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Volkswagen Owners: TDI Models

2551 messages,  Last post on Sep 02, 2012 at 2:44 PM

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What is this discussion about? Volkswagen New Beetle, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Jetta, Volkswagen Passat, Diesel, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 252 of 256

#2505 of 2551 Diesel Fuel Additive [kooler] by bpeebles

Jun 23, 2011 (5:17 pm)

Replying to: kooler (Jun 19, 2011 11:15 pm)
If you have never heard of it, then you have not researched TDIs very well. Your question has been asked/answered many MANY times in the past.
 
I dont know about "should" add conditioner... but the general consensus of folks that want the most MPG and want their HighPressureFuelPump to last add conditioner at every fillup.
 
Because of this, I am only giving you the condensed answer:
 
Diesel-fuel addiditive provides several important functions
*) LUBRICITY
   The lubricity provides lubricant to your multiple fuel-pumps and injectors.
*) CETANE INCREASE ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number )
just a few integers of cetane can mean 3-to-7 additional MPG.
 
I can tell you I that measure EVERY drop of fuel run thru my TDI over the last 130,000+ miles. (Spreadsheet!) I am averaging 50MPG with peaks of 56MPG.
 
The all-important measurement of COST PER MILE is $0.05/mile. I do not beleive there is another automobile sold in North America that can beat MPG that TDI can deliver!!

#2506 of 2551 Re: crankytdi [kooler] by bpeebles

Jun 23, 2011 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: kooler (Jun 19, 2011 11:15 pm)
To answer your other question "Is there anything I should be looking for as far as the diesel goes?"
 
The rule-of-thumb is to purchase diesel where it "flows like wine". When diesel is stored in tanks, mold grows in it. Hence, you should look for truck-stops where it does not sit around for long.
 
As for "grade". You MUST use ULSD (Ultra Low Sulfer Diesel) in your TDI.
 
The very lowest price for diesel will ALWAYS be at truck-stops. In my cross-country trips, I found the Flying J has the best prices. Their website will tell you WHERE they are located and WHAT the current price is.

#2507 of 2551 Re: crankytdi [bpeebles] by gagrice

Jun 23, 2011 (5:43 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (Jun 23, 2011 5:24 pm)
Thanks for the info on the Pilot/Flying J stations. That is good to know when I plan a cross country trip. What brand of additive have you found to be best during the warmer months. I don't plan to be anywhere cold.

#2508 of 2551 Re: crankytdi [gagrice] by bpeebles

Jun 23, 2011 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 23, 2011 5:43 pm)
For fuel-additive, I use Power Service Diesel Kleen. Grey bottle in summer and white bottle in winter. It is readdally available at WallyMart.
 
I add about 6oz per fillup. I carry a quart-container in the trunk and a supply of cheap paper drinking-cups. I select a paper-cup, crease it to make a pouring-spout and put Diesel Kleen in it. After putting into fuel-tank, I can toss out the paper-cup and the smell along with it.
 
Here is an interesting Diesel fuel additive study based solely on LUBRICITY of the products tested.

#2509 of 2551 Re: crankytdi [bpeebles] by gagrice

Jun 23, 2011 (8:50 pm)

Replying to: bpeebles (Jun 23, 2011 6:53 pm)
From that test it looks like running B2 or B5 would be the best choice. Not sure about the Cetane rating. That would depend on the base ULSD used. For those of us in a warm climate Opti-Lube Summer Blend would be the cheapest way to protect our investment.

#2511 of 2551 diesel additive is *optional* by elias

Jun 24, 2011 (3:23 am)

Replying to: kooler (Jun 19, 2011 11:15 pm)
kooly, your question re diesel additives is 'religous'. i've put about 500k miles on VW TDIs so far. In the early years I would use additive if outdoor temps were below 0F and car was parked outside. In recent years I never use diesel additive. My current TDI is usually parked in an unheated garage but sometimes is parked outside overnight.

#2512 of 2551 Re: diesel additive is *optional* [elias] by kooler

Jun 24, 2011 (4:02 am)

Replying to: elias (Jun 24, 2011 3:23 am)
Eliasly-
 
I have no idea what you are saying. Sorry. If you want to maybe you can put the post in plain English.

#2513 of 2551 Re: diesel additive is *optional* [kooler] by shipo

Jun 24, 2011 (4:36 am)

Replying to: kooler (Jun 24, 2011 4:02 am)
Basically he's saying that the decision to use fuel additives is a "religious" one; either you believe in them or you don't. Personally I'm an additive atheist so I won't use them.

#2514 of 2551 Additive? by bpeebles

Jun 24, 2011 (6:00 pm)

For those of you who disbelieve the benefit of using a diesel additive. Read your owners-manual to find out the RECOMMENDED cetane for your engine.. .then read the pump where you get your fuel from. let us know what you discover.
 
I concur that using more cetane than recommend does not give you much in return.... but using LESS cetane gives you lower MPG and noisier engine.
 
The added lubricity is a bonus ... I assume all of you are aware of HPPF (High Pressure Fuel Pump) failures that some folks have reported.

Messages Page 252 of 256

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