Comments on: 2009 Jetta TDI Mileage a Letdown?

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 14:37:00 +0000

For the last 3 weeks or so, the price of ULS diesel fuel has been $0.60 to $0.90 a gallon higher than RUG, which is running about 3.20/gal. today(Metro Detroit). This may be related to demand for heating oil. I’ve only had my TDI for about 3 years and I’ve seen diesel reach a high of $1.00/gal. (nearly $5 in December 2008) more than RUG and a low of about equal or a little below RUG. Most of the time, ULS diesel fuel is about the same price as Premium Unleaded Gas. Anyone know why there is such a large difference at the present?

By: Kevin C.

Kevin C. — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:07:19 +0000

@Ian from FL.

I live in South FL. Temperatures will probably have more to do with performance than elevation. Of course, temperature is somewhat linear with elevation at 1 degree decrease for every 10 feet above sea level in average. In a flat terrain like FL, temperatures vary mostly on the time of the day, but still most of the year should be hot enough to not make a big difference like in cold weather regions.

BTW, don’t over-inflate your tires. Manufacturer specs should tell you what your optimum PSI is based on the weight load of your car. People tend to inflate to max PSI posted on the tire, but that can be very risky. Remember Ford and Firestone rollovers from last decade? In part, they were due to over-inflation from 26 PSI (recommended by Ford) to 35 PSI (posted on Firestone tires).

I’m getting 34 City/46 Hwy by doing the following:

- Coast as much as possible, like on ramps off the expressways.
- Don’t idle. Coast to red lights, rather than rush to them and then stop and wait for change. Other drivers might hate you for it, but fuc’em… they don’t pay your fuel. :)
- Use your cruiser as much as possible in the highway. It will make your MPGs average up, specially in long straight roads like Turnkpike or I95.
- Don’t open your windows if going at 50MPH or above as it will cause drag. (Mythbusters)
- Don’t open your windows at all, lol. I know it might be hard with a 10 speaker sound system, but hey… using AC at low setting on 72 degrees has worked good for me after hot air has been taken out. Parking in the blazing sun is not fun specially with leather seats, so a good 3M gray/black shade 20 tint is good to have.
- Try to cruise at 60MPH or below in highway. Going faster than 60MPH will waste a lot more gas quicker.
- Although I don’t do it as often, unless low on fuel… turning off the engine when in red lights is better than idling; as long as the wait time is longer than 16 seconds. Less than 16 seconds on idle would use less than start-up from ignition in average.

On a good month, I can go 20 days without putting diesel into my tank. That’s of course, on a 4/10 work week, with 25-30 miles trip daily.

By: Willie Bowles

Willie Bowles — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:31:32 +0000

I have a 2009 Jetta Sedan/ with 2.0 TDI and 6 speed Auto. Seems the harder I run it the better it is on fuel mileage. It now has 23,000 miles on it and I get around 38/ city and 44/ highway. I run it hard.

By: Zac Boling

Zac Boling — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:46:32 +0000

I know you think that diesel costs skyrocket while gas does too just not as much; however, diesel is not imported from the same place as unleaded. So the prices really do not vary as much when gas goes up. I have seen unleaded be $2 more per gallon.

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:23:57 +0000

Hi, I have owned my 09 jetta now for 2 years now and about three weeks ago my engine light came on so I brought to I found on the tdi web to read my codes and he told it something todo w/ my pressure censer. I droped the car off at vw dealer and they told me I need a new wire harness at tune of 1100 dollars. I called vw customer care and they told me after there investigation they pay for the part but not labor, after negotiating for a while I managed to get them to pay for half the labor. I subscribe to consumer reports on line and was reading some reviews and found two customers with electrical problems, I’m wondering if this should be a recall issue. Do you know anybody with this issue. One of the reviews said they needed a wire harness @ 45000 miles I’m at 46700.
Anything you can find would be helpful.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:18:45 +0000

I have a 2009 Jetta TDI Sedan with a little over 49,000 miles with tire inflation at 35 psi. We went on a 5.5 hour, each way, trip a couple of weeks ago. It was all expressway at about 68 to 70 mph and it averaged about 44.5 mpg. The outside temp was about 50. We had two adults and a trunk full of luggage. I know around town driving, short distances, cold temps and speeds over 70 mph really affect mpgs. On my commute this morning I averaged about 46 mpg. It is about 24 miles, at about 40 F, averaging about 38 mph and I think I stopped at 4 stop lights on 8 Mile. The mileage has gotten better as the car gets more miles on it and as the temps increase for spring and summer. I can’t offer much more than this.

By: kevin dean

kevin dean — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 15:38:09 +0000

Hey there, i also have a 2009 tdi sportwagon that i bought used with 40000 miles. Now has 66000 and getting around 34mpg. This is 90 % highway driving with mpg in mind. Trying to dig up an answer for the low mpg. have you come up with anything?

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 02:06:19 +0000

I have a 2009 Jetta TDI Sportwagen. I traded in a 2005 Passat Wagon that used gasoline. In comparing the two vehicles I am certainly very happy to have switched to the TDI. However, reading threads here and elsewhere relating great fuel consumption and mileage has me dumbfounded. Maybe I have a dud of a car or something…but I consistently have gotten exactly what the EPA estimates state…about 32 – 34 MPG on average tank after tank. Driving at 50MPH is another story…I could probably get 50+MPG…but stop-n-go city or 70MPH hwy…no way. At 70MPH this thing gets about 38MPG, drop to 60MPH and it gets about 48MPG…so it is definitely tuned for the best mileage at around 2000RPM. Now, I’m in South Florida…so does being close to sea-level affect it? I also need to use the A/C consistently…does that affect it? It is also quite flat driving, not much in the way of downhill coasting. I’m no leadfoot, but I’m not a fuel-mizer either, just a regular driver. Aside from mileage, hey I like this vehicle…nice amenities, handling, power…maybe I would have preferred a ’10 with steering wheel controls for the radio. If anybody can tell me just HOW to get high mileage ratings (I already over-inflate my tires) I’d love to hear it…

By: knut riis

knut riis — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 22:02:06 +0000

My comment is to someone comparing their V8 Powerstroke diesel on a trip in New Mexico, with a Jetta at lower altitudes.
Keep in mind that air is thinner at high altitudes – such as New Mexico, and therefore causes less drag, so the comparison is not relevant.
Whenever comparing fuel-economy it has to be done at the same conditions, same fuel, same temperatures etc.

By: Rod

Rod — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:04:39 +0000

I have about 46K miles on my ’09 TDI Sedan. It averages about 38 in the winter and 42 in the Summer in combined city/hwy driving. The mileage got a bit better after 30K miles. I actually got 44.5 mpg on a 500 mile one way trip last June withe the A/C on at about 70 mph. 40% more hp, common rail design and blue tech clean diesel technology comes at a price compared to he PDs. I did a lot of research before I bought in 2008 and the EPA estimates helped set my expectations. I’m pleased with the mpg, compared with my ’06 Escape, but I was hoping for at least 10% higher on average.

By: Ann Scarpita

Ann Scarpita — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:59:47 +0000

I am constantly complaining to the dealership who sold me my 2010 tdi. I traded in my awesome jetta 2005 tdi (50-60 miles to the gallon) for 33 on average…..unbelievable. What is even worse is the salesman at Zimberick in Madison, Wisconsin assured me it would get close to what I had in my 2005. He actually said, “It should get the same mileage.” I actually “bought it”, no pun intended and found out later I GAVE away my awesome, beautiful tdi for a POS. I will not only never buy a car from this dealer again (because nothing was done or said by management to me personally after my complaint) but I will never buy a volkswagon ever again. It is very sad because I thought I would have at least one VW in my driveway for the rest of my life.

By: larry

larry — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 15:46:54 +0000

I drive in the nyc area avg hwy 42 city 28.

if anyone gets over 50 mpg on the newer bigger jetta body an bigger engine then they must be doing all downhill driving. Hway milage is ok city is bad.

VW jetta tdi 09-10 has a major problem with there High pressure fuel pump. Metal parts breakaway an go throughout the entire fuel system and engine resulting in a 10,000 dollar job.

By: informant

informant — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 19:24:44 +0000

I have had my jetta tdi (6 speed manual) since February 2009. After 32,000 miles of driving in the NY/NJ metro area (lots of time spent idling on 495 to get through the lincoln tunnel) I have averaged 38.9 mpg.

I have been very happy with the car as far as the fuel economy and driving dynamics. I don’t think there’s another car out there that can offer as much fun behind the wheel while getting such high mpgs. Oh well maybe the Golf TDI!

By: Randal

Randal — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 21:13:44 +0000

The DSG automatic gets a fraction better mileage than the manual – it has no torque coverter.

By: Gork

Gork — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 18:08:10 +0000

I been looking at tdi JETTA. I have decided not to buy it. In my area diesel is going for .40 more than reg gas. At the difference I can’t justify buy a TDI even if the milage is 40+ city driving. I don’t see the spread on diesel and gas getting any better. Also I was very disappointed to learn the VW only overs like 3 interior colors? Options seem limited.

By: Rod

Rod — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:15:04 +0000

I saw the highest average mpg this morning at about 18 miles on 8 Mile Road, 56 mpg!!! After the additional 4 miles on M10 (expressway), I stopped in the parking lot with an average of 54.6 mpg. 37,600 miles on my ’09 TDI sedan with the DSG tranny.

By: Mike H

Mike H — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 04:02:50 +0000

I own a 2006 Jetta TDI — I just put larger tires 235/45/17 Bridgestone’s and it drives a lot smoother than the original rubber bands I bought it with. As for mileage with 75% highway at 75mph I always get 42-44mpg per tank (I write details about every tank). I now have 56k miles of worry-free fun driving!

By: Rod Tincknell

Rod Tincknell — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:55:55 +0000

The last few days I have observed the following results on my Jetta TDI Sedan w/ DSG and 32,200 miles:

5/19/10 To work – 48.4 mpg (temp of 61 F)
5/19/19 Home from work – 50.6 mpg (temp of 79 F)
5/20/10 To work – 48.7 mpg (temp of 66 F)

My commute is about 18 miles on a 8 lane divided highway ( speed limit 40 mph) and 4 miles on an expressway. the average speed is about 35 mph. The ride home yesterday it showed nearly 53 mpg before I drove in the subdivision.

I’m not looking forward to the 40K maintenance visit. I heard it was about $480 including the DSG fluid and filter change.

By: 1Mean

1Mean — Thu, 06 May 2010 02:12:27 +0000

I bought my 2009 TDI in March of last year and have over 100,000 miles on it already. I have notice with mine if I drive 50-60 I get about 47mpg and if I go a little faster it drops to about 44 mpg or so. It is an auto and I have only had 2 issues with it, arm rest between the seats broke and only covered till 40000miles and I had an exhaust vavle stick closed causeing an engine light to come on and was covered by warranty. I love the torque and works very well I would recommend this car to anybody.

By: Rick Hrabe

Rick Hrabe — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:36:02 +0000

I bought a used 2009 VW Jetta TDI automatic it was a dealer car so it had 12500 miles on it. It now has 14500 on it and it has been perfect. I have been averaging between 38 and 44 MPG for city/country driving very little interstate. Did one trip on the interstate milage was about 45 to 47. Previously had a Prius which got better MPG but was boaring and handled like a pig. The Jetta is a fun car to drive and I feel very secure driving it. Could be my favorite car ever if it holds up.