[petcha]

Has anyone done an analysis on mpg loss when driving in sport vs normal?

I've been driving in sport mode a bit lately and it's kind of addicting. I haven't noticed the fuel computer reporting much difference in mpg. But my mpg has dropped some with the cold weather, which isn't surprising.

 

[disco808]

I have too. Been playing around with the shifting paddles too. Yes fun and addicting. Makes my exhaust system sound better when I drive in sport mode due to higher rpm and down shifting. Don't have any numbers to back it up but I do notice the frequency of pumping at the station went up. But again to me it's common sense, if I press hard on my gas every time I drive Then I will be running on empty sooner.

 

[DiscoDisco]

I use Sport from time to time as well. Haven't noticed a drop in MPGs really.. If any drop, it's been negligible.
I like to use the paddle shifters too LOL!!

 

[petcha]

Thanks for the replies. Maybe I'll do an experiment over the next month or so and see if I can figure it out. Both with the car's reporting and my own math. Weather should be relatively controlled due to January...cold and more cold.

Ultimately, if I lose a few mpg I don't really care, since sport mode is a more enjoyable driving experience. But just interesting to know. Also, if it's not that bad, maybe I won't feel guilty about using it regularly

Regarding sport mode advantages, I really like it around the city, the ability to really move from a stop at a red light is greatly improved with sport mode IMO. Glad the car offers both sport and regular.

 

[disco808]

On that note of quick response from a stop, I'm thinking about getting a electronic power petal installed. Anyone has had experience of this in the past?

 

[petcha]

The results of my experiment are in...

Some notes before the numbers:
- I drove a combination of surburban/city/highway driving during this experiment, I estimate I did a similar amount of driving with both sport and regular mode...maybe a bit more highway with sport mode.
- Regarding driving style - I would say I drive faster than the average person, but I try not to rev the engine up excessively.
- The weather here got quite cold during the middle of my experiment (like -10ish as a high one day), but I think overall the temperature averages during both my sport and normal tank were pretty comparable.
- I reset MPG/trip meter before leaving the gas station after each fill up
- I never used the paddle shifters in sport, accept accidentally one time
- I never used eco mode

Driving exclusively in regular mode -
Miles driven: 281.3
Gas used (per pump): 14.93 gallons
Car reported avg MPG: 21.5
Calculated MPG: 18.8

Driving exclusively (or > 95% of the time ) in Sport mode -
Miles driven: 272.2
Gas used (per pump): 14.74 gallons
Car reported avg MPG: 21.1
Calculated MPG: 18.5

Verdict? Sport mode doesn't guzzle much extra gas. However, I think it gives you the opportunity to burn through more gas if you use the mode to accelerate aggressively, often.

Other thoughts:
- Like many others have found, the computer is reporting optimistic MPG numbers. Interestingly enough, the difference between the MPG from sport to normal for both my calculated and car reported was very similar. I wonder why the car calculation is off so much? Are my calculations missing something?

- I did get the fuel gauge software update, it seems to let me go through about 15 gallons exactly before it says it's empty. Still a lot of reserve

- The MPG is pretty crummy in cold weather. Oh well, I didn't buy this car to save money on gas

 

[LRDSnTexas]

I've noticed very little difference in mileage between D and S mode as well. Driving style seems to matter much more than transmission mode. What did your ECO screens say about your driving styles?

I'm disappointed your fuel gauge update still left you with a 3.5 gal reserve. That is what I was getting before the update! We'll see if my update made any difference after I get the car back from its 20k service (hopefully this week). Was yours even worse before the update?

Finally the car calculates mileage on some rolling average basis (which I haven't been able to determine). Your experiment was obviously just one tank of gas for each test. Were the tests conducted on two consecutive tanks of gas? It could be that it was reporting mileage over some much longer period with a higher percentage of highway driving. I have noticed the opposite on days I drove 600+ miles after nothing but city driving for a few tanks of gas - I was getting better mileage in each tank than the system was reporting. It then flips the other way when I go back to city driving. Admittedly I haven't been recording my details like you did so this is pure recollection on my part.

 

[petcha]

I think it might have been a bit worse before the update, but it it didn't change much. I think maybe I got a half gallon less reserve.

I didn't really follow the eco screen much. I have been looking at the trip history and I range between low 70s and mid 80s. Interestingly, my computers best reported trip MPG (29 something) is also one of my low % (71 I think). Not sure what to make of this information. I'm seem to be good at breaking (upper 4s), but get dinged on speed and acceleration (high 3s/low 4s)

I did test this on two consecutive tanks of gas. I think you're right with the rolling averages. Even If I reset the trip meter, which seems to reset the MPG, it still seems to settle on the same numbers. Also odd, my last three trips according to my eco screen average 23ish MPG. My car still reports mid 21s on the gauge screen. Hmm.

 

[4sallypat]

I don't like to keep filling up the tank every 14 gallons - makes me think the car is a subcompact....

 

[Bill F]

The results of my experiment are in...

Some notes before the numbers:
- I drove a combination of surburban/city/highway driving during this experiment, I estimate I did a similar amount of driving with both sport and regular mode...maybe a bit more highway with sport mode.
- Regarding driving style - I would say I drive faster than the average person, but I try not to rev the engine up excessively.
- The weather here got quite cold during the middle of my experiment (like -10ish as a high one day), but I think overall the temperature averages during both my sport and normal tank were pretty comparable.
- I reset MPG/trip meter before leaving the gas station after each fill up
- I never used the paddle shifters in sport, accept accidentally one time
- I never used eco mode

Driving exclusively in regular mode -
Miles driven: 281.3
Gas used (per pump): 14.93 gallons
Car reported avg MPG: 21.5
Calculated MPG: 18.8

Driving exclusively (or > 95% of the time ) in Sport mode -
Miles driven: 272.2
Gas used (per pump): 14.74 gallons
Car reported avg MPG: 21.1
Calculated MPG: 18.5

Verdict? Sport mode doesn't guzzle much extra gas. However, I think it gives you the opportunity to burn through more gas if you use the mode to accelerate aggressively, often.

Other thoughts:
- Like many others have found, the computer is reporting optimistic MPG numbers. Interestingly enough, the difference between the MPG from sport to normal for both my calculated and car reported was very similar. I wonder why the car calculation is off so much? Are my calculations missing something?

- I did get the fuel gauge software update, it seems to let me go through about 15 gallons exactly before it says it's empty. Still a lot of reserve

- The MPG is pretty crummy in cold weather. Oh well, I didn't buy this car to save money on gas

Nice to see someone actually calculate the MPG and show the S mode hardly affects the fuel economy.

Huge error from the car estimates.. Well over 10%

 

[USER.000]

I am a convert of Regular gas now. I experimented to see if there was any differences in gas mileage between the various gasoline types (each w/ 10% Ethanol): Premium 92 vs Plus 89 vs Regular 87. With a full tank of gas, they all pretty much came out to approx. 400miles (±4miles) before I need to refuel. I also tested between the various driving modes: Standard "D" (w/ Auto Stop-Start ON) vs Eco Mode (w/ Auto Stop-Start ON) vs Standard "D" (w/ Auto Stop-Start OFF) and they ALL achieve approx. 400miles as well. (Footnote: I did NOT test in Sport mode as I can't stand driving w/ two hands on the wheel and changing gears w/ either hand; they should have a Tiptronic as a stick shift.)

However, it is unclear what the outcome of the engine will be when using Regular gas for an extended period of years. We shall revisit this conversation in 8yrs time. (That's when I usually purchase a new vehicle.)

 

[petcha]

Nice to see someone actually calculate the MPG and show the S mode hardly affects the fuel economy.

Huge error from the car estimates.. Well over 10%

Yeah. But, I think the car calculates some type of rolling average (as mentioned above I think). So while I get 18.5 in the cold winter, I may get higher in normal/warmer weather hopefully. I should try this again!

 

[usrodeo4]

I just bought my '16 Saturday and drove her to the beach today so my first extensive time behind the wheel...I like the sport mode but I must say I have owned and driven some very fine and very fast performance cars and motorcycles in my time and the disco obviously isn't one of them nor do I drive it like one, so my expectations may be different than yours...but overall I luv how she drives so far.

 

[usrodeo4]

FYI, you don't need to use the paddle shifters in S mode, as long as you don't use either paddle shifter the transmission will run in its "auto" process even when in S mode.

 

[LRDSnTexas]

usrodeo4 - Be aware that when using S Mode in a Terrain mode you MUST use the paddle shifters. Otherwise put the car back in D and let the transmission do the shifting.

 

[Babybear68]

I have a P38 Vogue Y reg my mechanic recommends I start to use Sport mode occasionally as I have found in the mornings on hills it becomes a little juddering before changing up (automatic gearbox) I am a complete novice and have no idea how to use Sport mode do you wait till engine has warmed up or drive from start in sport mode Please advise Thanks

 

[Bill F]

I have a P38 Vogue Y reg my mechanic recommends I start to use Sport mode occasionally as I have found in the mornings on hills it becomes a little juddering before changing up (automatic gearbox) I am a complete novice and have no idea how to use Sport mode do you wait till engine has warmed up or drive from start in sport mode Please advise Thanks

Probably best to look on a forum that relates to your model of Range Rover