mk4 jetta TDI mostly full belly pan build

[Rango318]

So, I'm currently on my forth tank after TDIfest with the pan on.
The first tank after was 53.3, but it had about 400 miles highway driving.
Second tank was normal driving, 52.7
Third tank I was hard on the car again, only just broke 50
This tank I am on will be bad as well, as I was hard on it, and did a dyno run.
On the plus side, found out my car puts down 155bhp, and 298ft/lb of torque

The larger and much heavier wheels have a noticeable impact on my mpg when I'm not being nice to the car. The next tank, I will try to go back to hypermiling.

[kafer65]

So roughly just above 15% improvement in mileage then? Seems like 5-15% is what is predicted for full on belly pan. Nicely done!

[deejaaa]

thanks for the update.

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by kafer65

So roughly just above 15% improvement in mileage then? Seems like 5-15% is what is predicted for full on belly pan. Nicely done!

I would say the pan definitely helped. The larger tires have made the effect less noticeable, but I will soon be switching to my stock 15s for winter. Maybe I'll get a tank or two in before winter blend fuel and cold weather hits.

[Cd]

That is one of the nicest looking non factory belly pans I have seen.
Looks stock.

Thanks for the pics.

[Rango318]

A quick update. I filled up yesterday after managing to drive 1 full tank without beating on the car, or making any longer than usual trips. My normal before the pan MPG was anywhere from 52.5-53.3. This last tank was 55.35, so an improvement of 2 MPG, which also makes it my highest tank that didn't have any long distance highway driving, 877 miles on 15.846 gallons

[deejaaa]

way to go!

[Rango318]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

way to go!

Thanks. I'm going to be attempting to do the same again this tank, not distance, but overall MPG. I have a trip I must take next weekend, so I'll be filling up Thursday night. If I can break at least 54.5, I'll be happy with the results. Now I need to find another bed liner to finish the pan.

[Rango318]

Been a little while since I've posted an update. My MPG has fluctuated between 50.7 and 52.2 over the last 4 tanks, so not very good IMO. I put my smaller and lighter wheels back on for winter at the end of my last tank. My current tank is looking to be better than my previous 4, even with the colder weather and winter blend fuel.

I've decided that come spring, I will not be putting on my heave 18 inch wheels again, and will be looking for a light weight set, probably 17's.

I'll post another update in a few days to let you know how the smaller wheels are doing with the pan. I never ran them with the pan, so this should give me a rough guess of improvement, even though it is cold outside.