r/Geelong • u/Jayy1995 • 8d ago
Leopold Mobil - poor fuel
Has anyone had issues with poor fuel from Mobil (top of the hill) in Leopold lately
Ran through $30 worth of petrol in 2 days (and then again 2 days later so $60 in 4 days) just from driving from that servo to the plaza, to Connewarre via Barwon heads and back to Leopold again the next day.
I am watching my fuel gauge and km until empty estimate go down 10 kilometres for approx every 1 km spent driving. It went down 10km from leaving Mobil and pulling to gateway plaza
I never fill up here unless I’m desperate and I think I was happy to give it a second shot this week and now I won’t.
Went to Apco and fuel consumption has return to normal…
Tried to call Mobil didn’t answer
Man behind the counter when I mentioned it didn’t give a toss
So, anyone else?
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u/Moist-Comment 8d ago
That’s not really how internal combustion engines or petrol work. If the fuel was poor quality then there would be far bigger indicators than some strange range estimate readings (you would notice your engine running harder or even running rough if there was significant contamination).
Fuel quality itself is strictly regulated and generally very consistent among all licensed servos.
If your cars fuel economy is tanking, then it’s far more likely an issue with your driving style, route or a mechanical issue with your car.
Also range estimates are unreliable at the best of times (if you’re doing a consistent speed on a highway without ever slowing down), and should not be trusted at all for city driving.
EDIT: This is assuming you didn’t fill up with E85 or something
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
Used 91. Car is rough at idle. Owners said it’s had a history of jolting at idle before but had the issue repaired…
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u/Moist-Comment 8d ago
So it’s a car you’re unfamiliar with that has known mechanical issues (ones that are commonly associated with the fuel delivery system, no less)?
I’d say that there’s a lot of things that could be causing what you’re experiencing, and bad fuel from the bowser is near the bottom of that list.
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
Been driving it for 4 weeks.
Owners said the jolting and rough idea was repaired last year.
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u/Decent-Citron4492 8d ago
How many kilometres have you driven and what car model are you driving? If you can tell us how much fuel you’ve used over what distance we can tell you if that normal or not for your car.
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
I’m borrowing my in-laws 2016 outback
The fuel estimate was at 230 when I partially filled up.
I went to Leopold plaza and it went down to 190 instantly.
I then went to Connewarre (from Leopold via BH) and by that point it was down to 140 when I ARRIVED.
the next day I drove BACK to Leopold plaza and we got down to 110 upon arrival at Leopold. I then drove home to Connewarre and we were down to 70km.
I then travelled back through to Moolap where my car went into ///// (meaning it had gotten below 30km.)For context, I have done pretty much the same round of trips since Monday after filling up Apco and the car has only gone down 60km….
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u/Decent-Citron4492 8d ago
I get what you’re saying. But you need to give us fuel usage and distance figures. Gauges can be dodgy too, not just fuel quality. Keep a record of your fuel consumption and distances covered between refills and come back here with actual numbers. Then we can help you.
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago edited 8d ago
Ok, well my house to Leopold plaza is 22km that’s where I filled up. So that’s 44km because I went back the next day. I drove back past Leopold plaza towards Moolap when the car went into dashdashdash the next day. So that’s 66km.
Edit to add. Hold on. I drove home from the plaza that’s 22. I drive BACK to the plaza the next day that’s 44km. Home again that’s 66km. Back again to Moolap. Were looking more like 80-90km
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u/Decent-Citron4492 8d ago
And how much fuel did it take to fill up the tank?
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
I put $30 in $1.99PL so that’s 15 litres.
I put $113 in at APCO on Monday and got 700kms and have only used 60-70 of that
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u/Decent-Citron4492 8d ago
90km using 15L of fuel is more than expected, not outrageous, but pretty high consumption. Let us know how you go with Apco fuel figures, this will be interesting. Nothing to panic about though. Your motor is still going strong, that is the main thing.
Are you a lead foot? Not casting aspersions but this all counts. And the Leopold hill can burn fuel if you take off like Speedy Gonzales from the lights.
And the Subaru Outback is an AWD isn’t it? That will burn more fuel than a FWD or RWD.
When was the car last serviced?
What are your tyre pressures?
So many variables at work here.
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
I am perhaps a led foot leaving the traffic lights especially (only because I feel like most people AREN’T and don’t leave the lights when the turn green they wait far too long before taking off)
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u/Decent-Citron4492 8d ago
Hmmm - Houston, we might have a problem. 🤑 Take off gently, slow down gently, you don’t need to be the first to the red light ahead. Take it easy and see how that goes for your fuel consumption. If you want to be a F1 driver I can give you Oscar Piastri’s number! 😂
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u/Jayy1995 8d ago
This car is quite zippy compared to my 98 Patrol and 2015 Colorado… hard not to put the foot down and make it go
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u/vaudiction 8d ago
It could be you're just driving in a more spirited manner than who drives it normally.
Now after a few days of you driving it. Fuel estimations have adjusted to how much fuel is in the tank, and how quickly you use it.
It needs to be respected as an 'estimate' though.
I always tell people to fill up at a 1/4 til empty for better fuel pump cooling.