Author Topic: Awful economy at idle  (Read 6193 times)

Offline MikeT

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
  • I don't need no stinkin clutch pedal...
Awful economy at idle
« on: 19 December 2010, 13:53 »
I noticed this a short while ago while stuck in traffic, and noticed it again recently.  Basically, my car seems to have awful efficiency when it's static and idling.  I think that I use about quarter of a tank when I was sat in heavy traffic, and used about a tenth when sat in traffic for 10 minutes or so.

Has anybody else experience this at all? 


I'm thinking it's time for an oil change at least..

Offline am1w

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,544
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #1 on: 19 December 2010, 13:58 »
I noticed this a short while ago while stuck in traffic, and noticed it again recently.  Basically, my car seems to have awful efficiency when it's static and idling.  I think that I use about quarter of a tank when I was sat in heavy traffic, and used about a tenth when sat in traffic for 10 minutes or so.
Has anybody else experience this at all? 
I'm thinking it's time for an oil change at least..

Every bloody day in Central London which is one of the world's biggest car parks. :rolleyes:
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline Exonian

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,295
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #2 on: 19 December 2010, 14:46 »
I noticed this a short while ago while stuck in traffic, and noticed it again recently.  Basically, my car seems to have awful efficiency when it's static and idling.  I think that I use about quarter of a tank when I was sat in heavy traffic, and used about a tenth when sat in traffic for 10 minutes or so.

Has anybody else experience this at all? 


I'm thinking it's time for an oil change at least..
Well you're hardly likely to get good fuel consumption standing still! Think about it, you've got your aircon blower, heating, radio, possibly lights and other things running, probably on a cold-ish engine ensuring the oil is thicker and thus has more drag on moving surfaces.
If you want to cut your fuel economy whilst idling turn the engine off and pretend you've got an Ecomotive/Bluemotion type car (or Formel E if you're as old as me).
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline ajmoir36

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,878
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #3 on: 19 December 2010, 15:05 »
My GTD yesterday bottomed at 4.3mpg on average. Doh!!!!
Diagonally parked in a parallel universe.
On Order: Mk8 R, Pure White, Reversing Camera, Harmon Kardon, Heated seats all round.
Gone: Mk7.5 R, 5dr, DSG, Deep Pearl Black, 18” Cadiz, Nav, Winter Pack, Keyless, Dynaudio and Reversing camera.
Gone: Mk7 R, 5dr, DSG, Limestone Grey, 19" Pretoria's, Nav Pro, DCC, Winter Pack, Keyless, Mobile Prep and Reversing Camera.
Gone: Mk6 GTD, 5dr, Manual, Tornado Red, 18" Vancouvers, RCD510 + Dynaudio, heated seats.

Offline MikeT

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 109
  • I don't need no stinkin clutch pedal...
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #4 on: 19 December 2010, 15:07 »
I noticed this a short while ago while stuck in traffic, and noticed it again recently.  Basically, my car seems to have awful efficiency when it's static and idling.  I think that I use about quarter of a tank when I was sat in heavy traffic, and used about a tenth when sat in traffic for 10 minutes or so.

Has anybody else experience this at all? 


I'm thinking it's time for an oil change at least..
Well you're hardly likely to get good fuel consumption standing still! Think about it, you've got your aircon blower, heating, radio, possibly lights and other things running, probably on a cold-ish engine ensuring the oil is thicker and thus has more drag on moving surfaces.
If you want to cut your fuel economy whilst idling turn the engine off and pretend you've got an Ecomotive/Bluemotion type car (or Formel E if you're as old as me).

I'm aware that I won't get good economy whilst sat still, but I don't expect to use near quarter of a tank in about 15 minutes having only moved about a mile if that.

Just an observation more than a rant, to see if anyone else gets the same experience.

Offline simonpolly

  • I live here
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,383
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #5 on: 19 December 2010, 16:44 »
if your stuck in traffic your not likely to get many MILES to the gallon :grin:
Golfgti build quality is average at best.

Offline am1w

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,544
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #6 on: 19 December 2010, 17:13 »
if your stuck in traffic your not likely to get many MILES to the gallon :grin:

LOL! :laugh:
RED TORNADO 7R, 5 DR, DSG, DCC, DNS, DYNAUDIO, KI, WP, HBA, LN, SP

Offline AndyC

  • GTI forum regular
  • ***
  • Posts: 178
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #7 on: 19 December 2010, 19:28 »
I noticed this a short while ago while stuck in traffic, and noticed it again recently.  Basically, my car seems to have awful efficiency when it's static and idling.  I think that I use about quarter of a tank when I was sat in heavy traffic, and used about a tenth when sat in traffic for 10 minutes or so.

Has anybody else experience this at all? 


I'm thinking it's time for an oil change at least..
Well you're hardly likely to get good fuel consumption standing still! Think about it, you've got your aircon blower, heating, radio, possibly lights and other things running, probably on a cold-ish engine ensuring the oil is thicker and thus has more drag on moving surfaces.
If you want to cut your fuel economy whilst idling turn the engine off and pretend you've got an Ecomotive/Bluemotion type car (or Formel E if you're as old as me).

I'm aware that I won't get good economy whilst sat still, but I don't expect to use near quarter of a tank in about 15 minutes having only moved about a mile if that.

Just an observation more than a rant, to see if anyone else gets the same experience.

Imagine how I feel I have Clifford remote start and its a Golf R :grin:
Previous:- Pearl Black Golf GTI MK5

Previous:-White Golf GTI MK6

Currently:-White Golf R

Offline Exonian

  • Serious forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 9,295
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #8 on: 20 December 2010, 06:37 »

Imagine how I feel I have Clifford remote start and its a Golf R :grin:
I would imagine you feel quite warm most of the time.  :cool:
Are these things expensive? I wouldn't mind one for my old Ibiza as the poor thing sits out in my works car park and has to be started at 5 in the morning every day. Would be nice to walk out of my living hell office into a warm car instead of spending ages chipping ice off of it whilst I wait for the engine and cabin to warm up (I'm a scraper not a de-icer sprayer).
‘25 8.5R, ‘23 8R, ‘20 8CS, ‘19 135iX, ‘19 TCR, ‘17 Ed40, ‘17 GTD, ‘15 7R, ‘13 GTI PP, ‘11 GTI, ‘09 GTI, ‘98 Ibiza Cupra, ‘05 GTI, ‘06 Polo GTI, ‘04 GT TDI, ‘05 Fabia vRS, ‘02 GTI T, ‘03 Ibiza TDI 130, ‘01 Leon 180, ‘89 mk2 16v, ‘99 Ibiza TDI, ‘96 VR6, ‘98 Ibiza TDI, ‘92 VR6, ‘88 mk2 8v, ‘92 Polo G40, ‘91 mk2 8v, ‘89 mk2 8v, 205 GTI 1.9, ‘83 mk1 GTI, ‘80 Scirocco GTI, plus some others I’ve forgotten 

Offline p3asa

  • Forum addict
  • *
  • Posts: 4,460
Re: Awful economy at idle
« Reply #9 on: 20 December 2010, 09:18 »


Imagine how I feel I have Clifford remote start and its a Golf R :grin:

How did they get round the clutch having to be pressed before the car would start?

I'm sure I read when the GTI just came out across the pond the only way to install a remote start was to basically remove the ignition barrel and have a key permanently in it hidden under the dash!!  How this got round the depressed clutch though I haven't a clue.
HIS: R 5dr DSG Lapiz: Tech Pack: Keyless: 90% Tints: Pretorias: Rear View Camera
HERS:  GTI 5dr Manual DBP: Parking Pack: Car-Net App: 90% Privacy Glass. Ordered 05-12-15. Delivered 03-03-16
DONATED TO SON:  GTD 5dr Manual White: Nav Pro: Dynaudio: Winter Pack: Sport & Sound Pack: Rear View Camera: Park Assist. Ordered 19-02-14. Delivered: 07-06-14