Just Another Dave

Finally got around to doing some maintenance on Gia the last couple days.  Picked up oil and filter, fuel filter, air filter, and cabin air filter. Swapped the two air filters when I got home Tuesday after work. Had my winter tires taken off yesterday morning and the guys at the shop were telling me I need to get some new summer rubber in the near future.  My all-seasons are from when I bought the car and have seen a lot of kilometers.  I want to find some 16″ OEM alloys first though, then I’ll buy new non-winter tires.

Last night I rolled Gia up on the ramps at my parents place and did the oil change.  Things I should get: Pela Oil Extractor, Filter Wrench. Oh well.  Rolled her back down, then attempted a fuel filter change for the first time.  Took a bit of wiggling to get the hoses off the filter, but after that it went pretty damn smooth.  Primed the new filter with half a bottle of Power Service White, and we were off to the races. Drained the water separator /filter and it was completely water free, so I poured what came out into the Power Service bottle and back into the tank it went.  Tonight I should grab the engine degreaser and give her a good clean at the Husky.

The simple stuff is done, time to start calling around for the larger service that she needs.  Somedays I really do wish I had my own garage to work in. And a backup car…

Apparently I can’t frame a shot with my phone to save my life, but at least I’ve got something. Had a douchebag crawl up Gia’s ass just off whyte ave last night. Brad had opted to not park behind me as he would have been past the sign; too close to the intersection and thusly, illegal. Didn’t stop this cunt-rag from parking 10 inches off my bumper. Only upside was I got to use one of the tickets I printed off of youparklikeanasshole. What did we learn from this? 1) Bring the good camera more often 2) It’s a good thing dave doesn’t own a big, metal vehicle 3) It’s time to make up some custom tickets to leave on windsheilds 4) People is bitches, and bitches must die. (Thankyou, ninjastan)

I’m trying not to gloat. I really am. But the oil companies are making it really, really hard. I fueled up this morning, and I payed this:

$0.798/L * 58L / 1000km per tank average = $0.0463/km. With the amount I’m driving the last while, I’m filling up once every two weeks. So we’re talking just under $100 for 2000km of travel a month.
I took a look at the other side of the pump, and saw this:

Please don’t hate me because I’m paying almost 40 cents a litre less than you. Hate me because I’ll still be smiling when I’m paying $1.50/L @ 50mpg. $1.50/L * 58L / 1000km per tank = $0.087/km. It works out to $175/month for 2000km of travel. Nothing to really write home about, until I remember that’s what it’ll cost some people to fill their tank. Once. For 500km if they’re lucky.

Please don’t key my car.

Sincerely,

Just Another Dave

It’s been way too long since I’ve run my stats and posted.

Let’s start with the 5-tank average. These past 5 tanks were mainly highway, 2 of them were out to Victoria and back, the 2 after that both had 400km highway trips for work, and the last tank was all in city for a total of 4700.3km. Still running my winter-rubber, and most likely on winter diesel, we averaged 5.51L/100km, 18.15km/L, 42.68 US MPG or 51.26 IMP MPG, depending how you want to look at it, for a per-km fuel cost of $0.0501.

This brings the lifetime average to: 5.91L/100km over 66391km. 16.93KM/L, 39.83US MPG or 47.84 IMP MPG, with a per-km fuel cost of $0.0485.

The day I got back from the trip to the coast, I started on some maintenance that needed doing. Did the oil change (I was 400km over) and FINALLY FIXED THE FUCKING HEADLIGHTS.

I still need to:

1. Replace the three filters (air, cabin, fuel)
2. Drain the water seperator
3. Replace the skid-plate and side skirts
4. Switch off my winter rubber (I keep telling myself I want to buy a set of 16″ alloys, but I really can’t justify the cost. I need throw my OEM 15″ rubber back on)
5. Clean like a moter fucker

After that, I’ve still got some non-maintenance stuff on the list, but still needs doing

1. Replace the broken pull tabs on the rear seats as I’ve snapped the second one this past winter
2. Clean like a mother fucker
3. Re-run the wiring for my iPod adapter
4. Setup the relay in the hatch to clarify my rear-fog vs the 5 brake light mod
5. Steal a few LEDs from my third eye for turn signals
6. Install a lighted compass

That’s about all I can think of when at the moment. Needed something to do while killing time before heading out again this morning. I guess we’ll see how much of this I can hammer out in the next couple weeks, first list specifically.

So it’s time to the stats thing!

Lifetime Numbers:

44171km with 2593L diesel at an average price of $0.84 working out to 5.89L/100km or 47.95 IMP MPG in 401 days of ownership.

Rolling 5 tank average:

5.56L/100km or 50.8 IMP MPG on 270.95L of diesel.

I <3 my TDi.

• Accelerated 3D driver for my workstation so the display is really sluggish right now
• Driver for the capture card for MythTV
• Sliced open the outer casing of the cable that connects the iPod adapter to the headunit in my car
• My back, as of this morning

Perhaps tomorrow I can spend some time fixing these things.

You have now convinced me that upgrading to the 118dB Twin Supertone kit from Hella is worth my money.

I would very much have liked to see the reaction on your face after you tried to change lanes into me without shoulderchecking because you were too busy talking on your cell phone when you mistook the noise produced by my little hatchback for the end of all things. Perhaps I shall get you next time.

That immediately follows the mucking about phase which came after the taking things apart phase never really gets the attention it’s due.

Right after putting everything back together I’d noticed I hadn’t hooked up my door-pull properly so I had to extend it much further than before.  So that went on my list of shit to fix “later”.

While out last weekend in Rocky Mountain/Rimbey I finally noticed that I hadn’t hooked up my mirror control.  This obviously needed to be fixed.

10 freaking minutes.  I can’t believe it didn’t take longer. 10 minutes to take apart my door, not lose any screws, reconnect things properly and put everything back.

And to top it off, the door-pull works properly now and everything! I guess now that that’s done properly, I can move on to planning the next mod… if only I could pick what to do next…

So last night I installed my Alientech window controller in my Golf. Super happy fun times! Within 15 minutes of finishing the install I had ladies oohing and aahing in awe. Well… one lady at least. It impresses the ladies in my head!

I’ll put up pics when I get home from work today. I realise this post is rather pointless, but I figure I had to post something new on the front page. Maybe I’ll update the mileage stats when I get home too, two more datapoints to add.

I guess now I should start looking at the next inexpensive project for an afternoon or evening’s quality time with my car. Perhaps the W8 overhead console from the Passats…

Update:

Pictures are up!

In the wee hours of this morning, after leaving BPs on the southside, we made our way over to Sherwood park so I could fill up.  1146.4 Km on 59.327L of diesel.

I’ve joined the 700 mile club. 712 miles at 54.6 IMP MPG/ 45.45 US MPG, 5.18L /100Km.  In city.

This brings my lifetime to 46.7/38.9 IMP/US MPG, 6.05L/100Km over 32805km.

The last 5 tanks average: 52.42/43.19 IMP/US MPG, 5.39L/100km.

Filled the golf last night and I figured it was time to squee a bit. The tank had a 400km run out to Edson and back, which put it around 40% highway.

I pulled 1037.5km out of 57.117L for an average of 5.51L/100km or 51.31 mpg Imperial.  Not the best mileage I’ve seen to date, another run out to Edson, filling right before and right after got me just shy of 55mpg, but this is the first time I’ve broken 1000km.

Works out to 644 miles on this tank, and the low fuel light just came on, so I had at least another 50km in there.  I’m getting closer and closer to the elusive 700mile club.

We’re 4,000km away from an oil change, so I guess it’s time I start looking for some 506.01 0w30 Elf Evolution CRV Oil.  Hoping to hit 60mpg this summer, if not more. I think I’ll probably platuea around 60-63mpg highway untill we do more drastic things like install a taller 5th gear and the like.

In related news… I’m pretty sure my new co-worker thinks my car runs on magic.

Just a bit of backstory on why I have categories for my car.

I’m insane.

I bought my 2005 VW Golf GLS TDi brand new with 37km on it Aug 6, 2005. Since then I have averaged a little over 100km a day in it.

26417km, over 90% in city driving, with a lifetime average of 45.54 imperial MPG. My best to date was a run out to Edson and back on winter diesel, yielding 54.9 imperial mpg over 400 some km.

I’ve got some creature comforts to add to my Golf. I’ve hit my EPA rated city mileage, this summer I want to hit my rated highway mileage… 61. It will be done.