jvance said:Rotarykid, since you know so much more about the mileage of these cars than people who actually own one of them, why don't you fly out here to Albuquerque and chauffeur my wife around for two weeks and show us how it's done. Here's her itinerary:
0.5 mile drive to our son's Elementary School over 25 mph roads.
Volunteer in his class for 1 hour while the engine cools down.
2.5 mile drive to the local college for her class on 30 mph roads.
1 hour class while the engine cools down.
3 mile drive home to study for an hour or so while the engine cools down.
3 mile drive on 35 mph roads to Animal Humane to walk dogs for a hour while the engine cools down.
3.5 mile drive to pick up our son from his elementary school, where he plays in the playground for about an hour and a half while the engine cools down.
0.5 mile drive home.
If you can get 30 mpg out of that, I'll pay for your flights. Such a deal.
I think you could really benefit from a TDI heater (not sure if one is ready yet for the '09).
I had one in my '03 and I was almost able to maintain summer averages in winter (VA at the time) just due to starting out at near full temp.
If your dear wife could start her morning with a hot engine, I bet her mileage would take a significant jump...not to mention this would extend the life of the engine and oil.
Tim