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Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: tuscan_thunder on 26 April 2010, 14:27

Title: New owner: some random questions
Post by: tuscan_thunder on 26 April 2010, 14:27
Hi,

Got a 2005 GTi last week and have some quick (I hope!) queries: I've done a search but not really got definitive answers.

Fuel consumption: what seems to be about normal?  Due to having no Shell or Tesco 99 nearby, I'm using BP Ultimate (with a dash of Millers additive to take it to 99RON) and can't get any better than 27mpg even driving very carefully, dropping to about 19 when 'making progress'.  (I'm not particularly heavy on fuel usually).

If this seems like poor consumption, what are the likely causes/cures?

I intend to change the air filter as I suspect it'll be needed.  Is this straightforward to do?  Is a standard one sufficient?

Spark plugs, would be worth cleaning them I suppose?


Are lambda sensors on the GTi prone to failing/affecting fuelling? 


Air-con: how cold is the air you get when it's on and set to 'lo'?  Mine was allegedly re-gassed before I got it but I suspect it wasn't.  The air is cold but not icy.  Re-gas required?  What should this cost? 


Tyres: are Dunlop SP9000s as poor as I think they are?  They are on the front but there are Pilot Sport 2s on the rear.  Was going to swap them round.


Brake pads: what type are the standard pads?  I have Ferodo of some description but not sure what compound. 

Thanks in advance
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: FamilyDub on 26 April 2010, 15:37

Consumption
It's a not a diesel, enjoy it. Anything 27+ mpg is a bonus.

Air-Con
Mine's sh1t and needs re-gassed, but I live in Scotland where 'summer' is like one day a year when the temperature is above 5c. If it ain't broke.... Re-gas about £70?

Tyres
Loads of threads on this... Michelin, Conti & Vredestein all excellent.

Brake Pads
Pagid, I thought were OEM?
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: tuscan_thunder on 26 April 2010, 15:50
Cool: 27 when nursing it just seemed a bit strong to me.  I can live with it having a drink when I'm cracking on, just less so when I'm mooching along.

Air con: I'm north west of Aberdeen: today it's 18c.  I'm nae used to heat which is why I want air con that works!


One additional question: the wash wipe automatic wipe function: why does it do 4 wipes then another after a pause?  It drives me nuts! (I let it do it's 4 then immediately wipe it again to minimise the wiper drag)  Is there a way to change this so it only wipes, say, twice? 
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: ub7rm on 26 April 2010, 16:17
I would agree that your fuel economy seems pretty poor - are we talking town traffic here?  (guess not from your petrol station issues).

Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: luvmygti on 26 April 2010, 16:23
27mpg on steady driving is poor IMO.

I have been able to get mine up to 42mpg (altough i was aiming to drive as economical as poss to see what i could get) but under normal driving i genrally see 32-34mpg ish  :smiley:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: FamilyDub on 26 April 2010, 16:28
The auto wash/wipe is the single biggest gripe I have with the GTI - seriously.

I like the auto function, but I dislike the fact there isn't a 'true' intermittent setting that does not alter... So either it's barely raining and your wipers are going mental, or it's pi$$ing with rain and nothing happens...

I have been able to get mine up to 42mpg

^^^ I have too - once. It was boring as fcuk!  :tongue:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: luvmygti on 26 April 2010, 16:36
^^^^^^
Tis true! it was not the most exciting thing i've ever done   :nerd:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: tuscan_thunder on 26 April 2010, 16:37
I would agree that your fuel economy seems pretty poor - are we talking town traffic here?  (guess not from your petrol station issues).



no, that's a mooching along, changing up reasonably early drive, some B-road, about 3minutes through town, wee bit of dual carriageway.  

When I saw Evo magazine averaged 30.something with their long termer, thought I should be getting better - can't imagine they were exactly light in the right foot.

edit: that's with air-con switched off most of the time.  (my car has 17s if that affects MPG?)


If I was getting 30-32mpg I'd be happy.  Not a huge increase I know.  
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: ub7rm on 26 April 2010, 17:03
If it gives you some idea I do a 20 minute journey, 10 minutes in town traffic (after a cold start) then 10 mins on a dual carriageway,  engine has barely warmed up and make 25 - 27 mpg.  Once the car is warmed up something around 30 would be normal and if you're carefull easily mid to high 30's.  I too have managed 42 but thats being a bit boring. (steady 40mph for quite a distance). 

I'd get it checked out ...
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: FamilyDub on 26 April 2010, 17:06
Call me childish, but life's too short to be sitting in a GTI in the inside lane trying to eek out the incremental mpg, IMO... others will no doubt disagree.  :undecided:

I saw Evo magazine averaged 30.

If it's Stuart Gallaghers white MKV, his commute is 25+ miles of rural A & B roads.  :nerd:  Is your use comparible?

I've been following his column for 18 months, from 'Performance Car', before it was absorbed into 'EVO'.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: Gene Hunt. on 26 April 2010, 20:38
Have to say you'r fuell consumption does seem a bit heavy. Air con on mine is icy cold,got a shaved head & my ears get freezing.  :grin:  :laugh:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: reidtastic on 26 April 2010, 20:47
Yea my consumption is proper sh1t too mate. I struggle to hit 30mpg too, i average about 28mpg.
A spark plug change service usually helps, and if you are hitting 40-50k on original sparkys that could be the problem, ive always noticed a differance on economy after an overdue service-plug change.

As for 99 octane, in tests it has been shown that that it takes a good few refuels for the car to adapt and show any mpg or performance gains from the fuel round about 8-10 refuels.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: ub7rm on 26 April 2010, 20:51
Even after a regass I wouldn't say the GTI's ac is all that great.  Not compared to most Fords or Toyota's I've been in anyway ... I had a hire Auris and that was like being in a freezer within seconds of switching the ac on.  Was the same with my mk4  :undecided:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: moutains on 27 April 2010, 08:59
did 240 miles mixed driving average speed 78mph fuel consumption 29 mpg  i agree about the wiper function must rain differently in germany
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: starlingadey on 27 April 2010, 09:27
Just had my air con serviced and at first it was next to useless so I took it back and the problem was that they'd over filled the gas which was causing it to trip out. They sucked some out and now its icy within seconds...so for people to say that the Golf air con is no good just isn't true in my experience.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: AlanD on 27 April 2010, 09:32
AC takes power away. Never use it lol

Thats what windows and sun roof are for :cool:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: rotor on 27 April 2010, 09:38
AC takes power away. Never use it lol

Thats what windows and sun roof are for :cool:

Common misconception. The drag caused by having windows and sunroof open at motorway speeds takes away far more power than running the AC does.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: AlanD on 27 April 2010, 09:43
Oh no, I dont have them down on the motorway, thats just silly.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: pitman4u on 29 April 2010, 17:04
Air con - have you had the compressor checked out? had mine replaced under warrenty last year. seems to be a big problem in mk5's.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: marty341 on 29 April 2010, 17:50
27mpg isnt great! Now i know we own gtis, but we got to save afew quid every now and then and drive sensibly, ive had 44mpg max afew times, and when driving hard ill always get 30+mpg!

Like reidtastic says it might pay you to have the plugs changed, and wouldnt hurt getting a new air filter :smiley:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: Saint Steve on 29 April 2010, 19:14
I average 27 mpg , light footed town commuting, on a run doing 70mph, no more then 35mpg , but its not easy when you have nearly 300bhp on tap, and the temptation to just ease your right foot and listen to the Exhaust symphony is too much of a temptation.
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: M30GLF on 29 April 2010, 20:49
Hi - I had a decent 100 mile each way trip today with work which gave me an ideal opportunity to check out mpg
Sat at between 75 and 80 and averaged 37 mpg in my ED30   -  WOO HOO  :grin: :smiley: :evil:

Must admit I was amazed and delighted at that

Think 30 is an ideal in the real world day to day to be honest   :wink:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: emmat68 on 03 May 2010, 13:06
Hi I got 44mpg out of my Pirelli the other day cruising between 60 & 65 mph  on the motorway . Normally a long run is around 38mpg. Town driving is around 23 -25 mpg. Not bad really. Duffer. :smiley:
Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: wuker on 10 May 2010, 16:42
Hi all

Does anyone know where the sensors are for the Auto headlights?

I polished my car a week or so ago and ever since then the lights have been on in the daylight

Any help will be appreciated

Title: Re: New owner: some random questions
Post by: AlanD on 10 May 2010, 16:45
Im pretty sure it works off 2 one above the rear view mirror where the rain sensor is and one behind the drivers side wing mirror.

I think.