1. Is it normal for fuel mileage to drop slightly in the winter? I'm assuming so cause of the colder temps, meaning you run slightly more rich

2. If the pulley on my power steering pump is wobbling slightly, does that mean the bearings are about to be shot/I'm going to have to replace the pump soon?

3. How tight is your timing belt/drive belt supposed to be?

Thanks and I apologize in advance for being dumb

 

1. Yes.

2. Yes.

3. There should be minimal play in the timing belt (approx. 1/8 inch MAX)

 

3. I don't know about the 1.8s but for the 2.8: you should be able hold the timing belt (half way between the right cam pulley and the tensioner) and twist 90 degrees.

 

Yep, my 2.8L gets about 26 MPG in the summer, but in the winter I get about 16 mpg tooling around town.

I live in Minnesota. The Winters are brutal here, but oh-so-fun putting the Quattro to full use after a big snow!

 

Looks like I'm doing a power steering pump replacement soon, ugh...Along with the timing belt, depending on how it feels.