murraywest
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Apr 11, 1999
- Location
- Portland, Oregon, USA
We all take extended road trips, I thought a performance evaluation\commentary on individual excursions would be helpful for TDICLUB.com members.
On Oct 8-10 I took a road trip from Portland, Oregon through Idaho to Provo-Heber, Utah, and back again. Took this as an opportunity for a trip with 14 year old son to golf, visit family, and attend football game together. Had 2 passengers, and 200 lbs of cargo.
Mileage when Started - 11605
First Leg. Travled 594 miles in 7 hours and 45 minutes, for an average of 79.73 mph. This included a full 90 minutes of cruise control 90 mph. Gallons used were 12.83 for 46.30 mpg
Fuel cost $1.399 a gal for a total of $17.95
Second leg mileage started at mileage 12199. Slower speeds around SLC (friday afternoo traffic)dinked around town - Sat morning, up Provo Canyon to Golf at Wasatch State Park, back to Provo for BYU-CAL game (what a beautiful night for a football game). Headed back to Portland Sunday at 0715, and refilled in Boise at 1210. Highway speeds did not exceed 85 mph, but were sustained for long stretches at around 83 mph. Miles traveled since last fill 695. Gallons used were 14.43 for a mpg of 48.16. Cost of refill $19.33 at $1.339 per gallon.
Last leg started with a odometer reading of 12894. Oregon speed limit is 65 mph. In Idaho went 85 mph, and in Oregon, 75 set on the cruise control. Had half a tank registering upon arrival, and fill up this am for 8.56 gallons, at a cost of $11.55 and an avg of 51.75 mpg.
Conclusion: Travled 1732 miles in 25 driving hours (plus local driving time of about 2 hours)in a trip that lasted a total of 65 hours. Used 35.82 gallons of fuel at a cost of $48.83 and an average of 48.35 mpg.
The biggest thing I noticed is that there is a huge power loss at about 6,000 feet. The TDI was not nearly as quick as at sea level. I also notice that the glow plugs took about 15 seconds to warm up when the engine is cold.
Other than that... I think I have the perfect road car, and the best thing about the trip was all the time spent with my son- all by ourselves. We can't wait till next year.
On Oct 8-10 I took a road trip from Portland, Oregon through Idaho to Provo-Heber, Utah, and back again. Took this as an opportunity for a trip with 14 year old son to golf, visit family, and attend football game together. Had 2 passengers, and 200 lbs of cargo.
Mileage when Started - 11605
First Leg. Travled 594 miles in 7 hours and 45 minutes, for an average of 79.73 mph. This included a full 90 minutes of cruise control 90 mph. Gallons used were 12.83 for 46.30 mpg
Fuel cost $1.399 a gal for a total of $17.95
Second leg mileage started at mileage 12199. Slower speeds around SLC (friday afternoo traffic)dinked around town - Sat morning, up Provo Canyon to Golf at Wasatch State Park, back to Provo for BYU-CAL game (what a beautiful night for a football game). Headed back to Portland Sunday at 0715, and refilled in Boise at 1210. Highway speeds did not exceed 85 mph, but were sustained for long stretches at around 83 mph. Miles traveled since last fill 695. Gallons used were 14.43 for a mpg of 48.16. Cost of refill $19.33 at $1.339 per gallon.
Last leg started with a odometer reading of 12894. Oregon speed limit is 65 mph. In Idaho went 85 mph, and in Oregon, 75 set on the cruise control. Had half a tank registering upon arrival, and fill up this am for 8.56 gallons, at a cost of $11.55 and an avg of 51.75 mpg.
Conclusion: Travled 1732 miles in 25 driving hours (plus local driving time of about 2 hours)in a trip that lasted a total of 65 hours. Used 35.82 gallons of fuel at a cost of $48.83 and an average of 48.35 mpg.
The biggest thing I noticed is that there is a huge power loss at about 6,000 feet. The TDI was not nearly as quick as at sea level. I also notice that the glow plugs took about 15 seconds to warm up when the engine is cold.
Other than that... I think I have the perfect road car, and the best thing about the trip was all the time spent with my son- all by ourselves. We can't wait till next year.