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The most *efficient* speed for the Passat...

5K views 18 replies 17 participants last post by  merk20VT 
#1 ·
I was thinking this morning on my way to the bank, "I wonder at what speed this Passat 1.8T is most effcient?"...in other words..."At which steady speed does the Passat 1.8T get the best gas mileage?"

5 mph would be too slow since you're not really taking advantage of the power the motor produces, while of course 100 mph is too fast because of the high RPMs and high drag at speed. So it's gotta be somewhere in between, maybe @ 45?

Then I thought, what about the slowest you could go while still holding 5th (or in some cases, 6th) gear? Would that be the most efficient speed? But I'm not really sure and thought I'd post to see if anyone knows anything I don't.

Anyone have any random figures about this? :???:

-Harry :beer:

side note:
The 1.8T gets awesome gas mileage compared with the V6, as my tiptronic APR chipped Passat and heavy foot combine to return ~22 MPG on average, while the A6 gets ~19 MPG. Gotta love turbos. :bow:
 
#2 ·
You're right...the lowest speed you can hold the highest gear without going into boost will give you the highest mileage, IMO. I'd guess it's somewhere around 40 or 45 mph on flat roads without stopsigns or lights. I've seen my mileage approach 40 mpg under those conditions. 'Course, it's not much fun driving like that. Stop and start once or twice or accelerate and the number drops quickly.
 
#4 ·
Why not just keep an eye on the instantaneous (well updated once per second on my 1 week old B5.5 1.8T, 5M 4Motion wagon) fuel mileage on the computer and adjust your squeeze on the go pedal accordingly. Certainly best mileage would be achieved in top gear, however if you find the best efficiency occurs at 50 MPH does that mean you're going to travel that speed? On the highway, you'd get mauled. :nervous: On a back road that would be cool. Of course if the most efficient speed is 80 MPH, woo hoo :lol:
 
#6 ·
LoneStarPoke said:
I usually average 30-32 MPG going 80mph...
i've found this also. when cruising @ 80+ i'm doing good. at that RPM i'm in a power band and holding that cruise seems that the turbo isn't spooling much. i don't know what THE best speed/efficiency is, but this seems to be a good level.
 
#7 ·
It's nice to see numbers in the low 30's on the avg mph, but I always keep in mind that I could go another 40-60 miles after the same computer is telling me I am zeroed out. Best scenario so far has been w/o snow tires on and in unfrigid temps on a secondary road. Otherwise, ditto as for the Texan.
 
#9 ·
scotty -- just out of curiosity could you check what it says for a 2003/2004 V6?
 
#10 ·
That's excellent

LoneStarPoke said:
I usually average 30-32 MPG going 80mph over my 70 mile one way commute everyday. while fuel efficiency is important, you must also think about time when deciding YOUR most efficient speed.
 
#12 ·
41.0 mpg @ 55 mph for the 70 mile trip from my house to Newark, NJ. 1.8T ATW w/ a Wetterauer chip, on 195/65/15 OEM Continentals.
 
#13 ·
The best mileages I get are typically trips averaging ~50 mph.. and they're about 34 mpg.
'99 1.8T 5sp
 
#14 ·
Just curious: are you all posting the "computed" mpg, or calculated from actual miles vs. actual gallons used? So far, I've seen the calculated mpg to be 1-3 less than the computer displays.

kartracer, I'm turning a funny shade of green (envy I think :) ) Great car you've got there; let us know your mpg as the miles go by. Variants Rule! :thumbup:
 
#15 ·
LoneStarPoke said:
I usually average 30-32 MPG going 80mph over my 70 mile one way commute
stealthx32 said:
41.0 mpg @ 55 mph for the 70 mile trip from my house to Newark, NJ. 1.8T ATW w/ a Wetterauer chip, on 195/65/15 OEM Continentals.
Wow - glad to know I not the only one in the 70 mile club (73 mi one way :weirdo: )

Lite Traffic Friday - the car was humming at 95 mph this morning! Who cares what the MPG was as long as I wasn't suckin in someones exhaust fumes!! :wink:
 
#17 ·
Wow - glad to know I not the only one in the 70 mile club (73 mi one way )

Lite Traffic Friday - the car was humming at 95 mph this morning! Who cares what the MPG was as long as I wasn't suckin in someones exhaust fumes!!
Same here.
If i see one of you guys driving like grama with a CB5 sticker I will hit your rear bumper really softly and push you untill we are both at 120 mph..
 
#18 ·
MPG Computer Tank Distance Cost / Mile Avg Speed
23.29 19.90 491.37 $0.0661 30
20.42 21.90 430.87 $0.0754 56
21.12 22.40 445.53 $0.0748 50
19.73 21.70 416.39 $0.0831 49
21.50 22.10 453.74 $0.0758 50
20.75 22.60 437.81 $0.0795 46
22.74 22.80 479.82 $0.0747 46
20.70 22.20 436.78 $0.0739 54
21.36 23.00 450.78 $0.0771 50
21.15 22.90 446.26 $0.0780 53
20.49 22.10 432.39 $0.0805 51
21.30 23.30 449.43 $0.0774 56
21.09 23.10 445.02 $0.0791 57
21.39 22.20 451.39 $0.0794 50
22.98 23.90 484.88 $0.0757 54

The above is in my 2003 W8. Got it in January and so all my driving has been in cold weather. Seeing the numbers improve now that it is getting milder. Tons of factors go into best efficiency - but one of the most important is driving habits. Cruise control rules! I drive 57 miles one-way commuting. Most of it is gravy but the last 12 miles or so (first miles on return trip) is on congested I-95.
 
#19 ·
1.8Tabamoura said:
Wow - glad to know I not the only one in the 70 mile club (73 mi one way )

Lite Traffic Friday - the car was humming at 95 mph this morning! Who cares what the MPG was as long as I wasn't suckin in someones exhaust fumes!!
Same here.
If i see one of you guys driving like grama with a CB5 sticker I will hit your rear bumper really softly and push you untill we are both at 120 mph..
Then I'd be saving even more gas... with the boost from you of course :thumbup:
 
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