Forum Discussion

msmith1199's avatar
msmith1199
Explorer II
Mar 10, 2014

VW Jetta TDI

About a month ago I bought a VW Jetta TDI Sportwagon. The window sticker says 29 mpg City and 39 mpg highway. I had done a lot of research and saw Internet claims of people getting way better fuel mileage than what the sticker was reporting. After driving it for a month I can say all these claims of better mileage are true. I do about 40% city and 60% freeway on the average tank and the VW gets about 44 mpg doing that. I've gone out on the freeway several times and set the cruise control at 65 and reset the MPG computer and over about 100 mile stretches I've got close to 50mpg on average. Even driving in the city at speeds of 35 and below I've reset the mpg computer and it still seems to do about 35 mpg as long as you keep your foot out of the accelerator. On the freeway even at 75 it's doing about 43 mpg.

I normally tow my Dodge Durango 4 down, but I'm thinking about finding a tow dolly so I can make the VW my main toad on trips where I don't need the 4x4. The sportwagon has the comforts and cargo space of a small SUV too which makes it very nice. I highly recommend it for anybody looking for a good toad to tow with a dolly. It is front wheel drive.
  • Johnny_G1's avatar
    Johnny_G1
    Explorer
    Mar 11, 2014
    Is your vw an automatic or standard, don't rely on the computer gauge, fill it up drive it 500 miles and then check and see how much fuel you have used, our 2013 wagon over 1 yr.has an average of 48 mpg for 10,000 miles or 16000 kilometre's and that is a canadian gallon 4.54 litres and mostly hwy driving 75 miles each way.We keep meticules check on the car and dealer says it should be getting 60 mpg which we hope for one day.
  • mpierce's avatar
    mpierce
    Explorer
    Mar 11, 2014
    I agree, we have a VW Jetta TDI, but a 4 door car. Gets fantastic fuel mileage. When we cross the state of ND to Fargo, running 75 mph, we get 40 mpg. Sometime, I want to take the time, and drive it at 55 mph. I know we would get over 50, maybe approach 60 mpg.

    I also pull at times a fiberglass clamshell motorcycle trailer, with a 900# Valkyrie in it. Get 30 mpg at 65-70 mph with that! Total wt. about 1800#, tow rating is 2000# on the Jetta

    Now, if we could just flat tow it! No newer VW is rated to flat tow, according to the books. So, with our BB we are getting, I guess we need to get a dolly.
  • Johnny_G1's avatar
    Johnny_G1
    Explorer
    Mar 11, 2014
    All VW's can flat tow with a standard transmission, we towed our 2003 for 10 yrs , no problems at all other than the tow plate on the car coming loose.
  • Sharps45120's avatar
    Sharps45120
    Explorer
    Mar 11, 2014
    We have a Jetta TDI, 5 speed manual. We had a Hidden Hitch installed and bought a light aluminum trailer.

    She hauled the Harley to Florida twice, from SW PA through the mountains of WV and VA. Even hauling over 1000 pounds plus all ourselves and luggage for a 2 week stay, we got 38MPG.

    I have always been in the habit of resetting the trip odometer when I fill up, and check the mileage with each tank. With 80% city driving, I average 43 MPG, even with 8 full years and 170k miles on her.

    One word of warning with the VW though, they are notorious for wiring issues. I've had the harness in the drivers side door replaced once already due to the opening/closing of the door pinching and breaking the wires. Likely will have to have it done again.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Mar 11, 2014
    Mine is the new 6 speed auto tranny (that I think is new for the 2014 model). And I've checked the computer MPG gauge with the fuel I've put in at fill up and it's accurate. Even checked the odometer with the GPS and it's accurate as is the speedo.
  • John___Angela's avatar
    John___Angela
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2014
    If you want to get exact readings of your mileage be it instantaneous, trip, tank, long term, life time etc, get a scan gauge. We use one on our smart car diesel and by watching the instantaneous it can help you improve your driving style etc for max mileage. We get low to mid 50's in the city and mid 60's to low 70's on the highway if we keep it under 65. 65MPH and above nets low to mid 60's for mpg (US mpg). Diesel and gas are pretty much the same price now in Palm Springs. 3.89 regular, 3.99 diesel.

    I like the VW. If we ever need 4 seats again I would consider it although we would probably go electric next time.
  • rjstractor's avatar
    rjstractor
    Nomad
    Mar 12, 2014
    When I get my next Jetta I'm on the fence on whether to get the new 1.8 TSI gas or the TDI diesel. The one thing I don't like about VW's packaging is that I want the SE trim, but the TDI is not available in that trim. So, to get the TDI I'd have to pay for a bunch of options I don't want. I'm looking forward to test driving the two of them back to back. The TSI gas is 170hp/185 torque, with full torque from 1500-4500 rpm. IIRC the TDI is 140hp/235 torque.
  • msmith1199's avatar
    msmith1199
    Explorer II
    Mar 13, 2014
    mpierce wrote:
    I agree, we have a VW Jetta TDI, but a 4 door car. Gets fantastic fuel mileage. When we cross the state of ND to Fargo, running 75 mph, we get 40 mpg. Sometime, I want to take the time, and drive it at 55 mph. I know we would get over 50, maybe approach 60 mpg.


    I tried 55 today. I'm in California so if you try doing 55 on the freeway you'd get run over. So I took the back way home and there is a 22 mile stretch of flat two lane country road with no stops and no traffic. I set the cruise control at 55 and reset the trip computer. At the end of the 22 miles the MPG was reading 56.9 miles per gallon. I have read reports of others getting about the same when doing 55.

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