new member: 1999.5 jetta tdi

[lapeer20m]

I just bought this tdi 5 speed manual about 1 week ago. Only mod so far has been folding in the passenger side mirror (wanted to make sure i don't mind driving without it before i delete the mirror) and adding an extra 4 psi to my tires.

*photo here* unable to post photos until i have 5 posts....

I have been driving nice and easy, although i have been using the a/c. Lots of coasting in neutral, mostly keeping the rpm's under 2k, and driving at or just below the speed limit. I filled her up with #2 ulsd when i first bought her. I know the fuel gauge is not linear, but i've put about 430 miles on so far, and the gauge is still at 1/2 tank.

Future mods:

upper/lower grill block (not 100% of the grill)
passenger mirror delete
0w oil
drl delete

[Daox]

Welcome to the site and congrats on getting the Jetta. My sister has one and loves it. She's no hypermiler, but is still pulling 50+ mpg out of her 03.

[Gas-x]

Sounds like alot of potenial with the jetta! good luck !
Drive Easy Conserve!

[lapeer20m]

installed grill blocks, and just finished the drl delete.

I may tackle the mirror delete later today......

One problem with a jetta tdi is the lack of instant gratification! It takes SOOOOO long to burn through a tank of fuel before you are able to fill up and check your mpg.

[Gas-x]

Originally Posted by lapeer20m

installed grill blocks, and just finished the drl delete.

I may tackle the mirror delete later today......

One problem with a jetta tdi is the lack of instant gratification! It takes SOOOOO long to burn through a tank of fuel before you are able to fill up and check your mpg.

That is true but it has to be so nice too! If you got a scan guage that would take the frustration factor out of it for you. What is drl delete?

[lapeer20m]

drl = daytime running lights

[lapeer20m]

here is my new baby:



Here is the lower grill before



during



and after grill block. I used some scrap fiberglass material i had laying around from remodeling my bathroom. Then i painted them with some black plastikote paint i also had laying around. I love doing things for free or cheap. Those are by far the best mods!



You cannot see it in the photos, but i also blocked most of the upper grill, except the the corner where the turbo intake is. Gotta make sure to keep an eye on engine coolant temps. You will also notice i did not block the lowest grill. I read somewhere that leaving that one open is enough to keep the car cool.

I will consider adding rear wheel skirts if the benefits outweigh the uglyness!

[Daox]

Wooo, very nice looking grill blocks.

I'm not sure where the intercooler is on the car, but you might want to leave that one unblocked as well.

[Gas-x]

Ugliness? I think the look of rear skirt is mint!

[ChrstphrR]

Originally Posted by Daox

Wooo, very nice looking grill blocks.

I'm not sure where the intercooler is on the car, but you might want to leave that one unblocked as well.

Intercooler's on the lower vent on the passenger side.

I've always left mine open, but, it probably will still pick up enough air from below. There's honestly HORRIBLE air flow for the intercooler rad on the back side, compared to the scoop up front on the MkIV Jetta/Golf platform.

lapeer20m, I've a slightly younger one than yours - a 2000 TDI.

In my few winters I've had my car, I had used coroplast to block the radiator in behind the openings. Below 40F, I had 2/3 of the radiator blocked that way with no undue problems with heat, so you certainly can block up most of the grills in winter. Summer, you may want to have it more open, and I'd recommend the bottom, since it seems more effective to leave a small opening in the bottom versus the top grill.

I found from about 75-80k miles of driving now, that it's most of the upper grill (the finned part) that can be blocked, while, for summers, the lower needs to be at least partially open for adequate cooling. You can't block ALL of the top, because the breather for the engine comes up in the upper driver's side of that top grill/opening. But most of it can be blocked up top, and a small amount down below will give you more effective cooling.

If you've still a bit more of that fibreglass surround you reused for the block off panels, I'd recommend you make another middle block, and swap that in for summer; the full block will do for the coldest parts that winters in MI can bring. Or, be prepared to unblock that middle in the field if you're driving long distances at highway speed.

Did you mount your blocks on the existing black plastic inserts, or did you mount them directly in on the valance?

P.S. The car looks nice -- I wanted black when I was hunting for mine, but silver suits me fine.