Technical Twinair longevity. Is it better to drive ECO or not?

[bengi]

I have driven this new Panda 4x4 TA for 2000 km and cannot really tell any difference in consumption between ECO and normal. However I feel that driving in ECO the car is always missing torque and in the long run I suspect this can harm the engine. Any hypothesis on this?

 

[Twotone2]

I’ve an almost new 4x4 TA (2023) with approximately 7000 miles on the clock and fuel consumption is pretty poor but I’ve read that after about 10,000 miles the fuel consumption improves.

My wife mainly drives the car with the ECO on but occasionally she’ll switch it off to get a boost going up a hill or overtaking without dropping down a gear, works really well.

I doubt there will be any long term damage using or not using the ECO button to be honest.

Our current fuel consumption is about 35 MPG journeys are all short ones roughly about 6 miles at time with the occasional 200-300 trip but that’s very occasional.

I change the oil myself first change was about 4500 miles next one is due around May or around 10,000 miles.

We put E5 into the car and occasionally the odd fill up with E10, don’t really notice much difference between them except the cost difference.

 

[andyvee]

Had my Cross 4wd from new at end of June 23 and now at 18K miles it shows 44.9mpg , normal workday is 15 miles each way non motorway and normally with eco off.

 

[The Panda Nut]

I have driven this new Panda 4x4 TA for 2000 km and cannot really tell any difference in consumption between ECO and normal. However I feel that driving in ECO the car is always missing torque and in the long run I suspect this can harm the engine. Any hypothesis on this?

Panda TA is as we say fickle.
Things I have learned

It is good for the uniair unit to use it. In BOTH settings. This keeps it operating over its full range.
Econony is available and on a long drive and 60mpg is possible with great effort but obly at speeds under 50mph after tgat it drops.
Eco setting is best in slow traffic.
Best economy is gained from using tge eco button. Off for hills and steady speeds around 60mph. Switch off downhill and if in a queue of vehicles.
I have still not worked out what the fyel mapping does. This is not suprising as the ubiair influences things so much. Read the leaflets in down loads
Economy seems to be best if you dont demand torque. Not easy with a TA turbo. Keep tge turbo on boost 1500 to 1750 is best then let iit work for you. Use eco to switch power when demand is high on hills. REMEMBER. if you use 90 horsepower you will use fuel accordingly.

No effort no thought and just hacking around I will get 36 to38 mpg. Using power exactly as I like. Towing 500kgs say 5% of the time.

Driving short jouneys with a little thought including towing 42 to44 mpg.

Middling distances 30 to 50 miles with a little thought 48 to 53 mpg.

Long run at normal speed 52 to 54mpg

Really thinking and using eco, keeping speed near 40mpg on a long run 60 to 63mpg

To hell with it drive it lije a Gti 22mpg,but goodness me is this fun!!

Understand what makes tge TA tick and your economy can be improved.

TA opens inlet valves on demand. More or less, AND early or late so fuelling changes accordingly much morethan on other cars.

Show me anything else that can pull a ton trailer up a steep hill with ridiculous ease, run at 100mph at the drop off a hat, do 63mpg when needs must. And put a huge smile on your face, with low insurance and passable service costs!

Its not perfect by a long chalk, but bu God its a very very clever tool.

EDIT.

The whole point of the uniair is that it opens valves for longer and more, if the engine is at low speed and there is high power demand. Driving slowly may use more fuel at times. Its a more 3 dimensional thing and requires much more effort and thought to get economy. I think my tip is to drive moderately not fast or slow. Use eco when low engine power is needed and when cruising. Try thinking of eco as overdrive and use it like a gear. Avoid of course big throttle opening unless necessary and economy may flow. Its a clever. effective and bloody irritating challenge!