Diesel Toad

[workhardplayha1]

It is getting time to replace car/toad. I am thinking of a VW diesel. I remember as a kid my dad telling me that city driving with a diesel is not good for a diesel engine. The car will be primarly driven by DW to commute to work and secondary as a toad while traveling. Should I have any concern of the diesel for city driving.

[msmith1199]

RCDave wrote:
Dang! The good stuff never seems to make it to the US

I was looking for a Turbo Diesel vehicle a couple of years ago and word back then is more were supposed to be coming to the US, even to California. There were certain groups who just didn't like the word diesel and just assumed it meant dirty air, but I guess they have been shown that the newer diesel engines are as clean as gas engines so I think we'll see more coming in. Other than the Jeep Liberty I don't think I've seen a 4x4 diesel yet in a smaller vehicle. Mercedes has a larger SUV you can get in a diesel but I don't know if they have a 4x4 version of that yet.

[John___Angela]

RCDave wrote:
Dang! The good stuff never seems to make it to the US

Tell me about it. Our smart cars are diesels rated at around 70 mpg US. The 451 smart car diesels (after 2008) are rated for close to 80 but Mercedes decided they wouldn't bother importing the new diesels to Canada if the US wouldn't accept them. Bummer. We are nursing our 2005 and 2006 cabrios hoping they will take us another 5 to 7 years. Now if they ever make a Prius plug in convertible.....:)

[RCDave]

Dang! The good stuff never seems to make it to the US

[wolfe10]

Subaru DOES make a diesel-- just don't import it to the U.S.

http://www.boxerdiesel.com/

2.0-liter Turbodiesel: Here’s an interesting engine sold in markets outside of the U.S. This 2.0-liter, turbodiesel boxer-four produces 147 hp and whopping 350 lb-ft of torque. Better yet, it’s offered with a six-speed manual in places like the U.K.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/build-it-your-way-2014-subaru-forester-turbodiesel-3-6l-f-6-stis-2-5l-xt-with-6m-320721.html#ixzz2bnQ0xaBB
Follow us: @MotorTrend on Twitter | MotortrendMag on Facebook

[RCDave]

No worries. I wish the outback had a diesel option. If VW comes out with a diesel 4wd wagon, it will likely be in our driveway

[John___Angela]

RCDave wrote:
Others in this thread brought up the question about Subaru's manual transmission flat towing ability and I was responding to those.

Whoops. My bad. My apologies.

[RCDave]

Others in this thread brought up the question about Subaru's manual transmission flat towing ability and I was responding to those.

[cape0001]

when did vw start making subaru outback

[John___Angela]

RCDave wrote:
We flat tow a 2013 Subaru Outback with the 6 speed manual transmission. Over 5K miles and no problems.

Not sure I'm reading to much into this but is the Subaru outback a diesel?

[RCDave]

We flat tow a 2013 Subaru Outback with the 6 speed manual transmission. Over 5K miles and no problems.

[cape0001]

does ANYONE tow a 2011 jetta tdi with 6 speed manual Transmission

[John___Angela]

This one works for us. The CDI version is not listed on any towing guide in North America but they routinely tow them 4 down in Europe. We have run into a few folks towing them down on this side of the pond, all from Canada. We actually tow ours on a trailer mostly becasue we like to be able to back up. We get low 50's for MPG in the city, low to mid 60's on the interstates and low 70's if we keep it at 55 mph. All numbers in US mpg. The trailer stores mostly under the rear of the coach. You won't be able to buy a used one in the US but there are a bunch of used ones that have been imported from Canada floating around.

[TDInewguy]

I have now towed my VW Jetta Sportwagen several times 4 wheels down and it has been performing flawlessly.

I have read some apprehension, but with a manual I will attest it works beautifully.

For me it's time to get a new Passat TDI - so my Jetta TDI is going on the market - so while I know it's not OK to post classified's here - feel free to let me know if you want to know more about it.

[wny_pat1]

Bumpyroad wrote:

capnqball wrote:
Bumpy,
Actually the owners manual states the auto trans subaru should not be towed 4 down for more than 30 miles and less than 20 mph, but does not state whether the stick models could be towed down or not. That ommision perhaps drives the confusion. The Guide says yes, 2 dealers say no. I would like to hear from actual RVers that have and if no problems have been encountered. I'm looking to replace my 04 Outback soon with a new/near new Forester and would like to use it for our future toad if possible.

OK in your previous post you did not specify stick or auto. from your quote of the owner's manual it "seems" to indicate that only an auto is not but does not state positively on the stick. when those 2 dealer's gave their opinion was it respect to stick/auto/or undetermined?
bumpy

Bumpy,
you can't even trust the US VW dealers to put in the proper motor oil for meeting the TDI specs and warranty!!! If I were to buy a new VW TDI I would change my own oil and mailorder it like I do for my 2002 VW TDI. No way would I trust a VW dealer to give me proper information concerning a VW. But there are a number of VW TDI techs over on the www.tdiclub.com site who know their way around the VW TDI and the VW transmissions. Them I'd trust!

By the way, you need a laptop and the proper program (VAG-COM) to set the timing on a TDI engine. Much like a Cummins diesel and their computer controled engine.