New CleanMPGer with older VW TDI

[01VWBUGTDI]

Hi new here to this forum. I have a 2001 VW New Beetle TDI that has and will use BioDiesel when I can find it. I just got my ScanGuage II yesterday and I am working to get it setup. I started Hypermiling on my last 1/2 tank and got 52MPG using the old Trip mileage / Diesel added method.

[Vooch]

welcome - there are a number of expert TDI drivers here - I'll bow to their wisdom and experience on the nuances of TDI MPG, but in general:

1) pump up tires to max sidewall

2) DWL

3) Keep engine out of turbo boost (they TDI guys swear by it)


best of luck breaking 60 MPG !

[01VWBUGTDI]

Thanks. Now if I can get the sig to show up I will have really done something...

[xcel]

Hi 01VWBUGTDI:

___Welcome to CleanMPG and once you have created your vehicle, the following should get you started.

How To: Link your signature to your Mileage Log

___ Yell if you need more help

___And about the 60 … Oh yeah, you’ll get it, “just trust me”

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[seftonm]

Hi and welcome! I don't consider a 2001 TDI "older" at all, it is just nicely broken in waiting to show you what it can do What blend of biodiesel do you usually run when you find it?

[01VWBUGTDI]

Hi.

I use a B100 (I sometime blend this down to B50ish) made from new Soybean oil from DFWBiodiesel out of Fort Worth, TX. I have also used some BioWillies B20 once.

http://www.dfwbiodieselinc.com/

[Chuck]

I was riding with Mike (seftonm) in Minnapolis last December and he was getting over 60mpg in his TDI.

[WriConsult]

Welcome! I already replied to your SG comments in another thread. My '00 5sp TDI Golf (mostly driven by my wife) burns biodiesel 100% of the time, and I was able to pull 61.82mpg out of it on a 90 mile course in the recent Lacey, WA Fuel Economy Challenge (search the forums for "Lacey" for more info). I think the biggest benefits for me were good low rolling resistance tires running 44+ psi, anticipating traffic and minimizing braking, keeping the speed below 65 mph, pulsing and gliding, and keeping the boost down to under 6-7 psi or so.

You can figure out the boost by pulling up Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) on the ScanGauge. At idle this typically reads 14.5-15.0 psi (at least here at sea level), and turbo boost is basically the difference between the current MAP reading and the idle MAP reading. I try to keep the MAP reading from going over 21-22 psi and that seems to help a lot.

I try to keep the rpms from exceeding 2200 very often, but at the same time I'm also very careful not to lug the engine at low rpms, because that generates soot that will quickly clog up lots of delicate stuff. For pulses I try to keep the revs in the 1500-2000 rpm range even when a taller gear is available. And once or twice a tank I do a "redneck tuneup" where I charge from 0 to 60 with my foot to the floor, running all the way up to the redline in each gear.

[01VWBUGTDI]

Thanks. I will look at MAP next. Never heard of the Redneck tuneup...mayalso give that a try. About the soot buildup what do you think about the fact that BioDiesel is a very very good solvent and will clean up your fuel system to the point you may clog your fuel filter with all the gunk that it removes.

KP

[seftonm]

The soot buildup is on the turbo vanes and in the intake manifold after the EGR valve, so biodiesel's solvency action won't do much there. I believe biodiesel does make less soot when it combusts, however.