When you own a fuel efficient car, you tend to obsess over improving your fuel economy. During my five mile commute to work, I started to notice that my fuel economy would take a big hit when I took surface streets. Since there was heavy traffic in the morning, I'd average between 24-26 mpg, according to the fuel consumption indicator. Recently, I began taking the freeway to work. While this route actually backtracks part of the way and adds an extra mile to the commute, it's significantly increased my fuel economy.
This increase isn't just because I'm driving on the freeway. Los Angeles freeways are often as congested as surface streets. If traffic is light, I'll be moving between 45-50 mph. Driving on the freeway has also helped the engine reach optimal temperature faster, since the car is moving forward more consistently and not stopping as much.
In my last few days heading to work, I've averaged between 34-36 mpg. This translates roughly to a 40 percent increase in fuel economy. While this is still much lower than the highway EPA rating of 42 mpg, keep in mind that L.A. freeways bear little resemblance to open interstate highways. Still, I'm hoping that as the engine breaks in further I'll see better fuel economy numbers overall.
Here are a few stats on the fuel economy I've been averaging:
Best Tank: 38.1 mpg
Worst Tank: 31.7 mpg
Overall Average: 34 mpg
Ron Montoya, Consumer Advice Associate @ 3,400 miles.
By cruiserhead1
on June 16, 2010
10:10 AM
wow, that's still mighty impressive mileage.
Besides the mpg's, what are your overall impressions of driving a diesel Golf?
Compared to a gasser, how have you had to adjust to driving an oil burner?
By ne1butu2
on June 16, 2010
02:07 PM
I like the idea of clean diesels better than hybrids. They are much more "green" than a hybrid which carries around a 2nd drivetrain and 300lbs of extra batteries. Hopefully VW has done something about the stink.
By robert4380
on June 17, 2010
06:16 AM
I've always been intrigued by diesels, but when the mileage you're getting is only in the upper 30s that will never offset the extra cost of diesel fuel versus regular unleaded. Here in Michigan, at least, diesel is consistently about 30 to 40 cents higher a gallon than unleaded. That's not insignificant and should be considered.
By seppoboy
on June 17, 2010
07:28 AM
That particular driving pattern that you described fits a Prius or similar hybrid to a T, and is not optimal for a diesel. Diesel excels once the vehicle is warmed up and can run a little distance.
However, when on vacation in a densely-populated summer resort area, my Jetta TDI gets close to 50 mpg on short, five-to-ten mile drives at speeds up to 40mph, with a few exciting bursts up to 45mph just for thrills.
By cruiserhead1
on June 17, 2010
09:24 AM
for communting, that's pretty good mpg's for an oil burner.
As stated by seppoboy, the cruising mpg's for a diesel can be quite high. Depending on your driving style, it can be very cost effective.
By rm2008
on June 17, 2010
09:55 AM
-seppoboy
I agree that a hybrid may be better suited for my commute, but I prefer the way my TDI drives over a Prius. I'll gladly take the hit in mpgs over a more engaging drive.
-ne1butu2
This car doesn't stink anymore than a gasoline engine would.
-cruiserhead1
Other than filling it with diesel, I haven't had to make any adjustments. It drives like any other car. But since I'm trying to get the best fuel economy, I have notitced that I've been lighter on the gas pedal.
-Ron Montoya
By blueguydotcom
on June 17, 2010
10:07 AM
Boy your TDI gives me pangs of regret. I opted for the "safe" choice with a Mazda3. All of our German cars have been troublesome and I'd just lemoned a German car. Plus the 3's got a nice chassis. That said, after 7 month 90% freeway driving and mostly 75 MPH drives to work (I leave at 6 am), I'm getting 20 MPGs out of my 2010 Mazda3. I'd actually be saving about $700 a year on gas alone by going with the TDI (assuming 35 MPG). And I assume I'd drive it on the weekends as opposed to the Mazda which rarely is touched on weekends because my wife's A3 gets 25-26 MPG from combined driving and the engine is infinitely more refined, plus the transmission is on another plane.
By cruiserhead1
on June 17, 2010
01:44 PM
blueguydotcom,
with your type of driving, I would not be surprised if you regularly hit 50mpg in the TDI Golf.
Oh well at least you are enjoying the Audi.
Maybe you can sell the 3 to someone drinking the Mazda kool-aid and get a TDI
By blueguydotcom
on June 17, 2010
02:54 PM
Cruiser, 28 months on the lease and counting.
By firstwagon
on June 19, 2010
05:40 PM
Not sure how you could get 20 mpg in a Mazda3. Driven my sisters Mazda3 many times (2L and a 5 spd) and had no trouble beating 30 mpg.
As for comparing hybrids to diesels, it's apples and oranges.
Diesels excel on the hwy where they can cruise and where the pollution doesn't matter as much.
Hybrids excel in the city where they can double the mileage of a TDI. In a city crowded with cars stuck in traffic they put out far less pollution too.
Instead of assuming there is one solution for every problem, people should look at their needs and choose the car that suits it best.