Johannesburg to Cape Town in one tank? That is exactly what the Isuzu One Tank Economy Challenge is all about. With the Isuzu D-Max 1,9 Ddi manual single cab as a steed, Ryan De Villiers and Siya Mbaduli gave the undertaking a go. Here are some of the tips learned to achieve the best fuel economy.
As we gathered at the Isuzu offices in Waterfall Johannesburg, we could feel the excitement building up within us. The team from Isuzu and Engen were on hand to guide us through this remarkable experience and we were at ease knowing the Isuzu D-Max has always been known for its outstanding fuel economy, low running costs, solid performance, dependable reliability, and durability. These attributes were further reinforced with the launch of the seventh-generation D-Max in 2022, assembled at Isuzu’s vehicle plant in Struandale, Gqeberha.
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With the keys in our hands, we were ready to take on the challenge. Grant McCleery, the renowned racing driver, and head of the Isuzu Driving Academy gave us crucial tips on how to drive efficiently. He emphasized the importance of keeping momentum and reading the road ahead of us. Driving at an average speed of 100 km/h, we needed to plan our passing manoeuvres to avoid getting caught behind a slower-moving vehicle.
The professionals encouraged us and told us it was possible as they had done it before, but it was time to find out for ourselves if we would reach the final destination of Cape Town or run out of juice along the way. All the vehicles were filled up before departure and all tank caps were sealed – no cheating on Isuzu’s watch!
As Capetonians driving in Joburg for the first time, we encountered some obstacles, but we still had faith. We signed up for a challenge, and that’s exactly what we got. Once we made it out of the City of Gold and onto the N1, it was time to equalize our fuel consumption figure of 7,2 litres/100 km. We started applying Grant’s tips mentioned to us during a briefing, and the figures slowly plummeted.
Driving efficiently required us to not over-rev either and stay in the highest gear possible. As we hit the road, we quickly realized that excessive speed was the biggest fuel-guzzling factor. We had to have a light right foot and ensure all acceleration was gentle. The best advice we got was to change up through the gears as quickly as we could with the lowest revs possible without causing unnecessary strain on the motor. We had to anticipate what was going to happen in front of us by looking well ahead and keeping the car moving at the right speed, which was essential to fuel economy.
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Driving up hills was a challenge that we had to inevitably overcome, as it forces the motor to work harder and in turn, use more fuel. We had to accelerate gently before reaching the base of the hill, then ease off as we summited. The extra momentum was enough to minimize additional fuel consumption.
With our concerning figures, more advice that was thrown our way was to lighten the load. While this wasn’t going to make the biggest difference to our figures, it stood to reason that the heavier a vehicle is, the more fuel it will use. It is important to avoid keeping unnecessary items in your boots as they all add weight to the vehicle, which is not going to help your fuel economy in the long run.
Grant also mentioned, regular maintenance and servicing improve efficiency and therefore could improve fuel consumption. Before departing, they made sure that our tyres were inflated to the correct pressure as indicated in the owner’s manual for the relatively light load. The Isuzu One Tank Economy Challenge was about seeing how far a single tank of diesel would take us.
The Isuzu One Tank Economy Challenge was an unforgettable experience. We learned a lot about driving efficiently and the Isuzu D-Max 1,9 Ddi manual single cab proved to be tough as nails. It was a remarkable adventure that left us with a newfound respect for the Isuzu brand, one that many South African’s share too.
Also read: Living with the Isuzu D-Max 3.0TD double cab V-Cross 4×4
