Fuel saving tip

TDIfurby

This is probably something that many people know and practise on the roads, but thought I'd try and explain my findings. I drive a TDI Fabia (well tuned up too) but found that if I drive in a certain way I can send my computer's mpg readout way high. :cool: Now the bad bit... sometimes this involves breaking the speed limit. :A

I would say the main theory behind this is use the downhills to build up speed, and the uphills to allow that speed to scrub off somewhat. For example between a town where I live and the next town, its a 40mph limit single carrigeway road (very non built up indeed) - Its also quite hilly, so a good place to practise this theory. So, on a typical downhill "dip" I might let the car gently climb to 60mph, then on the ascent allow the car to slow down by maintaining the same throttle position as I was using on the downhill, sometimes to the point of just coasting up the hill in fifth with no throttle at all, to be doing smack on 40mph at the top (1200rpm )

All in all, this saves me a) using the brakes on the downhill to keep to 40, and b) having to change down to 4th, to maintain 40mph up the uphill. Saves on brake pads and diesel. I should say while I practise all the above, due care and attention is paid at all times to road conditions / pedestrians should any be wandering down the road, etc etc.

However, there's just times when fuel economy can go to hell and I WANT to get to 60 in just over 8 seconds. (in a 60 limit of course)

Well, I expect to get flamed for speeding sometimes, but when I get that extra 50 odd miles more to a tank of diesel (now about 500 miles on a £35 fill-up) I'm saving more than enough to buy a couple of beers at the weekend. :dance:

TDIfurby

Al_Mac wrote:

Being in the right gear is important as well, there is a hill in the village, 30mph, which everyone seems to come down in 4th, and have to constantly break, stick my car in 3rd, at the bottom is still only doing 32/33.

Also have cruise control, which seems to be quite clever, keeping constant speed and lower consumption.

Hope you keep it up.
:beer:

Hmmmm, had a bad trip home from work. Too much use of throttle from red lights and then a traffic jam which never helps... Got home with mpg only a tiny bit above 40! Can do it well into the 50s if I get a clean run. Also, there's me prattling on about saving money with good driving skills, and I've gone and put huge 17" alloys on my car with "wider & stickier than standard" tyres... Seems a little hypocritical to me, but it looks nice. :cool:

GibsonSt19

I know you're expecting to be flamed, and I'm not doing it ultra seriously, however I thought this forum had a stance whereby it wouldn't allow discussion of illegal, or potentially illegal activities, and last time I got a speeding ticket I seem to remember it was due to me speeding ,as frowned upon by the law.

Just a thought.

And I like your tip! My 406 is a fuel monster.

carl310166

TDIfurby wrote:

Hmmmm, had a bad trip home from work. Too much use of throttle from red lights and then a traffic jam which never helps... Got home with mpg only a tiny bit above 40! Can do it well into the 50s if I get a clean run. Also, there's me prattling on about saving money with good driving skills, and I've gone and put huge 17" alloys on my car with "wider & stickier than standard" tyres... Seems a little hypocritical to me, but it looks nice. :cool:

Did you notice the MPG dropping when you put the 17" wheels on?

My old A3 quattro went from 29mpg ave to 26mpg ave when i put 18"s on.That's one of the reasons for changing to a TDI Golf (130bhp)=900 mile drive to South of France @ an ave of 80-85mph......54mpg!,also got 65mpg @ 60mph....of course,readings taken from on board computer not that accurate.