JezzerB said:
Be sure to let us know what mpg you get when towing-we found our petrol not much worse than diesel!
As I have said I will probably not be towing until into the new year. No towbar yet!
But the Subaru XT was recently serviced, filled with Mobil 1ESP, and 60 litres of BP Ultimate. I changed the tyres which were between 7.5mm and 5 mm of tread as they were two brand new GT Radials and part work Dueler HP and a Turanza. So I had four new Bridgestone Weather Controls fitted.
I drove it over to South Wales on the M4 cruising between 65-70mph as traffic was quite busy. Over some 90 miles it averaged 42.9 mpg. I expect it to possibly improve as three tanks of BP Ultimate work on the fuel system, valves and pistons. Coming back I drove at a slightly higher speed showing an average about 4 mph higher for the return journey and consumption dropped to 37 mpg.
On both trips I had the engine in Intelligent (eco) mode but for towing Subaru recommend Sport mode ( it has three modes) which basically puts a few more revs on for a given road speed. Unlike my previous SJ Forester with the 150 bhp non turbo engine I am far less aware on this XT of the non linear relationship between road and engine speed as the turbo torque comes in early which means the engine speed doesn’t ramp up the CVT gearing. A much more relaxed drive. The higher performance Sport Sharp mode drops the CVT into eight pre set gear ratios and I swear it pulls the headrest forwards and tightens the seat belts.
So although it wasn’t bought with fuel economy as number one priority I’m pleased with what it is giving. Better than my previous Subaru Forester 150 bhp CVT, the 2010 XC 70 D5 AWD Geartronic and better than a Saab 9000 2.3 CSE manual 2wd. Not as good though as the Superb 170 ps 4x4 TDI DSG.
And the icing on the cake of the weekend was a great time in Cardiff watching Wales defeat the Ba Bas and a good evening had by all.
When I have some experience towing with it I will start a new thread.