
by the way this is an incredible site.
- (#7724) Drew Davis, 18 Mar 03
Drew. The Toyota dealer can supply all of your requirements, at a price. However, you will see ther "Blueprint" range of parts mentioned on this site. They supply a lot of our requirements, with quality parts, mostly supplied from Japan, but the prices are much lower. Look in Ace Answers and you will see the list of spares covered by Blueprint. Also, there is a central telephone number so that you can establish where your nearest stockist is(01622 833007). My local stockist (Leicester) has supplied, from stock, all the filters, brake shoes, brake pads, seals etc which I have needed over the last couple of years.
Some parts vary re which vehicle you have ie, 4 x 4, auto or manual but, as a guide, the Blueprint parts which you probably require are:-
Air filter ADL ADT32210
Oil filter ADL ADT32110
Fuel filter ADL ADT32313
I think that Rob Drinkwater supplied us with all this information and, in my case, it has been invaluable.
Ref calculating fuel consumption, it really is a case of waiting for the low level warning light to come on, which indicates that there are 10 litres left in the 60 litre tank, putting in a known quantity, say 30 litres, (do this a couple of times)and record the mileage over the period between filling and the warning light coming on. It won't be the most accurate test but, it won't be far out.
- (#7725) John Davis, 18 Mar 03
John has suggested using the low fuel warning light. I prefer to use "full" as the reference, it's easier.
When I get fuel I fill until the pump clicks off, then stop. And I reset the trip counter. So next time you fill up the pump tells you how many litres you've bought to replace what you've used and the trip counter tells you how far you've gone. It doesn't matter whether you had only used half a tank or were running on fumes.
The snag is that you now know only, say, that you've done 400 km on 44 litres. Well I use 10km per litre as a guide. In this case I've not hit the target because I should have done 400km with 40 litres. I'm 10% adrift by using 44 litres. Now 10km per litre is 28.25mpg (Imperial gallon, for international readers). 10% worse than that is about 25.5 mpg.
Since 28.25 mpg or 10km per litre is, I suggest, quite a good target i.e. you're likely to hit it as well as not being terrible performance, the simple rule is divide the trip counter by 10 and celebrate if the pump stops before it gets to that number of litres.
- (#7726) Dave Mason, 18 Mar 03
I try to use the same filling station (as they are not all level) and face the same way at the pump
Usually fill up every couple of hundred of miles or so
Wait for filler to click, then carry on squeezing until I can see down the neck that no more will go in(always manage to squeeze over 5 ltrs in)
Check the trip meter and for example
51 litres (fuel put in)'times' .22 = 11.22(gals) M+ then 234miles (covered since last fill)'divide by MR = 20.85(mpg)
Thats how I do it on a calculator (and I wish I got 20mpg!)
When I'm filling I 'guestimate' at 5ltr to the gallon (to pass the time)and reset the trip before driving off
Experience has taught me to give a 'new' vehicle the most thorough service imaginable during the 1st few weeks at the same time getting to know every inch of it
Time constraints (and assurances from the selling garage)have prevented this on my recent acquisition
and I hear myself saying 'told you so' as the extent of faults emerging increases each week!
So don't skimp and good luck!
Chris
- (#7727) Chris Turner, 18 Mar 03
Thanks for all the info guys I really appreciate it.
- (#7728) Drew Davis, 19 Mar 03
Yes, I try to fill the tank full every time and note the amount of diesel it takes against the km covered since the last fillup. If you do it every time, you can get an average over several tanksful, which helps to smooth over the slight irregularities between one fillup and another.
I am getting 9.0 to 9.5km per litre at the moment - only 25.5 to 26.5 mpg. In the summer I was getting 10 km per liter, or 28.2 mpg. I think we all get better mileage in summer than winter ... Mine is a 2.2TD Townace 1994. On longer summer holiday runs it gives 30mpg or so.
In the last days of my old petrol Spacecruiser, when the thing really was on its last legs, we were getting scarcely 20mpg. Yeuch! Diesel townies rock!
Tony
- (#7729) tony, 20 Mar 03
hi just read this thread and worked out my mpg if i'm doing it right 520klm on 49ltr = around 30 mpg and i'm well pleased!!!
- (#8158) phil perry, 17 Apr 03 14:02
I realise I,ve started another thread as it's cropped up before and I meant to poke my nose in then, but here goes my simple way, ( some think I'm always simple )
Basis topping up full tank to full tank, note Kilometer reading from last time. Divide kilometers by litres to get Kilo per Ltr now multiply the answer by 2.825 you'll then get miles per gallon. I've just topped up with diesel at Safeway after doing the weekly shop, normal price 78.9 per Ltr, this week if you have spent over £75.00 in store you get a dicount of 16p per litre.
Sorry to have missed the Ace Jam,tried to download the 'photos but no joy even when I closed down the firewall etc
May see you at the August Jam.
Happy motoring,
Wyn
- (#8752) Wyn Hamer, 24 May 03 18:29
I,ve just posted my simple way of converting Kilometers per Litre to MPG but it's ended up under the posting by Drew Davies on 18th March '03, It may be worthwhile having a read.
Give it a try,
Regards Wyn
- (#8753) Wyn Hamer, 24 May 03 18:40
See simple spread sheet on AceAnswers
- (#8754) Clive, 25 May 03 6:05