Has anybody out there with a 5 speed manual equiped golf or jetta tdi gotten milage as low as 32 mpg on their first few tanks (mostly in-town) driving? I understand that somewhat lower milage is to be expected during break in, but 24% under epa seems awfully low. I could probably drive more conservatively, but I don't think I'm "hot roding" it either. Any thoughts on this?
suprisingly bad milage on new tdi
- Thread starter johnco
- Start date
fallingwindows
Veteran Member
hmmm...I'm "hot-rodding" it much of the time, stop-and-go commuting/city/80mph hwy mix, have a chip, 5psd, and generally get high 40's. Is the car running well (smooth, very little smoke), and are you sure you're using a reasonable calculation?
I'd expect mileage to increase slightly as the engine breaks in, but I'm thinking this is on the order of just 1 or 2 mpg?
My main suspicion here is that you're filling up and the pump is clicking off at different levels of "fullness". I'd suggest doing a "ventectomy" ASAP, there are no risks and you'll be able to fill your tank exactly full each time and know that your figures are good....
I'd expect mileage to increase slightly as the engine breaks in, but I'm thinking this is on the order of just 1 or 2 mpg?
My main suspicion here is that you're filling up and the pump is clicking off at different levels of "fullness". I'd suggest doing a "ventectomy" ASAP, there are no risks and you'll be able to fill your tank exactly full each time and know that your figures are good....
McBrew
Top Post Dawg
Either you are not properly calculating mileage or there is a problem. You're not spending a lot of time at 100MPH+ are you? If your car is new, you shouldn't be!
By first tank, so you mean the original (dealership) fuel? They never fill the cars all the way up. Even without venting, you should go about 50 miles or so before the needle begins to fall. If not, you're not filled up. If you vent your tank or do a ventectomy, you're needle won't start to drop until 160-170 miles or so. Remember that diesel fuel foams, so you have to be patient when filling it all the way up. Also, make sure you drive enough to get a good average. 400 miles minimum.
I drive pretty agressively most of the time and I get 46-47 MPG usually or 45-46 with the roof rack on. My all-time lowest was 43 MPG with winter fuel. I'm not in the "extreme mileage" catagory of 50+ or even 60+MPG. I think mine is about average for a 5-speed TDI.
If your mileage really is as low as you say, you'll want the timing checked. Being new, I wouldn't think there could be an air flow restriction.
By first tank, so you mean the original (dealership) fuel? They never fill the cars all the way up. Even without venting, you should go about 50 miles or so before the needle begins to fall. If not, you're not filled up. If you vent your tank or do a ventectomy, you're needle won't start to drop until 160-170 miles or so. Remember that diesel fuel foams, so you have to be patient when filling it all the way up. Also, make sure you drive enough to get a good average. 400 miles minimum.
I drive pretty agressively most of the time and I get 46-47 MPG usually or 45-46 with the roof rack on. My all-time lowest was 43 MPG with winter fuel. I'm not in the "extreme mileage" catagory of 50+ or even 60+MPG. I think mine is about average for a 5-speed TDI.
If your mileage really is as low as you say, you'll want the timing checked. Being new, I wouldn't think there could be an air flow restriction.
weedeater
Top Post Dawg
Mine was low until I adjusted my shift patterns to take advantage of low end torque. That is, don't be afraid to shift into 5th at 40mph.
My '01 manual Jetta got 845 Km mostly hwy on the first fill when new. At 10000 Km it was 1000 Km mixed driving. Now at 52000 Km it can go 1100 Km mixed driving. Hang in there, let it break in and drive the torque. The best ever was 4.3L/100Km - all highway. Sunoco Gold feeds my diesel soaked in Delvac 1.