2006 Jetta TDI missing Belly pan.....
 

Hello Ecomoddies!
My GF purchased a nice 06 Jetta TDI with DSG automatic tranny. After replacing "dreaded worn cam/lifter" parts the car runs great! we didn't really pay attention till later but the car is missing the Plastic belly pan below the engine. How much does this affect the mpg's? Her mpg averages seem to be just under 40mpg(36-38) with only one tank so far being 40.08mpg. I understand the auto will not get the big numbers like the 5-speeds but were hoping to get in the low 40's as a average. I was told to install a skid plate $250 instead of the factory VW plastic belly pan $110. Before installing either I wanna look under it to see if installing the Coroplast is doable, and if so, go that route due to it seemingly being more smoother(Mo-smoof is Mo-Better, right??).
Ideas or comments?

Thank you so much for your help!!!

Hip

The belly pan won't effect it THAT much. We're talking a few percent increase at most. My sister's 03 Jetta TDI is also missing the pan and she still gets 50+ MPG in summer. By far the larger factor in mileage is driving style.

Thanks for the reply Doax! In my opinion the 99-03 TDI's get the best mileage. The 03 Jetta is a lil different animal using the fuel sipping ALH motor instead of the newer less fuel efficient BRM. My 01 Beetle with the ALH gets 47-57mpg depending on how i drive it but this Darn Jetta is a different animal. I wanted to buy-fix-sell this 06 Jetta but she loves it and wants to keep it. Now I'm faced with how to squeeze more mpg out of it. MAybe it's the loose nut behind the wheel!!?? (I've not drove a full tank myself in it other than straight highway loaded to the max going to the mountains)

I think if I can get it to Average to 40mpg she'd be happy. We sold a 93 Civic 4door 5speed to get this Jetta. The Civic got 36mpg pretty consistant. Our experiance with the ALH motor'd TDI's had our hopes up!

Maybe I'll work on the "loose nut behind the wheel" Adjustment! lol!!

OUCH!!!! What the BLEEEEEP! How did she know I wrote that from across the room? AND how can she be so precise with the aim of her shoe???

Geez good luck hitting 40 in a post-ALH.
I'm in a NB and I do 45 average +/-.
I also have no belly pan but I just put in a skid plate.

We've already hit 40mpg, but only once. I'd like to average 40+

Why don't you check with a salvage yard. They can probably scare up a pan for a better price, just make sure you get all the fasteners & etc with it.

It is probably as much a splash shield to keep the belts from getting wet and to prevent chilling the engine with water from the road as it is an aero belly pan.

It stands to reason that if it doesn't make much difference without it there from stock then guys shouldn't be seeing much gains with DIY pans.