Couple drives Jetta to 67.9 mpg

[the Teuton]

Mileage Champs See the U.S.A. at 67.9 M.P.G.
By JAMES BARRON

THE Volkswagen Jetta TDI rolled gently to a stop at the red light ? no squealing brakes, no smoking tires. On the dashboard, the trip computer display read 62 miles per gallon.

For John Taylor, that was not very good.

Days earlier, Mr. Taylor and his wife, Helen, had completed a 48-state drive averaging 67.9 miles a gallon: 9,505 miles in 19 days, filling up only 13 times and spending a total of $371.03 for diesel fuel. That beat the Guinness record of 58.8 miles a gallon they set a year ago on nearly the same route in an almost identical 2009 Jetta TDI.

One difference this time was the tires. The Jetta was fitted with Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires, low-rolling-resistance models that will be standard equipment on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/automobiles/13MILEAGE.html?no_interstitial

Thoughts?

[ifcar]

That's good press for diesel, certainly. It would be interesting to see how a hybrid would do on that same route, or otherwise trying to meet the record qualifications.

[Tave]

Pissing people off 1 state at a time: at least he gets everyone involved.

[sportyaccordy]

I'm telling you... diesel hybrids...

[Morris Minor]

I'm telling you... diesel hybrids...

or even just efficient diesels like this. I have a friend who runs an airport "minicab" service in London. He uses VW & Peugeot diesels - payload space is devoted to customers & their luggage - none set aside for heavy battery packs

[AutobahnSHO]

his "30 tips" are garbage- a few are repeated, and what does "have your kids situated before you start driving" have to do with getting good fuel economy?????

[cawimmer430]

There are diesels in Europe with far more potential than the TDI's offered in the US.

The main problem just seems to be that everyone complains about "slow acceleration" and then probably never even uses the full potential of the car they are currently driving. 

[ifcar]

his "30 tips" are garbage- a few are repeated, and what does "have your kids situated before you start driving" have to do with getting good fuel economy?????

It means you can concentrate on driving once you're moving instead of being distracted by "situating" your kids.

Slightly related example: my mother, for reasons I've never figured out, refuses to put on a seatbelt until she has backed out of the driveway. She does it while the car is moving down the street, in a stickshift too. Mileage would likely improve if she were paying full attention to driving, especially if she's driving to maximize fuel economy, following 29 other such tips.

[Byteme]

his "30 tips" are garbage- a few are repeated, and what does "have your kids situated before you start driving" have to do with getting good fuel economy?????

So you don't have to stop and beat the tar out of them once you get rolling.  

[JWC]

So you don't have to stop and beat the tar out of them once you get rolling.   

[omicron]

It means you can concentrate on driving once you're moving instead of being distracted by "situating" your kids.

Slightly related example: my mother, for reasons I've never figured out, refuses to put on a seatbelt until she has backed out of the driveway. She does it while the car is moving down the street, in a stickshift too. Mileage would likely improve if she were paying full attention to driving, especially if she's driving to maximize fuel economy, following 29 other such tips.

As a driver, the car does not move if passengers are not belted; as a passenger, I pull out my lecturing finger and launch into public safety announcements until the culprit(s) relent.

[Galaxy]

That's good press for diesel, certainly. It would be interesting to see how a hybrid would do on that same route, or otherwise trying to meet the record qualifications.

On a trip like this the diesel would beat the hybrid . In downtown Manhatten on the other hand the hybrid would most likely win, if power levels are the same.

Btw, this could be an idea for an Ifcar test.   

[Cookie Monster]

Man, I really wish my parents would get this car...

[ifcar]

On a trip like this the diesel would beat the hybrid . In downtown Manhatten on the other hand the hybrid would most likely win, if power levels are the same.

Btw, this could be an idea for an Ifcar test.   

Good idea. Give me a Prius and a Jetta TDI and I'll drive them around the country.

[NomisR]

No diesels in CA

[cawimmer430]

Good idea. Give me a Prius and a Jetta TDI and I'll drive them around the country.

Do it next summer. Use your vacation time! 

[Cookie Monster]

No diesels in CA

Doesn't the TDI qualify here?

[Submariner]

Doesn't the TDI qualify here?

No.  Celebrities don't drive diesels, they drive hybrids. Therefore, in California at least, they're banned.

[Tave]

It means you can concentrate on driving once you're moving instead of being distracted by "situating" your kids.

Slightly related example: my mother, for reasons I've never figured out, refuses to put on a seatbelt until she has backed out of the driveway. She does it while the car is moving down the street, in a stickshift too. Mileage would likely improve if she were paying full attention to driving, especially if she's driving to maximize fuel economy, following 29 other such tips.

I think this guys sounds like he's concentrating on his fuel economy more than he's concentrating on being a safe driver.

[Madman]

I'm pretty sure VW's 2.0 TDI is 50 State certified.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[GoCougs]

No diesels in CA

'Bout time you guys did something right...

[Cookie Monster]

I'm pretty sure VW's 2.0 TDI is 50 State certified.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

Per wikipedia, it is.

[Galaxy]

The Jetta TDI, the upcoming Passat and Golf VI TDI, the Touareg V6 TDI, as well as the BMW 335d and the Mercedes BlueTEC fleet are all 50 state compliant.