Help with crappy mpg

[MonsterTDI09]

I am getting the same mileage, I have 9000 miles, DSG, not reaching more than 34mpg 50/50 driving. I just making 430 miles on tank, and drive like veteran even not reaching 3 rpm, never drive more 65 miles per hour. Maybe becouse I have 19 inc wheels on car.

How are you calculate your MPG? The computer is slow to give you a updates reading.This is on consumption setting on number 1.
The location were you drive has a big effect on you mpg(example how
many traffic lights per mile) How many miles you drive on the high way
and your avg speed.Don't for get the is still breaking in so mpg will
will improve.Around 60k the engine is full broken in.You do not want to
baby the engine but like you stole the car.What you try are to do is keep
pressure on the piston rings to seat them using the pressure from the turbo(example keep a load on the engine not lug it).

Good luck Tom

 

[veedubfreak]

Just to add a little fuel to the fire, i filled up about an hour ago, 501 miles on 12.7 gallons . I don't really like going into the red. I think that might be part of what causes alot of the hpfp issues, people running the tank too low and letting the pump suck air.

 

[c17chief]

Just to add a little fuel to the fire, i filled up about an hour ago, 501 miles on 12.7 gallons . I don't really like going into the red. I think that might be part of what causes alot of the hpfp issues, people running the tank too low and letting the pump suck air.

You only fit 12.7 after getting into the red? Mine fits well into 13, even into 14 depending how far down into the red...and this is typical first click and not letting foam settle + taking it to the neck for that extra .5gal or so.

 

[enki]

I'm also getting fairly bad MPGs. My Fuelly Avg is only 33.1, with my BEST MPG at 37.7, but that was an unusually high one, where the normal "best" is around 35.

I've had my 2011 Golf TDI DSG for almost one year, and have about 11k miles on it. I usually drive 1k miles a month, at about 75% rural city driving. I haven't really seen any boost in mileage since passing 5k or 10k, it's all been about the same.

I had the DSG update done at 10k miles, with no noticeable improvement.

I know the DSG tends to drop the MPGs down compared to the 6MT, but with other DSG owners getting 40+ on average, it kind of pisses me off.

I'm also in Florida, so the temperature is fairly high, and I've been adding Optilube XP to all my fill ups.

 

[MonsterTDI09]

I'm also getting fairly bad MPGs. My Fuelly Avg is only 33.1, with my BEST MPG at 37.7, but that was an unusually high one, where the normal "best" is around 35.

I've had my 2011 Golf TDI DSG for almost one year, and have about 11k miles on it. I usually drive 1k miles a month, at about 75% rural city driving. I haven't really seen any boost in mileage since passing 5k or 10k, it's all been about the same.

I had the DSG update done at 10k miles, with no noticeable improvement.

I know the DSG tends to drop the MPGs down compared to the 6MT, but with other DSG owners getting 40+ on average, it kind of pisses me off.

I'm also in Florida, so the temperature is fairly high, and I've been adding Optilube XP to all my fill ups.

At 60k is when the engine is fully broken in.You will see a change around 15 to 20k.It's the type of environment you drive in determines what kind MPG you will get.People who get 40+ drive alto of highway miles.Is that number a total avg I would say no in most cases.They probably do get 40+ on the highway,the question is what was there ave speed they got that mpg number.Also people tend to fudge the number a little to.

For me I can get 43 to 45 mpg on the highway that if I keep under 70 which is tough.But most of my driving is city so my total avg 37.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

I'm also getting fairly bad MPGs. My Fuelly Avg is only 33.1, with my BEST MPG at 37.7, but that was an unusually high one, where the normal "best" is around 35.

I've had my 2011 Golf TDI DSG for almost one year, and have about 11k miles on it. I usually drive 1k miles a month, at about 75% rural city driving. I haven't really seen any boost in mileage since passing 5k or 10k, it's all been about the same.

I had the DSG update done at 10k miles, with no noticeable improvement.

I know the DSG tends to drop the MPGs down compared to the 6MT, but with other DSG owners getting 40+ on average, it kind of pisses me off.

I'm also in Florida, so the temperature is fairly high, and I've been adding Optilube XP to all my fill ups.

How fast do you drive and what split city/hwy?

 

[St.Hubbins]

and just what is "rural city driving" - besides the funniest oxymoron i've heard all day?

11k IS still pretty young for this engine - i too believe those numbers will improve as you continue to break it in.

 

[veedubfreak]

You only fit 12.7 after getting into the red? Mine fits well into 13, even into 14 depending how far down into the red...and this is typical first click and not letting foam settle + taking it to the neck for that extra .5gal or so.

No, I was at about 1/4 tank when I filled up. I was saying I usually fill up before I get into the red.

 

[enki]

At 60k is when the engine is fully broken in.You will see a change around 15 to 20k.It's the type of environment you drive in determines what kind MPG you will get.People who get 40+ drive alto of highway miles.Is that number a total avg I would say no in most cases.They probably do get 40+ on the highway,the question is what was there ave speed they got that mpg number.Also people tend to fudge the number a little to.

For me I can get 43 to 45 mpg on the highway that if I keep under 70 which is tough.But most of my driving is city so my total avg 37.

Good to know, and I hope to see an improvement. Currently, even on highway driving, I'm only seeing about 37mpg (based on the MFD). If I coast a lot, and do everything to actively keep my fuel usage as low as possible, I MIGHT break 40, but it's very hard to do. I've never seen anything about 41.

It's just really frustrating to see people with brand new 2011s at <=5k miles reporting 45mpg numbers, when I can't possibly see getting those at 11k.

How fast do you drive and what split city/hwy?

The local "city" driving is generally 45-55mph, with the occasional stoplight or minor traffic stop/go. The interstate highways in FL are all 70mph, so I usually go 75-80. As I mentioned above, on occasion I will try to do what I can to boost my MPGs (like drive 65 on the highway), and while I do see a boost, it's generally negligible.

City driving I normally get low 30s and high 30s on highway. My normal driving is about 25%/75% HWY/CITY, so I avg 34-35ish. Also, my daily commute is only about 8 miles each way, all city (but about half of which are state highways with the occasional stop light, so I avg 55mph).

 

[MonsterTDI09]

Good to know, and I hope to see an improvement. Currently, even on highway driving, I'm only seeing about 37mpg (based on the MFD). If I coast a lot, and do everything to actively keep my fuel usage as low as possible, I MIGHT break 40, but it's very hard to do. I've never seen anything about 41.

It's just really frustrating to see people with brand new 2011s at <=5k miles reporting 45mpg numbers, when I can't possibly see getting those at 11k.



People fudge about MPG.

And the MFD is slow to move up but fast to go down.Try reset by pushing the ok buttion

 

[Vidgamer]

I drove like Gramma yesterday on a > 30min. trip in the city with only a little highway and little traffic and got, like, 43MPG according to the display. Usually on my commute, I get anywhere from 37 to 41 -- mostly depending on if I take mostly highway or mostly city. If I put my foot into it, I might get 36. Except today, it was my worst commute. Heavy traffic, stop and go on the highway, and it was more like 35MPG or maybe a bit worse. The Golf has over 13,000 miles and a DSG. I'm not sure I've seen a difference with age, but the driving habits/patterns are a bit different now.

When it was newer, on the highway, we could get it up to about 44mpg with a very long stretch of highway travel. Haven't taken a long trip like that in a while, so I don't know if that has changed. Even new, local street driving for about 15 min. would average about 32mpg, and that still seems to be the case normally with traffic (additional stops).

So, I'm seeing about 32 city, 44 highway, and 37 mixed, as long as I'm not trying to go too quickly. I think that's pretty good and about as expected. I checked my MPG based upon the fill-up, and it's over 37MPG for the tank.

Oh, BTW, using S mode really KILLS the mileage! I'll lose 2 or 3 MPG easy. But it's a lot of fun in certain situations -- more responsive. I'm trying to get used to moving between selections, but it's also a bit disconcerting as it drives so differently.

 

[ChimpanZed]

FWIW, my 2012 JSW with < 1000 miles on the odometer got 39.7mpg on the last tank running 32oz B100 and 4oz PS DK. It was probably 70/30 highway/city but I certainly didn't nurse it.

 

[gmcjetpilot]

Back to the subject....

I have 2010 JSW for about 6-7 weeks.... averaged about 41.9 to 42.5, last two tanks. The fuel totalizer was fairly accurate, once a little over and once conservative by 1 MPG.

As far as speed limit, I drive 24 miles to work; the first approx 14 miles is 70 MPH. People are doing 80 MPH. I am doing 65 MPH and they can @#$% off. I was driving nuts like they were, it took 25 minutes to get to work +70 MPH. Then I realized when I slowed down it took 28 minutes. My blood pressure and adrenalin were much lower.

I typically try to never go slower than 5 under and min 55 MPH in 55 MPH zones. However if there is very light traffic I will do 60 in a 70 MPH zone.

I did an experiment using the car's fuel consumption totalizer alone. Going to work really early (5:30AM) over a few days, light traffic, I tried to drive 52 MPH all the way to work. I saw totalizer values in the +50 MPG range! Yea, but it was too dangerous, especially in 70/65 mph zones, people tailgating. Then I started driving semi-normal, say average 62 MPH over a few days. The average totalizer value dropped about 6 MPG to about 44 MPG. Remember your DRAG GOES UP WITH THE SQUARE OF VELOCITY (SPEED)..... (65/52)^2 = 56% more drag.

So I don't get tail gated too much I keep the speed up a little more than I like for fuel economy.

 

[MonsterTDI09]

To bad we can't in a vacuum The best MPG get on the highway is when I'm in traffic at speed around 60 to 65..As we all know it just purrrrr down the highway

 

[PlaneCrazy]

The rack is a big one. I have Thule crossbars and they bite into the mileage big-time, even worse with bike carriers and bikes on top.

The other thing to look for is a sticking brake.

But the biggie is 18" behind the steering wheel. I agree with the comment on minimizing braking. If you drive frequently in heavy traffic, a big gap with the car in front is your friend, you just loll along at the average speed of traffic with minimal or preferably no braking (works best with a manual).

Braking converts energy (momentum) into heat and dust. It's your no. 1 enemy when it comes to fuel efficiency especially at lower speeds where aerodynamics are less of a concern.

So ditch the bars if not in use, that will solve the high-speed issue, and learn efficient driving techniques for the low-speed (city) end, including trying to time traffic lights.

Another pet peeve of mine, when making a left turn against traffic folks will usually race up to the turn point, brake, stop, and wait for a gap to turn. I prefer to slack off well ahead of the turn point, start analyzing traffic, and timing a gap so that I don't have to come to a complete stop before negotiating the turn.

All these little things add up.

 

[specsalot]

PlaneCrazy - Glad you mentioned the stick brake thing.

Best to start using the hand brake when parked for a while to stretch the cables a bit. Not a bad practice to set the handbrake while in park - takes the work of the locking gear in the tranny that isn't really all that strong anyway.

My 11 Golf has about 11K miles on it now. Fuel mileage has only begun to start moving up in the last 2K. I don't calculate it, but watch the MFD which is probably a bit high. It's gone up over 2 MPG in the last 2K miles and registers just short of 40MPG. 75% highway 25% in town short hauls.

At ~5K miles the OP's engine is still early in the break in. I remember being disappointed with my mileage at that point as well. Composite on MFD was ~ 35 or 36.

For the first 5K I always ran "sport" mode in traffic. And never used cruise control on the highway during that period either. No value in lugging an engine during breakin or running it at a steady RPM. Keep tracking progress and bring it up at the 10K service if you don't seen some kind of improvement by then.

 

[Fr Ted Crilly]

It's just really frustrating to see people with brand new 2011s at <=5k miles reporting 45mpg numbers, when I can't possibly see getting those at 11k.

Do a 30 minute test - constant 60mph on a a highway - no overtaking and drive in the inside lane like a granny. You should be getting 44-45mpg average over that period. If so, then your lower numbers must mean your driving conditions/style are less than ideal.

 

[grnmtnjj]

OP here. I haven't driven the car much in the last couple of weeks. The weather has been nice and I've been using my bike and the train for commuting (better mileage overall).

Anyway, I did drive it one day last week, and noticed a few odd things. I had the display showing the "realtime" mpg. While maintaining speeds (65-75) on flat roads, it displayed mid 30's to mid 40's mpg. Anytime I touched the go pedal, whether to maintain a speed on an incline (while on the freeway) or accelerate to increase speeds, the mpg on the display dropped into the mid-teens! Even when going from 60 to 65 on a flat road.

Next time I drive, I will try the 30-minute test on the 101 in the early am (little traffic) and see what comes of it.

 

[eparker202]

the best thing most drivers can do to dramatically increase MPGs, avoid constant acceleration.

Highway - set cruise, or maintain one speed for as long as possible. Do not accel to pass, do not accel to exit highway (happens a ton in New England).

Town/City - dont try to beat the guy next to you to the light, let him fly up there and trip it for you, come to stops slowly, dont over accelerate (reach speeds beyond desired cruise speed).

Whenever you find yourself wanting to accelerate, decide if you can accomplish the same thing by slowing down, or if you really have to do it at all.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Anyway, I did drive it one day last week, and noticed a few odd things. I had the display showing the "realtime" mpg. While maintaining speeds (65-75) on flat roads, it displayed mid 30's to mid 40's mpg. Anytime I touched the go pedal, whether to maintain a speed on an incline (while on the freeway) or accelerate to increase speeds, the mpg on the display dropped into the mid-teens! Even when going from 60 to 65 on a flat road.

Bingo! This is why anticipation of traffic and road conditions, preservation of momentum, hills, etc are highly recommended. Use the throttle and the brakes sparingly.

 

[St.Hubbins]

the best thing most drivers can do...

...is stop worshipping the mpg and enjoy your fun automobile!

 

[MonsterTDI09]

the best thing most drivers can do to dramatically increase MPGs, avoid constant acceleration.

Highway - set cruise,

Cruise control doesn't save fuel,in fact it use more.

 

[ahizzle]

Cruise control doesn't save fuel,in fact it use more.

Umm... source?

 

[Softrockrenegade]

When on the highway I find the sweet spot on the go pedal and keep my foot there ! on uphill grades a lose a few mph and on the downhill the car speeds back up . If yo give even slight acceleration your mpg's will drop right down to the teens like said . I don't baby It and my best tank is at 43.xx mpg when it was warm and not broken in. I expect big improvements when it warms up and no more winter fuel... And I def get better mpg then cruise control

 

[eparker202]

Cruise control doesn't save fuel,in fact it use more.

Agreed if and thats a BIG IF, the driver has impeccable control over his/her right foot and attempts to maintain the same amount of throttle at all times and very rarely ever changes speed via increased throttle input.

However, for me it is a lot easier to maintain 60 MPH on the highway when i set cruise and i can concentrate on traffic rather than mpgs. And with a life time average of 47 mpgs i find my method more than adequate.

 

[eparker202]

...is stop worshipping the mpg and enjoy your fun automobile!

I thoroughly enjoy my automobile. I enjoy getting prius like mpgs and when the right roads are in front of me whipping her around some twisties. Driving 80 down the highway just doesnt do it for me, but feeling the g forces around a turn does and it doesnt hurt mpgs as much as speed/acceleration.

 

[VeeDubTDI]

Cruise control will use more fuel than a properly trained driver who is focusing on obtaining maximum fuel efficiency. The exception to this is on straight roads with zero elevation change... the difference becomes much smaller.

 

[St.Hubbins]

I thoroughly enjoy my automobile. I enjoy getting prius like mpgs and when the right roads are in front of me whipping her around some twisties. Driving 80 down the highway just doesnt do it for me, but feeling the g forces around a turn does and it doesnt hurt mpgs as much as speed/acceleration.

good to hear! my point was more directed towards the ranks around here that seem so obsessed w/ mpg that they lose all perspective, not to mention focus on the road in front of them.
i'll admit that i spent WAY too much time watching the MFD my first few weeks of ownership - to the point where road safety was probably being compromised! (this is a whole 'nuther ball of wax, but i could make a serious argument that the realtime MPG function is a safety hazard... sorry to be Debbie Downer, but seriously!)

the bottom line is this: these cars are a fabulous blend of performance fun, practicality, and eco-friendliness (i seem to recall the 2010 Golf TDI winning "Green Car of the year") - if only some the eco-warriors on this forum could relax a little and enjoy the whole TDI package... just remind yourself that no matter what you're currently averaging, your clean diesel is better than 99% of the other vehicles out on the road.
then give yourself a big ol' pat on the back, or hug a tree, or recite some Walt Whitman to your compost pile like i do.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

good to hear! my point was more directed towards the ranks around here that seem so obsessed w/ mpg that they lose all perspective, not to mention focus on the road in front of them.
i'll admit that i spent WAY too much time watching the MFD my first few weeks of ownership - to the point where road safety was probably being compromised! (this is a whole 'nuther ball of wax, but i could make a serious argument that the realtime MPG function is a safety hazard... sorry to be Debbie Downer, but seriously!)
the bottom line is this: these cars are a fabulous blend of performance fun, practicality, and eco-friendliness (i seem to recall the 2010 Golf TDI winning "Green Car of the year") - if only some the eco-warriors on this forum could relax a little and enjoy the whole TDI package... just remind yourself that no matter what you're currently averaging, your clean diesel is better than 99% of the other vehicles out on the road.
then give yourself a big ol' pat on the back, or hug a tree, or recite some Walt Whitman to your compost pile like i do.

I find focusing on MPG requires focus on the road in front. Part of serious low-consumption driving is looking far down the road and anticipating road conditions, lights, etc. and especially, never ever tailgating. Anyone driving for consumption is a far more engaged driver than the idiot racing and jamming on the brakes as he gets to a red light that he just saw, tailgating and using the brake lights of the car in front to decide when to brake, and driving 20 over while not paying attention.

 

[RNDDUDE]

Just ignore the instanteous MPG readout and keep it on trip MPG. It doesn't change that fast and thus you don't need to keep looking at it (which can be a distraction, I agree)