My Green Skoda Fabia (VW Polo) R3 CRTDI - finally smashed the 3L / 80MPG barrier

[GreenTDI]

The passenger wiper sits higher than the one on the driver's side, and I think it creates drag. Or not? See the picture below. So I tried to remove it today, but I failed due to corrosion, there is no movement at all after the bolt is removed. Is there a trick to get this out without any special material (and without demolishing the mechanism) ? I put some WD40 on it and will try it again tomorrow ...

[M_a_t_t]

Are you trying to remove the wiper or the whole arm?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

The passenger wiper sits higher than the one on the driver's side, and I think it creates drag. Or not? See the picture below. So I tried to remove it today, but I failed due to corrosion, there is no movement at all after the bolt is removed. Is there a trick to get this out without any special material (and without demolishing the mechanism) ? I put some WD40 on it and will try it again tomorrow ...

Some guys take that one off. I did. It is impossible for people with our tools and techniques to know what effect it really has, but it is plausible that it disturbs airflow before it moves downstream. I took mine off and adjusted the driver one to sit slightly lower in the well while at rest.

[GreenTDI]

I did it! With some help from YouTube. I took the passenger wiper arm completely off. Meanwhile, I also lowered the wiper on the driver's side so that it's more in the 'bubble' and catches less wind. Thanks California98Civic for that idea!

I will also swap the current 20" wiper by a 26" one, to make up the loss of the other one (a little). It should fit.

Wipers where in need of replacement, it will now cost me less and thus compensates for the purchase of the grill cover

Technique of removing a corroded wiper arm (see photo's below or the movie on YouTube that helped me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty1IszPwnnM

- Screw another bolt onto the post, 1/2 to maximum 3/4 (to protect the thread)
- Place a wrench or pincers under the arm to apply upward force while hitting the bolt with a hammer.

Rusted grit is released and after another few hard strokes the arm comes loose.

[California98Civic]

Good deal! Surprised that guy didn't hit the siexzed stud with a little penetrant oil first. It probably would reduce the hammering, which seems hard enough to risk windshield damage. Very clever though, especially reattaching the nut first. Nice hack.

[GreenTDI]

Tomorrow I'm going to try to get my first 70 MPG trip of the year. I have done it twice since I got the car 9 years ago, the best one was 77 MPG and the second best was 71,6 MPG without modifications. But those attempts were in ideal summer circumstances, distances from 200 to 350 miles and always measured in one direction, slightly declining.

Tomorrow I have to go back, forth and a little detour for 80 miles, where I usually get ~61 MPG (63,6 MPG with only a closed grill). So it will be a challenge, considering that I will maintain speed limits and not less than 60 MPH on highways.

Mods so far:
- grill block
- tires at 40 psi
- wiper delete
- side mirror folded in

- Removed an incredible 112 pounds of exces weight (2 child seats, spare wheel, tools and all kind of stuff)
- I also closed the alloy rims with strong tape to see if it has really effect. If it turns out to be effective, the next step could be proper closed hubcap/rims.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

Tomorrow I'm going to try to get my first 70 MPG trip of the year. I have done it twice since I got the car 9 years ago, the best one was 77 MPG and the second best was 71,6 MPG without modifications. But those attempts were in ideal summer circumstances, distances from 200 to 350 miles and always measured in one direction, slightly declining.

Tomorrow I have to go back, forth and a little detour for 80 miles, where I usually get ~61 MPG (63,6 MPG with only a closed grill). So it will be a challenge, considering that I will maintain speed limits and not less than 60 MPH on highways.

Mods so far:
- grill block
- tires at 40 psi
- wiper delete
- side mirror folded in

- Removed an incredible 112 pounds of exces weight (2 child seats, spare wheel, tools and all kind of stuff)
- I also closed the alloy rims with strong tape to see if it has really effect. If it turns out to be effective, the next step could be proper closed hubcap/rims.

That is a good set of mods. I suspect it won't be too hard to hit 70 mpg. Keep us posted.

[GreenTDI]

Yes, me and my Green TDI succeeded!

Result: 71,3 MPG
Distance: 82 miles
Average speed: 48 MPH
Direction: back and forth
Weather: light rain, 19°C, 10 MPH wind from different directions
80% highway at 62 MPH, 20% city driving

Couldn't believe it at first because it was raining and I had bad luck at most intersections. I even had to brake on the highway for a bunch of pheasants crossing

I did check the actual consumption at 62 MPH on the same stretch as the last time, and fluctuated between 78,4 and 81,1 MPG! It seems to be a massive improvement: 69,2 - 71,3 MPG stock.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

Yes, me and my Green TDI succeeded!

Result: 71,3 MPG
Distance: 82 miles
Average speed: 48 MPH
Direction: back and forth
Weather: light rain, 19°C, 10 MPH wind from different directions
80% highway at 62 MPH, 20% city driving

Couldn't believe it at first because it was raining and I had bad luck at most intersections. I even had to brake on the highway for a bunch of pheasants crossing

I did check the actual consumption at 62 MPH on the same stretch as the last time, and fluctuated between 78,4 and 81,1 MPG! It seems to be a massive improvement: 69,2 - 71,3 MPG stock.

Congrats! I will record it under SRA class in the 70 MPG challenge OP. Woot woot!

[ptitviet]

Wow!!! Congrats it is awesome I am a bit jealous as I cannot for the moment go much under 4l/100km and my instantenuous fuel consumption at 62mph (real speed, so about 105 at the gauge) is more about 4l/100km. But it is true I haven't used all your tricks now and I live in the mountain. Even with much care, it can't be helped that a lot of gasoline be wasted downhill in brake dust and heat. Do you know the official SCd figure for your car? Mine is 0.60m2, and at 80km/h my engine revs at 1300rpm, which is fine but couldn't be lower.

I might try overinflating the tyres but I will only do that on long trips.