Realistic max MPG for a 1.4 litre Volkswagen Polo
 

Hi,

I drive a 2006 model 1.4 litre (83HP/16V) Volkswagen Polo. Currently I get around 38 US MPG (6.2l per 100 km) on the open highway when following the hypermiling tips listed on EcoModder.

Realistically, what can I increase this figure to, without modifying the car in any way?

The car's economy figures from the handbook are as follows:

• Urban cycle 25.5 MPG US (9.2l per 100 km)
• Extra-urban cycle 44.4 MPG US (5.3l per 100 km)
• Combined cycle 34 MPG US (6.9l per 100 km)

The car's kerb weight (with driver) is 2326 lbs (1055 kg).

Cheers & thanks

Max sidewall pressure as well as look ahead for chances to lift off the throttle and coast ahead in neutral.

Try to drive less plan more , example: 1 large shopping trip not 10 short ones will make your tank last longer, which stretches your fuel a lot more then getting great mpg on many unnecessary trips.

Thanks for the reply, ecomodded.

I try to follow these tips all the time. I haven't driven my car in over a week (I cycle to campus).

How do you get such great MPG with your VW Beetle? Is it all driving style or have you made physical modifications to your car too?

A quick question:

Is this Imperial or US MPG that you are getting?

They're US MPG. I used Calculator-Converter when doing conversions.

A big point in ecomodded's favor for his great numbers is that VW TDI engine. If I had one of those under the hood I would never have gone shopping for a hybrid.

How much weight are you willing to take out of the car? Spare, passenger tire, carpets, back seat, etc.

When you replace the battery, move down to a smaller (lighter) size.

I know you say you don't want to make any modifications, but the little engine in your Polo is only making about 74hp, if you can lighten its load at all that would be a good thing. Adding some aero improvements can't go wrong once you've done all the weight loss adjustments.

I just found an article that claims the '06 Polo Bluemotion is good for about .307 cD, so yours should be similar.

You raise some great points, thanks!

I only really use the car for long commutes (~250 miles), otherwise I walk/cycle. The car's battery needs replacing so I'll downsize when I do.

Taking the rear seats out seems easy enough. I'd rather not remove the spare wheel, even though I've only ever used it once.

I've just got myself a OBD2 adaptor so it'll be interesting seeing what effect these changes have on gas mileage.

Cheers

Im waiting for some impressive numbers. Good Luck!

Sorry for the late reply, I have just re found this thread.


With the diesel I use its low rpm torque for the mpg savings, keeping the rpm's low and shifting at 1250 -1500rpm so the next gear puts my rpm at 1000 rpm.

Driving 55-58mph on the hwy and coasting in neutral as often as possible, as much on the hwy as the city streets.
My car is rated for 50mpg imperial , here in Canada. In North America the Beetle was the only car to get the 90hp AGR motor , for 1/2 year only, the last 6 months of the first years production run. The AGR was used in Europe

Also I use a cheap diesel tuning box , for fast throttle response and early power.

Your 40mpg must be because you have a Automatic transmission ? with its mpg robbing delayed shift points