Getting more than 60mpg

[davejmitch]

I own a golf mk 3 TDI and commute a round trip of 196 miles a day (of beautiful M1!) Im currently getting about 560 - 580miles from a ten gallon tank, (it takes about 44litres) and that is (allegedly!) sitting at between 80 and 90 mph, I would love to clear the 60mpg mark and was thinking of getting a second hand head giving it a minimal skim, porting and polishing it with 3 angle seats, and fitting a pannel filter. Im aiming to do this by the end of next month. Has anyone else done similar or can recomend anything else that would get me over the 60 mpg mark, There seems to be a huge variety of chips out there at silly money, but im not after power just economy.

 

[Toronto_Vento]

Where are you located? The mk3 golf never came with a TDI engine in North America (just TD). If you are not in North America, I would say by far the best mod for you to do with those speeds, is to get a 6 speed TDI transmission from a scrap yard and throw it into your car. This will immediately bump your economy up by a few MPG. Other than that, get a chip, and it will increase your MPG by 1 or 2 while cruising.

 

[jck66]

The best thing to do to improve fuel economy is to slow down. At 80-90 mph, you are getting pretty good mileage (even though they're Imperial mpg).

Oh wait, are you using Imperial miles as well?? /images/graemlins/grin.gif /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif

 

[KevB]

I own a 95N Vento and have been commuting approx 125 miles a day for the last 5 years along the equally beautiful M62 (Hull <-> Leeds). Speeds of 80-85mph returns around 55mpg (imperial for US viewers), drop the speed to 70-75mph and I manage around 63mpg.

Best ever was during the "fuel crisis" of late August 2000, and that was 72mpg by driving at 50-55 MPH, coasting downhill, getting in behind HGVs etc. Boring as hell tho.

A 6speed box sounds interesting. I get around 30mph per 1000rpm in 5th, a 6 speed mkIV Golf will manage 37mph per 1000rpm in 6th.. that equates to 74mph at only 2000 revs.

Are you sure your tank is only 40 litres? Mechanically my Vento is the same as your Golf and I definitely have a 55 litre tank (12 gals).

regards, KevB

 

[TDIMeister]

Your fuel consumption figures, in light if the speeds you drive -- are exactly where they ought to be. In fact, I would say that even converting 57 imp. MPG to 47 US MPG or 5.0 litres/100km is downright astounding for a Mk3 driven 80-90 MPH.

In addition to ensuring that your car is in the optimum state of tune, there are small things you can try to bring up the mileage a bit. This includes inflating the tyres to a slightly greater pressure than usual (without EVER exceeding the maximum shown on the sidewall); advancing the injection timing, etc., etc.

While the head work you listed will certainly not hurt, you will be sorely disappointed to find a negligable improvement in fuel economy for all that effort.

As has been advised, if economy is important to you, SLOW DOWN! /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Or take out the spare tyre and unused seats and anything else that are unnecessarily weighing the car down! /images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RogueTDI]

Do I really need to chime in here? /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif Probably not, but nobody is getting 50 USmpg at 85mph.

 

[TDIMeister]

Aww, c'mon, Rogue. You're always are the final word. What say you? /images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif /images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[canbluegolf]

With a 50 mph tail wind you probably would /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Steve

 

[RogueTDI]

[ QUOTE ]
With a 50 mph tail wind you probably would /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Steve

[/ QUOTE ]

You're right. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually, perhaps only a 20mph tailwind. Not to mention possible altitude changes. Also, speedo inaccuracy.

 

[dubvulture]

Chime! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mrGutWrench]

[ QUOTE ]
(snip) I would love to clear the 60mpg mark (snip)

[/ QUOTE ]

__. For the past 10,000 miles, I've averaged 60 MPG(US) or 72 MPImpGal. But not at fast speeds.
-

 

[Rammstein]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
(snip) I would love to clear the 60mpg mark (snip)

[/ QUOTE ]

__. For the past 10,000 miles, I've averaged 60 MPG(US) or 72 MPImpGal. But not at fast speeds.
-

[/ QUOTE ]

Your my hero MrGutWrench!!!

My best ever is 54 mpg... /images/graemlins/frown.gif

At 60 mpg, I'll be lonely in the 1500 miles club... /images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Chowder31]

why wont the port and polish do anything? Is this the same if you ported the manifolds and head?

 

[TDIMeister]

I'll let you answer your own question... why would it?

 

[davejmitch]

Yes it definately has a 10 gallon tank, although u can get 2 more litres in the filler tube! bringing up the tyre pressure has helped a little, but I think ill avoid the just below manufactures maximum recomendations (The roads in england arn't that smooth) And where O where does this elusive 6 speed box come from, because knowing VW I doubt a mk4 box fits a mk3, let alone any gear linkage/clutch difference issues but I havent looked at one (someone please prove me wrong!) Ive got a second hand head, second time lucky, there are two different types and sods law I got the wrong one.