2015 VW Golf 2.0 TDI MPG Dare: Austin to El Paso on 1 Tank of Diesel Fuel?
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- Опубликовано: 7 фев 2025
- We dare ourselves to take a 2015 Volkswagen Golf TDI from Austin to El Paso on a single tank of diesel. Do we make the 585 mile journey across Texas with less than 13 gallons of fuel?
Find out as we take this MQB platform 6-speed manual mk7 Golf S clean diesel on a road trip through Texas. We got excellent highway MPG results during our fuel economy test drive.
Check out our Fuelly stats www.dieselrevie...
![~1800 km (~1100 miles) single tank range test with Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI :: [1001cars]](/img/1.gif)
Excellent video! I just purchased a 2015 Jetta TDI and I took a 175 mile round trip from Colorado Springs to Denver. The car returned 58 mpg. I was amazed by these numbers and I'm one happy TDI owner.
Pablo Tafolla Thanks for watching. I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Congrats on getting a Jetta TDI. I'm sure you'll enjoy more road trips in the future.
"Once you go diesel you won't go back" That happened to me in 2004 with 2001 Golf TDI n 1993 Ford F250 IDI both still running strong.
I'm thinking seriously about getting the diesel golf, it looks great.
I was actually thinking about getting a 2015 Volkswagon Golf TDI, when shopping around for new cars. However, I ultimately decided on a Kia Rio 2015 hatchback, because of the unbeatable free 100k warranty that came with it. I've driven my friends' 2015 Golf, and had a blast, driving it. Looks like you guys had a lot of fun, too. And yes...that's some pretty fantastic fuel economy!
The only reason your guys' video even came up in my feed, is because I just released a daytime time-lapsed driving video of I-10 through El Paso. Comes complete with highway signs, annotations, and is synchronized to music. Figured it wouldn't hurt to link the video to my comment (link available at the bottom), in case you guys are interested in watching and reliving a part of your trip. It already got a big thumbs up from the Texas Dept of Transportation and El Paso Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Great video, you guys!
ruclips.net/video/E331gGqiD3w/видео.html
FreewayBrent Very cool. Thanks for watching and sharing! I was in El Paso with a 2015 VW Jetta TDI on July 3... making a loop from Austin, TX to Albuquerque, NM, and going back to Austin via El Paso. I also did an El Paso drive in a 2015 Audi Q5 TDI ruclips.net/video/MrL99HKYA3c/видео.html
I just purchased 2015 Golf TDI, did a 480 mile round trip from urban traffic snarl at sea level, to 5300 ft and back: 58 avg. mpg on trip, and never used 6th gear.
+Michael Turley Very cool. Turbos are effective at those higher altitudes.
I got 57.2 mpg in a 2014 Passat TDI driving from Manchester, VT to Long Island, NY. Less than a quarter of the tank used.
+Jeffrey Koch From Newark NJ to Providence R.I. I got 57.4 without even thinking about it in my golf.
Ive got a 2009 vw golf wagon tdi and its great. Fun to drive and good on long trips. Ive done a few mods to make it more peppy.😊
I love videos like this.
Well done guys, really great video :)
Thanks! We had a great time making this video. We plan to do more of these.
Nice vid & sub added! I want this as my next car and I completely agree with you that the 15' Golf SE TDI, 6 speed manual, with the lighting pkg is the way to go!!!! That is exactly how I am planning to spec it out! I'll look forward to more videos from you soon (hopefully)! Cheers
DARE TO COMPARE? Owned a 2013 Golf TDI, Manual Transmission, Owned a 2014 Jetta Sport wagon, Automatic Transmission. NOW, own a 2015 VW Golf Sport wagon. Eye LEARNED the difference between the Sirrus and XM radios. This car in the video, has the XM radio, 2015. Comes with a back up camera, as all 2018 cars, assembled in USA, will have. VERY Nice.
The pump says 11.something gallons... That's a 13.5 gallon tank...
Thx for sharing this diesal pedal to the metal review. Also as a bonus, practically wonky bgm free..
Good video, guys. Was that a 6 speed or DSG? I've got a 2000 Golf GLS TDI 5 speed with 225k miles. Still averaging mid to high 40s and can still easily do more than 700 miles on a tank. I've just had to dump a ton of money into it on maintenance though. Hoping there isn't more to come too soon.
+Gweeper64 Thanks for watching! This 2015 Golf TDI S has the 6-speed manual transmission. Maintenance is a worthy investment :)
Get an egr delete kit and retest the mileage
Excellent video guys..real driving real interest, thanks!
+Robin Scouse Thank you!
love the music at the end que viva la Republica Dominicana
Excellent information. Thank You!
Just realized Diesel is a green pump in the USA... weird. green is petrol in the UK and Diesel is black.
There isn't a color scheme for fuel in the US. For the most part, certain brands use their own color combination and some diesel pumps are green, black, and yellow or orange. Furthermore, there are very few standards for diesel fuel with regard to cetane. Most stations get their fuel from the same pipeline. Since the US military requires 40 cetane minimum, that's what we get from the pumps. Yet some US stations supply 50+ cetane, which is the base in EU. We do have a 15 ppm requirement for sulfur, which all stations meet. But the biodiesel blends vary depending on time of year, brand, and location. The rule of thumb out here is "all diesel is the same except for the low volume or off beat stations - avoid the stations that look like they don't sell too much diesel." The last thing you want is fuel from a station in Timbuktu that has old shite that probably endured weeks of summer thunderstorms and a frosty fall. The diesel fuel prices will sometimes reflect the age of the fuel as well because the price isn't current.
Also in Mexico, green is for gas and black is for diesel. If it wasn't for the nozzle different size, I'd poured diesel on my gas car when I was traveling to the US.
Same in Portugal
+Dennis Mills Thanks for watching! This VW Golf TDI El Paso trip was a fun video to make. Diesel is all about momentum, so the cruise control staying activated with clutch use is a good thing, in my opinion. It allows me to downshift uphill while maintaining speed, and thus reduces the need to reset cruise after downshifting in such a situation. This is also the case for a rare situation where a downshift would be required to pass. The new cruise control method creates a less stressful driving environment. I'm just not a fan of the layout. It should be on the stalk. Buttons should be for the stereo and trip computer. Although the trip computer integration into the touch-screen stereo is something Audi doesn't have, and I think Audi should consider putting the trip computer in the MMI.
I consider cruise control more important that air conditioning. I used to think the best implementation was the stalk on my 2006 GTI. But the cruise control buttons on the left side of the steering wheel are far superior and much easier to use. I have been driving VWs with manuals since 1973 and as the above comment pointed out, the ability to shift without deactivating the cruise is great. But I really love the way you can use the buttons to increment/decrement the speed by 1 and 5 mph intervals and see the set point in the lower left of the display.
The stereo and trip computer are also controlled from the steering wheel and it all fits great so what is wrong with cruise on the steering wheel? Compared to today's haptic buttons or moving the controls into a touchscreen, tactile buttons on the steering wheel are far superior.
I made Greensboro, NC from my home near New Haven, CT on one tank in my gas-engined 2006 Passat! 630 miles. I was sweating out the last few miles as I rolled into Greensboro but thankfully there was a gas station next door to my hotel.
Trips like that are the best! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Production note: When we filmed this, our GoPro 3+ was mounted on the windshield. I was worried during post production that our conversations might not get picked up since the GoPro's skeleton case opening was facing the windshield. So even though the GoPro microphones are just 2 inches from the windshield, we can still be heard just fine. That's how quiet this car is on the highway. Our voices were effectively bouncing off the windshield and the GoPro had no issues. There was no wind noise during the filming of this episode. Also, we had the A/C running and it was also quiet enough to let the GoPro pick up our conversation.
Very entertaining. Bet you guys would wait to open your parachutes until you were 1000 feet from the ground (just kidding). The suspense was wonderful. Would they make it, or would they be calling AAA? Or did they have a gallon of diesel stashed behind the rear seat?
BTW, did the reversal of how cruise control works with a stick shift in the MK7 golf line take you by surprise? Having driven stick shift cars for so many decades, I was quick unsettled when when I downshifted from 6th to 3rd while approaching a serious off ramp only to find the car speeding back up to the cruise control's set speed.
Every other stick shift car I've driven, including the '15 Passat, leave cruise disengaged until you select "Resume" or "Set."
I love the shout-out to Taco Cabana🌮🌮🌮
Thank you for the video! Good info.
Some questions:
1. V-Tex leatherette - is it getting hot during long drive (I assume TDI S has it)?
2. Seats: are they comfortable for long drive? Or you have to stop and stretch you legs once in a while?
3. Cabin noise. Judging by the videos, it sounded quieter than your A6 inside. How is it in real life?
Thank you!
Wanted you guys to show us the famous taco place you went to. :)
I do about 600 miles on a 11gal tank on my Fiesta 1.8D (non turbo).
2:02 I just gotta say, it was funny to see the truck pass when in a previous video, you said that all the trucks would see was your back.
Gavin Jorgensen LOL, good catch! Actually, we were heading north on I-35 and traffic is what keeps Austin weird. The merge lanes are short and cars ride each other pretty hard when getting on the freeway. I have a video of passing shots for the Golf TDI: ruclips.net/video/FcTv6NIeBCw/видео.html
I like your channel! I'll watch it!!
Gavin Jorgensen
Thanks!
That ending song
Don't get me wrong. I like the TDI, but it's not that surprising that a vehicle can get nearly 60MPG. My 84 honda CRX used to get 54 MPG as well. More on the Texas to Phoenix run.
J Yeah, but cars have gained a lot of weight since 1984, followed by an increase in power and safety. We've come a long way since then. www.automobile-catalog.com/car/1984/1093445/honda_crx_1_5.html
Yup, we sure have. No more 55MPG gas cars!
You should have performed a test at higher speeds. I can't imagine anyone driving as slow as you did on such a long trip. It would have been nice to see a 80-85 mph test at such distance.
Tom Petty Thanks for watching! I'll take that into consideration for our next trip. However, the goal of these tests is to get there. You might call that a long trip, but it was done on a single tank of fuel at normal speeds.
Our average speed of 64 mph is in line with 65 and 70 mph speed limits on most interstates, so we weren't poking along. Even though Texas has 80 and 85 mph limits on some highways, we'll see if we can do something a little extra in another review, but I can't make any promises.
Tom Petty Here's my latest video using a 2015 Audi Q5 TDI, with an average speed of 74 mph just for you! ruclips.net/video/MrL99HKYA3c/видео.html
In light of the recent Volkswagen admission to having an alternate emissions software program while on the dyno. I think we are all curious if you will partake in the upgrade and then do another road trip to test mpg? I have been in the market for a Golf TDI for over a month now. initially I wanted a GTI with performance package but the lower emissions and fuel performance of the TDI Golf convinced me to go diesel. I really enjoyed your videos of the Golf TDI and hope to hear from you soon.
+Johnny Vegas Thanks for watching and commenting. Right now, the 2016 Golf TDI is not certified in the US. While the TDI models do emit less CO2, I wouldn't rule out a GTI. The GTI is fun just like the TDI, but on a usability level, you'll be making fewer stops to refuel and thus have lower fuel bills and a lower car payment with a TDI. But since it may be a while before the TDI ever makes a return to USA, I'm sure that the GTI will be difficult to locate. As for a second test, I'm not holding my breath. I'd love to see the Golf TDI return, but I'd rather take a luxury car on a road trip. I hear the Touareg is nice.
On second thought, if the Golf TDI doesn't get EPA certification for 2016 or later, then that will make the 2015 Golf TDI one of the rarest VW's in the US. I would get a used one as long as the price is less than a GTI. I would give it a month to determine if used is the best route.
Going 585 miles on a full tank is a guaranteed success "dare". I have had a 2015 Golf Sportwagen TDI (same except station wagon version) with a manual transmission for 6 years and 50k miles. I average about 47 mpg around town and 55 mpg when traveling at 75 mph. On trips the car can go over 700 miles on its 13.2 gallon tank. So there is no way a full tank would run out of gas going only 585 miles between Austin and El Paso. That isn't a serious "dare."
It is if you bought a GTI.
@@DieselDrives I had a 2006 GTI but sold it after I got my Sportwagen because I quit driving it.
Gotcha. Just averaged 44.1mpg on my second tank on a NEW 2015 phase 1 fix Golf Sportwagen
yeah you'll get more than that after you put a malone flash back on it. miles are terrible with the new/cat dpf btw
We did Vegas to El Paso, Tx with $48 bucks in out Golf tdi 2015
Not bad, considering flights are $277 per person and your environmental impact is much lower when you don't fly commercial aircraft. Of course, electric car owners don't realize that their only way to travel is by aircraft and their car hardly offsets the need to fly.
Nice.. And I thought our '12 Passat SEL TDI at 43-49 mpg hwy was good. Wish VAG could figure out how to bring the US spec GSW Alltrack in as a TDI though.. Big miss
David G The GSW is still a great car, and all-wheel-drive would be a bonus. But at least the GSW can still be had with a manual transmission. Speaking of AWD, I am testing a 2015 Audi Q5 TDI this week. Videos will be added to RUclips in a few days.
So this is you actual real world mpg for this trip:50.8mpg. you went 585 miles and the pump shows 11.5xx gallons or even 11.4xx gallons, its hard to tell. hard to rely on the computer.
hernluis1 When the trip computer factors MPG, it's only based on the known value of the tank capacity. However, since the fuel station pumps shut off at different times, the most consistent fill up is when the car is topped off. When it's topped off, there's more fuel than the constant known tank capacity. The variable is the difference between the known full tank and the additional volume in the fuel filler neck. While your math is correct, it's based on a top off. Because of the way diesel fuel may foam up during a refuel, and each pump handle has different resistance, and because newer diesels have misfuel prevention, it's hard to top off the tank consistently. Overall, the computer is correct, and it adjusts mpg upward due to the additional fuel that has exceeded the constant value.
I often make 1500 k's on a tank of fuel in my 2014 golf 2,0 tdi 150ps estate so you are going to have to exercise some more :)
Well, any updates? :) Diesel gate.
Congratulations to the CleanMPG.com crew for breaking a world record in this very car! Be sure to check out my review of this car ruclips.net/video/wLw1SrwPTic/видео.html, which I did prior to CleanMPG.com's world record run. www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showpost.php?p=408843&postcount=58
Car was on its last legs this summer, decided on a TDI Golf, but put it off. Now it is dead (a hard to isolate ground in a 12 year old second-hand Hyundai). We are renting a car to get by. I still really want the Golf TDI, but am considering breaking down and buying a gas Golf - we keep cars for a long time (every one 10 years +) so the TDI would be nice to have. The dealer was tight lipped and wouldn't answer questions about TDI's.
I am operating under the assumption that the 288 TDI Golfs (2015/2016) pass without modification and we be on the market as soon as the ban is lifted.
Concerns I have:
Buying a gas Golf, one month before the TDI's are released. Missing out on a diesel long-term because of a short-term (no car) need.
Waiting for a TDI, but being forced to wait for delivery and paying a premium based on the pent up demand for TDI's.
Any recommendations? Any tricks? Could a buy one in Mexico and drive it back?
Patience is a virtue, as they say. I would be that if and when the ea288 2.0 TDI models return and get "fixed," they will be fitted with software that boosts the turbos for even more power. The comeback, in my mind, will be complete and full-circle if the upshot is more turbo and proven clean emissions. Even if there's a 10% drop in efficiency (which I doubt), it will be a comeback.
Just look at it this way, my heavy, all wheel drive, v6, 3.0 liter A6 TDI is rated at 38 mpg hwy. That rating includes 240hp, 428lb-ft, and 2 more cylinders than the ea288 2.0 TDI. The worst case is that the 2.0 TDI won't gain power.
But since the plans for a "fix" are in EPA's hands (and CARB), its clear that if gov rejects the "fix" (but not without dragging their feet to further impaled VW), its clear that gov is out to evict VW. In that case, used TDI VW models will never lose value.
If you must buy something (and I don't blame you - you endured a Hyundai for 12 loathsome years) then find a TDI Golf SE from 2015. Just avoid trying to import one, because that's going to be impossible.
Awesome. Thanks. The "fixed" TDI's sound even better.
If you like to keep cars long term, a TDI should be great bec Diesel engines, with proper maintenance, last twice as many miles as gas engines.
@@leslielucci3182 Agreed. I am still looking for a 2015 Golf TDI. Waiting for used car prices to fall.
Hi, like your videos , just purchased a 2015 TDI Sportwagen S have you ever figured out you MPG using mileage gone by gallons used ? The MFI is never accurate...
+Rich Figlia I did a fill-up at the end of this video.
Good job on video you 2! Too bad VW shot themselves in the foot on the diesel thing. I have a 99.5 golf 2 door tdi with the 1.9 ltr. Have gone over 800 miles on a tank many times. "It's all about the torque" . Great car
Quick question why does this get a 550 mile range on a full tank and the Jetta gets 700? Is there a difference in the way it’s geared?
14.5 gal tank on Jetta
13.2 gal tank on Golf
Plus, my Golf drive included my brother, which is at least 250Lbs even though the Golf has .27 vs Jetta's .30 drag coefficient. Weight and smaller fuel tank didn't help the Golf.
Diesel Drives ohhhhhh okay thank u much! I just bought a 6 speed 2013 Jetta and I’m looking forward to road tripping it
It’s been quiet in here .. 😂
test now with the tdi fix
I didn’t expect that Dominican music at the end 😂
Road trips will do that!
you could have gone another 35 miles before fuel starvation shutdown. i've done it..
How well are these engine I'm looking to buy a use tdi. Its a 2015 with 39k miles, how is the maintenance on the tdi i never own a diesel car.
+TheCONtwo Maintenance is simple. Oil changes every 10K miles with vw spec 507 oil and fuel and air filter changes every 20K. Timing belt is at 120K. DSG transmissions need a fluid flush every 40K. Check the car service booklet for more details.
+Diesel Review oils change every 10k? That's nuts now when it comes to repairs. Are vw like luxury cars where parts cost way more? Compared to ford or Chevy cars.
+TheCONtwo I've gone to 15K on tdi and Mercedes bluetec models. Oil suspends the diesel soot as well and will thin out over time. Changing frequently will not improve wear resistance. Older models had cam issues (pre 2009). Parts? I've never had to buy parts other than fuel filters, oil filters, and air filters. I even bought oil by the liter directly from the vw dealer and it was cheaper than going to promote.
+Diesel Review that's nuts. Well what I hear from all my friends that owned luxury cars. That when it came to repairs it's a lot more expensive.
+Diesel Review Damn auto correct on my phone. What I meant to say was that oil was cheaper at the vw dealer than pepboys.
I'd like to see a hybrid with a diesel engine.
+charles wrobel You and me both!
VW made one and failed hard. It was a plug-in hybrid called Audi A4 duo III. They made about a hundred of them around 1997, found that the added weight consumed almost all savings and then called it a day. Hybrids are good in the city but don't add any value for long distance highway trips - which are exactly where the diesel excels. When the Golf VII was brandnew, I got 38 mpg out of a rented manual 2.0 TDI that I flogged over the autobahn on a high speed long distance trip (total average 76 mph for 4h 20 min with a 10 minute break, hitting up to 130 mph).
I get 600 miles with a full tank in my TDI.
i depends on grade and speed. i can get over that if i'm going downhill the whole trip.
Here's another MPG road trip attempt in a 2015 Audi Q5 TDI:
ruclips.net/video/MrL99HKYA3c/видео.html
Diesel Review
Looks like you dipped out at the airport... rule should be downtown
Airway is my exit because there are two fuel options and several hotels right there. Plus it makes it for easy departure in the morning.
Was this the bluemotion 2.0 tdi?
+mitchell dixon Yes. But it was never called Bluemotion here in the US.
chicos tacos man
Doing an eco run with the aircon on ? lol
Hell yes we kept A/C on! We don't skimp out on our road trip challenges.
Yes but, if you'd have turned off the aircon, could've gotten more mileage out the engine! by the way big fan of your vids :D I myself am a convert to diesel technology, gonna sell my corolla and buy a diesel corolla :P
Uzair Ahmed they make such a thing? Haha. I’ve always been loyal to my Honda’s, have an 06 civic and it’s got 286k on it...never touched drivetrain, but i really would love a diesel car
Where is the math?
I rely solely on the trip computer calculations mainly because a full tank of diesel is never going to be consistent. You just gave me an idea for my next video. Thanks for watching. I'll post a new video soon to address calculations, and you are correct for asking that question.
Diesel Review I don't trust the manufactures computer either. Even a tire swap with a slightly larger or smaller diameter will throw the computer off.
The onboard computer does not reflect the true MPG value. If VW could cheat their way through EPA emission standards, they could do the same with these onboard MPG numbers.
The onboard MPG readings are INFLATED.
If you don't believe me, you should do your own hand calculation and compare it to the onboard MPG reading.
Here are your numbers off your VW display
Miles travelled = 585
MPG for these miles = 53.6
But after you filled up the tank, you put about 11.9 gallons of diesel.
11.9 gallons got you 585 miles in this particular trip.
Calculation 585 miles divided by 11.9 gallons,
Result = 49.159.... miles per gallon.
This number is the real world MPG number, not 53.6 mpg off the computer display.
53.6 mpg is an inflated number, inflated by 9% compared to the actual MPG.
If 53.6 were the actual MPG number, then you should have only burned 10.9 gallons of diesel (585 divided by 53.6), but instead, you burned 11.9 gallons.
Nevertheless, 49 mpg is very good indeed, even better than the official EPA estimate.
The on-board computer is most accurate because it has a measure of the metered fuel sent to the injectors. What it can ascertain is the consumption of additional fuel for headwinds and temperature deviation. When filling up, each pump and station and even ambient temperature and altitude can impact filling the tank. Also, the diesel fuel filter is holding an additional 500 ml of fuel. So unless you are going to account for the fuel in the lines, the computer knows exactly what was metered at the injectors and the mpg stats are recalculated every 5 seconds. What the computer can never account for is a topped off tank. The computer can calculate mpg and consumption based on a known variable that the tank capacity is n gallons. If you top off the tank and don't interrupt the calculation, you get this scenario, because the supply of fuel exceeded the known capacity.
+Diesel Review
I have considered the variables, the pumps, the temperature, the altitude, etc
I assume that you didn't top off the tank and you reset the MPG gauge before you started driving.
Considering all the known variables, i find it hard to believe it would result a 1 gallon difference. Theoretically the computer indicated you only consumed 10.9 gallons, while you pumped 11.9 gallons into the tank. That's the 1 gallon difference.
Perhaps you have more faith in the on-board computer than me.
And i don't know what your exact circumstances are, you could be a VW employee or hired by VW to do reviews.
Or could be a lobbyist for diesel?
.
It's not just the VW's mpg gauge, many other auto makers have the same issue, these mpg gauges tend to over estimate the actual mpg value.
If you do a google search, you'd find that, so it is not just me who's skeptical.
I'm actually a 2015 VW Golf TDI owner, my manual calculations always come short compared to the onboard mpg readings. And i have put about 20K miles on my Golf.
Previously i owned a '11 MINI Cooper S, its onboard mpg reading never matched my manual calculation either.
So i never believe what is displayed by the onboard mpg reading.
And i always factor in the environmental elements, i.e. i try to used the same pump as the same fueling station for calculation purpose; i considered the weight of junk hauled when that is the case; temperatures, elevation, etc...
Skepticism is the probably the only reasonable attitude i can hold, especially after the VW diesel scandal.
You're saying you don't trust mathematical computation from an obc on any car and then you say you definitely don't trust math when VW tells you how much you're consuming. You can't argue with math. Your calculation is not scientific enough if you don't eliminate variables.
I trust science and math, but i don't trust people with specific interests who may manipulate data or instruments to skew data. You can't blame me for my distrust in VW and their machines after the diesel scandal.
I am only being reasonable.
Yes my manual calculations may not be all that scientific, but i do what any average consumer could and would, with limited resources.
All i am saying is i am skeptical about these onboard numbers. You may choose to believe them without question, but i find it hard to do so.