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

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by stefaantje

Could you share the specs on those Audi rims?
I assume they have pattern 5x100, but what are the widths & offset (ET-value)?

Maybe you even know a part number / reference number?

A 5x100 ET38 indeed. Serial Number 8L0 601 025 E.
It's compatible with tire widths between 165 - 205 ...

Full specs:

Bestell-Nr. 8L0 601 025 E Z17
Größe 6J x 15H2 ET38
Lochkreis: 5 x 100
Mittenzentrierung 57,0 mm
Traglast 526 Kg
Gewicht 5,7 Kg
Modell(e) Audi A3 8L 1996-2003

[GreenTDI]

Winter has come to an end, a new hypermiling season has arrived. With an average consumption of 55 MPG this winter, it's only a little better than previous years - despite all the adjustements - but this winter was colder and with shorter trips due to the persistent lockdown measures.

A new mod is the removal of the roof rails, which makes the car more aerodynamic, and removes some weight on top of the car. This makes the car visually appear even lower than it already was ...

[GreenTDI]

First tank of the season. Drove quietly, but certainly not looking for record values.

948 km with 34,3 liters or 3,6l/100km = 65 MPG

I'm teaching my wife to get her driver's license this year, so that will be noticable in FE ... Nevertheless I'm looking forward to get better figures than last year. Both in terms of consumption and performance.

[GreenTDI]

to be honest I haven't really had time to make more improvements to my car, consumption this year lingered around 3.8 liters/100 km. in a very wet and chilly summer and even included driving lessons for my wife.

I also stumbled upon a 'new project', I saw it as a great opportunity to make an old dream come true: owning my own RV. the interior layout was perfect, the base, body and engine too. The low price and honest seller were the deciding factors.

[freebeard]

It has a nice radius on the front edges of the box van. Make and model?

[MeteorGray]

Those three-cylinder diesels are incredibly efficient, perhaps representing the epitome of fuel economy without the aid of supplemental battery power. I like everything about them except the cold-starting sounds: without knowing any better, if I tried to start a car making the sounds I heard in the video, I'd probably twist the key "off" trying to stop the disintegration before it hurts someone :-)

Are three-cylinder diesels offered for sale in the US?

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by freebeard

It has a nice radius on the front edges of the box van. Make and model?

It's a MC Louis 363 based on a Fiat Ducato 244 (known as FCA in the states nowadays, Fiat-Chrysler) Completely Italian-made. Here in Europe this type of motorhome is called 'low profile' or semi-integrated. Because the cabin of the car seems to be fused with the living area, both in- and outside. That gives it that slick aerodynamic shape .

It has got the 2.3 JTD 16V diesel engine from truck manufacutor Iveco. A proven and reliable engine which should be quite economical too. With a big load of torque at low revs it should get me over every mountain. It has a 5 speed manual gearbox with 4 short gears and a long 5th. Ideal for highway driving and nice consumption figures, I hope!

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by MeteorGray

Those three-cylinder diesels are incredibly efficient, perhaps representing the epitome of fuel economy without the aid of supplemental battery power. I like everything about them except the cold-starting sounds: without knowing any better, if I tried to start a car making the sounds I heard in the video, I'd probably twist the key "off" trying to stop the disintegration before it hurts someone :-)

Are three-cylinder diesels offered for sale in the US?

I love the sound of diesel on a cold winter morning, but those VW three cylinders are grumpy as hell!! It's hard to believe that something that loud can be that efficient, but it's true that little diesel engines are the holy grail regarding fuel economy. I never had it below 40 mpg, and that's driving way faster than speed limits.

[Nathan jones]

Originally Posted by GreenTDI

Probably, but there are still improvements made/to come before the winter.
First of all, the 'winter grill' will heat up the engine quicker.
Secondly, I will put the car in the garage when it is getting cold again. I think there is a lot to be gained there. To heat up an engine from freezing temperatures or from room temperature should mean a big difference in fuel consumption?
Thirdly, the new lighter wheels and taller tires will make their appearance on the car in a few months.
Fourthly, I am currently looking into lowering the car ...

Baseline, the car simply needs adjustments to further reduce consumption. But that's why I'm hanging out on this website!

Yes it saves much diesel and electricity, a vital time starting when far richer mixture is used and most likely the fuel is preheated. Not so sure about lowering, increasing the vaccum/venturi underneath may increase overall pressure drag, where air is forced to become stiffer in the boundary layer where you don't want it. Better handling but at cost. But ask around, there's cleverer guys than me on here!!

Also nice 6j wheels )

[GreenTDI]

Originally Posted by Nathan jones

Not so sure about lowering, increasing the vaccum/venturi underneath may increase overall pressure drag, where air is forced to become stiffer in the boundary layer where you don't want it.

I'm sure you have a point. But I need te mention that my car has been lowered for 'just' 2,5 inches so that's quite moderate. When we're looking at the advantages of (moderate) lowering, like a smaller tire surface at the front, smaller wheel gaps on the side, better handling which make cornering possible at higher speeds, I think it will have a small positive effect.

While Europe yields and creaks under high energy prices, my Skoda is still sipping precious diesel at an avarage pace of 3.3L/100 km or 71 MPG.