Drop in fuel consumption

My mother has owned a 2010 Volkswagen Golf Plus 1.6 TDI from new and has been very pleased with the car. However, a few weeks ago, she noticed a sudden drop in fuel efficiency (the car was doing around 620 on a full tank but this dropped to around 500).

The car has been to two approved garages and both have said that there is nothing wrong with the car. They can offer no explanation for the drop in fuel efficiency either. Can you help?

Asked on 1 January 2014 by golf plus drop in fuel efficiency

Answered by Honest John
I guess she is going by the dash meter and these are notoriously inaccurate. But brand of fuel can affect performance. The best is Shell V-Power Nitro Plus. It could also be that the engine is using too much extra fuel to regenerate the diesel particulate filter.

She should check the engine oil level regularly (when cold in the mornings), and if it appears to rise, then the ECU is sending too much fuel into the engine and needs reprogramming.



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