Hansgruber
Well-known member
This is my first post under this account. I had a past account, but never really posted and lost the information. I have mainly lurked for many years. With that said...
I have a daily commute of about 84 miles round trip. My FE seemed to hit the wall around the 47 to 48 MPG mark in warm weather, and 45 to 46 MPG in cold weather. A few months back I decided to try something new. About 20 miles of my commute is getting to highways (round trip). I wouldn't call it hypermiling, but I stay in neutral as much as I can getting to the highway. I do not do this on the highway. Since doing this, my MPG have been over 50 for the last two tanks. My Scangauge II is reading over 50 right now, and is for the most part close. I also do not turn off the engine at traffic lights.
This is my hypothesis: I use Shell Rotella T6 5W-40. When the temps are below 60 degrees the oil is thick (I am sure most oils are). Free wheeling in neutral allows for the oil to warm up and does not cause drag. While idling doesn't warm up the engine much, by the time I am on the highway I am at operating temps. On cold days I would see my MPG average drop by 1 to 2 MPG getting to the highway. On warm days 1 MPG wasn't out of the norm.
Also, on the highway going 70 MPH (SG II reading) temps under 60 dergees my MPG would be lower on average than days over 60 degress. I am thinking about a grille block for the top half. The area around the VW logo. I think the grille block will serve as a benefit for aerodynamics and warmer operating temps. I think much of this might be how the PD is programmed, and/or how much fuel is used for keeping speed and going up hills.
Let me know what you think. This is my second TDI. My first was a 2003 Jetta wagon. My best tank with that car was 55 MPG in 810 miles. That was a road trip from NJ going to SC.
Thanks, and any advice for better FE is welcome.
I have a daily commute of about 84 miles round trip. My FE seemed to hit the wall around the 47 to 48 MPG mark in warm weather, and 45 to 46 MPG in cold weather. A few months back I decided to try something new. About 20 miles of my commute is getting to highways (round trip). I wouldn't call it hypermiling, but I stay in neutral as much as I can getting to the highway. I do not do this on the highway. Since doing this, my MPG have been over 50 for the last two tanks. My Scangauge II is reading over 50 right now, and is for the most part close. I also do not turn off the engine at traffic lights.
This is my hypothesis: I use Shell Rotella T6 5W-40. When the temps are below 60 degrees the oil is thick (I am sure most oils are). Free wheeling in neutral allows for the oil to warm up and does not cause drag. While idling doesn't warm up the engine much, by the time I am on the highway I am at operating temps. On cold days I would see my MPG average drop by 1 to 2 MPG getting to the highway. On warm days 1 MPG wasn't out of the norm.
Also, on the highway going 70 MPH (SG II reading) temps under 60 dergees my MPG would be lower on average than days over 60 degress. I am thinking about a grille block for the top half. The area around the VW logo. I think the grille block will serve as a benefit for aerodynamics and warmer operating temps. I think much of this might be how the PD is programmed, and/or how much fuel is used for keeping speed and going up hills.
Let me know what you think. This is my second TDI. My first was a 2003 Jetta wagon. My best tank with that car was 55 MPG in 810 miles. That was a road trip from NJ going to SC.
Thanks, and any advice for better FE is welcome.