2010 Jetta TDI poor mileage, or so I think

[jak2908]

45k miles DSG auto no mods besides a k&n cone filter. I have about a 40 mile round trip for work and roughly 30 miles of that is 65 mph driving. I live in Iowa and its been around 25-40 here lately and I'm running #2. I seem to only get 32 mpg average. There is also some putting around my small town too...just think I should be getting better than that. I bumped up my tire pressure to 45 today and it seemed to help a bit. Maybe I'm dreaming. My last tank I got 430 miles on it, fuel light just came on and I filled right after. What am I doing wrong? What should I do? Mods? Thanks in advance I am totally new to the TDI world

 

[Diesl]

So after 430 miles you fill 13.5 gallons (or close to it)?
If you're getting say 20 mpg for your 10 city miles, to end up with 32 mpg your 65 mph highway driving can only get you 40 mpg. That's very odd; it should be 45 mpg or better at that speed.
Whats does your display say for the city part, and (after reset) for the highway driving?

 

[MikeMars]

... a k&n cone filter. ...

Be aware that there is a risk that your MAF may be damaged by oil contamination.

 

[jak2908]

yes about 13.5 gallon fill up...going down the highway at 65 it averages about 43 i'd say...city I cant really get a constant reading because its just a few errands here and there.. a couple blocks to the grocery store, a couple blocks to my other job, and its about a couple miles until I get on the road to be going 65 and thats about 15 miles until i get off for a couple miles of city driving (couple miles of 60 mph driving and a couple blocks til I get to work....just dont get it! check my MAF out?

 

[40X40]

yes about 13.5 gallon fill up...going down the highway at 65 it averages about 43 i'd say...city I cant really get a constant reading because its just a few errands here and there.. a couple blocks to the grocery store, a couple blocks to my other job, and its about a couple miles until I get on the road to be going 65 and thats about 15 miles until i get off for a couple miles of city driving (couple miles of 60 mph driving and a couple blocks til I get to work....just dont get it! check my MAF out?

The car is fine. You are short tripping the crap out of it.

Take a weekend/day trip that is at least 100 miles nonstop outbound. Eat lunch or something and drive home. Fill up before you leave and again after you get back. THAT is what MPG the car is capable of.....

Let us know what you get.

Bill

 

[jak2908]

okay, thanks a lot! will get something planned for this weekend!

 

[Lightflyer1]

Yep short trips will kill mpg. I am only averaging around 32 mpg in my Passat due to my current short 5 mile commute. When on the highway though on longer trips it has gotten 48 mpg. My commute will change this year to 35 miles one way and should show greater economy mpg numbers but I will burn more fuel.

 

[ISurvivedNMU]

Be aware that there is a risk that your MAF may be damaged by oil contamination.

X2. Clean your MAF with some alcohol and do not over oil your air filter. I would remove that filter and put it back to stock!

 

[FistLaw]

I have a somewhat similar commute: 28 miles one way made up of ~10 mins of surface streets and then highway stop/go traffic with some stretches of 65 mph.
I've been averaging between 39-43mpg depending on traffic.
My mileage got better when I stopped up shifting so early.

MAF: KN drop-in killed my MAF in my Toyota inside of 6 months.

 

[nord]

Your air filter is of absolutely no benefit. Fact is it may well cause you problems because oil will very likely contaminate the MAF sensor.

Better to use a cleaner designed to clean your MAF than alcohol. No sense in asking for an expensive problem.