Hey Everyone! Im new to the vw forum. I drive a 1998 beetle and was wondering if there was any way to change the final drive ratio and the transaxle on a four speed automatic. I can't stand running 3500 rpms on the highway and it eats up all my gas (i commute 110 miles a day). Anyone who knows anything about this please respond. Otherwise, i will have to sell my baby for something else!

 

How fast are you driving? The average gas powered bug turns at 3000rpm for about 72mph. At3500rpm you should be doing 80mph. If you want economy get a TDI bug, they get 38 city and 50 highway.

 

I'm not speeding i drive 65 mph at 3000rpms. I get 25mpg which is what my car is rated at. I was wondering if anyone knew if it was possible to put sometype of overdrive kit in it or if i could swap trannys with an overdrive bug or jetta? I plan to increase tirediameter to about another 1.5 inches which should raise my speed 5 mph at 3000 and yield better gas milage. This should help because i wont be running as many rpms on the highway but it is stilltoo high for my test. Ideally i'd like 2500 going 65.

 

Your mileage and RPM seem strange. My 99 gas Bug got 24 in the city and well over 30 on the road.I could always count on 72mph at 3000 rpm. My diesel Bug gets 38 in the city and 50 on the road and turns 2000rpm for 60 mph. May be time for another, the costof some type of conversion may outweigh the advantage in better fuel consumption.