andrewb_1985 said:
Ive got a 2003 golf with auto trans and get (on a good tank) 40mpg doing 90% highway. From what i hear with auto trans and no current mods, these numbers seem to be common. But with the rising cost of deisel id like to know what mods I can do to improve mpg. I know there are different nozzels and chips available but which are for performance and which are for economy?. And what other mods of maintenance tips that can help. Thanks!
Keep in mind you use app 375 gals per year!
(@ 40 mpg, 15,000 miles yearly high average, normal is between 12,000 to 15,000 miles) Under the same conditions with a manual @ 50 mpg)
I would use app 300 gals.
So really you are talking shaving a percentage % of 75 gals per year
( /12 mo= 6.25 gal per mo) or @ current price of 4.91=
$368.00 year /12mo = $31. mo.
The premium at the time for a TDI over a 1.8T was (for me anyway) app 246. and at that such a Bru HA HA!!? So really,
the 10 mpg difference is the operational premium for an automatic. You certainly can do the low hanging fruit stuff, but are you really ok with radically altering your behaviors? So in closing, if I follow even more extremely, item/s 2,4, I would swag a boost from normal 48-52 mpg to 52-59 mpg (5 mpg or 10%) . In effect, it would be a different game for max 27 gals/12 mo=2.25 gals mo @ 4.91=133. year/12 mo= $11.00 per month.
Here are some of the easy stuff:
1. tires @ 85% of max sidewall, effect: increases chances of longer tread life, better mpg.
( If you have deviated without research from the oem tires, you have figuratively shot yourself in the foot here)
(for example, I am @ 108,000 miles and the oem GY LS-H's look good to go to 130,000 miles, PSI has been 38-36 fronts, 38-34 psi rears. I am by no means using many fuel miser procedures)
2. find the best rpm for best mpg (manual between 1750-2200 rpms)
3. the normal 360 degree situational awareness; reflected in things like: not accelerating to a stop light, not tail gating, etc.
4. driving your automatic with hyper awareness; SO given whatever situation, you are ALWAYS at the low side of the fuel consumptive curve. (WAY too obsessive compulsive for my personality)