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Old 11-01-2008, 06:16 PM   #5 (permalink)
COcyclist
Aero Wannabe
 
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NW Colo
Posts: 314

TDi - '04 Golf
TEAM VW AUDI Group
90 day: 53.02 mpg (US)
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Diesel Ecodriving

Our engines don't have to fight against the vacuum from the throttle plate a gasser has so they are more efficient, but also don't warm up as fast. I have noticed my car gets much better mpg when everything is fully warmed up. My VW diesel has 3 extra glow plugs that heat the coolant when the engine is cold. The coolant heater glow plugs turn off at approximately 180 degrees. I have left them operational for quicker warm-ups but added a plug-in coolant heater to help the engine get to temperature quicker and the glow-plugs to shut off and reduce the load on the alternator. Metrompg did a test of these engine heaters in his car. These could help diesel mileage when the engine has to cold start. I try to resist the urge to run the heater for the first few miles until the engine is warm. Grill blocking helps too.
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60 mpg hwy highest, 50+mpg lifetime
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