406oc.co.uk

In need of some help here.

My 2000 110 HDI is returning around 35mpg. This is a bit of town, country and motorway driving. She was returning around 46mpg when I first got her in May. I gave her a full service around 2,000 miles ago. Any ideas or is this figure about right for this time of year........Also she normally always has my 10st Bullmastiff in the boot which may make a bit of difference?

That does seem a bit crap. I can't think 10st would make that much difference (~1 large wife) Check for seizing brakes, that sort of stuff.

Tyre pressure - with the drop in temperatures, the air pressure in your tyre will also vary (physics, etc).

Under-inflated tyres can have a significant impact on fuel economy, not to mention safety and tyre wear.

Thanks guys.

Will check my tyres. I think they are meant to be around 34psi?

That's right.

If you open the drivers' door and look at the A pillar, there should be a sticker showing things like the correct tyre sizes, pressure, the paint code, etc. It's really useful!

Unless your car's had a prang and it's been removed...

Alrighty then!!

Tyre pressures are all 34psi. Air filter nice and clean, oil fine etc.......But still been returning 35mpg? Can you reset the ECU on 406 HDI's by leaving the positive battery lead off for 30 mins? I remember with a lot of my old hot hatches that was always the way but don't know about latest diesel engines? The other thing it sometimes does is make a buzzing kind of noise for say 5 seconds when I turn the ignition on, most prob' the fuel pump but this buzzing keeps on going even after the car is turned off for say 20 seconds?

Also.......I may sound a bit thick here!! But how do I find out if my brakes are binding?

Jack each corner up & spin the wheel.

Not sure if disconnecting the battery does anything on these.

The buzzing after you kill it is (I think) the vacuum in the brakes/servos dissipating. Try pumping the brakes a few times.

Mastiff wrote: but this buzzing keeps on going even after the car is turned off for say 20 seconds?

mine sounds like a jet engine turning off.

turns out its the radiator fans being noisy.