Me at the dealer:
Shot at showroom:
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At home: it's a bit bigger than the Jetta!
Does it fit in the driveway? Let's see:
Just barely!
Couple of interior shots, of course I forgot to take some of the back, go figure. I'll have to update this post later.
The only real flaw so far is this stain in the bed. This weekend I'll try to scrub it out--the dealership said it wasn't coming off with multiple powerwashings. What do I care--it's a truck!
Now I really want to open up the camper this weekend!
*****
Not sure on FE at the moment. This morning I had a quarter tank left, but I don't know how much they over-filled it, nor how linear the gauge is. At one-quarter left I had 290miles on the tank. I've been driving at 60mph back roads, and 65 highway, and driving very gently, to see max mpg. Not that I bought it for that purpose, but I want to make sure that it is running properly. Have to fill up today, and the next tank will likely be driven "normally" with more stop and go, and higher speeds. I'd like to believe I could hit 20mpg if I was really gentle; but I didn't buy it for max mpg. As long as it's not 12mpg unloaded I probably shouldn't care. Much.
I did some reading on the transmission temperature gauge. At first I thought it was a selling point. It's a joke, according to the forums; it is apt to read dead center from something like 150F to 240F. So I pulled out my old Scangauge from my car, found the XGauge for transmission temperature, and plugged it in, so as to watch ATF and coolant temp. Also inlet air temp (I pulled it from my turbocharged Jetta).
Yesterday morning it was 25F, and the coolant temp stayed about 185F. Transmission temp stayed about that too, maybe 195F near work, where it turns into stop and go. Mind you, my drive is like 20 miles of 60mph backroad, 20 miles highway (which I took at 65) and a couple of city, with 3 to 5 stoplights. Inlet temp seems to stay around indicated outside temperature, but I didn't watch too closely. [Don't have plans for a cold air intake, this gauge is only on because I didn't change it from the Jetta.]
I gain elevation to go home, though; last night ambient was 55F. Engine temperature was more like 190, maybe 195 (forgot already), and ATF hung out there too. Except will gently accelerating up some hills. I saw 222F! I'm not sure what to think about that.
From what I've read tow/haul mode just raises shift points, don't know if it helps keep the convertor locked or not. I did not try the feature out, as I wanted a tank or two to figure out FE first before I start doing things that like. I should go see if I can get an XGauge that displays convertor lockup status.
I am starting to learn how to park this thing. Just a hair bigger than the Jetta... Love the power mirrors, I am glad I did not go with a more base model vehicle. [My Jetta and Camry do have them also, I just don't use them much, so I've forgotten how nice they are.]
