FR TFSI DSG Fuel Consumption

[beachboy]

Good evening SEAT comrades,

I know that the question I am going to ask comes under the category of " How long is a piece of string", but despite that I am prepared to subject myself to systematic, continued, prolonged, harsh abuse and flagellation from fellow SCN posters along the lines of Steve, "I used to be an England manager" McLaren and Brian "ex-bank manager-in-a-Brian Rix-type- farce-with-trousers-around-legs" sort of way, Barwick.

Despite the above provisos/protestations, what is the "average" fuel consumption you are getting from your FR petrol FSI DSG/manual turbo?

When I took my 24 hour test drive I must admit that the last thing on my mind was the average fuel consumption as I did my Lewis Hamilton impression (with F1 type paddles) around the back lanes of West Wales. As you guessed, I was not paying for the 97/98 RON unleaded.

Do not fear, I do not regret my decision in any shape,way or form, despite being a fan of diesel/turbo diesel since 1983 with a Peugeot 205 GRD (sorry about that VAG fans). That is 24 years with diesel engined cars.
This Leon FR DSG petrol is the best thing since sliced bread and my Leon Mk1 110 tdi (which in its class is one of the finest cars ever built). The performance and handling/cornering are superb.

My average speed on the 24 hour test was probably about 55 mph, which on the badly-surfaced, back roads of West Wales is pretty good, allowing for dodderers every 30 seconds. I did not hang about!
Now with my brand new car, which is not run-in and has only done a couple of hundred miles, I am looking at about 25 mpg. I was expecting about 30 mpg at least , especially driving like a granny (no offence to grannies, the female gender, aged personnel and the politically correct).

Does the SCN panel (along the lines of "Question Time" by David Dimbleby) think that I should:

(a) Stop fa**ying about and get my foot down, ignore the possible effects of global warming and the SEAT handbook and feel an even warmer glow from the considerable effects of Force = Mass x Acceleration?

or

(b) Continue to gently "run-in" the engine for the first 600 miles (or kilometric equivalent) as recommended by the SEAT handbook and hopefully expect better fuel consumption in the future (if I/we have one)? Will my consumption improve, Mr Darcy?

(c) As a consequence of option (a) should I bankrupt myself and be forced to purchase a totally inferior automobile product such as a Ford Focus "breaks regularly"/Renault of any kind/Honda "my backside & lumbar region are hurting a lot"/Vauxhall & Mazda "my clutch is juddering"/Citroen "what just fell off", BMW "how much was that f**king bill again"/Kia "nobody-with-half--a-brain-buys-one" or similar vehicles?

(d) Is there any other alternative way of driving this car to optimise fuel consumption?


Replies along the lines of, "they all do that to start with, sir" will not be considered.
Best wishes to all fans of global warming.
beachboy

 

[phil3012]

If it's any help, out of my Cupra I can get just under 30 mpg if I stick to the speed limit, normally on a run I'd say 27/28 is average if I take it quite steady. Have had 34 mpg once on a run from Leeds to Birmingham but was probably doing 50 for a lot of that because of traffic. Overall average which includes a fair bit of city driving, I would say about 25 mpg..

Hope this helps.

Phil

 

[amnesia]

I had the exact same problem with my Leon FR, but after a long while of opening it up, the fuel seemed to get slightly better, but only slightly and I do drive like a grandma to conserve fuel sometimes. But, I brought mine with 2000 miles on the clock, so I don't know about new, but I'm guessing it just needs to open up, too. I guess that's the price you pay for speed, though. It's worth it, when you put your foot down.

I think you should stick to the 600 miles thing, because you've got two options...

1) If you floor it and something goes wrong, then you'll regret it.

2) If you floor it and nothing goes wrong, then great.

Personally, I'd pick option one, considering the car isn't exactly cheap, even with the free warranty, I'd rather wait.

I also found that if I fill the tank up - well, over half way that generally I get better fuel consumption. I find it a waste of time putting a tenner in, because it just disappears. 20 is usually the minimum I go for. To be honest, I'd stick with the car, because there's down point in down grading just for fuel, especially considering how great the car is. The positives far outweigh the negatives, in my opinion.

Because the only car I'd want is something faster, not slower. I couldn't downgrade yet, too young. Maybe when I get older, I'll consider it, but until then, a lot of petrol burnt and a lot of fun spent doing it. And as far as global warming? Well, just don't drive the car as often, lol. There's a lot of ways to conserve energy, not just cars. But, yeah, overall, i'd say stick with it, the fuel consumption does get slightly better and the amount of fun you'll have will far outweigh anything else that comes into consideration.

 

[flakmunky]

I followed the running in procedure with my FR DSG purchased from new. A lot of people on here suggested that I just floor it, but I figured with such a fancy gearbox it should be eased in gently...

I average about 27-28mpg but this includes my trip to work which is a 30 mile round trip mainly on a dual carriageway. This is with 97 RON fuel.

I downgraded from a 350z and have found the fuel consumption about the same... The Nissan was actually quite frugal given the size of the engine...

Run it in properly and then enjoy it.

As for Global Warming - just remind yourself that you are doing the planet a favour... By using up the oil more quickly you are helping to force innovation.

PS Lets see if the Oilers can resist coming along and laughing at our MPG!

 

[jimbo_FRDSG]

Beachboy
I would say that fuel consumption of about 25-28 mpg is fairly standard as the other posters have pointed out.
I have had the car just over 2 months and got it with about 1k on the clock...it had been the dealer manager running around in it from new.
Most of my driving is done in the city with the occasional blast on a dual carriageway for 10 miles or so just to clear its lungs, when I do check the mpg its about the 25 mark. I don't dodder around too much and don't hang about at roundabouts and lights.....there's fun to be had with this DSG box.
I'm the opposite from you as I have got older have gone from sensible cars to the FR and I can qualify for SAGA products.
I wouldn't downgrade just for fuel consumption.
Couldn't imagine much more fun to be had in a car....unless I got Shakira in the back seat.

 

[MatthewB]

I've had mine for 3 weeks now and she's now got 1.5k on the clock. My findings so far. I run my car on SUL only and have tried BP, Shell and Tesco fuels. Fuel consumption is the same across the board although I swear the Shell "felt" better.

Journeys of less than 5 miles ~19 mpg

My commute of 17miles each way, 12 miles M6/M5 and 5 miles of stop/start A roads (A4123)
- Driving gently in D ~28-30
- Driving in D but with liberal use of the paddles on sliproads/lights/roundabouts ~26-27

Motorway journey (M5 all the way from 1 to 30)
- 70 mph = 35.5 mpg (rar! but painful)
- 80 mph = 29-30 mpg

To be honest I think it's fair consumption for something with 200BHp

 

[beachboy]

Thanks for the replies.
I have absolutely no intention of changing the car but I did want to know the experiences of others. That is why SCN is such an excellent forum.
It seems that my consumption is about par for the course, especially since it has a long way to go before it is anywhere near run-in.
This is made more difficult by the use of full synthetic oils which on the other hand give super engine protection.
In the old days a special running-in oil would be used for the first so many miles but unfortunately many drivers ignored either checking their oil levels or changing to the better quality oil at the right time. The result was several damaged low mileage engines so the manufactures had to act to change procedures.

The FR petrol engine and DSG gearbox, especially in flappy paddle mode, are just so smooth. Various passengers have remarked on this overriding quality. In addition the suspension is firm but compliant. It is a superb car.

 

[flakmunky]

It is a superb car.

Agreed!

 

[beachboy]

Jimbo FRDSG,
Going off topic for 2 seconds, I notice from your avatar that you are a fan of "Still Game". For those who are not familiar with SG, it is/was a brilliant comedy set in Glasgow on BBC2.
To all SCN members, the Still Game DVDs would make excellent Christmas presents for the other halves!!
SG is just blinking hilarious (think of an elderly version of Rab C Nesbitt).

 

[jimbo_FRDSG]

Jimbo FRDSG,
Going off topic for 2 seconds, I notice from your avatar that you are a fan of "Still Game". For those who are not familiar with SG, it is/was a brilliant comedy set in Glasgow on BBC2.
To all SCN members, the Still Game DVDs would make excellent Christmas presents for the other halves!!
SG is just blinking hilarious (think of an elderly version of Rab C Nesbitt).

Ah yes good old Jack and Victor and Co....my heroes !
Still Game is in fact a spin off of Chewin' the Fat where they were small comedy sketches but they got their own series later.
To be honest the last series went on BBC nationally but by then I think they had lost a bit of sparkle.
Still anyone interested you can get downloads etc from
http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/tv/chewinthefat/jack_and_victor/still_game/

 

[beachboy]

jimbo FRDSG,

Yes, you are right, "Chewing the Fat" was the origin of Jack and Victor's "Still Game".

What a superb pair of actors (not forgetting the gimpy one with the glasses who is one of the main writers). All in all it is just humour from a different planet, providing that you are not hard of Glaswegian.

e.g. " Can I clap your cat?" translates to "May I stroke your cat?"

and "Has your cat had its jags?".............."Has your cat had its vaccinations?"

Buy those "Still Game" DVDs. I am not on commission, by the way!