Newbies and Vets: Tips for better fuel economy!

[ryansar]

Looking to up my fuel economy and power. Just got a 2005.5 Jetta TDi. I honestly don't know much about car engines and brands. I have been looking at upgrading the turbocharger and putting in a cold air filter. Can you guys make any recommendations for me? I'm getting about 525 miles per tank. Wanna see if I can join that 600 club


Chive on!

 

[Cokecan42]

I'm only getting roughly 30 mpg and it's driving me crazy . I’ve spent $2400.00 to try to improve my engine . Still 30 mpg.

 

[deejaaa]

I'm only getting roughly 30 mpg and it's driving me crazy . I’ve spent $2400.00 to try to improve my engine . Still 30 mpg.

what have you done. what tires you running. speed. what gauge are you using for monitoring. it might not be the engine. i could do a lot with 2400.00.

 

[FJR1300]

A few days ago I came across a chart of all the brands and their relative cetane numbers for Amoco, Shell, Conoco, Mobil etc.,etc., and now I can find it when I put the word cetane into the search area….can anyone help me out and direct me to that information? Thanks

 

[CourierGuy]

what do you guys think of disabling the daytime running lights to conserve fuel? obviously the safety factor of having them on is higher, but will it gain me any fuel?

thanks.

Headlight bulbs - 55wattsx2 is 110watts. P=VI. P/V=I. 110watts is almost 7.85amps@14volts. 7.85 amps is 5.6% of your alternator's "load" on a 140amp alternator. Engine runs the alternator. It's a drag.

Heated seats and mirrors also kill mileage.. add the rear window defogger in winter to the heated seats/mirrors... ouch. I don't know the wattages of the seats/mirrors/defogger, but you can add them up and see what I mean.

First thing I always do acquiring a new car, I'm on my 16th, is kill the DRLs.

 

[TDI smile]

Never changed a "thing" at my car. Still get between 55 and over 60 MPG here in BC with DRL's and my Dog most times in the car!

 

[ezshift5]

....those are very impressive numbers (55-60 MPG and 341,000+ kilometers)

That's about 210,000+ miles. Are those fuel numbers based on Imperial gallons.

Always wanted to visit Canada.

....altho' I left Navy active duty over orders to Elmendorf AFB...........

Holidays best, ez

 

[CourierGuy]

....those are very impressive numbers (55-60 MPG and 341,000+ kilometers)

That's about 210,000+ miles. Are those fuel numbers based on Imperial gallons.

Always wanted to visit Canada.

....altho' I left Navy active duty over orders to Elmendorf AFB...........

Holidays best, ez

My jetta's gonna roll 500,000km by end of Dec.. Still gets those high 50s mpg

 

[CZguy]

....

....altho' I left Navy active duty over orders to Elmendorf AFB...........

Holidays best, ez

That's a shame...you would have loved it. A sportsman's paradise.

 

[deejaaa]

That's a shame...you would have loved it. A sportsman's paradise.

we will be going there next July. but to Sask, SK. not much there but prairies. and a few lakes.

 

[tedd]

Thanks. I'll start that right off.
I average 53 mpg... and did both before and after install of the .681 fifth gear.
I'll be on a long drive back east in a few weeks and will have a good opportunity to test the hiway mpg.

any update on the new fifth gear pal?

 

[tedd]

halfway through testing new winter equipment installation to decrease demisting time/startup time:

from tesco £1 section.

currently testing shutting off vents to outside during the nighttime by selecting "air recirculate" feature seconds before switch off.

 

[mrbrefast]

I have a '96 B4 Passat, very lightly modded, and if it doesn't return high 50's or low 60's something is wrong. Fuel log here to view if you wish.

I clicked on your very old link and see a slew of entries "with wheel skirts" as well as "fender skirts" - do you happen to have photos and a source for these? The winter wheels I run have bottle cap style hubcaps which keep most of the air away from the wheel wells...

Tonight I will clean the snow screen, MAF, and post pictures of the grill for my snorkel (a metal speaker grill, to keep mice and rodents out of the warm air box in the chilly months) to see if people think any of those are restrictive enough to be yielding ~38 mpg average for many moons, admittedly with a pile of city driving... in my unicorn/96 Passat B4V.

 

[TDIClimb]

Newbie here! I'm getting 42 mpg hwy with my '04. I recently went from stock 15" steelies to 18" Miro's and was terrified it would kill the mpg didn't change? Anyway, I'm ready for new struts, shocks, springs, exhaust, nozzles, intake cleaning, and a tune. I have found great info and advice here, except info on nozzles for a PD. Anyone have experience they can pass along regarding nozzles for a PD? I would like to climb towards 50+mpg hwy....

'04 Jetta TDI - AT
118k - stock
225/40r18 psi set to manufacture specs

Thanks all!!

 

[fossill]

15 inch wheels = better fuel economy. I wouldnt go any bigger than 16 inch.
Malone stage 1 Tune with dynamic egr since your in California. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

[MrBill767]

Just moved from Virginia. Can't find in excess of 40 cetene anywhere.

 

[minis2003]

If you are in the Hampton Roads area that is all you will find do here

You can get B20 at on station but cannot remember the name but it will be a drive if you are at Norfolk

 

[94cobra2615]

I tried for the 800 mile tank and chickened out at 778 miles using 15.11 gallons--51.49 MPG my personal best. I probably would've made it but I didn't want to have to prime the fuel system if I ran out.

This was mixed highway and city driving.....probably 70% highway and 30% city stop and go traffic.

99.5 jetta alh 5 speed
Only mod is hybrid thermostat
18" wheels aired to 40 psi

 

[tedd]

I tried for the 800 mile tank and chickened out at 778 miles using 15.11 gallons--51.49 MPG my personal best. I probably would've made it but I didn't want to have to prime the fuel system if I ran out.

This was mixed highway and city driving.....probably 70% highway and 30% city stop and go traffic.

99.5 jetta alh 5 speed
Only mod is hybrid thermostat
18" wheels aired to 40 psi

if you go back a page someone says 15" is the optimum wheel size for economy, see if switching to 15" makes any difference.

 

[tedd]

halfway through testing new winter equipment installation to decrease demisting time/startup time:

from tesco £1 section.

currently testing shutting off vents to outside during the nighttime by selecting "air recirculate" feature seconds before switch off.

This works a treat!
closing air intakes using "recirculate function" button before you switch off works.
place the dehumidifier in the back of the car. note: if you think your dehumidifier is not working because there is no "water" in the bottom, be patient. It is not water it is liquefied crystals, the crystals change slow even though they draw water into them, slow, slow, then suddenly at the end of winter you will see liquid appear in the bottom of the unit.
This works to stop misting! lovely!
well done tedd you are a genius!

 

[backyardmechanic]

my golf only give me 39 average

I have an 2002 golf automatic it only gives me 39 miles per gallon on the highway straight driving from tank to tank.
I had an 02 jetta 5spd and it would give 52 on the highway and 39 in the average.
Q. can it be the automatic trans it only has 80,000 miles on it.

 

[UFO]

I have an 2002 golf automatic it only gives me 39 miles per gallon on the highway straight driving from tank to tank.
I had an 02 jetta 5spd and it would give 52 on the highway and 39 in the average.
Q. can it be the automatic trans it only has 80,000 miles on it.

Yes, it's the automatic.

 

[2rob]

mileage

I also have an 05 Passat wagon. Most of my driving is above 6,000' so less o2, less fuel, less power, better mileage. Was in Portland last month and mileage dropped into the 30's on the highway. Is that what you get with your 05 ? I do the driving techniques. Tried a cheap chip and got no improvement either 0-60 mph or mileage.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Rob

 

[D.Eightch]

This is awesome, so glad I found the site.

My wife has had her 02 jetta for a little under 10 years and I've always been blown away by the mileage it's gotten. Have had a few tanks over 50 and she's always dissapointing when they are under

I got rid of my pickup this week and traded it in for an 11 Jetta sportwagen. Look forward to learning as much as I can from these forums. I told my wife we are going to have to start having fuel wars.

 

[mr_y82]

^She'll win.

 

[BleachedBora]

Updated the first post with some new cetane numbers I've received.
-BB

 

[Baumeister]

Propel's HPR is 75 Cetane: http://dieselhpr.com/learn-more

 

[BleachedBora]

Nice, updated!

 

[1998TDIMonster]

After a trip from Dallas, Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas and back, I was happy to get my first 600+mi. tank in my 98 jetta ahu by using some of the methods in this sticky (37psi tires, 85% highway driving, no A/C, Deleted day time running lights, drove around 68mph[girlfriend did not like the slow driving], timed stoplights, and I TRIED to keep out of it with the right foot). Light came on at 640mi. and calculated 45.7 mpg with a dirty fuel filter and hammer mod to max acceptable fueling with tune and stage 2 cam!

Still working hard for my first 50MPG tank! I feel if i wasn't fully loaded with passengers and luggage, I could've easily gotten 700mi. out of this tank! Thanks to all who contributed.


and p.s.
Has anyone found the way to time those dang stop signs? It seems like no matter how far back i start slowing, they are always red when i get to them.

 

[mr_y82]

^out here in the sticks we take those as a suggestion...