MPG question (again sorry)

[missis "b"]

first of all i'd like to say hi as i am a new member

we recently purchased an 06 beetle convertable with the 5 spd trans, we bougth it as a cheaper meens of transport to and from work but our gas milage has been a little dissapointing to say the least, on a recent 600 interstate run travelling at 75mph we got 21.9mpg and out regular local usage nets about 20mpg the car has 15,000 miles on it and the air filter is clean, we had been lurking here to learn about the beetles and from what we read we were hoping for an average of maybe 25mpg as our journy to work is half mile to the interstate 10 miles on interstate then half mile off it every day,

we have the car booked into our local dealer as the air bag light has come on and we have asked them to also check for anything that might be hurtin the gas milage but has anybody here ever had the same problems?

[redoodlebug]

First off, congratulations on your NB. As you have probably noticed, there seems to be much debate about gas mileage hear on the org, with some good, and some bad results.

Looks like I'm just south of you, in McDonough. I commute daily into Macon for work, so mostly interstate driving on my 07. It has just over 10k miles, and I consistently get 30-32 mpg, traveling between 70-75mph. So I would say I am one thats very happy with the mileage my NB is getting.

[callisto9]

The MPG you can get on the New Beetle varies a lot and depends on many things. For one, try slowing down on the interstate (65mph) - that improved my mpg by 3. Also, check the air filter, spark plugs and oxygen sensor.

Other things to think about:
* Are you running the A/C?
* Do you have anything heavy in the car (including people!)?
* Tire pressure? Have you checked it lately?

That seems a little on the low side, but many people here get that for mpg. I get 25mpg in the city and can't seem to break 28mpg on the interstate cruising at 65mph.

[missis "b"]

we know all about "claimed" milage results as we also own a TDI jetta wagon and some people claim 50 60 and more per gallon but its just not realistic to drive on the interstate at 55mph when we drive we drive to get there, VW EPA figure of 28mpg makes us think we should be gettin 25mph even with AC and the roof down, tires are at 40psi front and 44 rear, i wonder if the roof bein down is not helping but 20mpg!!!!

[LadybugEwa]

you'll always have more turbulence with the roof down, increasing the drag coefficient
this means your car needs more fuel to cut through the air

55MPH might be unrealistic, but going from 75 to 62MPH on the highway made a big difference in my case

Welcome to the org BTW

[brycastillo]

just stay below 3000 rpm, you'll get good mileage, as long there are no engine, mechanical or technical issues on your beetle.

I get 30 MPG on highway and chicago freeway traffic. i ran at 70mph, rpm is at around 2100-2200. i dunno about a manual.

[FlwrPwer]

I get 26-27 mpg on my automatic 07 convertible. I feel it should be getting slightly better mileage. The speed limit here is 55-65 and I always stay at the speed limit. NY tickets are yucky. My 04 1.8t got HORRIBLE mileage averaging what you're getting.

[callisto9]

I just filled up tonight. All in-town driving. 26.7mpg. Slight improvement for me as I usually get 25mpg in town. Not the best, but I'll take it. What's nice is one tank of fuel lasted me 2.5 weeks. Take that gas prices!

[hillbilly4u]

I have heard and read here and at Vortex that the Vert's were heavier. I'm getting 28 to 32 in a hardtop and my buddy that has a Vert gets 23 to 25 in the same area. Weight may be the culprit.

[missis "b"]

Originally Posted by hillbilly4u

I have heard and read here and at Vortex that the Vert's were heavier. I'm getting 28 to 32 in a hardtop and my buddy that has a Vert gets 23 to 25 in the same area. Weight may be the culprit.

vw claim the same MPG for the convertable and the hard top so i cant imagine its that! anyway its goin to the dealer in the morning for a check up!

[hadda61beetle]

I've got an '07 NBC, but it's still being broken in as I have under 4000 miles on it. I too have noticed that combined use in city and highway, I'm making a bit over 29 mpg.

Since the fuel prices have risen, I've actually been doing the speed limit, which in itself "improves" greatly on the fuel economy. My guess is the weight of the convertible...all those damn motors for the top, however you state you have a manual tranny, then you would not have the added weight of the "slush box."

I would "try" first to check the pressure in the tires as well as slowing down to the speed limit...oops...that may very well be the speed limit, well then try going 65 mph instead. Using the a/c with the top up is NOT going to cause the engine to burn that much more fuel.

Well let us all know what the dealer comes up with.

Jer

[Danbike]

Just turned 9000 miles on a 2007 convertible. In town, no air, 28mpg. On the open road at a steady 65mph, I have gotten as high as 35mpg. Problem is that the car is so much fun to drive, I don't get to do much steady 65. PS>>Real transmission, no slush box.

[FlwrPwer]

Originally Posted by Danbike

Just turned 9000 miles on a 2007 convertible. In town, no air, 28mpg. On the open road at a steady 65mph, I have gotten as high as 35mpg. Problem is that the car is so much fun to drive, I don't get to do much steady 65. PS>>Real transmission, no slush box.

I'm sorry, but I don't buy the 35 mpg. I go a steady 65 as the speed in NY is usually 55 and I cant break 27 mpg. This was also true of my last beetle which was a stick.

I'm sorry, but you have to be doing something else or your math is off.

[moofpup]

I have the same car...06 NBC 5 speed. I have 16000 miles on the engine and I get 27 in the City and 32 on the highway. I drive conservatively and agree with keeping it at or under 3000rpm for the best mileage. 21.9 sounds like a problem!

[missis "b"]

last tankfull keeping it under 3k tires at 40psi front and 44 psi rear resulted in 22.9mpg and the dealer tells us there is nothing wrong with it, remember altho i agree about the weight diference VW claims the same figures for the rag top as they do for the hard top!

im guessin we just got a bad one

[Danbike]

Sorry, but it is spot on the money. Before I bought my current Subaru, I had a Mercury Marauder with the CobraJet Mustang drive train. By being careful and using the cruise control on the highway, I managed to get 28mpg on the open road. Just one issue, driving a Marauder that slow was not fun. One day, I'm going to use the cruise control to hold the VW to 55 and see what we can get.

Perhaps you might want to try driving a bit slower.

Originally Posted by FlwrPwer

I'm sorry, but I don't buy the 35 mpg. I go a steady 65 as the speed in NY is usually 55 and I cant break 27 mpg. This was also true of my last beetle which was a stick.

I'm sorry, but you have to be doing something else or your math is off.

[FlwrPwer]

Now, people I've talked to have told me that the cruise control eats mpg causing it to be less.

drive slower? you and i are going the same speed....so why is it good for you and not for me?

[missis "b"]

i think a few peeps are mising the point VW claims28mpg at 80 mph with the AC on so why if we drive at 70mph should we be gettin any less and why would drivin even slower make it more like EPA figures

[redoodlebug]

Originally Posted by missis "b"

i think a few peeps are mising the point VW claims28mpg at 80 mph with the AC on so why if we drive at 70mph should we be gettin any less and why would drivin even slower make it more like EPA figures

If you look through all the threads here on the ORG concerning fuel mileage, it does appear to be a subject with many variations and results. My dealership told me at the time of purchase he had heard of some case as high as 35-38 mpg. I've been very pleased with the 30-32 mpg I am currently getting because I realize many are not as lucky.

[07harvestmoon88]

I'm one of the lucky ones with 38 mpg!