B7 Passat V6 Fuel Economy

[MJW]

Hi All

I have clocked up about 1,300 klms on my new Passat wagon & noticed that unless I am really gentle the fuel economy can be quite high 14-18l/100klms. My curretn tank is hiovering around 12.1l/100klms. Now don't get me wrong, my previous cars are all performance orientated & fuel consumption is a lower priority. Having said that, my car is supposed to get a combined fuel economy of 9.5l/100klms. I do about 85 klms per day of which approx half is on freeway (Eastern) which does tend to have a little start/stop traffic.

Is my current rate of consumption expected to improve? Should I be running the engine in in any particular manner? I drove it quite calmly for the first 1,000 klms but am starting to open it up now & allowing more engine braking etc.

Any comments & advice is most appreciated.

Thanks

[popeclement]

These engines don't really require breaking in. I drove my V6 Bora from new in 2001 the way I normally would - good sharp acceleration, high speed runs and from then till today the consumption is constant at 11.5. i don't think you will get a lot better. Out of interest I have only ever used BP Ultimate 98 and recently shell V Power also 98 which has contributed to good all round performance. I have just clicked over 180,000.

John

[h100vw]

I reckon that will get better but not by a great deal. There's a thread about the consumption being high on Golf Rs but that seems to settle down with time. The engine will be tight still but really doesn't need running in like in the olden days.....

My 240000 km 8L S3 is doing 8.1 l/100 on my commute to work. Which I am quite happy about. I couldn't imagine putting petrol in at twice the rate.

Gavin

These engines don't really require breaking in. I drove my V6 Bora from new in 2001 the way I normally would - good sharp acceleration, high speed runs and from then till today the consumption is constant at 11.5. i don't think you will get a lot better. Out of interest I have only ever used BP Ultimate 98 and recently shell V Power also 98 which has contributed to good all round performance. I have just clicked over 180,000.

John

[Riker]

G'day MJW....

My B7 V6 wagon has just clicked over 2500kms & the current economy is 13.1l/100km. It does fluctuate quite alot though as last week I noticed it was 24.2l/100km, don't know how that happened......... Averaged out it would be about 14-16l/100km.

Lets be realistic, the claimed official combined fuel economy figure of 9.5l/100km is a dream. We don't buy these V6 passats with the awesome R36 engine with a veiw to getting great fuel economy figures, you'll just do your head in trying....

[MJW]

Thanks John. I always run mine on Mobil 98 oct but defintiely noticed improvement between my first tank & now. I do get what you are saying re the running in as others have said the same but equally I hear the the 3.6l V6 does consume some oil until it is bedded in. I suppose I will just see what happens.

Goes well though.

---------- Post added at 12:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 PM ----------

Great so I can start putting the foot down then?

---------- Post added at 12:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:05 PM ----------

I agree. Otherwise I would have bought a TDI. The funny thing is thought that my 3 previous cars (Mazda 6 MPS, Mini Cooper S, WRX) all consumed fuel at the rate noted by the manufacturer. Now that you have done 2,500 klms are you comfortable to take the car to redline?

[FSI 220]

Now that you have done 2,500 klms are you comfortable to take the car to redline?

It kinda redlines itself dunnit? and that is just in D fer Drag... stick it in S fer Supersprint ... actually I havent done that yet...

mine is still tight and doing 13's... on my commute Our kluger does 16's (11 combined) my wifes old corolla would do 9.5 to 10 (6 and a bit combined) so I am happy... My old comparable performance cars were all much worse.

[Diesel_vert]

Keep in mind that the official figures are meant to be used to compare the rate of fuel consumption with other vehicles, irrespective of segment. They can't (and aren't meant to) predict what one particular driver will get on their particular route or journey.

But having said that, the "Urban" consumption figure is much closer to what you should expect to achieve driving around the city, suburbs and surrounds (when driven sensibly).

The "Combined" figure is more relevant for those who drive in regional areas and/or very long distances.

Basically, any situation that requires you to constantly accelerate back to speed (tootling around the CBD/suburbs, stop-start traffic, stop signs, red lights, racing) will eventually cause the average fuel consumption to sky-rocket.


And a 3.6 V6 petrol bolted to a heavy chassis with 4WD? Forget it - 'twas a lost cause the moment you took the keys. What else did you expect from a 1700+ kg vehicle that can do 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds? (Bloody quick I might add!).

[eyelevel]

I've got a 2011 V6 CC (rated at 10.6 l/100km) with 11k on the clock and do a very similar run Eastern freeway from Belgrave to Burwood hwy to Chandler to Fairfield. About 85kms. MFD says 10.2 L/100. The real result by km done and fuel put in tank works out at 10.9 l/100. Getting typically 560km to a tank. Seems better than what u guys are getting, but I was used to a Mk6 GTI whcih was giving me 8.2 l/100 on the same run. So maybe there is some chance it will improve as it loosens up.

[MJW]

You make some valid points. The car feels like it is starting to loosen up now & I am more comfortable revving it out more. VW Sth Yarra have told me that they highly recommend NOT to change the oil at the 7,500 klm 1st service. My concern is that this is just "running in" oil that may not be ideal for high revving. Any thoughts?

---------- Post added at 11:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 AM ----------

Thanks. Your CC is probably the best comparison for my car as I think the ratios etc & all mechanicals are exactly the same. I will keep an eye on it & post back over the next few '000 klms. BTW, the CC was my pick but was talked out of it by my wife & kids.

[ScottyP]

I'm lucky to get 400 out of a tank in my MY10 CC. Granted, I drive mainly in the city (Sydney). After 22,000 the trip meter shows 12.3l average. A few trips to Melbourne have brought the average down a fair bit. On the freeway I get about 8.5 to 9l. In the city, forget it! I've even taken to switching the car off at lights

If ever I feel bad about the fuel consumption, I turn off the radio, open the windows and squeeze the go pedal! The glorious sounds makes up for it.

[Riker]

Spot on mate......

If driving on the freeway for the most part them clearly more Km's will be gained out of a tank. From what I can see here we V6 drivers have reasonably similar numbers dependant on where we drive. I did a trip up to Nelson Bay 2 weeks ago & the consumption was down to 8.8l/100km. Most of my driving is around town so I am not under any illusions about the actual figures I get, but as you say Scotty simply winding down the window or roof & hitting the loud pedal makes up for it big time......

I'm lucky to get 400 out of a tank in my MY10 CC. Granted, I drive mainly in the city (Sydney). After 22,000 the trip meter shows 12.3l average. A few trips to Melbourne have brought the average down a fair bit. On the freeway I get about 8.5 to 9l. In the city, forget it! I've even taken to switching the car off at lights

If ever I feel bad about the fuel consumption, I turn off the radio, open the windows and squeeze the go pedal! The glorious sounds makes up for it.

[MJW]

I agree with you there. The sound of the V6 is addictive.

[MJW]

Hi All,
Just as a FYI I drove from Melbourne to Albury & back last weekend which was approximately 700klms round trip. I got economy of 10.2 l/100klms on the way up & 8.9 l/100klms on the way back. All weight & driving was identical except the temperature on the way up was mostly around 37 deg & on the way back around 29 deg.

[ai882]

Hi Guys

I drive on the Hume hwy between Wollongong and the Southern Highlands daily (150 km round trip).

On average, my work route uses 7.5-8.5L/100km and overall, including other day to day driving and weekend driving, I get on average 700km to the tank.

Maybe give it some time and hopefully it will settle sown for you.

[MJW]

And you definitely have the 3.6l V6 not the older 3.2l V6? I did a stint from Melb to Albury & back which is about 700 klms round trip & got high 8's at best but even that took quite a bit of driving to get down to that mark.

Hi Guys

I drive on the Hume hwy between Wollongong and the Southern Highlands daily (150 km round trip).

On average, my work route uses 7.5-8.5L/100km and overall, including other day to day driving and weekend driving, I get on average 700km to the tank.

Maybe give it some time and hopefully it will settle sown for you.