GAS Mileage

[tenach]

Ok, I own an '03 turbo 6 spd. Did a little test to see which gas ran better. The car says to put in premium but even at 14.5 gallons it still hurts the wallet. I put in the cheap stuff. Some people say all those extra additives actually do more harm than good in the long run.
Results:
Regular fuel 280 miles on one full tank. 19 miles to the gallon or so.

Premium - 344 miles, one tank. 23 miles to the gallon.
I have done this with Shell, Chevron and Valero. Valero had the worst results and the car ran like crud.
Shell had the same results as Chevron but a little more mileage than Chevron (344/tank). Chevron was around 300-310 miles/tank but the car ran awesome.
The driving habits were city and highway with lots of stop and go and lots of "Shut up and hang on!!" driving.
So my question is:
Save money and get less mileage or spend extra on premium for 3-4 miles extra to the gallon?

[vdubbugman53]

ok well lets do a little math

we will use colorado prices 2.60 for premium a gallon and 2.40 for regular now lets go 3000 miles.

Premium

3000/344= is about 8.7 tanks at 14.5gallons 8.7x14.5= 126.15 gallons of gas so 126.15 x 2.60 = $328

now Regular

3000/280= about 10.7 tanks of gas at 14.5 gallons each 10.7 x 14.5 gallons = 155.15 gallons of gas so 155.15 gallons x 2.40 = $372.37

so pay the extra cash up front

[Sambeaux]

Thanks ! makes me feel a lot better bout using premium!
I also like the idea of using LESS gas for the miles.

Nice work!

[vdubbugman53]

no prob i was going to do it any way

[digitalputty]

use Premium ... it is sexah-ier.
And it sounds as tho it might be better for your bug! 0_o

[beetlejuice]

I think that detonation caused by using regular gas could damage the 1.8t engine, especially a Turbo S. Did you ever experience pinging when you got on it, tenach?
b

[Porkchop]

Originally Posted by beetlejuice

I think that detonation caused by using regular gas could damage the 1.8t engine, especially a Turbo S. Did you ever experience pinging when you got on it, tenach?
b

It's all fun and games until predetonation blows a hole in a piston.

[Steinola]

Of course... this begs the question... did you run your tests at the same time of year? There's a difference (at least here in the PNW) between winter fuel and summer fuel... different oxygenation, for sure, and possibly different additives. Our MPG drops significantly during winter mostly because of the fuel, and rises again once they switch back.

But I always put Chevron Plus in Kermit, anyway. 89 hits the spot.

[tenach]

it was done within the last two weeks. weather stayed the same, no knocking or pinging noticed. Coors doesn't pull to the right as hard on premium. Or maybe I'm used to it.

[jesse]

I get around 700km per tank on my 1.8T. But the tank is very full and thats taking it donw the empty. I also shift at around 2200

[tenach]

shift around 2200? Hell, you should drive a bus then. I'am always yanking on the high side. So much fun!

[BeetleCouture]

I need some advice, since this is a thread about gas mileage I figured I would ask here.

If I'm using regular 87 octane gas in my 2000 automatic 1.8t, will I get better mileage using a higher octane gas like Premium or Super?

I'm not reading into all of the mumbo-jumbo everyone is talking about, I'm definitely not car smart by any means. I just love my beetle tremendously and want to find out if it'll be beneficial to put more expensive gas in her! Thanks!

[BlackTurboS]

I would use 91 or 93 octane the ecu will detune the engine with 87 octane. Although it will work performance will be degraded and may knock. I have a 2002 turbo s chipped with apr 93 octane. I noticed a 2-4 mpg increase with the chip (normal driving light foot). Just added K&N dropin filter N75 race valve which should give me 1-2 MPG increase. I have ordered APR 2.5" exhaust which should add another 1-4 MPG. With heavy turbo foot I get around 29 MPG with light foot I get 32-36 MPG. With the new mods I expect to see 35+ MPG with light foot. This should bring HP up to approx 250. The Increase in power helps with gas mileage as long as you don't go crazy (hard to do when you feel the power). On long trips I set the cruise at 60 MPH and get great gas mileage. You want more MPG coast down long hills I got over 40 MPG doing that on a trip through the mountains

Good Luck

[roamerr]

35mpg on a 1.8T would be incredible... Both my NB GLX and Jetta avg 23 to 26 at best...

[BlackTurboS]

Added info the turbo s is a six speed manual which helps also shift before 3000 RPMS. If it makes you feel better I also have a 2000 2.0 auto it gets low 20s at best in the city and mid to upper 20s on highway.

[BlackTurboS]

Today I ran my first mileage test with the K&N filer. Although it was short it was impressive. Traveled 94.7 miles 85% highway using cruise at 60 MPH RPMS approx 2400. The temp was a brisk 45 degrees with 10-20 MPH winds. I filled up 93 octane and returned to same pump after test. I put in 2.307 gallons. Thats 94.7 / 2.4 (rounded off) = 39.45 MPG not bad. My car is chipped with APR 93 octane and is a six speed manual. Tire pressure 35 PSI. I would say the filter added 2-4 mpg. I traveled the same road in both directions approx 47 miles each way. VW rates my bug at 31 MPG on the highway. I find the chip also adds a few MPG using a light foot.

P.S. Before chip and filter i averaged 32-34 MPG
I also try to coast down large hills if possible
The car has approx 22,500 miles on it so far

[Scarab_Beetle]

you know what, every time a new "what gas" post comes up it grates on my nerves just a little bit more. RUN THE GAS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO RUN. PERIOD. If you're that cheap, then seriously, you should have bought something else, or go take $1500, find a ford festiva, and run regular with 50mpg all day long. There is a reason that certain octane grades exist, and if your car is specifically tuned for a said octane grade, run it! You won't save enough money to be worth it. This reminds me of when I worked for Dodge and people would spend $30K+ on a car but wouldn't do an oil change for 10K to save money... Arg.

[digitalputty]

RUN THE GAS THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO RUN. PERIOD.

Exactly!
Im a student who pays $5 for parking everytime I park ... I STILL use premium ... because that is what Zoomer wants/needs.