After galavanting about the globe for much of November, I’m finally back in Denver. I flew back in from my last trip and it was 2° F when I landed. Car started no problem… My 2002 TDI would probably have had issues with that… at the very least it would have left a big cloud of black smoke. No smoke from the new TDI engine
Mileage is somewhat impacted by the cold, however… I couldn’t seem to get better than 39 MPG on the freewway north to Cheyenne the other night. (I was expecting around 48MPG) The car was plenty warm, and I don’t think it was a headwind issue, since the return trip was comparable. I wave averaging about 72 MPH… So I can only chock that up to it being 20°F out.
Average Mileage for the second full tank: 42MPG with a pretty even blend of city / highway. That tank was a mixture of hyper-miling and not though… I should be past engine break in soon when I’ll resume my fuel miserly ways.
Bingosabi's Blog 
January 9, 2010 at 2:53 am |
how’s this car in snow and ice? would I be fine in hills covered with snow if i put a set of snow tires on?
Thanks for the great review!!
January 9, 2010 at 9:38 pm |
I actually just put a set of snow tires on mine, as the stock all weathers leave much to be desired. (Fair amount of tire noise… not great in the snow).
With the snow tires it’s “OK” but I wouldn’t call it “great” in the snow and the ice.
My 2002 Golf I had Bliztek tires on, and I distinctly remember it slipping less on launch. It may just be because I went with a different brand of snowtire (continentals with a set of wheels that were on sale at the dealership) .
The basic weight distribution is the same on the 2010… so I’m not sure why else I would slip more in the 2010 than I did my 2002… I guess it is substantially more torquey… so that could be it. I don’t slip at all cornering or braking… just on launch.