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Thread: Fuel economy problems...any suggestions appreciated

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
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    Camden NSW
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    Fuel economy problems...any suggestions appreciated

    Hi All,

    I have a strange question.

    I have NEVER been the type of guy that worries about fuel prices, or shops around for cheap stations etc...
    Also, I have never really cared about the mpg of my car...

    BUT over the last few months I have noticed something odd:

    (I have had the car for three years, and it is running really well. Properly serviced, and used as a daily driver.)

    I would fill up, and the distance to empty would ALWAYS show 660kms....like pretty much always.

    BUT in the last few months it has shown 550kms....then, 500kms...then 480kms after filling up yesterday!!!

    Now I don't baby the car, but I don't thrash it either. I drive normally everyday.

    It doesn't feel like its running rough...it is running perfectly well in fact.

    Any thoughts?
    2018 Ralyee Green RS wagon. Fully optioned.
    Previous vehicles:2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (my one detour from VW/Skoda!)
    2013 Platin grey RS wagon / 2012 White Polo GTI / 2009 Black 125 Tiguan

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
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    Northern Tasmania
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    Gunked up throttle body or one of the sensors? Have you checked for error codes?
    2008 Skoda Octavia Elegance TDI 4x4 wagon
    Bluefin 132Kw/385Nm, Racechips Response Control, Haldex Performance controller, H&R anti roll bars, Koni FSD shocks, SuperPro control arms & ball joints, subframe & gearshift mods, Full Dynamat interior, Polk Audio sound, Columbus, Bluetooth, MDI, parking sensors, camera. BBS SR 18x8" w/ 225/40xR18. 3M Crystalline tint.

  3. #3
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    I d check what the actual consumption is, not what the computer tells you it is.
    2014 MY14 Corrida Red Elegance Wagon TDI
    2009 MY10 Race Blue RS Wagon TSI 6 sp. manual. (Gone)
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  4. #4
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    One of the reasons I record my fuel consumption in Fuelly.com is to confirm the engine is still performing ok.
    Sure it varies between fills but nothing I cannot account for through factors like type of motoring, season, who has driven it etc.

    Has your actual consumption deteriorated and reflecting the predictions?

    What sort of distance have you done, perhaps it is carbon build up on the inlet valves?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Camden NSW
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    Thread Starter
    Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

    I have checked the actual figures, not just the cars computer, and it is indeed using more fuel than usual from the past...
    I will plug it into a computer and check for error codes.

    If there was a blockage or build up etc, wouldn't that affect the way it runs or idles etc?
    2018 Ralyee Green RS wagon. Fully optioned.
    Previous vehicles:2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (my one detour from VW/Skoda!)
    2013 Platin grey RS wagon / 2012 White Polo GTI / 2009 Black 125 Tiguan

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    It can be an efficiency issue rather than incorrect running

    If you haven't cleaned the inlet yet that could be it - you've done enough k's to need it
    A give away is leaving the car for 3 or 4 days unused, if it starts up and runs rough for a short time that would indicate a lot of carbon build up in the inlet
    Last edited by Martin; 29-02-2016 at 08:00 AM.
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  7. #7
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    I habitually turn the trip meter to zero every time I fill up the tank- a good habit to get into in my opinion - I have to do it on my motorbike which doesn't have a fuel gauge, only a fuel warning light. Resetting the trip meter each tank gives you a good 'seat of the pants' feel for fuel consumption and you know pretty well immediately if something is amiss.

  8. #8
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    Go for a drive - 20-30m at a minimum (constant) 4000rpm. You've got to keep the revs (and heat) up above 4k). If the economy improves for a few weeks after that then it's probably inlet gunk.

    You might try a chemical clean after that but generally the inlet removal & manual clean is the best solution.

    It won't help the inlets but try a bottle of Wynns Complete Fuel System Cleaner - it might just help the injectors a fraction.
    carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
    I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums

  9. #9
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    Any gains to be made by following Subaru's method of "UPPER ENGINE CLEAN"?

    I'm noticing my MY16 POLO GTI get a bit 'cranky' during cold high idle and in hot traffic, albeit only 8500kms.

    Could be less amicable fuel that I've read about....that is, they don't live VPower


    MY13 Kluger KX-S AWD / MY16 Polo GTI
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
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    8500 kms seems very low to be getting these problems. What engine does your Polo GTI have?

    My 1.4tsi starts and idles perfectly ok from a cold start (idle is only about a 1000 rpm, which is not really high) but is very jerky in 1st gear on the slow 50 metre trip out the road on a steady throttle at low revs. A couple of hundred metres of normal driving and normal throttle response resumes and the jerkiness disappears.
    I think my problem is caused by running too rich for summer temperature starts during this initial phase because the problem almost disappears during colder winter weather starts.
    For what it is worth the initial stationary consumption is 4.0 L/hour, which drops back fairly quickly to 2.0 L/hour at which point I pull out of the garage and suffer the jerky engine on steady throttle.
    When warmed up the stationary consumption is 0.4 to 0.5 L/hour. A huge difference.
    Occasionally the jerkiness does not occur in warm weather and the whole driving experience is as should be and fuel consumption is markedly lower.
    A difficult one for the dealer to experience and fix.
    Last edited by Gerrycan; 01-03-2016 at 12:25 AM.

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