How economical is your Golf?

**HHGTTG** · 11-05-2011,08:31 AM

My Golf, overall, is definitely not as economical as my earlier MK5 with 1.6 FSI engine. However my present car has much more get up and go and I so suppose suffers as a result.

**LeginTF** · 11-05-2011,10:33 AM

Measured full tank to full tank, my best mpg so far is 45.07, worst is 38.3. MFD 2 reads between 0.8 and 1.5mpg less than the true figure. Best MFD 1, recorded over a 29 mile stretch of road with limits of 30, 40 and 50mph, was 52.2mpg.

**HHGTTG** · 11-05-2011,10:45 AM

Originally Posted by LeginTF

Measured full tank to full tank, my best mpg so far is 45.07, worst is 38.3. MFD 2 reads between 0.8 and 1.5mpg less than the true figure. Best MFD 1, recorded over a 29 mile stretch of road with limits of 30, 40 and 50mph, was 52.2mpg.

My best, measured in the same way is 44.3mpg and the worst is 36.7mpg over the awful Decembers's snowy weather. I expect I could improve on these figures usings premium fuels such as Shell's V-power but at 143p/litre it seems a bit OTT. My last car was run on premium fuels over 90% of the time.
My overall mpg for the last 21 months, since new, is 41.9mpg.

**Hughesynights** · 11-05-2011,02:42 PM

Originally Posted by sanddancer

I just traded my 5 year old Octavia 2.0 TDi for a 1.6 TDi Golf and I have to say I'm distinctly unimpressed with the economy. 73 mile commute to work - mostly dual carriageway, Skoda at 70mph gave 55mpg and at 60 mph gave 61-63mpg. The Golf manages a shabby 51mpg at 70 mph and 57mpg at 60mph, whilst driving like a granny. Makes me wonder why I swapped....

My Golf gets much better figures than this, in warm weather at 60 mph I get over 70 mpg.

Over my 55 mile commute, I get about 70 to 75 mpg if driving like a granny ( 60 mph on motorway, 55 mph A roads, and a few 30 mph towns). If I am in a hurry and drive like 'normal' (75 or 80 on motorway, and as fast as traffic allows everywhere else), I get about 60 mpg.

Surely a 1.6 tdi Golf can't be worse mpg than a 2.0 tdi Octavia? The Golf has a DPF, but it shouldn't make that much difference.
Maybe it needs more miles on the clock, or higher tyre pressures? I run the full load pressures, even with just me in the car, as mentioned in the handbook.

However, I notice my car is one of the best mpg Golfs on Fuelly, so perhaps I just have a good commute and light right foot...

**Keithuk** · 11-05-2011,05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Hughesynights

I get about 70 to 75 mpg if driving like a granny

I still find that fcuking amazing.

**HHGTTG** · 11-05-2011,08:07 PM

Originally Posted by Keithuk

I still find that fcuking amazing.

Perhaps his granny is really driving the car!

**Hughesynights** · 11-05-2011,08:34 PM

Originally Posted by Keithuk

I still find that fcuking amazing.

Because of this thread I drove very carefully this evening, about 60 mph in lane one with the trucks. In total about 100 miles, with a stop to see a customer in the middle. 50 mph limit on M25 for a bit too.
Result: 86 mpg on MFD1.

Bit boring going that slow though.

The car burns Shell V-Power diesel and runs the highest tyre pressures recommended. AC turned off.
Also, I have taken the spare wheel, rear headrests and parcel shelf out to save weight...

**percymon** · 11-05-2011,09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Hughesynights

Because of this thread I drove very carefully this evening, about 60 mph in lane one with the trucks. In total about 100 miles, with a stop to see a customer in the middle. 50 mph limit on M25 for a bit too.
Result: 86 mpg on MFD1.

Bit boring going that slow though.

Also, I have taken the spare wheel, rear headrests and parcel shelf out to save weight...

Well i'm more convinced than ever that the size and weight of the wheels has a big bearing -driving the same commute in the same manner on my heavy summer tyres set returns 8-10mpg less than when on my narrower and lighter steel wheel winter set. The weight difference is quite incredible on the 17" seattle option. I think the 16" wheels of the Match are lighter, wear slightly more eco oriented tyres (less sporty anyway), and are slightly narrower width at 205mm.

Using full load pressures will help mpg (Vauxhall actually list economy and normal tyre pressures in their handbooks these days), but you'll pay for it in a harsh ride and increased tyre wear in the centre of the tyre. What you manage to save in fuel might be negated by faster tyre wear.

**sanddancer** · 11-05-2011,09:40 PM

Mine is 2009, 1.6TDi, 11700 miles, normal tyre pressures, lightly loaded. Today I tried northbound at 55mph and got 69mpg, return at the same speed and 63mpg. The Octavia (which was the 140hp DSG) used to manage about 63 mpg at the same speed, there was a 2 mpg difference with the Skoda as opposed to the 6 with the Golf but, then again, I did have a slight tailwind going North today.

Still not overly impressed with the economy and don't want to spend my life at 55 being overtaken by everything. Going back to the garage tomorrow for a chat...