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Titan133



Member Since: 30 Dec 2016
Location: Dorset
Posts: 43

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bronze Green
Cruising Speed
I’m off on a long trip from Dorset to Cheshire next week, which reminds me of my TD5’s cruising speed “problem”. In summary, it seems happiest cruising at 60mph. To be honest I’m happy trundling around at modest speeds anyway, but a bit more speed on long trips wouldn’t go amiss.

What sort of cruising speed should I expect from TD5 110? It’s a standard unmodified engine but runs on wider tyres than normal and has a full length roof-rack to add some extra weight and drag. Also, what sort of MPG should I expect on long motorway runs?

Thanks
Nick ——————————
2004 110 TD5
Post #747117 24th Dec 2018 9:00am
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grafty99



Member Since: 15 Aug 2012
Location: North Devon
Posts: 4784

United Kingdom 2002 Defender 90 Td5 HT Caledonian Blue
It should sit at 70mph no problem. Although with the mentioned modifications and standard gearing I'd expect low 20s to the gallon Thumbs Up 2002 90 Td5 Station Wagon
1990 Vogue SE
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Td5 90 Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic50767.html
Tdi 110 Thread https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic69562.html
RRC Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic54492.html
Instagram http://www.instagram.com/george_grafton
Post #747119 24th Dec 2018 9:03am
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TJH1985



Member Since: 22 Aug 2016
Location: Midlands
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 
Not a 110 but my 90 will sit at 70/75 quite nicely, we did 2,500 miles in summer across Europe and on the tanks I tracked it was doing 27mpg including allot of messing about!
Post #747122 24th Dec 2018 9:23am
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MJN110



Member Since: 18 May 2015
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 380

United Kingdom 2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 Landmark LE Montalcino Red
I agree with grafty99 I think you will be looking at low 20s at 70mph.
I feel my TD5 feels best running at 60mph maybe because the noise level is significantly lower at 60mph.
I have experimented with checking fuel consumption at different speeds above 60mph and have noticed consumption rises quite dramatically as you cruise faster and i have a 90 with no roof rack and running standard Continental cross contact tyres.
At the end of the day you are pushing a vehicle along that has the aerodynamics of a garden shed and above 60mph a considerable amount of extra power is required to produce a little extra speed if you look into the physics of it.
I also drive a 2.2 Puma that I often here people on this forum criticise for poor fuel consumption compared to there old TD5s etc.
I think the reason is because the Puma is quieter and more refined at speed ( better sound insulation and 1.2 transfer box) so people tend to drive them faster but at the end of the day it is still a garden shed so you will pay the price at the pumps. 2016 Defender Landmark 90
2005 Defender CSW TD5 90XS
Post #747129 24th Dec 2018 10:24am
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TJH1985



Member Since: 22 Aug 2016
Location: Midlands
Posts: 238

United Kingdom 
I should add, I have a puma transfer box in my TD5 which might explain why it’s happy to do 70 without much noise you certainly can’t tell the difference between 60 and 70.
Post #747135 24th Dec 2018 10:41am
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landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5416

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
60mph in a complete standard Td5 with rack and winch. Can do upto 95mph, but at 60 it’s happy and quiet. Put a disco/Tdci transfer box on and 70mph is the preferred. A lot just depends on what you think to the noise, and your opinion on “working” the engine.

Fuel economy I don’t care about, it’s a Defender.
Post #747140 24th Dec 2018 11:06am
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
My td5 110 wouldn't sit a 70, it struggled at 60 to be fair.. But after a spot of remapping it sits a 70 nicely, and is able to overtake safely... but don't expect much mileage per gallon... Rolling with laughter Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #747153 24th Dec 2018 12:27pm
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Titan133



Member Since: 30 Dec 2016
Location: Dorset
Posts: 43

United Kingdom 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bronze Green
Thanks everyone. It sounds like 60mph isn’t too bad then. ——————————
2004 110 TD5
Post #747156 24th Dec 2018 12:38pm
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
You'll get best fuel economy at 50mph. especially if you can sit at 50 for the hole tank, youll get 4-500miles. Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #747168 24th Dec 2018 2:09pm
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miker



Member Since: 13 Sep 2015
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1758

United Kingdom 1999 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Rioja Red
Mine is quiet(ish) at 60, but will also sit up to 80 relatively happily, it just makes a racket!

I think I have a tired fuel pump though, as after a long journey heavily laden it struggles on hills.
Post #747172 24th Dec 2018 2:25pm
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4RF RDS



Member Since: 19 Jul 2015
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 898

Canada 2000 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Epsom Green
60-70 is about right with a 1:4 (standard Defrnder transfer case). Best mileage in my 110 is at 100 kph (60). And with my overdrive it’ll cruise all day long at 140. Though at that speed mileage is way down like 24 mpg. Noise is comperable to doing 60 without OD so it is VERY quiet at 60 with the OD engaged. Well worth it if you do any kind of highway driving.

Cheers and Merry Christmas. 2010 Range Rover MkIII Autobiography Super Charged (Idris)
2003 Range Rover Mk III (Desmond FitzWilliam)
2000 Defender 110 CSW TD5 (CTX)
1992 Range Rover Classic (Lizzy)
1972 Series III 300 Tdi (Stanwood)
1967 MGB GT

Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats.
H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
Post #747174 24th Dec 2018 2:34pm
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lightning



Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 2223

United Kingdom 
Best cruising speed is supposed to be 2/3 maximum engine RPM.

So in a standard Defender that would be 3,000 rpm....65mph.
My 110 TD5 seems happiest at around 65mph, it’s got a mild remap so will sit at 75mph but it’s happier at 65.
Post #747184 24th Dec 2018 3:54pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
I used to sit at 60in my td5. Consider increases tyres to 55 or so for a long motorway run to improve consumption. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #747189 24th Dec 2018 4:50pm
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donmacn



Member Since: 07 Nov 2017
Location: Nth Scotland
Posts: 1829

Some of you probably know this already, but fwiw:

I usually sit at 60mph on the clock. If I take a GPS speedo into the car - an app on my phone - then I'll find I'm actually doing 55/56mph. This variation is more or less constant up and down the clock.

And it's not just Defenders. To be sure of things, if I pick up a hire car, I'll routinely check the car speedo vs the GPS. Most times I'll find the car speedo is about 5mph slow. I'm assuming this is something built into things by the manufacturer to avoid being sued if too many folk were to get caught speeding...? I don't know, maybe that doesn't make much sense, but I do know that I've consistently found this discrepancy. I've even used a couple of different apps, to be sure it wasn't something in the software.

To answer the original question though, I too sit about 55/60mph on middling A roads, maybe 5mph faster on better tarmac/better aligned roads or motorway.

Like others, the old girl will get up to 80+ eventually, but it's pretty noisy. Donald

1994 Defender 300Tdi 110 SW - owned since 2002 - 230k miles and going strong
(The 'rolling restoration' or tinkering thread: http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic58538.html )
2000 Range Rover P38 4.0L V8

in the past..
RR classic - fitted with 200Tdi
1984 RR classic - V8 with ZF auto box
1993 Discovery 300Tdi

not to mention the minis and the Type 2 VW camper...
Post #747190 24th Dec 2018 4:59pm
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Adam17



Member Since: 15 May 2018
Location: Within Bedfordshire
Posts: 1193

England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 XS CSW Java Black
Wow 55psi? How did it effect the handling? Mine are running 36 up front and 38 at rear. I should imagine it feels floaty?? Regards
Adam

Loving The Duchess
The Defender 110 TD5 XS

My Defender story - http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic64005.html
Post #747191 24th Dec 2018 5:00pm
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