• From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Topic: mileage / tank size

i've gotten about 150 miles on my 74 bug, when it reaches the top of the reserve line (from FULL up).   it seems to be burning fuel very quickly these past few weeks and I've adjusted the carb a bit (to get rid of the nasty gas smell primarily, and save money as a seconday bonus wink but I'm not sure how much (if at all) my mileage has improved actually.

what kind of mileage are you folks getting?  and how much distance do you reasonably expect from the tank by the time it gets to the reserve line?

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Registered: 2005-09-10
  • Posts: 2,336

Re: mileage / tank size

thebignic wrote:

i've gotten about 150 miles on my 74 bug, when it reaches the top of the reserve line (from FULL up).   it seems to be burning fuel very quickly these past few weeks and I've adjusted the carb a bit (to get rid of the nasty gas smell primarily, and save money as a seconday bonus wink but I'm not sure how much (if at all) my mileage has improved actually.

what kind of mileage are you folks getting?  and how much distance do you reasonably expect from the tank by the time it gets to the reserve line?

Fairly easy math.  Beetles usually get around 25mpg (with some variation of course for local vs. highway driving, and driving style...lead foot vs. conservative).

Beetles have about a 10.5 gallon tank...minus about 1 gallon for the reserve line.  So 25mpg x 9.5gal = 237.5 miles per tank to the top of the reserve line.

- Nick

1979 Super Beetle Convertible
  • From: Northern Illinois
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,105

Re: mileage / tank size

My bet is that your odometer in not registering miles correctly. The drive gear inside cracks and freewheels 2/10s mile or more for every mile driven. Go check it with a GPS or mile marker posts. I thought my 74 was giving me 15mph and I was getting 27.

-Darby
  • From: New Castle, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 725

Re: mileage / tank size

I got 19 on my last fill up.  Gip

My restoration site.  Gippers 1975 SB La Grande
http://www.shenry.k12.in.us/Buildings/T … /index.htm
  • From: New Castle, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-29
  • Posts: 725

Re: mileage / tank size

I meant 29  duh poor typing

My restoration site.  Gippers 1975 SB La Grande
http://www.shenry.k12.in.us/Buildings/T … /index.htm
  • From: Portage, Indiana
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 454

Re: mileage / tank size

29...not too shabby. I got 22 at best with my old worn out '73 1600, and that was on the highway at 60 or so. My "built" '63 gets, um...a little less than that smile but I could make 2 or 3 trips in a hurry smile

Jordan

  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: mileage / tank size

i think the odometer is fine, since i only drive around town and to work, the distance seems correct.  The only reason i started monitoring the odometer is because i felt like the needle was moving way to fast - after a quick cruise around down, it was visibily moved quite a bit lower.

she's blowing some smoke on startup, and the carb has some leaks around the gasket.  im hoping to do a complete rebuild on it, but I need a place to setup shop (mom wouldnt be too happy if i spread the parts around her garage... sigh) and I hate the idea of not being able to drive a bug for (at least) a few weeks while i rebuild the engine.   

good excuse to go buy another vw for the interim smile smile smile

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • Registered: 2005-06-02
  • Posts: 427

Re: mileage / tank size

Hey Nic--remember Penetang is built on a hill--everyone gets poor gas milage ha ha (or is that kilometerage?).
I find that when I get to half a tank the gas seems to pour away like the tank is shaped like and inverted triangle and the gas comes out the point but takes a long time to get to the half way point.
Also when we left town Sunday eve your gas was 107.5 and in Brampton it was 100.2--what a rip!

Saw you again this past weekend--just before the Subway in Penetang on sat aft.  Also saw a nice black convertible on Sunday afternoon.  Also a yellow bug in a tarp garage--licence says "BUG UGLY".

Got my bug running and hoping to get it to town this smmer--I'll hunt you down then.

Patty B.
'69 stock bug