Thirst among equals
I purchased a ‘nearly new’ Honda Jazz 1.4EX with manual transmission in December 2009. The model has an official fuel consumption of between 42.8 (urban) and 58.9 (extra urban), but in reality, I am getting 25-30 mpg at best. The car has now done 7,576 miles, so should be run-in. I have complained to the dealer but they have continually given me excuses (cold weather, heavy traffic, etc.) and I can't get them to acknowledge the issue. I have requested a refund, but I am getting no traction with them, just the brush off. My 20mile journey to and from work is about 20% local traffic with a good bit of stop-start driving, and 80% motorway driving (mainly on cruise control) at a steady 60mph. Recent roadworks caused speed restrictions (50mph) but my fuel consumption has only improved slightly to just over 30mpg. The car runs smoothly, but I fear the low consumption figure is a symptom of a serious engine defect. What can I do find out what the problem is? I have taken the car back to the dealer twice, but they say nothing is wrong with it. Is there an independent test that I could have done on the car to identify the problem? Any ideas what I can do?
Asked on 29 May 2010 by GG, via email
Answered by
Honest John
That's not right at all for this sort of use, not dissimilar to my own use
of my FIAT 500 1.25 petrol, which is currently averaging 52.5mpg. Consumption will be very poor for the first 3 - 4 miles after start-up,
particularly in stop-start traffic. But your easy running 60mph should
give you 50mpg. Maybe the cruise control is faulty (try it without using
cruise and see if it improves). Another possibility is a brake fault. Sometimes if the brake switch in the brake master cylinder is screwed in too tightly it falsely sets off the ABS and though you can't feel it the brakes are grabbing on and off all the time, increasing resistance and consumption of fuel.
of my FIAT 500 1.25 petrol, which is currently averaging 52.5mpg. Consumption will be very poor for the first 3 - 4 miles after start-up,
particularly in stop-start traffic. But your easy running 60mph should
give you 50mpg. Maybe the cruise control is faulty (try it without using
cruise and see if it improves). Another possibility is a brake fault. Sometimes if the brake switch in the brake master cylinder is screwed in too tightly it falsely sets off the ABS and though you can't feel it the brakes are grabbing on and off all the time, increasing resistance and consumption of fuel.
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