Is 38mpg average for 2005 NB TDI-PD in winter?

[slpopp]

Hello all again,

I was wondering what everyone with New Beetles with the PD engines was getting for milage in these winter months.

PLEASE do not post an answer if you do not or did not have a New Beetle with a PD engine, or if you do not drive in temperatures that are 20F or colder. If your milage is in imperial gallons please state so. Also please indicate weather or not your fuel is blended or supposedly unblended, and the temperatures you are driving in. Another item that seems to affect mpg's are the miles on the engine as well, so please mention this also.

I am looking for hard data here. I recently had the injector update done (the one to fix the rough starting) at the dealer and they said my mpg's will not change. But I could swear that I was getting better milage before the update. And after looking at the paperwork (I just recieved it today, almost 1 month after the work was done) I noticed a note that said they had trouble locating the glowplug control module on my car. It said they had to call the factory 3 times, I am not so sure they found it and actually changed it. Makes me wonder about thier statement about no loss in mpg's as well.

Thanks in advance....

Steve

[The Cheat]

I'm pulling 38 or so doing 70mph in CT. The PD takes a HUGE hit in the winter months.

-28k
-5speed
-blended fuel

[Bonedaddy]

Auto or manual? City or highway?

I have an '04 NB GLS TDI. Automatic transmission and 12K on the odometer. No engine/fuel/drivetrain modifications.

I get 40mpg. I drive approx 150 miles a week exclusively suburban commuting. Winter temps are in the 30's F and sometimes low 40's F. I burn BP diesel year round and use Stenadyne in the winter. One bottle per tank.

[TommyK8]

I have an '06 NB TDI w/DSG, but it's still in the break-in period (1,800 miles). I'm only on my third tank of fuel, as the dealer gave me a full tank on delivery. I vent to the top, got 38 on my first tank, and 41 on my second tank. The first tank was a 50/50 highway split, the second tank had 60/40 highway miles. Not bad, but it's been warmer than usual in CT this winter (up until this past weekend).

As an aside, I've been very impressed with the NB in the snow.

[CoriBug]

After the break in, Daisy got 43-44 consistently in almost all city driving in warm weather. However, with winter here, she's getting more like 38-40mpg. I was disappointed at first with the drop off in mileage, but it has stabilized and everyone seems to blame the cold weather, from the dealer to the TDI owners here.

Manual trans. Our weather is crazy. Ranges from -20F(week of Valentines) to 65F(this week). Not using Bio right now. What does blended/unblended mean? I don't use anything special in the tank and I usually drive her fairly gently, minimal fast starts or revving. She's got 17,500 miles on her in 16 months and is garaged all the time. Hope all this info helps some!

Cori

[slpopp]

Originally Posted by CoriBug

What does blended/unblended mean?
Cori

Blended is a mixture of #2 & #1 diesel fuels. In my area a 60/40 mix seems pretty common, with a few places offering a 50/50 mix. A 60/40 mix would be 60% #2 diesel and 40% #1 diesel.

So far it seems that no matter what brand of fuel I put in or what type of driving I do (highway or city) I get 38mpg's +/- 0.5 mpg. At least it's consistent.

Thanks for the info so far....

[Bugmonkey]

38-44 is about what I'm getting. I've Gotten 50 mpg many times in the '03 but never in the '05, I've just not seen great mpg in the PD. Of course I'm chipped and drive like I'm not afraid to die.

[The Cheat]

Originally Posted by Bugmonkey

38-44 is about what I'm getting. I've Gotten 50 mpg many times in the '03 but never in the '05, I've just not seen great mpg in the PD. Of course I'm chipped and drive like I'm not afraid to die.

That, sir, is how you you must drive a TDI in order to enjoy it 100%.

I salute you.

[Whitacre]

I agree with the above...

Pretend you stole it...pretend you are running from someone with a gun, or lots of people with lots of guns...or you're dying and need to get to the ER in 3 minutes (and there's traffic)...either way, drive it like you aren't afraid to die...awesome.

I cant wait to get my new diesel tomorrow...woohoo!

[mk2subzero]

I get an average of 40mpg city/48 highway in my 2004.5 GL TDI. It has the 6 spd DSG and the only mod I have done is a K&N air filter. I get all my servicing done at a VW dealership EXACTLY when they are due. Spunky currently is coming up on 25000 miles. I drive him more "aggressively" than my wife does and we still keep the above average.