Audi Q7 S-Line 3.0T & MPG...

**iconoclast** · 06-11-2015 04:20 PM

it is difficult to quantify how much mpg improvement was from exhaust or from weight savings. secondly if this is an upgrade to to save on fuel i think you shouldn't bother because the cost of the hardware and the install would be the equivalent of 54 or 55 full tanks of Shell93. for me that would be about 55 months of fuel... i didn't do this for fuel savings it just wound up being a "happy surprise" seeing my MPG jump 2-3mpg during highway use which translated to about 80 extra miles per tank.

i also have GIAC tune which is phenomenal. the vehicle is civil for city driving and absolutely noticeable on WOT. third gear pull into fourth in sport mode yields smiles per gallon not so much miles per gallon.

**ICU2** · 06-11-2015 07:31 PM

I may have been misleading you a bit. I didn't think that your decision/install was done entirely for the MPG's but.... If I have some "data" to show the other half, it would make the purchase & install ALOT easier to come by (IYKWIM). Likely have to demo on my Cab 1st but after that it should be rather easy, proof of more "smiles per gallon" as well as true increases in MPG. Wife is not as keen ~ mods/performance as me, but spending a little to save more over time makes the purchase easier for her to handle & me to justify. I assume yours is a 2014 S-Line from your posts? Any issues/concerns w/the vehicle that you've experienced or heard ~? Thx in advance.

**cmchoi** · 06-12-2015 10:16 AM

I had a 2011 3.0T Premium with 19". It had 45299 miles. I check tire pressure monthly and set to 44 Front/49 back. Overall mpg is 16. Best was 21, worst was 11.
I just replaced it with 2015 3.0T Premium Plus with 20". At 300 miles, mpg is 14. I think mpg will be lower with 20"

**iconoclast** · 06-12-2015 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by ICU2

I may have been misleading you a bit. I didn't think that your decision/install was done entirely for the MPG's but.... If I have some "data" to show the other half, it would make the purchase & install ALOT easier to come by (IYKWIM). Likely have to demo on my Cab 1st but after that it should be rather easy, proof of more "smiles per gallon" as well as true increases in MPG. Wife is not as keen ~ mods/performance as me, but spending a little to save more over time makes the purchase easier for her to handle & me to justify. I assume yours is a 2014 S-Line from your posts? Any issues/concerns w/the vehicle that you've experienced or heard ~? Thx in advance.

i have not experienced any issues with the hardware and software changes. i did experience some issue with the MMI crapping out for the seat memory but that was resolved and unrelated to the modifications/upgrades. along with license plate bulbs dying prematurely and the switch for the rear hatch. outside of routine maintenance and fuel i am a satisfied customer. (this is my fourth Q7. two were 4.2L and two were 3.0t Prestige S-Line+)

Originally Posted by cmchoi

I had a 2011 3.0T Premium with 19". It had 45299 miles. I check tire pressure monthly and set to 44 Front/49 back. Overall mpg is 16. Best was 21, worst was 11.
I just replaced it with 2015 3.0T Premium Plus with 20". At 300 miles, mpg is 14. I think mpg will be lower with 20"

peculiar that the mpg was so low with the smaller tires. driving habit? poor fuel? i have 21" and use 49psi all around (set cold) and get about 12.5 - 15mpg driving in NYC traffic/congestion using shell93.

**cmchoi** · 06-13-2015 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by iconoclast

peculiar that the mpg was so low with the smaller tires. driving habit? poor fuel? i have 21" and use 49psi all around (set cold) and get about 12.5 - 15mpg driving in NYC traffic/congestion using shell93.

I am in CA and only have octane 91. I use Costco 91 all time. It seems to me Costco is as good as Chevron. I tried Chevron, no difference in mpg.
I got 21 mpg when driving from Reno to SF(210 miles). When driving from SF to LA (400 miles), I got 19 mpg. Low mpg is all local driving in town, stop and go and AC at 68. OEM tire was Continental. Then change to Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season. No difference in mpg.

For the new 2015, It has Goodyear Eagle LS2. Tire set to 44 FR/48BK at cold. Sidewall printed 50 max. I am still looking for optimal psi for 20".

**iconoclast** · 06-13-2015 07:11 PM

if you ever come up with the perfect recipe please post... i am sure others are in similar situation and would like to know. thanks.

**ICU2** · 06-14-2015 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by iconoclast

if you ever come up with the perfect recipe please post... i am sure others are in similar situation and would like to know. thanks.

+ 1 to that.

**iconoclast** · 11-25-2015 05:45 AM

I am curious to see what the numbers are post-recall for the affected TDI models.

For those drivers who have 2009+ TDI Q7 please post before and after real world MPG.

Thank you.

**iconoclast** · 12-01-2015 09:37 AM

Originally Posted by ICU2

Just picked up a 2015 S-Line Q7 for the wife & know that the MPG's will B "slightly" less than what we were getting on the 08 Merc. diesel but the performance & interior upgrades are worth it. However, always looking for a way to improve the MPG's so now that you've had the Miltek exhaust on for a while what have your actual gains amounted too? Worth the cost & install? Have you calculated the time required time to "payback" w/increasing MPG vs stock MPG & what type of time frame that will take ? Significant performance boost w/ the GIAC ? What made you choose GIAC vs APR? Warranty worries? FWIW, the other fun vehicle is a S5 Cab. w/the same motor as the Q7.

i never installed those upgrades for fuel savings or consumption reasons... it was just a pleasant surprise to see the improved mpg. i attribute majority of the improvement to be had from the weight savings and then guessing better aspiration of the engine. i do not think there was anything other than those two factors playing a role. if you are considering these upgrades or modifications simply for the sake of better fuel consumption i would recommend passing on them. if you are looking to wake the vehicle up and give it the extra pep in it's step that it desperately needs then this is by far the best option. (IMO/YMMV)

**iconoclast** · 12-01-2015 09:38 AM

I recently went on a 460 mile road trip over the holiday weekend in our new Q7. I decided to see what the numbers were before any modifications or upgrades as a baseline for future comparisons. Vehicle had three occupants along with a full cargo area.

Shell 93 V-Power
463.1 Miles Round Trip.
450 Estimated Miles Per Tank
Actual Fuel Consumption 17 MPG.
18 Hours & 8 Mins Of Driving & Idling.
85% Highway, Interstate and Thruway.
15% Mountain, Rural, Unpaved, Twisty Roads.
Cruise Control Used For All High-Speed Driving.
21" OEM S-Line Wheels w/ Dunlop Sportmaxx 48 PSI (Nitrogen).
Dynamic Setting For All Highway Driving & Comfort For Everything Else.

**ICU2** · 12-02-2015 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by iconoclast

I recently went on a 460 mile road trip over the holiday weekend in our new Q7. I decided to see what the numbers were before any modifications or upgrades as a baseline for future comparisons. Vehicle had three occupants along with a full cargo area.

Shell 93 V-Power
463.1 Miles Round Trip.
450 Estimated Miles Per Tank
Actual Fuel Consumption 17 MPG.
18 Hours & 8 Mins Of Driving & Idling.
85% Highway, Interstate and Thruway.
15% Mountain, Rural, Unpaved, Twisty Roads.
Cruise Control Used For All High-Speed Driving.
21" OEM S-Line Wheels w/ Dunlop Sportmaxx 48 PSI (Nitrogen).
Dynamic Setting For All Highway Driving & Comfort For Everything Else.

Holy S*%t!! Where were you getting 93 Octane @ 1.399!! Lowest Tier 1 fuel I can find (as of right now via "Gas Buddy") in central IL is 2.119 per gallon for 93 Octane. That is all I put in either vehicle, BP or Shell & always 93 Octane. Complete fill ups never come in @ that price for me. OH well.....

**iconoclast** · 12-02-2015 01:25 PM

i have reward points that can be used towards fuel purchases. i had a $1.60 per gallon off. it is typically $2.89 for shell v-power and an extra .10c if you use credit card. diesel is currently $3.39 +.10c if you use credit card.

**ICU2** · 12-02-2015 04:46 PM

OK that makes a lot more sense. Now that you've had the tune & upgraded exhaust for some time, any issues w/the Q7 R/t either? I'm guessing there is still a modest increase in MPG but nothing to write home about. BTW, what type of wheels/tires do you run in the summer vs. winter. Debating on what to do for the wife's Q7 (hers has the 21" wheel & tire set-up) & looking for some honest feedback. Thanks

**AudiRob** · 12-13-2015 09:09 AM

just had APR Stage 1 and pipercross intake installed on my wifes car.. After driving it over 200miles. It seems to have a better gas mileage than before.
Also puts a smile in your face when you floor it. 425chp does makes a difference

**iconoclast** · 12-13-2015 10:55 AM

did you do a pulley with the tune?

**AnotherJake** · 12-13-2015 06:18 PM

APR Stage 1 is just a tune. APR Stage 2 is a pulley change and different software to support it.

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**iconoclast** · 12-13-2015 07:21 PM

tune alone got 425chp? any dyno plots for before and after?
i went with GIAC but never did any dyno pulls.
coupled with the milltek it is one peppy pig.

**iconoclast** · 12-28-2015 03:33 PM

Shell 93 V-Power.
35% Highway (No Traffic).
65% City / Local Stop & Go.
21" OEM S-Line Wheels w/ Dunlop Sportmaxx 48 PSI (Nitrogen).
Dynamic Setting For All Highway Driving & Comfort For Everything Else.
Computer Estimated 410 Miles... Actual 350.5. Stopped Counting When Screen Read 0 Miles.

**ICU2** · 12-29-2015 07:28 PM

[QUOTE=iconoclast;11287062]Shell 93 V-Power.
35% Highway (No Traffic).
65% City / Local Stop & Go.
21" OEM S-Line Wheels w/ Dunlop Sportmaxx 48 PSI (Nitrogen).
Dynamic Setting For All Highway Driving & Comfort For Everything Else.
Computer Estimated 410 Miles... Actual 350.5. Stopped Counting When Screen Read 0 Miles.
Well w/identical equip. ( minus the tune, exhaust, intake?) on the Wife's 2015 S-Line Q7, my mileage is not what I'd been hoping for. According to the "GasTracker" app, after 7 mo's of almost all city driving, we're avg. 14.5 mpg. Only put Shell/BP 93 octane since new. Total of 3200 miles up to this point. Best was 17.5 which included a round trip of ~ 400 miles total, w/ ~ 75% of that being Hwy. Worst was 13.9 mpg. The 08 Mercedes Diesel avg. ~ 18.8-19.1 mpg city & ~ 23.4 - 24.1 Hwy for comparison. Maybe the tune/exhaust makes a bigger difference than U initially thought. And since the wife is the primary driver, NOT one to floor it. Drives it like my grandparents would have & always in comfort mode.

**iconoclast** · 12-29-2015 07:30 PM

this is new q7 stock. i purchased it with 9 miles on it. no modifications or changes. i am only using it as a benchmark for post modification comparison.

**ICU2** · 12-29-2015 08:41 PM

(Sorry, thought this was your Q7w/the mods.) This would be a 2016 then, w/the est. 600lbs(?) of weight savings & the subsequent fuel savings the lower weight was supposed to bring? I'm assuming you traded/sold your 2015 Q7w/ the mods?

**iconoclast** · 12-30-2015 05:56 AM

no. 2015. prestige. s-line+.
there is no 2016 in the US. 2017+.
yes, the q7 with the "mods" is sold. i no longer have it.

**ICU2** · 12-30-2015 09:50 PM

What made U move out of the other Q7? Do U plan for the same "mods" to this Q7 as the previous?(Exhaust/stage 1, poss./stage 2)

**iconoclast** · 12-31-2015 06:42 AM

i went to another suv and didn't care for it... have an xc90 on order that i was supposed to take delivery off but the volvo dealer screwed up and ordered the wrong color white and left out adaptive suspension. in the end they wound up doing a favor for me since so many of these vehicles are plagued with problems.

if i wind up keeping this q7 then i would do the same thing. giac tune, exhaust and this time around add a pulley to get more power out of the engine.

**oclv82** · 12-31-2015 06:53 AM

2010 TDI, no mods. 21s
Daily driving (city) average 19.8
Best (hwy) 21.5. Keeping about 2k rpm 73 mph or less.

**ICU2** · 01-02-2016 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by oclv82

2010 TDI, no mods. 21s
Daily driving (city) average 19.8
Best (hwy) 21.5. Keeping about 2k rpm 73 mph or less.

I thought that the diesel would perform a little better than this (admittedly better than my 2015 gas) but I am wondering if the 2010 has a 7 speed clutch or did it have the 8 speed? Have U had this since new?

**oclv82** · 01-03-2016 05:25 PM

ICU2_No clue 7 or 8. Wiki says 8 speed. No, I have only had it for the last 9 months. I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong based on some comments of 600+ mile comments.

**CanadianLurker** · 01-03-2016 06:02 PM

I believe that the 8 speed was introduced in 2011.

**rayray** · 01-03-2016 07:29 PM

The MY10 is a 6 speed. MY11 featured the new 8 speed. For a TDI, city driving is about right around 20mpg, but you should be getting way more on the hwy. In my MY10, we average 26-28 mpg going 70-85 mph on a road trip from TX to NC and back. The 600+ miles on one tank is very plausible. With my heavy foot, I got about 580-590mi on a tank; if I were to drop the speeds to ~65mph, 600+ mi could have been easily obtained.

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**iconoclast** · 01-04-2016 03:15 AM

Originally Posted by oclv82

I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong based on some comments of 600+ mile comments.

if a bulk of a driving is city/local/traffic you're not going to see the vehicle reach it's optimum mpg. hybrid/electric is for city, diesel is for long haul, highway miles.

**oclv82** · 01-05-2016 04:44 PM

I'm happy with the city driving mpg and alway looking to push the fuel mileage on road trips. Just like seeing the estimate go up. Just got back from the shop and they found a cylinder sensor loose and.... an oil leak. May be part of my issue. Will post what they find once the true cause/location of leak is found.