147 Fuel Economy

[tsybesor]

Hi all. I've had my 147 Jetta since Nov last year and have done just under 2000km (only drive on weekends). I drive quite conservatively as the price of fuel gives me the ****es, but average fuel consumption driving around town is between 12-14 l/100km. I think this is quite poor considering my previous car ('06 Golf 2.0) was always around 8-9 driving the same streets. And I always thought that a turbo helped with the fuel economy too.

So, what's everyone else getting? Is this something I should have a chat to the dealer about - is there anything they can do anyway?

Does it get better with age?

[J Voon]

I currently have about 1200kms on the car daily peak hour traffic i get around 11-12 litres per hundred. Highway is really good around 6-7.

[Diesel_vert]

A turbocharger doesn't reduce the amount of fuel needed by an engine to function properly.

The turbocharger is an enabler of increased engine efficiencies. It allows the engine to get more out of each burn for a given capacity. Forcing more air into the engine allows more fuel to be burned, which increases power output. I suppose the human equivalent would be called increased productivity.

In terms of actual fuel consumed, the obvious side effect is increased fuel consumption should you choose to exercise that power. Driven in the same manner, expect the 2.0 L 147 kW TFSI to use a bit more fuel than the 2.0 L 110 kW FSI because, as a driver, it's difficult not to inadvertently exercise that extra power.

Getting back to your question, your car has only done 2000 km. I predict that fuel consumption will stabilise once the car has done over 5000 km or something. A longish, round trip may prove beneficial. A combination of highway and winding roads will allow the car to run at nominal operating temperatures (get everything nice and hot) for a while and also give the engine a chance to exercise itself.

In the meantime, check for the usual things like tyre inflation pressure, fuel grade, excess luggage or cargo, presence of roof racks, and other things I can't think of. The internet should offer a few more general suggestions. There doesn't appear to much wrong with the car (from what you've posted), but it sounds like the car is predominately driven around the suburbs, where you will always see increased fuel consumption.

[vdubmotorworx]

in my experience the 147 appears to be quite thirsty on fuel, I've been driving a Tiguan 147 for a while and that's around 10-11.. and that's just sat at 80 kph for about 30 mins... they do all appear to be the same regarding fuel eco, nothing you can really do about it. .VDUB.

[tsybesor]

I must say, the very limited hwy driving i've done, the fuel economy is great (6-7) but suburban streets/city driving it's rather crap.

[jim2fast4u]

I have 2300 on mine and 12-13l/100 in afternoon traffic is the norm. average speed of 30
To work I can get 10l/100

on highway about 7-8L

Air con will chew about 1 - 1.4 l per 100 - i tried it

[DoggiesUtd]

to be honest 11/100km isnt too bad in city driving
i get mine very soon and will be happy with that!
currently driving around the 118tsi jetta that the dealership gave me until my car comes....and its gettn 9.3/100km... only 3000kz on car and with a heavy foot

[Martin]

but average fuel consumption driving around town is between 12-14 l/100km. I think this is quite poor... And I always thought that a turbo helped with the fuel economy too.


A turbocharger doesn't reduce the amount of fuel needed by an engine to function properly.

Turbo cars have a wider min to max fuel consumption operational range.
When you are not using the power they are very efficient,
When are using the power they use much more fuel but are still operating efficiently (producing good output for given input).

This is why I choose not to by a Passat R32/R36 as they are consuming a fair amount of fuel all the time

My Skoda Octavia is very similar to the Jetta, 2L Turbo, 147kw, DSG, similar weight also ( ~1400kg )
With the stock ECU tune I can do just under 9L/100km driving to work
With the stage 2 ECU tune am doing 9.6~10L/100km driving to work
Conservative open road driving returns ~8L/100km
(At the track it was doing 16.6L/100km)

By contrast, our second car, Mazda 3 SP23 Auto, is doing 11.9L/100km in round town driving
My Octavia is way ahead of that even though it has much more power available

Is your Jetta DSG or manual?

[frozze]

I've had the 147 DSG since Nov 2011 and only do city/suburb driving on the weekends mainly. Lots of start/stop.. I've clocked up about 10500kms so far. The car averages just under 400kms/tank.

Did a long road trip over the Easter weekend and got about 650kms/tank.

Definitely not the best but it's okay!

[Martin]

The car averages just under 400kms/tank.

Erk, that does sound low (lower than the Mazda SP23), 55L tank?

With stock ECU tune I get 565km/tank, stage 2 ECU tune gives ~515km/tank

[DoggiesUtd]

under 400 sounds low...sounds like a bit of flatsticking here and there...but who can blame u

[frozze]

I tend to be a bit heavy footed when I drive it on the weekends or occasionally on weeknights.

[DoggiesUtd]

i tend to be the same...once i get mine...it will be my daily...so i do around a 40-50km trip to work and back home each day...in traffic....so i dont expect the best economy either

[davodinkum]

I average 600-700km per tank with some heavy acceleration. This consists of mainly city driving

[DoggiesUtd]

I average 600-700km per tank with some heavy acceleration. This consists of mainly city driving

how many kz on your car?
and how long did it take u to get that consumption rate?
seems very good !!

[davodinkum]

when I bought it just over a month ago, it had 16,000km. I'm now on 24,000 as I drive a lot for work and where I live.

I've been getting these figures since I bought the car. I was actually quite surprised myself with the fuel efficiency being that good.

The worst km p/tank I've got so far is about 540km only because it was a cruise going up the mountains and constant high revs.

[DoggiesUtd]

yeh they are pretty good consumption rates
mine is a brand spanker
only 700kms on it ... currently on 300kms on this tank, just under half a tank left ... used vpower and all city driving

[brad]

Is km/tank an ISO standard? Do all you guys drive until the fuel light comes on or do you drive until the engine splutters to a stop?

Even the MFD readout would give a better indication of true fuel economy

[davodinkum]

I usually fill up when the light comes on close to its last line...

[DoggiesUtd]

usually when light comes on ill fill up! or the 50k warning

[Creampuff]

I agree with Davodinkum. I get around 700 out of a tank in the city, and 950 on a highway drive. my car has done 32,000

[DoggiesUtd]

I agree with Davodinkum. I get around 700 out of a tank in the city, and 950 on a highway drive. my car has done 32,000

u must be driving like my grandma

[Creampuff]

u must be driving like my grandma

sorry buddy, redline it every day

[mattchu]

I average about 500-600 depending on where I drive.. using 98 always too.

I like to accelerate pretty quickly then cruise so maybe that's a factor. Not to mention the amount of short trips I do and the ****wits on the road that can't drive and I need to constantly be dropping a gear or two to overtake to sit on the speed limit. I know with the 147 engine I don't need to plant it but I do just cause I get so frustrated.

My MFD usually sits between 9-11 L/100km.

[DoggiesUtd]

im very impressed with those figures
ill let u no how i go once i hit 5-10000

[neiliss]

I have been averaging around 10-12 in city driving and getting as high as 16 with some real effort, but can be very conservative if I try and get it to under 8 on even short city drives, but that is some serious light foot driving. On the highway always under 8 and even under 7 if long enough drive with no one cutting me off, and that is usually with speed cruise on, more economical I have found with it off as it never really consumes less than 2-3 even on downhills whereas I can lift off and regulate down to near zero. The consumption is not always great but I also think that the performance more than makes up for it.