Fuel Consumption 125kW TDI

[vanDub]

My consumption is getting slightly worse. Now that she is run in and freed up I am using the torque more and more (because I love it). Can't comment on highway runs as the only one we do is Townsville to the Atherton Tablelands to see the grandkids. I have too much fun up the Palmerston, a fair climb and twisty, as I actually go faster / harder than on the flat.

Whats more, the consumption on my Camry V6 has got lots worse as I put the boot in to try to get it to perform like the Passat (and it still doesn't).

[passatpout]

Next thing - does anyone know roughly what tank level the low fuel warning activates at? I've noticed some "creep" in mine, in that when I first bought the car the low fuel warning came on, I refuelled pretty much straight away and it took around 62.5l to refill. In two straight tanks, one was 62.50l, the next was 62.70l. Now when I fill up, with the tank warning on, and it's taken under 60l to refuel.

On the current tank, I'd done about 920km with the MFD stating consumption at 6.0l/100km, when the warning came on (so by that it's used roughly 55l). I know there's some inaccuracies with the MFD and it's usually a bit optimistic on the consumption level, but that works out at roughly 10% of the tank, which is about 100-120km worth of fuel. Even if true consumption has been 6.2l/100km, then total fuel used is around 57l - so still a reasonable difference from the ~62l when the car was first delivered.

I don't mind when the warning comes on (either for having used 55l or 62l), but it's a bit disconcerting if it's not consistent with the level when it activates. At least it's going into fail safe mode - telling me there's no fuel when there really is.

Could it be a calibration issue or a (slow) fuel leak? I can pretty much rule out thermal expansion/contraction - on a full tank, the difference between 20 degrees and 45 degrees works out to be about 1l, and the ambient temperature has been similar from when I refuelled to when the alarm went off.

[richdave]

IIRC, The fuel warning comes on at 80km to empty... that is based on historical fuel usage so the amount of fuel in the tank may vary depending on the driving...

That said, I had my Fuel sender replace due to erratic "full" readings....

[gregozedobe]

Next thing - does anyone know roughly what tank level the low fuel warning activates at? I've noticed some "creep" in mine, in that when I first bought the car the low fuel warning came on, I refuelled pretty much straight away and it took around 62.5l to refill. In two straight tanks, one was 62.50l, the next was 62.70l. Now when I fill up, with the tank warning on, and it's taken under 60l to refuel.

Could it be a calibration issue or a (slow) fuel leak? I can pretty much rule out thermal expansion/contraction - on a full tank, the difference between 20 degrees and 45 degrees works out to be about 1l, and the ambient temperature has been similar from when I refuelled to when the alarm went off.

I can think of some explanations :

1 Diesel bowser inaccurate (it does happen, and when it does it always seems to be in the fuel companies favour ) I try to fill up from the same bowser at the same place each time.

2 You aren't completely filling it every time. Some diesels foam more than others, and my Transporter seems to get a foam "lock" sometimes, which stops me from properly filling it. If I slow down the flow for the last 10 litres it seems to be better, and sometimes (if I feel energetic) I rock the van to "burp" it (yes, just like a baby). If it gives a gurgling sound I can usually put in another 3-4 litres (if I go slowly).

3 The low fuel light is sensitive to slope, so it may come on at different fuel levels depending on whether you are going uphill or down.

[drbass]

Hmm, mine always comes on at 100 kms left - like clockwork.

Have to say, passatpout, your economy figures are impressive. However, your driving pattern seems to consist of (mostly) long runs (yes, you mention some peakhour traffic etc.) which is absolutely where the car excels.

Long runs (>50 kms at fairly constant speed) are bad if I don't see a 5.x. As soon as I'm in my daily commute I'll have to be happy with 7.x. It's all the stop-start stuff.

Which brings me to the DSG. Yes, there's a thread for that but mine's really gotten worse over the last few weeks, at one stage seemingly going into S mode (upshifting only at high revs, even when in manual) - freaked me out. Car's booked in for 30 k service next Friday, already indicated that the box is not how it should be.

Anyway, looking forward to the GP on Sunday (will take my 11-year-old son), and almost more excited about The Who!!!

Seeya,
Michael

[passatpout]

I can think of some explanations :

1 Diesel bowser inaccurate (it does happen, and when it does it always seems to be in the fuel companies favour ) I try to fill up from the same bowser at the same place each time.

There's only a few garages I normally use, the exceptions being when I've been on long trips. I haven't gone back over my fuel receipts, but I've only ever bought from Mobil or BP.

2 You aren't completely filling it every time. Some diesels foam more than others, and my Transporter seems to get a foam "lock" sometimes, which stops me from properly filling it. If I slow down the flow for the last 10 litres it seems to be better, and sometimes (if I feel energetic) I rock the van to "burp" it (yes, just like a baby). If it gives a gurgling sound I can usually put in another 3-4 litres (if I go slowly).

I had noticed this, and do the same sort of thing to slow the fill (I miss filling trucks now, at least you can see the level in the tank on them). Sometimes when I've filled, it's come right to the full mark, other times it's only come up to the 15/16ths mark.

3 The low fuel light is sensitive to slope, so it may come on at different fuel levels depending on whether you are going uphill or down.

Usually comes on on level straight roads.

Even with this tank, I've filled it up on Saturday, and drove from Altona to Officer and return, with the MFD showing 5.3l/100km average (including the West Gate/Monash roadworks, and avoiding CityLink so going down Power St/Toorak Road). Last night, with a bit more around the burbs driving, it was up to 5.7l/100km for about 280km travelled - so by that it should have consumed about 16l - yet the fuel gauge was down below the 3/4 mark, so by that it's used more like 20l-22l.

Hmm, mine always comes on at 100 kms left - like clockwork.

Come to think of it, mine's only ever come on with 80-110km left. Last tank I drove for 80km after the light came on, and still only put 63.4l into it for 1002km. Could have squeezed another 80km out of it easily, especially considering where I drove after that, but then it's not a good thing to run a diesel dry.

Have to say, passatpout, your economy figures are impressive. However, your driving pattern seems to consist of (mostly) long runs (yes, you mention some peakhour traffic etc.) which is absolutely where the car excels.

Long runs (>50 kms at fairly constant speed) are bad if I don't see a 5.x. As soon as I'm in my daily commute I'll have to be happy with 7.x. It's all the stop-start stuff.

I chose the car since I knew it would suit the type of driving I do. However, in the last few tanks I've done more around-town driving, in the city and suburbs, than normal, plus done some boat towing, yet the economy is still getting better.

Which brings me to the DSG. Yes, there's a thread for that but mine's really gotten worse over the last few weeks, at one stage seemingly going into S mode (upshifting only at high revs, even when in manual) - freaked me out. Car's booked in for 30 k service next Friday, already indicated that the box is not how it should be.

Good luck getting it sorted. Be persistent, take the dealer guys for a drive, show them, repeat if necessary, etc. Even better, keep a note of what it's doing and give them something in writing - it's a bit harder for them to ignore if you give them a nicely detailed description.

Anyway, looking forward to the GP on Sunday (will take my 11-year-old son), and almost more excited about The Who!!!

Appropriate sponsor for the team who won.. bet Honda's spewing now..

[richdave]

My fuel usage has started to trend up from a rock solid average of 7.4 to 7.5 lt/100km... Better stop the wife driving the car me thinks

[passatpout]

My fuel usage has started to trend up from a rock solid average of 7.4 to 7.5 lt/100km... Better stop the wife driving the car me thinks

Ah, you and me both.. at least she uses the cruise control in my car, which is better than the on-off style she normally has when driving hers..

Current tank sitting on 5.9l/100km, trip from Sunbury to Altona this morning via Rockbank (avoiding the Western Ring Carpark), showing 5.2 on arrival.

[tryingavw]

My fuel usage has started to trend up from a rock solid average of 7.4 to 7.5 lt/100km... Better stop the wife driving the car me thinks

i have the opposite problem- now i have to officially ask permission for a spurt- if i dont i get a hard time. next shell be watching the odometer.

we did buy the wagon so we could share the utility of it!

[passatpout]

i have the opposite problem- now i have to officially ask permission for a spurt- if i dont i get a hard time. next shell be watching the odometer.

we did buy the wagon so we could share the utility of it!

We bought ours in anticipation of needing room for prams, cots, etc. I learnt from watching my brother bring up 2 kids 2 years apart with nothing bigger than a Barina. Now that the next generation is confirmed, she's already said that once Junior arrives she'll be using my car for everything and I'll get hers. I'm tipping by about September I'll be needing to ask permission, hence why I'm looking at Eos options for a toy...

[drbass]

With all the R36 drivers showing off their new toys and raving about performance it's time to talk fuel economy and diesel !!

Drove up to Canberra Sunday and back Monday, just didn't make it on one tank. Ended up filling up at the BP servo just before the Wallan exit on the Hume, 10 km to empty according to the computer, 68.6 l, 1250-odd kms.

My Electronic Friend indicated 5.3/100, calculated I got 5.46. Best result yet, lifetime average now 6.85.

On the trip up I stuck to the speed limit, and that ruined the "one tank" hope. Tried to squeeze a bit more out of it on the way back, max. 100. Didn't actually add that much more to the driving time - I guess there's a lot of psychology in that.

Anyway, there appears to be a slight downward trend in general, let's hope it continues.

Happy driving, and enjoy your 36s!!!

Seeya,
Michael

[passatpout]

With all the R36 drivers showing off their new toys and raving about performance it's time to talk fuel economy and diesel !!

Drove up to Canberra Sunday and back Monday, just didn't make it on one tank. Ended up filling up at the BP servo just before the Wallan exit on the Hume, 10 km to empty according to the computer, 68.6 l, 1250-odd kms.

My Electronic Friend indicated 5.3/100, calculated I got 5.46. Best result yet, lifetime average now 6.85.

On the trip up I stuck to the speed limit, and that ruined the "one tank" hope. Tried to squeeze a bit more out of it on the way back, max. 100. Didn't actually add that much more to the driving time - I guess there's a lot of psychology in that.

Anyway, there appears to be a slight downward trend in general, let's hope it continues.

Happy driving, and enjoy your 36s!!!

Seeya,
Michael

OK, here's for my next boast about economy..

Drove from Melbourne to Newcastle and back, leaving on Thursday and returning today (actually about an hour ago). Up there, we did about 150km of driving around Newcastle.

I filled up at Euroa on the northbound trip, using the truck fast-fill pump. This must have been a lower quality fuel than the car bowsers, since the economy on the trip north (cruising at 115km/h indicated, 109km/h by GPS and VicRoads indicators in Victoria, then up to 120km/h indicated and 114km/h by GPS in NSW) was 5.9l/100km. This matched exactly with the figures when I refuelled at Beresfield for the trip back (1049km for 61.86l). The route was on the Hume, up the M5/M5 East to the Princes Hwy, then into Sydney (Enmore), over the bridge into Friday night's peak hour traffic up the Pacific Hwy, then onto the F3 to Newcastle.

For the trip back, I filled up at Beresfield, then straight onto the F3, through Sydney, over the bridge, and into the M5 East carpark. From there, straight down the Hume to Goulburn, before stopping in Gundagai for the night. Gundagai to Melbourne via Albury today (although I used the bypass as much as possible). I sat on 115km/h indicated, 109km/h by GPS, all the way, except for roadworks, and lower limited areas. As of tonight, there's 1042km, the low fuel warning hasn't come on yet, and it's showing about 150km to empty. I was trying to get to 1200km from the tank, but now being back in Melbourne and going around the city, don't think it'll happen. It was showing 5.1l/100km to Gundagai, but climbing over the ranges through Seymour and going through some outer-Melbourne traffic this afternoon saw it nudge up to 5.5..

For what it's worth, the last 2 fills worked out at exactly the same price - $79.12.

Will see what it does when I fill it up in the next day or 2..

[apom]

With all the R36 drivers showing off their new toys and raving about performance it's time to talk fuel economy and diesel !!

Happy driving, and enjoy your 36s!!!

Seeya,
Michael

We will, dont forget your cardi!

[Rocket36]

People care what fuel costs? *yawn* I didn't realise..... Could be $3 a litre for all I care.

I will enjoy my R36 (and my V8, and my 1349 bike!). Thanks! hehe I don't own a cardie either apom.

[drbass]

Yep, always find it difficult which one to choose:
The light brown one, or the grey one with the "leather" elbow patches ... .

For all you care about fuel prices, Rocket36, I care half of that again (or even less).

Just because the TDI is economical doesn't mean it's not fun. OK, it's not that quick off the line, and the all-wheel-drive would be handy occasionally (and I'm totally envious of the seats!!).
Having said that there's still 350 Nm to be had, and they provide plenty of enjoyment. PLENTY of roll-on acceleration. Plenty of cornering grip. Pretty good handling. You get the idea.

I discuss fuel economy (not fuel prices) because I can, and enjoy my car daily with a grin on my face.

While we may have different approaches to enjoyment, there's one thing we have in common: No cardies

Seeya,
Michael