Fuel Consumption MK5 GTI

[pat_ballam08]

Hey guys,

I have recently noticed my fuel consumption has been, well, worse than expected lately. I am not driving with a particular heavy foot or anything, just the occasional spurt every now and then.

When I first purchased the car and filled up with a full tank, the range would say I have around 550ish k's. I was getting on average between 450-480k's per tank (no highway).

Over the last few tanks I have noticed the range when full drop and also the amount of K's i get out of a tank. I filled up yesterday and it reads 470km's range, I only got 380k's out of the previous tank.

Basically I am asking is this normal? It will be getting a service after the christmas break, just wondering if anyone else gets this sort of mileage and I am worrying about nothing? Not sure I have been 100% clear on what I mean, any responses would be great.

(Only mod is a Forge Twintake, done not long after purchase, car has around 75K on the clock)

Thanks,
Pat

[jessv3]

What type of trips are you doing per tank? If you are only do short trips then 380k per tank is not that bad, I live 2.7kms from work, If I only travel too and from work during an entire tank I will get about 380-400kms per tank. However if I am working in another office even in heavy city traffic but further away from my home I can get about 500kms per tank. Obviously the reason for this is your car runs rich during warm up and is not getting a chance to be warm long enough to bring your consumption down.

[BMGTI]

When I fill up, the display tells me I have 680-700km range. While I don't drive in traffic too much, my avg consumption is still 8-8.1L/100km.

[Tom87]

Hi Pat, also keep in mind that going by the figures this is apparently the hottest summer we've had in Brisbane since 2001. This would not be helping your fuel economy.

Were your spark plugs and air filter changed at the 60,000km service?

[pat_ballam08]

I do live only 4.6km from work, so I guess that wouldn't really help. Plus the heat, I guess it's not all that bad considering. Was just curious if other people had similar consumption. I guess I'm not the only one

[poyta]

You need work out if you're still doing the same type of driving and in the same weather conditions first - if its the same and there's a noticeable decrease in mileage out of the tank then it could be a problem - my car too has become worse in terms of fuel consumption but I can blame this on a re-flash, heavier wheels, heavier brakes ect. I also suspect that the intercooler will be getting clogged up with oil by now and reducing its efficiency and no doubt my EGR valve and intake is getting clogged too - all things that will increase fuel consumption.

[jessv3]

I do live only 4.6km from work,

There is your answer, I am in the same boat and its a little worrying to think what those short trips are doing to the engine long term. Lucky for me I travel around a bit for work so occasionally get the car out on the open road.

[pat_ballam08]

You need work out if you're still doing the same type of driving and in the same weather conditions first - if its the same and there's a noticeable decrease in mileage out of the tank then it could be a problem - my car too has become worse in terms of fuel consumption but I can blame this on a re-flash, heavier wheels, heavier brakes ect. I also suspect that the intercooler will be getting clogged up with oil by now and reducing its efficiency and no doubt my EGR valve and intake is getting clogged too - all things that will increase fuel consumption.

Same type of driving, although it has obviously gotten hotter since I purchased the car in March.

There is your answer, I am in the same boat and its a little worrying to think what those short trips are doing to the engine long term. Lucky for me I travel around a bit for work so occasionally get the car out on the open road.

Yeah it can't be great for it. Although every time me and some friends go to the beach or what ever I volunteer to drive. 1. Because some of my friends are horrible drivers 2. Because I like my car and enjoy driving it and 3. I only just realised it's a good idea so that I give my car a bit of a run while its warm

[lankfert]

Could be a potential boost leak. I would check DV, PCV and hoses etc.

[bennjamin]

city driving is a MAJOR influence into worsened fuel economy. I drive approx. 10kms to work and same back again - i average about 400-450 max around town....with little or no fun stuff just lugging about 2-5000rpm.

to drop your fuel economy you need as little load on the engine and as little rpm as possible

[bmw23]

When I fill up computer tells me 610ks till empty..I live 2kms from work I drive my car moderately hard WOT every trip expect to and from work when the cars still cold. I only drive around towns gym back shops etc.. Use launch control once a week .. I average 8-10L on the computer and get around 550-620 per tank cars done 215,000ks stock standard tyres are on 38psi

[poyta]

you're not listening to the guy, he's not changed his driving habit so no use blaming it on his short trips - he was doing short trips from the start and is now finding the fuel consumption is worse so something else is causing it.

[oas]

average about 11.0L/100km
work about 12km from home, but in perth traffic, takes around 35mins
can see my avg fuel consumption increasing everytime i'm stuck in grid lock / traffic lights

can't rely on my fuel remaining display
when I fill up it usually displays 560km, but never been able to get anywhere near that

[daveaus]

I am getting about 12.5L / 100km. Something isn't right.. these cars are listed as combined rating of 8. I did a 100km trip at highway speeds and only got 8. I had a WRX which was listed as 10 but I averaged 12. Is there a way to check if the car has been tuned?

[neil]

Would not rely on the fuel indicator distance till empty to much.
It can also be way out by how you have been driving just before you fill up.
If I fill up at the end of the Newcastle Sydney freeway after the big dipper
the display will indicate I have 1200+km till empty but if Im around town and
fill I normally get around anything from 900-1000km

So have you changed were you have been filling up lately or coming from a different direction.

jetta tdi