MPG Question

[AMontalvo22]

I'm new to this forum so please bare with me. I just bought a 2010 Jetta DSG 2.5 PZEV and I'm concerned about the miles per gallon. According to edmunds and other car sites, it states that my particular vehicle does 21 mpg city and 31 highway. I'm a slow driver, don't accelerate the car hard off the line once the light turns green so I'll be able to maximize my MPG. I drive both city and highway and when I fill up my tank, I do my math work to calculate what my average MPG was and it doesn't exceed 20 MPGs. I'm wondering if there is something wrong with my car. I have no extra weight in the car, my trunk is completely empty and so is my car, just a few CDs in the glove box. The tires are at the right pressure and I don't know what else it could be. Is this normal for my type of car? What kind of MPGs do you guys with the same car have? Any insight would be very helpful. My previous car was a 2002 Civic EX and I know it doesn't compare to my new car, but I'm not used to such low MPGs.

[2001Jettagls]

2009 Jetta 2.5 5 speed manual

I've averaged 28.8 mpg over the last 11,500 miles. Mostly highway driving, about 75%

Worst I've seen on an individual tank was 24 mpg with all local driving.

One thing I noticed is that the parking brake cables are usually set just a little too tight from the factory. The rear brake pads wear noticeably faster than the fronts and the rear wheels get dirty much quicker than the front.

Back off the adjusting nut just enough to feel the slack in the Parking brake handle. It made a difference on my car, the rear wheels actually stay a little cleaner.

[AgGTI]

2012 Jetta 2.5 6 speed auto. After 5 months, around town 24mpg-ish. Mixed driving around 28-29ish.
Unfortunately, don't do a lot of highway driving, if I was averaging 50 mph on a long run my gas mileage would be really good maybe up at 32mpg+.
I've taken to using cruise as much as I can since it seems to regulate my gas mileage better than my right foot does.
If you're < 20mpg I would get a scan done at the dealership or somebody with a Vagcom locally. You may be running rich for whatever reason.
I should also say that I'm in Florida and my air is on most of the time. That seems to cost me about 15-20% fuel efficiency.
You might check the basics first - clean air filter, check the spark plugs, oil change if due etc.,

Interesting comment about the parking brake above.

[mcollins]

I would say you have something going on somewhere. You should definitely get alot better mileage than that if you are indeed driving as you say you are. Check air cleaner filter, make sure on tire pressure and go from there.

[dieselneopaji]

Sounds like you drive the car in 'S' mode

(or do you leave it in 'D') ?

[12jetta]

I average 27 mpg (mostly city) in a 2012 SE 2.5L with auto. got over 32 on a 400 mile round trip. Sounds like there may be an issue.