How do you drive your TDI? - Page 3

romad · February 6th, 2012, 07:33

Sitting upright in the seat behind the steering wheel, with both hands on the steering wheel.

supton · February 6th, 2012, 08:29

I thought intake plugging went away with LSD? As in, once ULSD replaced LSD, the issue was resolved greatly.

?

JFettig · February 6th, 2012, 08:39

This

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilhammer

Like I stole it.

and this:

Quote:

Originally Posted by n1das

I shift at NO LESS THAN 2500 RPM.

Daily to 3500rpm+

usually a few times per week it hits 5000rpm.

pending road conditions

I do not drive to squeeze the extra 2-5mpg out of it. I'm more than happy with 42-45mpg, especially with how I drive.

DrMarc · February 7th, 2012, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by IDoSeaDoo

So jealous! I could never break out of the low 40's no matter how I drove my 04 BEW. If I didn't have to tow jet skis, I'da gone with the ALH...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyVXoFvUBn0

An ALH can't tow jet ski's? I've gotten 40+ while towing them too... Pulled just one of them on that double trailer about 700 miles one weekend last summer, and it was like there was nothing there..

mikedotd · February 7th, 2012, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrMarc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyVXoFvUBn0

An ALH can't tow jet ski's? I've gotten 40+ while towing them too... Pulled just one of them on that double trailer about 700 miles one weekend last summer, and it was like there was nothing there..

Hahaha, awesome!

Ron 33 · April 14th, 2012, 00:48

I drive it like I stole it from Oilhammer!

eb2143 · April 14th, 2012, 05:46

I'm pretty surprised to see how many people shift around or below 2000 rpms. Don't you get the sense that you're lugging the engine when you get into the next gear? While a diesel, the TDI isn't a HD truck engine.

My shifting is 3K to 3.5K typically with one or two blow outs a day. First time I really step on it I get some black smoke, second time only a haze as Ski describes. Accelerating more quickly up to speed and shifting at higher rpms has MINIMAL impact on mpg--see my lifetime mpg average. Cruising speed and anticipation/use of the brakes is probably 90% of the battle.

As the motor mounts have aged in my car, it's amazing how apparent extra vibrations from borderline lugging have become. I rarely ask for power below 1700 rpms.

Jettascuba · April 14th, 2012, 08:42

How I drive my TDI depends on how I feel... sometimes nice to cruise along listening to the engine, sometimes slamming the throttle listening to the engine... and then you get that very curvy 20km long coastal road ;-)

FordGuy100 · April 14th, 2012, 11:56

As long as my shift into the next gear drops to the rpm's to 1600+ it feels fine. Below 1500 feels like its lugging it. I generally shift 2000-2300 depending on which gear I am, and traffic.

Jack Frost · April 14th, 2012, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordGuy100

As long as my shift into the next gear drops to the rpm's to 1600+ it feels fine. Below 1500 feels like its lugging it. I generally shift 2000-2300 depending on which gear I am, and traffic.

That is pretty much what I do. If I need more power, I will shift at higher rpms (as high as 2300 rpm) but if in just need to coast, I will shift at 1500 rpm.

The engine will only lug if you get it below 1400 rpm and ask for torque. If you don't need any torque, you can gradually creep out of even lower rpms. If you hear the engine labour, either back off on the torque or drop to a lower gear.

My oil does not darken very fast and there is no soot in my tail pipe. So I have no reason to think that I need to blow any soot out of the car.

That is how I would drive a car that I stole. Agressive driving just attract the attention of the police. It is surprizing how many criminals get caught that way.

Abaddon2501 · April 14th, 2012, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by oilhammer

Like I stole it.

+1 Oilhammer, I drive it like I stole it too. And still get 42 mpg!

Busted · April 14th, 2012, 16:54

When the car is cold: Shift between 2k and 2.5k
Warmed up (past 3rd line): Shift between 3k and 3.2k

If I am on a road with a steady speed or traffic, I will almost always up-shift to the next gear and let the torque pull me along for mileage.

Sometimes I drive it like I stole it, reveling in the turbo and torque.

Most times I accelerate with 1/4 to 1/2 throttle up to the 3k-3.2k RPM shift point, which is more than enough to leave most traffic behind and still give decent mileage.

I generally get between 39 and 42 mpg in what is 90%-100% city driving.

2002MK4 · April 14th, 2012, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekDiesel

Looking for specifics on how to achieve best fuel mileage. I shift at around 2,500-3,000 RPM to avoid 'build-up', especially with city driving. Let me know your techniques.
Cheers,
Nick.

Well my mechanic made a point to say "Don't baby it" whenever he checks mine out. Says German cars are made to be driven a little aggressively.

???

I can see how this makes sense in [certain] areas.

2002MK4 · April 14th, 2012, 17:30

Also agree with "nailing it" every now and again to remove build up. Although if you drive REALLY long high speed 120Km/Hr plus trips you'll have pretty much zero build up problems.

FlyTDI Guy · April 14th, 2012, 19:27

I'm usually in a gear where, if needed, I can accelerate reasonably... just in case. That usually translates to 3rd or 4th in town. Cruising in town at sub 2k doesn't work for me. At low loads it's fine but any kind of hill or otherwise, you either have to push the turbo to surge levels or downshift to get moving. These aren't truck diesels where you dance in and around 1200-1500 rpms. Mine pretty much lives at 2000-2400 rpm, whether town or interstate.