Jetta TDI mileage

[RedRam1]

Any VW TDI owners out there? I need some advise.



Sooner or later I'm going to have to replace my 250K mile '90 Maxima SE commuter vehicle. Due to my 50 mile one way commute, I was considering a Jetta TDI.

My drive is 95% interstate highway, with average speeds in the 80 - 85mph range. I am curious as to the mileage I could expect from a VW TDI at these speeds. I'm not a speed demon, I live in the sticks arond 70 miles northwest of Atlanta GA, when I leave the house at 5AM on workday mornings, the traffic on the interstate is flowing in the mid 80mph range. I just get in line in the left hand lane, and go with the flow, 80mph plus all the way in. The afternoon is not quite the same story, I leave work at 4pm, but traffic still flows at around 70 - 75 mph barring any accidents, construction, etc.

Knowing how higher speeds knock the socks off the mileage on my CTD Ram, I was wondering if VW TDIs experience a similar drop in mileage at speed. Obviously mileage is going to suffer, but how much? My Maxima gets around 24mpg under these conditions. I know that a TDI would blow my old Nissan away on mileage at lower speeds, but am not sure how it would compare running at 80 plus.

Anyone have any high speed VW TDI mileage data? I'd hate to cough up the dough for a diesel commuter vehicle only to discover it did not deliver any better mileage under my circumstances.

 

[lschultz]

You will get better mileage. I would say at the most it would drop it into the high 40s. If I run my NB at 75 its in the high 40s and they are the most unaerodymic of the three. If you go over to FredsTDI I think you will find the answers there. But I think there are a few on here that have the Jetta so you will hear from them. So down a little bit and let them idiots fly on by.

 

[RedRam1]

Thanks, Isultz. I'll check out Fred's TDI & do some reading when I get the chance.

As far as pulling over & letting the idiots fly by, that's even more dangerous. On a typical early morning on my road, the right lane is moving at 75 or so (speed limit is 70), left lane is moving around 85. If you run any slower in either lane, you risk getting run over.

It actually works pretty well, most everyone behaves themselves, and it makes my commute much shorter timewise. Also, for my morning commute, I NEVER see any troopers, or local cops. You do see a few troopers running radar in the afternoon, but in 18 years, I have not seen any enforcement on my 5am run.

 

[therabbittree]

at thatose speeds you should be getting a min 40 mpg. . maybe up to 45 mpg. . my average is 48-49mpg and thats all mixed driving with our 2001 golf gl. . thats minus the muffler, egr, crankcase vent rerouted, and upsolute chip... . how that helps you

later

Deo

\x/ hillfolk!

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I beat the snot out of mine and go no less than 75 on the highway..... Plus I do a few ~115mph blasts on every tank.



I have seen no less than 43mpg (winter) and topped out at 52mpg (mild temps, no AC, 75mph all highway).



I average between 47-49mpg in the summer - that is 85% highway driving.



Moral of the story - I romp on mine and it still get's good mileage.



See my profile for modifications.



Matt

 

[PRush]

YES!!! ON THE VW TDI. I HAVE A 2001 NEW BEETLE TDI THAT I USE AS A MY COMMUTE VEHICLE FROM RURAL NW FL. TO OUR CORPORATE OFFICES IN HOUMA, LA. THE TRAVAEL TIME FOR THE 368 MILES HAS AVERAGED 5 HOURS. MY MPG HAS AVERAGED 45+ MPG. I-10 IN THE FAST LANE AT 85-90 NO STOPS FOR FUEL. YOU DO THE MATH AND I THINK YOU WILL COME UP WITH A 73+ MPH AVERAGE @ 45+ MPG. THE VW TDI IS AN AWESOME VEHICLE. HANDLES WELL, BRAKES WILL PULL YOUR EYEBALLS OUT OF SOCKET. 30,000 MILES AND ZERO PROBLEMS. RECOMMENDED.

YES, I LOVE MY 2003 HO 4X4 QUAD LARAMIE SHORT BED BUT SURE WISH I COULD GET THE FUEL MILEAGE OF THE VW TDI. I DID NOTICE THAT MY VW TDI COULDN'T STAY IN THE FAST LANE WITH MY 5TH WHEEL.



2003 HO, 4X4, QUAD, LARAMIE, AUTO, 3. 73, LSIP, RHINO OVER RAIL LINER, 7,000 MILES, AN INFANT.

 

[Futures1]

44 + ALL OF THE TIME !!

My 99. 5 A4 has over 100k and never got less than 44 mpg and as high as 52. Would have been higher except for the carbon/crank vent problem that the early A4's had. (My 91 averaged 43 MPG for 300 K without any major work).

Remember, the timing belt needs changing every 75 k or so. A $400. -$600. job if having it done.

Have the CV joints repacked about every 110k (Dealers plead ignorant about that) !!

Also. . if you plan to buy a used TDI, buy as late a year model as you can !! Use only Amsoil 3000 or Mobil delvac oil. . no need to change real often.

Keep the snow screen clean. Michelin all weather or rain tires work great & give superb milage on that veh. rotate every 10k.

As for speed, as fast as you want for as long as you want, it never gets hot !! Suggest the Valentine radar unit and least flashy color you can find ;o). NEVER add anything to the radiator other than VW's Autobahn Anti Freeze mixed w/ distilled water. Drain the fuel filter often & change it frequently !!

Any questions about the car... go to http://www.tdiclub.com BEFORE you go to the "dealer ??". In my experience, a certified VW TDI tech is one who has seen a tdi and can recognize that it is a diesel (



You are going to like this car !!



Dick S.

 

[robobx]

I drove my wifes '03 Jetta TDI from Charlotte, NC to N of Pittsburgh and never went below 70 until I hit PA. Most of the trip was at 80-85, drove straight through and got 49mpg



If you want something a little larger, wait till Jan '04, the Passat TDI is coming!!!

 

[Peter Campbell]

From NY I-84 to Pittsburg and back 792 miles, one tank ( Used the vent button to top it off at exit 1 on I-84 in New Jersey) aroun 52 MPG and I did not go light on the foot. 26,000 miles, no problems. You definitely do not need to go to some weird expensive proprietary hard to maintain hybrid from honda or toyota to get excellent mileage. It is all in this car with a normal diesel engine. And it is not a slug!

 

[VicR]

transmission?

I assume most of you are running 5 speeds to get this kind of mileage - I think the last time I looked at them the automatic dropped the mileage considerably.



-Vic

 

[pdolan]

RedRam & Vic:



We have an '03 Variant (Jetta wagon) with 5 spd and it too gets mid-to-high 40s US in mixed fast commute. Summer is usually 600+ miles on a tank (vented), much better with more highway. These things have great aerodynmics, so don't hurt until over 140 kph (86 mph). Can get nearly the same mileage on old TD, but must slow down. Wouldn't have the slushbox unless all city.



Pat

 

[robobx]

Originally posted by Peter Campbell

( Used the vent button to top it off at exit 1 on I-84 in New Jersey)

save yourself alot of time and do the 10 minute(at most)ventectomy





yes 5 spd

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by HoleshotHolset





Moral of the story - I romp on mine and it still get's good mileage.



See my profile for modifications.



Matt

Vouching for the rompage! #ad

 

[FATCAT]

Go for a Jetta TDI 5-speed wagon

From NH to NJ to see the folks, had 300. 7 miles on the trip odometer and filled up for $7. 75 @ $1. 359/gal = 52. 72 MPG.



And that was with the windows open for half way adn the A/C on the other half. Driving between 65 and 80 MPH.



I never get less than 49 MPG.



Fantastic little car ... and very fast especilly up hills where the torque leaves the little Civics and Corrolas in the dust.

 

[RedRam1]

Thanks, for all the advise/reply's. Sounds like some version of a V-dub TDI is exactly what I need for my 100 mile daily commute. I probably won't be in the market until I wear out my current commuter vehicle ('90 maxima). My Maxima has around 250K miles, it still runs great, uses no oil, R-12 A/C still blows cold, it even still looks good, the black factory paint still shines up like new. Maybe by the time it gives up the ghost, or starts to nickle and dime me too much I will be able to pick up a clean low mileage TDI. Even though I would save in fuel costs, it probably does not make sense for me to trade at this time, the old Maxima would not bring over 2K or so due to age and mileage, may as well use it up before looking for a TDI.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Ventectomy question....

robobx: How do you take it out without it falling down into the tank via the fill tube?



Matt

 

[pdolan]

Go to FAQs at tdiclub.com for Ventectomy

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I should have known....tdiclub.com.....

DER!



Thanks for the info...



Matt

 

[LightmanE300]

Holeshot, here's all you need for the ventectomy. 5 minutes at most. It's great.



Ventectomy Pictorial

 

[Eric Kahn]

I am the low MPG person of this group, I average about 42 MPG in mixed driving in my 2002 NB TDI, run the AC alot and have no mods whatsoever, No one around Cincinnati does the pump timing that I have found, not up to doing it myself