xc70/2006 - fuel economy question

Hi there,
I just bought new xc70 2.5T wit automatic transmission. I love this car and
there is nothing I'd like to change.
My only concern is fuel economy.

Our dealer gave us the following numbers for automatic transmission:
City 12.3 L / 100 km (19 miles / US gallon)
Highway 8.4 L / 100 km (28 miles / US gallon)

These numbers are also published on www.volvocanada.com

Consumer reviews adjust those numbers slightly, around 5 to 10%, depends
which model and who is driving.

I turned on the on-board computer which shows average fuel consumption.
So far it looks like my XC70 uses respectively

City: about 16L / 100 km (14.8 miles / US gallon)
Highway about 12L / 100 km (19.6 miles / US gallon)

These numbers are roughly 30% - 35% worse than the specification and the
dealer
say. Initially I thought the computer is wrong, but watching the fuel gauge
confirms computer's readings.

I am not very familiar with car technologies but 16L/100 km in the city just
does not sound right for a car like xc70. I do not believe Volovo's
specifications are not saying truth. So my thinking is that something is
wrong with my car. Another possibility is that the car is very new and the
fuel consumption is going to drop at some point later.

Could anyone comment this ?
I will appreciate any piece of advice or hint on this subject.
Perhaps there are other XC70 users around who can share their experiecne.

Thank you very much.
Marek.

 

There are many reasons why you are not attaining the published MPG figures,
but initally check the tyres are pumped up to the recommended presures, and
secondly get some miles on the clock and the engine bedded-in! The worst
thing you can do during this time is drive it too slowly / gently.

Tim..

 

DOT fuel usage ratings are based on old assumptions.

All car manufactures knowingly use these old, out-dated numbers.

You should always expect 20-35% less mileage than they claim.

 

My XC70 is now a year and a half old. When it was new , it was doing about
10.2 L/ 100km in country (highway) driving, and around 12.5 L/ 100km in
the city. I've now done around 50,000km, and both figures are about 2
litres / 100km better. The Volvo figures aren't realistic, but they give
you an idea of fuel economy relative to other makes / models, as they all
test their economy the same way. If you want better economy, use 98 RON
octane rating, and drive sensibly.

Ray