Economical S3 - 400+ miles to a tank (and I aint kidding!)

[Muzza80]

I wouldn't have believed it was possible, see this thread:

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a3-s3-sportback-8p-chassis/200537-poor-mpg-06-s3-2.html#post2018365


So the Mrs and I decided to head from Glasgow to Newcastle and back for some xmas shopping with our wee boy. I decided to see what could really be achieved on a good long run compared to the other performance car's I've owned in the past.

The car's standard bar a GFB DV+ and a Shark Stage 1 Remap from Brodster, I always run Tesco99 and the car's currently on Winter Continental tyres inflated the the recommended settings on the door for up to 3 passengers.

I filled up yesterday and had to head from Glasgow to Tillicoultry and back which, after resetting the trip odometer on the speedo cluster 6 miles into our journey left me with 76ish miles on the clock this morning and 3/4 of a tank remaining, I'd been taking it quite steady too.

So I reset everything this morning and we head off, I stuck pretty much to 70 on cruise all the way down the M74 to Carlisle (96 miles) then off down the A69 for a further (50 ish miles) at between 50-60 with a good few blasts to get past queue's after roundabouts, arrived at the Metro Centre just outside Newcastle, now showing:

225.1 miles on the clock
This trip (this moring) 149.6 miles
A little under half a tank remaining
170 miles remaining in the tank
Average speed 60 odd
Average mpg 34.1

So about 5pm we leave the Metro Centre to head back home via a little pub for some food not far off the route home. We get stuck for about 20 mins in very slow/stop & start traffic leaving the centre then off to the pub which was through a few 40mph areas about 8 miles along the road. Finish up there and back towards Carlisle this time between 50-55 as was dark and with the little one in the car I'm always cautious especially on unknown single carriage roads. Get to Carlisle and back on the Motorway for home, 65 all the way on cruise with a couple of blasts past HGV convoys.

Anyway, I was starting to get a bit concerned about cutting it very fine as the range was fluctuating as it does but we made it, light came on showing 35 miles remaining when we were 15 miles from home. Eventually pulled up in the Tesco filling station next to me with the following showing on the speedo/computer:

380.1 miles on the clock
This trip (this evening) 155.4 miles
20 miles remaining in the tank
Average speed mid 50's (due to being stuck in that traffic earlier no doubt)
Average mpg 34

So I fill up and the car takes 52L dead on, if it really is a 60L tank that means there was still 8L in there!!

I work out properly with a real MPG calculator and it comes to 33.9mpg average for the whole tank from fill to fill.

What I'm really impressed with is 380.1 miles covered, + 6 miles I covered before remembering to reset the odo + 20 miles remaining! That's well over 400 miles to one tank! + 8L still in there! Not at all bad for a 310bhp Shark Stage 1 S3 Sportback on a long run with a few blasts and some stuck in town thrown in too!

Just goes to show it's how you drive them, if you really want economy at times then you CAN get it.

Point to note, the first half of the tank is a good bit smaller than the 2nd half it seems, especially the 1st 1/4.

Now I just want to go spank another tank properly as it was a truly a dull day driving lol!

 

[Vex182]

That is good yeh. My 8L has a 62L tank but I often get 60L in it when filling it up and I've had 420+ out of it a few times so you might get even more out of it too!

 

[S3_Jacko]

Thats a nice result Muzza.. i'm usually just under 300 miles to a tank, but thats just usually with Glasgow driving and sometimes not very economically... I'm booked in with Mark in the morning to get my stage 1 done and are also running the gfb dv+ so running pretty much exact same setups, bar i've got a cai aswell... be interesting to see what results I get out of it when its changed... i'm not holding out much hope for this tank though as i'll be testing out the stage 1 every now and then ha... but that sounds like a good wee trip

 

[S.]

yep, it's possible to get 34+ mpg with s3

 

[Brodster]

Thats fantastic Murray.......best I've seen is about 340miles when going up the A9 to pick my kids up and thats normally just doodling in the flow of trafic.

 

[nluk100]

Yep, I get 400+ on most of my longer journeys too - my trip usually says 34-36 mpg and I'm at stage 2+. Once saw 39.8 mpg after a 280 mile run back from Leeds, I was determined to get home on 2/3rds of a tank - had cruise on at 64 mph most of the way!

 

[Boydie]

I have had a couple of tanks near 400 miles at stage 2+ revo - just depends on the length of travel eg from Cairnryan to Forres!

 

[s3_sid]

is it bad most of the time i just get 200 miles to a tank

 

[Fanboy]

That's good, but are those figures realistic or you're just reading it from speedometer? They only way you could check is using the trip computer LOL


I'm using V-Power on my 3.2 v6 and I get 25~27mpg town driving and no long run at all

 

[Fanboy]

It's all down to your driving style, road conditions, tyres grips and pressure

Over the last week or so I was hardly getting about 23 mpg and I found out that the tyre pressure should have been 35 psi and not 45, so little things makes huge differences

 

[Muzza80]

That's good, but are those figures realistic or you're just reading it from speedometer? They only way you could check is using the trip computer LOL


I'm using V-Power on my 3.2 v6 and I get 25~27mpg town driving and no long run at all

Was that Q for me? Yes if you read my post you will see that was taken from the trip computer but then worked out properly based on miles covered and the exact amount of fuel pumped back into the car at the end, you cant get more accurate than that

It's all down to your driving style, road conditions, tyres grips and pressure

Over the last week or so I was hardly getting about 23 mpg and I found out that the tyre pressure should have been 35 psi and not 45, so little things makes huge differences

So you reduced your tyre pressure from 45psi to 35 and you seen an increase in MPG? Don't really make sense or I've read it wrong?

 

[Fanboy]

So you reduced your tyre pressure from 45psi to 35 and you seen an increase in MPG? Don't really make sense or I've read it wrong?

Yes basically if you have no passenger whatsoever then the tyre pressure must notbe more than 35 psi, I know it seems odd but that's how it must be, I've already taken my car to Audi West London for basic inspection and they also confirmed, basically if the tyers has more pressure than it should then there won't be enough grip therefore more power if you see what I mean, try it for a week, it also rides a lot more smoother mate

Give it a try and let me know...

 

[Marshy]

For the running I do which is quick A road and motorways my range usually reads 375 miles and I've had 350 before the lights been on.
my S3 is much more economical than my Cupra R 265bhp same engine??
god knows why.

 

[JoeS3]

Yes basically if you have no passenger whatsoever then the tyre pressure must notbe more than 35 psi, I know it seems odd but that's how it must be, I've already taken my car to Audi West London for basic inspection and they also confirmed, basically if the tyers has more pressure than it should then there won't be enough grip therefore more power if you see what I mean, try it for a week, it also rides a lot more smoother mate

Give it a try and let me know...

damn, didnt know about this.
what kind of difference have you seen?

 

[JoeS3]

For the running I do which is quick A road and motorways my range usually reads 375 miles and I've had 350 before the lights been on.
my S3 is much more economical than my Cupra R 265bhp same engine??
god knows why.

lol, someone else said the same thing to me! - im likely to see better mpg from a 2.0T than a 1.8T (i too had a cupra R previously)

why is this :-s

 

[Smiffi]

I'm shocked people are getting such high mpg. I drive from Aberdeen to Newcastle and back every weekend and I've never seen my average go above 29! Usually about 27.....gutted!

 

[davc]

Now I just want to go spank another tank properly as it was a truly a dull day driving lol!

That's the spirit

I can regularly get 35 mpg out of mine on a decent motorway journey without trying too hard. It's nice to just cruise along and be passed by all the diesel drivers whilst driving it like a diesel - using the torque and short shifting. Once off the m'way then things get a bit more exciting once I've woken up hahaha.

Yes basically if you have no passenger whatsoever then the tyre pressure must not be more than 35 psi

I find 37 front 34 rear to be the optimum pressures for handling/comfort/economy.

 

[Fanboy]

About 35 psi should be fine mate

 

[Muzza80]

Yes basically if you have no passenger whatsoever then the tyre pressure must notbe more than 35 psi, I know it seems odd but that's how it must be, I've already taken my car to Audi West London for basic inspection and they also confirmed, basically if the tyers has more pressure than it should then there won't be enough grip therefore more power if you see what I mean, try it for a week, it also rides a lot more smoother mate

Give it a try and let me know...

If that were the case don't you think they would print that in the manual or on the door when it clearly states the recommended tyre pressure for my 2010 S3 Sportback with up to 3 people and light load is 42/39 on 225/40/18 XL's?

You reckon Audi West London confirmed, by confirmed you mean backing up what you already knew, where did you come up with this in the first place?

According to my manual and on the car itself 35 all round would be under inflated and we all know under inflated tyres = poorer MPG.

Would be happy to be proved wrong mate but "coz Audi West London told me so" is not really much to go on.

 

[cnahamilton]

I managed somewhere around 380 - 400 on 1 tank and that included a little blast on the A road with another 2.0 tdi. Left him waaay behind

 

[stetheo]

If that were the case don't you think they would print that in the manual or on the door when it clearly states the recommended tyre pressure for my 2010 S3 Sportback with up to 3 people and light load is 42/39 on 225/40/18 XL's?

You reckon Audi West London confirmed, by confirmed you mean backing up what you already knew, where did you come up with this in the first place?

According to my manual and on the car itself 35 all round would be under inflated and we all know under inflated tyres = poorer MPG.

Would be happy to be proved wrong mate but "coz Audi West London told me so" is not really much to go on.

I would also like to know this as the recommended pressures on my 07 S3 are the same as above 42/39. I did at first think this was a little high but am running with it for now. Although I don't see above 28 mpg haha. But I didn't swap the diesel out for economy reasons...

 

[davc]

I agree that 35psi is too low especially on the front.

I wouldn't listen to what some muppet in a stealer says. They'll tell you anything in the hope of fleecing money out of you at some point. Play around with the pressures and feel what's best.

I bet they don't know that XL tyres need to run higher pressures - hell even my local tyre place is the same. They inflated my winters to 31 psi all round and it felt like I had 4 punctures on the way home. The car was all over the road.

 

[cnahamilton]

Oh hell I had better put mine up a touch then , recently had my new alloys fitted and didn't think to recheck th pressures. I think they are all at 32psi!!

 

[Fanboy]

35 works fine for me, not the case for everyone but majority of wheels though

 

[Fanboy]

I agree that 35psi is too low especially on the front.

I wouldn't listen to what some muppet in a stealer says. They'll tell you anything in the hope of fleecing money out of you at some point. Play around with the pressures and feel what's best.

I bet they don't know that XL tyres need to run higher pressures - hell even my local tyre place is the same. They inflated my winters to 31 psi all round and it felt like I had 4 punctures on the way home. The car was all over the road.

What do you mean XL tyres mate

My current ones is bridgestone and nowhere says XL, they are 18, 7.5j s line alloys, looking forward to know about this cheers

 

[S3Alex]

Just so you know it can be done after all that's been done to mine.....




Average after a morning grind in to work.

 

[davc]

What do you mean XL tyres mate

My current ones is bridgestone and nowhere says XL, they are 18, 7.5j s line alloys, looking forward to know about this cheers

Extra Load or Reinforced will be stamped somewhere on the tyre if they are XL's. From what I've seen, the majority of tyres in this size seem to be XL.

What Bridgestones have you got?

 

[S3_Jacko]

Just so you know it can be done after all that's been done to mine.....




Average after a morning grind in to work.

400-500bhp Alex and radio 4? I've heard its amazing how much Glenn Campbell makes you wanna plant the right foot haha ...

 

[S3Alex]

400-500bhp Alex and radio 4? I've heard its amazing how much Glenn Campbell makes you wanna plant the right foot haha ...

Don't knock it!


News at 6-7 a.m is about the only contact with the outside world I get!

 

[pablo]

nice to see Im not going insane then!! And the calls of "suck it up buttercup" were ******

 

[crunchie]

I've had over 400 miles twice in my S3.
Last time was the tank after I got caught speeding(over two years ago lol)
It can be done but it's certainly not fun!!

 

[nluk100]

Just to show it is possible, even on a stage 2+ car ....

I did overtake a bike (pedal) and a couple of lorries.

BTW, this was a short journey (~40 miles) and it was still increasing quite quickly towards the end of the journey so I could expect low to mid 40's!!

Yeah, I know not 100% accurate but my mileometer showed 395 miles on just over 3/4 of a tank.

 

[davc]

I got 400 miles from a tank on a return trip to Warrington last week.

I would've got more but the first and last 20 miles of the trip is cross country so I couldn't stop myself

Let's face it, the S3 is made for back roads not motorways

 

[Gfermer]

When I had my custom stage 1 car was good on fuel but when I had problems It was removed ( clutch problems) and car ran horrible struggled to get 33 now I have shark stage 3 car was Hitting 40mpg as an average and then settled at 37ish just shows when the car is set up proper the difference it can make half the people I know seem to think remap is all about power but miss the point how setting the car up how much smoother better on fuel etc I've noticed a massive difference from stock,

 

[MrLapou]

Label on the B pillar shows the 2.0TFSi Quattro S-Tronic is:
Normal tyres 225/40 18 XL 39 front, 35 rear.
Winter tyres 225/45 17 XL 42 front, 38 rear.

Funny that as I'd have thought both cars' weight and distribution would be almost exactly the same.
Perhaps it's down to suspension settings between it and the S3.

If that were the case don't you think they would print that in the manual or on the door when it clearly states the recommended tyre pressure for my 2010 S3 Sportback with up to 3 people and light load is 42/39 on 225/40/18 XL's?

You reckon Audi West London confirmed, by confirmed you mean backing up what you already knew, where did you come up with this in the first place?

According to my manual and on the car itself 35 all round would be under inflated and we all know under inflated tyres = poorer MPG.

Would be happy to be proved wrong mate but "coz Audi West London told me so" is not really much to go on.

 

[t1evo]

I just recently bought an Audi s3 sportback dsg 09 plate. Local the trip computer is around 14/15. Did a 80 mile motorway trip and it just hit 30mpg. This is driving pretty slowly, I was hoping for 23-25 local. Is this normal guys? Thanks

 

[s3_sid]

Yeah in line with the norm my average is 22mpg but that's a lot of town a spirited driving I have seen as high as 36 once on the motorway but that was a super Eco run if I get 30 on the motorway I'm doing well !

 

[t1evo]

Yeah in line with the norm my average is 22mpg but that's a lot of town a spirited driving I have seen as high as 36 once on the motorway but that was a super Eco run if I get 30 on the motorway I'm doing well !

I am just a bit concerned that local I am around 15mpg and that's driving super eco run as u put it , I'm sure if I put my foot down 11/12, might just test out tomorrow! Is your car standard and dsg? These car's are listed as 25urban 41extra urban average 33. Even my friends focus rs with 400 horses does 20+mpg all day long. I'd definitely be happy with 22mpg town driving.

 

[s3_sid]

My average is 22 and that's not caring about consumption usualy hard aceleration in town almost driving like a yob, I'm in a manual

 

[S3Alex]

Even my old beast can average 27mpg overall now,and that's a mixture of town and country driving,so it's not bad considering.