Sounds typical... Us diesels owners get better, but it comes with a premium...

its definitely not bad given the 5000 lbs the Treg Weighs....

 

Actually that sounds about right for a VW Touareg (gasser) competitor, a GASSER Acura MDX.

Both a relative and I did a San Jose, CA to North and South Lake Tahoe, CA 10 day trip. He posted 20 mpg posted on the leg UPGRADE (sea level to 7,300 ft). We did plenty of stop and go to get to various ares include ski resort parking lots (6,250 ft on up)

On the second 5 days portion, we used the VW Touareg TDI. On the (same) UPGRADE and stop and go portion,s it posted 29.5 mpg or so.

I was not going to fill as the range is pretty close to 750+ miles. However for some reason. D2 was cheaper at the SLT, CA resort area than home AND in the flats, where I normally would have taken on D2 fuel. When the fuel station threw in a -$.10 per gal discount, temptation was too much . I did fuel there on the down leg and the over all trip posted 31 mpg.

On the up grade leg portion, we had clear freeway for app 190 miles. I was able to keep it under 90 mph most of the trip, except for highway directional transitions. The last 23 miles were sloughing through snow and ice and 2 stop and go chain control points and farther up grade, fair idling time for what seemed to be a fatal flip over accident on two lane snow/ice covered roads. Coming out of the mountains, there was what seemed to be a 23 miles stop and go back up AND 2 chain control points.

 

Glad to hear that what I am getting is the norm. The sticker says 23mpg highway, perhaps with summer grade fuel and a few more break in miles.

I went with the Treg over MDX as they are only rated at 16/21 plus the Treg looks and drives so much better. I guess my only regret is that I was considering the Cayenne S with V8 which is rated for the same mileage. I guess I would be getting 17-18mpg with the V8 Porsche.

 

remeber also that WIND plays a huge part in MPG, a head wind will always help kill fuel economy.

i drive 3-4 times a year from vegas to Dallas and i ALWAYS get fuel economy going to texas. Generally on the way back i get 2-3 mpg less

 

If fuel economy is such a concern why get a 3, 3.2 or 3.6 litre engine and a car that weighs 2256kg! A 1 litre turbo diesel that gets 65mpg is what you want!

 

If you want better hwy mpg keep your speeds under 65 mph. FE takes a big hit at higher speeds. VR6 should be capable of at least 25 mpg at 55 mph.

 

Also, higher speeds ...

I'm not saying you need to get run over by not keeping up with traffic but driving even 65 on a 55 MPH road you can lose up to 15% MPG ... 80 MPH would of course be much worse.

Speeding and Your Vehicle's Mileage

Whenever I take long trips, I try to find the 'sweet spot' for maximum cruising speed versus mileage penalty versus time of day, speed traps, excessive winds, etc. As my '13 VR6 Sport is new as well have yet to determine that and once again sometimes traffic will dictate ... cars going 75+ in the left lane versus too many slow pokes in others on four lane highways will drive you nuts; 6 or 8 lanes (like around ATL) not so much. I've also noticed a few states actually increasing their highway speed limits but other than Montana (which I think finally gave in) the highest posted was 75 (experienced first hand on the rolling plains of Nebraska) so averaging 80 wouldn't be something I'd try ... it just kills the MPG too much, we don't have any Autobahn roads. The T-Reg has a decent fuel capacity and I hate to stop too much when I'm on a schedule so slowing down (a bit) is fine with me. I'm expecting 23 MPG or more on my next big trip so we'll see ... also, I've got the 18" wheels versus your 20"'s so perhaps that will help a tad as well

 

On BBC TV program "Top Gear", Clarkson said the biggest issue with fuel economy is the brakes! For once... he is right!

 

On that point you really have to given him that. With the robust Aisin 8 speed transmission, unless one drives under continual "emergency" conditions, it gives many more reasons not to use brakes.

Secondly, ( really primarily) the VW Touarge TDI (not sure about the VW Touareg gasser or hybrid) is optimized for app 2,100 rpm.

Now many do not think in terms of that. BUT...IF you look at where it FALLS on the speedometer (most folks set the speedometer and see where it falls on the rpm ) it is app 81 mph !!!

Now once again if one looks on the computer mpg screens it posts between 29 mpg and 35 mpg.

Now varying wind conditions are a very normal part of driving. I mean how many folks drive with NO wind conditions? Sure one CAN slow down in a head wind or speed up with a tail wind or even maintain a slow speed with a tail wind, etc, etc.

 

Best way to improve MPG is to drive downhill .. I have seen once 60 mpg on mine

 

Where can I get the Magic Touareg that averages 35 MPG at 80 MPH?

 

You are not saying you got a lemon? If you are not willing to do what will it will minimally take to post 35 mpg, it will prove elusive.

 

Order a R5, on Highway you'll get about 30, or maybe more

 

It would be interesting to know your up vs. down split.
I'm guessing your down split would be in line with what you expect.

Heading to Vermont I regularly see between 2.5-4.5 mpg split (TDI) getting better mileage on the way down.

 

A little better on the way down. High 19's going up and saw low 21's coming down.

 

The down grade leg (7,300 to first sea level) I talk in an earlier about is app 110 miles.

All things being equal (they never are) tire size (18,19,20 in to custom) will make a difference.

Also in the 2012 owners manual (that I know of) VW has seen fit to publish a highway fuel efficiency psi of 3 psi ABOVE the oem recommendation. In the 2012's case that is 36 F/41 R or 33 F/38R psi.

I have two of those variables working in my favor: 1. 18 in oem tires 2. I run the fuel efficiency PSI (3 above).

 

My Moroso dial-type gauge agrees pretty much exactly with TPMS on 2012 & 2013 Touaregs. That includes changes in PSI from weather temp changes.

 

Would the Rim size would be effect the gas mileage won't it?

I mean if you have 18 versus having 20

255/55r 18 vs 275/45 r20

having 20 would definitely take more gas

 

Would the Rim size would be effect the gas mileage won't it? I mean if you have 18 versus having 20 255/55r 18 vs 275/45 r20 having 20 would definitely take more gas

Do you mean because the larger rims are heavier? The lower profile tires are probably a little lighter and seems like they might have less rolling resistance due to reduced sidewall flex. Just guessing.

I've owned Touaregs with 18" 19" and 20" wheels and MPG is basically the same. If anything the MPG on 20" might have been a couple % higher.

 

I used to have a 2009 BMW 335xi with 17 on them when I switch over to my 19inch staggered mileage change dramatically. I never notice it on my newer 2013 BMW 328xi because i change the tires rather than rims from summer to winter.

So I though on the touareg the size of rim would effect the fuel, because of the power need to rotation the tires at the beginning since there more contact on the road.

Makes sense lol?