Your trip lengths can also matter. When my commute was 15 miles each way, I got 27-30 mpg. Now that it's 5 miles each way, I get 24-26 mpg.
2)heat (above 90 deg.) kills mileage in the GTI by like 3-6 mpg per my observations.
i refuse to use AC lol i just open windows and shift before 3k and i was getting 36mpg today
try living in the south and refusing ac. especially when you wear shirts and ties all day long for work.
i work in a lab that requires everyone to wear a long sleeve shirt, pants, and shoes. just bring two sets of clothes like i do.
i drive in a wife beater and shorts. i'll change into my work clothes when i get to work :thumbsup:
As the others pointed out, AC really kills this car but it shouldn't be as bad as 24 mpg...might still be break-in and you might be kicking it harder than you think. I average 29 mph for a tank when I am on 60 mph backroads or 27ish combined on highway (I drive too fast). The AC is definitely brutal, screw with turning it on off and watch your fuel economy drop.
Well I have 1400 miles on the car. Took me less than 3 weeks to get that so as you can tell my commute is not stop and go short trips. We'll see. I bought the GTi to replace my gas guzzler. TDi would have been better but just not fun. Not trying to get crazy economy but high 20's would be nice.