Audi A3 1.5 TFSI COD: questions

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sebtomato

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Hi,

I have just received my A3 1.5 TFSI this week (my first petrol engine A3 for 12 years!), and I have a few questions please.

1) CoD indicator

According to the user manual, I should be able to see when the engine is only running on 2 cylinders, but I can't see it anywhere! I have been through all the computer menus while cruising on the motorway.

See picture of the user manual.



How do I know that CoD is active and working as expected?

2) Adaptive Cruise Control / Camera / Stop and start

Unless I am mistaken, the car seems to restart the engine at traffic lights when the lights move to green!! Is that correct?

3) Is there a way to easily switch between my music on the SD card (built-in media player) and Android Auto (e.g. Google map navigation)? It seems to be a pain to switch between the built in entertainment functionality and Android car...

4) Speed sign recognition

Does not seem to be able to have an audio alert when exceeding the speed limit.

In term of the car itself, I like:

  • the very smooth and quiet engine (particularly coming from a diesel)
  • Adaptive cruise control and lane assist (car basically drives itself most of the time)
  • Android integration: gone the days when the car functionality will never be updated by the manufacturer
I don't like:

  • Engine is a bit brutal in 1st gear
  • Lack of space to rest right foot (when using cruise control)
  • Lack of place to store a mobile phone (storage under arm rest is not really suited)
  • Lack of configuration of internal light pack (e.g. footwell vs. air controls)
  • Speed sign recognition without audio alerts, and lack of integration with other functions, such as ACC (for instance, setting to slow down car automatically if new speed limit is detected)
  • No charging USB ports accessible to back seats (would have been preferable to 12v socket)
  • Price charged by Audi UK for the virtual cockpit option (bundled with something else I didn't need), so didn't take it
  • Android Auto does not seem to be really designed for non-touch screens
  • Android Auto has to be started manually each time
  • Android Auto has some limitations (e.g. no calls with WhatsApp, limited settings for Google Map etc).

Thanks,
S.
 
Last edited:
1 - You have to switch to " trip computer/fuel computer" mode on left hand menu steering wheel button and then scroll using rotary wheel bit and one of those readings/settings (you will see which one when coasting or light throttle) shows "2 cylinder mode" when active
2 - I only have ACC - when it is active, if stop start is also active then the engine will stop when stationary and restart automatically when it senses traffic is about to move
3 - don't know!
 
mistac said:
1 - You have to switch to " trip computer/fuel computer" mode on left hand menu steering wheel button and then scroll using rotary wheel bit and one of those readings/settings (you will see which one when coasting or light throttle) shows "2 cylinder mode" when active
Click to expand...

I have tried that (as per the user manual): changed the central display mode to "trip computer" or "Efficiency" and then used the rotary wheel to display average fuel consumption or real time one.

Message "2 cylinder mode" has never been displayed, even when cruising at 65mph, in 7th gear.

Maybe the engine has to be run in first, before the CoD is available??

Does ACC also prevent CoD?
 
sebtomato said:
Hi,

I have just received my A3 1.5 TFSI this week (my first petrol engine A3 for 12 years!), and I have a few questions please.

2) Adaptive Cruise Control / Camera / Stop and start

Unless I am mistaken, the car seems to restart the engine at traffic lights when the lights move to green!! Is that correct?

4) Speed sign recognition

Does not seem to be able to have an audio alert when exceeding the speed limit.
Click to expand...
I can't find a FL owners handbook so comments are based on my PFL and the owners handbook.

2) The engine will start again when the car in front moves, then you need to use the stalk or tap the accelerator to re-activate ACC.On the few occasions where I've used this in traffic, it does seem to start the engine quite rather quickly (ie, the car in front moves just slightly). As ACC isn't "intelligent" though I don't really like how it works in town traffic and even then I only use it on the motorways in certain conditions (traffic flow) as cautious about how the car behind me will react when a car pulls in in front of me, my car breaks to create distance but in an unnatural way so I just get cautious about the car behind...

4) At least in the PFL it does not have an audio alert, I however am disappointed with how random this system behaves at times. Displays 60mph in a 30 - not quite sure why....
 
oli356 said:
2) The engine will start again when the car in front moves, then you need to use the stalk or tap the accelerator to re-activate ACC.
Click to expand...

I think I have seen the engine restart even though the car in front didn't move yet. The only indication was that the traffic light had moved to green. Maybe they are using the camera now too?
 
sebtomato said:
I have seen the engine restarting even though the car in front didn't move yet. The only indication was that the traffic light had moved to green. Maybe they are using the camera now too?
Click to expand...
Hmm maybe..... unless the car just wanted to turn back on again for whatever reason (heating?) - hopefully somebody with a FL can chime in...
 
sebtomato said:
I have tried that (as per the user manual): changed the central display mode to "trip computer" or "Efficiency" and then used the rotary wheel to display average fuel consumption or real time one.

Message "2 cylinder mode" has never been displayed, even when cruising at 65mph, in 7th gear.

Maybe the engine has to be run in first, before the CoD is available??

Does ACC also prevent CoD?
Click to expand...

It will mainly switch to 2 cylinder mode when in overrun. Travelling at 65mph in 7th would not always trigger 2 cylinder mode - more likely if the road is downhill.
It is fairly elusive, but when you get used to it you will see it pop up. Then, after not very long, you will completely lose interest in it and probably switch to digital speedo mode.
 
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I have the 1.4 cod but with VC. 2 cylinder mode is always popping up on the dash. If the revs are too low it doesn’t do it and travelling up slight incline will knock it off. Cruising at65 on a flat motorway it always lights up. Any faster than that and it is unlikely to kick in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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sebtomato said:
I have tried that (as per the user manual): changed the central display mode to "trip computer" or "Efficiency" and then used the rotary wheel to display average fuel consumption or real time one.

Message "2 cylinder mode" has never been displayed, even when cruising at 65mph, in 7th gear.

Maybe the engine has to be run in first, before the CoD is available??

Does ACC also prevent CoD?
Click to expand...

From memory, when ACC is active cod does not work
 
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oli356 said:
Hmm maybe..... unless the car just wanted to turn back on again for whatever reason (heating?) - hopefully somebody with a FL can chime in...
Click to expand...

Yes, I have noticed the engine start just before car in front moves - probably somehow picking up something in front of the car in front
 
mistac said:
From memory, when ACC is active cod does not work
Click to expand...

That’s an interesting observation. I’ve never noticed if it does or doesn’t when I’m using ACC so I should check that. I wish the 2 cylinder display could be programmed with VCDS to show up in all menus like oil temperature. No real use but it’s fascinating to watch and I’ve never felt it change from 4 to 2 or vice versa.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
mistac said:
Yes, I have noticed the engine start just before car in front moves - probably somehow picking up something in front of the car in front
Click to expand...
Maybe the windscreen camera is picking up that the brake lights are off, but I think it's picking up the traffic lights changing from Red to Green.

I am sure it's not just based on the car in front moving.

Cars are getting really clever!
 
mistac said:
From memory, when ACC is active cod does not work
Click to expand...

I will try again on the motorway with ACC off. The user manual doesn't mention if there is such limitation. It would be annoying if there were, as Adaptive Cruise Control (and lane assist) is great on the motorway, and it's surely when CoD would be active too, so the two features could be mutually exclusive.

Would be quite embarrassing if the cylinder on demand technology that "shuts down two of the engine's four cylinders when you're cruising along" is not compatible with Adaptive Cruise Control.

If such limitation is indeed confirmed, then I am sure Audi UK will be delighted to repay me 5% of the fuel consumed over the next 3 years (which would be around £400, at today's prices), or the cost of the ACC option (I believe around £550)!!

This could just be yet another example of manufacturer fuel consumption numbers not achievable in real life.

I am not that interested to know when the engine goes from 4 cylinders to 2, particularly as it's supposed to be seamless. I just want to have positive confirmation that the technology is active and working some of the time.

Maybe they should just show stats on the car computer, like "CoD active on last journey 3% of the time".
 
Last edited:
sebtomato said:
I don't like:
  • Lack of place to store a mobile phone (storage under arm rest is not really suited)
Click to expand...

I put mine on the little "shelf" ahead of the cupholders in front of the gearshift. It's slightly rubberised so it doesn't slide about and it props the phone up (in landscape orientation) at the perfect angle for glancing down at it if you receive a notification.

Been doing this for 5 years since my first 8V. It's less useful if you want to use CarPlay/AndroidAuto of course.
 
sebtomato said:
Maybe the windscreen camera is picking up that the brake lights are off, but I think it's picking up the traffic lights changing from Red to Green.

I am sure it's not just based on the car in front moving.

Cars are getting really clever!
Click to expand...

It's a nice idea but AFAIK the Audi ACC on the A3/S3 does not use the lane departure camera to recognise traffic lights changing colour!
 
Vertigo1 said:
I put mine on the little "shelf" ahead of the cupholders in front of the gearshift. It's slightly rubberised so it doesn't slide about and it props the phone up (in landscape orientation) at the perfect angle for glancing down at it if you receive a notification.

Been doing this for 5 years since my first 8V. It's less useful if you want to use CarPlay/AndroidAuto of course.
Click to expand...

Yes, I used to do that too with my previous car. However, Android Auto requires a USB cable (I guess because it's controlling the screen, and Bluetooth is not a fast enough connection), so not convenient to have a cable going to that space. I wish they would have some sort of phone cradle under the armrest, to place the phone properly (and also easily connect/disconnect its USB connection).
 
Last edited:
glospete said:
It's a nice idea but AFAIK the Audi ACC on the A3/S3 does not use the lane departure camera to recognise traffic lights changing colour!
Click to expand...
that's also my understanding - I don't have lane assist so not even sure I have a/any cameras just the radar bit?
 
mistac said:
Yes, I have noticed the engine start just before car in front moves - probably somehow picking up something in front of the car in front
Click to expand...
sebtomato said:
Maybe the windscreen camera is picking up that the brake lights are off, but I think it's picking up the traffic lights changing from Red to Green.
I am sure it's not just based on the car in front moving.
Cars are getting really clever!
Click to expand...
Can you see any environmental/economy advantage of re-starting the engine before you ask the car to move off? So why would Audi program it to re-start beforehand?
 
Matt Titanium said:
Can you see any environmental/economy advantage of re-starting the engine before you ask the car to move off? So why would Audi program it to re-start beforehand?
Click to expand...
Good point. I guess the only benefit is to move quicker. Maybe it's also better for the engine to start moving not just after restarting?
 
Hi could you tell me how your 1.5 tfsi performs I'm thinking of getting a new A3 with that engine.
What's the drive ability like torque wise is it ok for over taking swiftly? What some of driving are you doing city, motorway etc and how's the mpg because of this?
 
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sebtomato said:
I will try again on the motorway with ACC off. The user manual doesn't mention if there is such limitation. It would be annoying if there were, as Adaptive Cruise Control (and lane assist) is great on the motorway, and it's surely when CoD would be active too, so the two features could be mutually exclusive.

Would be quite embarrassing if the cylinder on demand technology that "shuts down two of the engine's four cylinders when you're cruising along" is not compatible with Adaptive Cruise Control.

If such limitation is indeed confirmed, then I am sure Audi UK will be delighted to repay me 5% of the fuel consumed over the next 3 years (which would be around £400, at today's prices), or the cost of the ACC option (I believe around £550)!!

This could just be yet another example of manufacturer fuel consumption numbers not achievable in real life.

I am not that interested to know when the engine goes from 4 cylinders to 2, particularly as it's supposed to be seamless. I just want to have positive confirmation that the technology is active and working some of the time.

Maybe they should just show stats on the car computer, like "CoD active on last journey 3% of the time".
Click to expand...

I have the 1.5 COD albeit with a manual. 2 cylinders are used with ACC. I regularly use the ACC on the 50MPH section of the M6 near me and 2 cylinders stays active as long as the traffic is flowing. The average MPG easily climbs over 50mpg.
 
Glasgoe Joe said:
Hi could you tell me how your 1.5 tfsi performs I'm thinking of getting a new A3 with that engine.
What's the drive ability like torque wise is it ok for over taking swiftly? What some of driving are you doing city, motorway etc and how's the mpg because of this?
Click to expand...

If you do a lot of urban miles / short journeys then I wouldn't recommend the 1.5TSI. I've had mine since September and find it really struggles to get over 40mpg when running round town. Maybe look at the 1.0tsi instead?

I use mine 60/20/20 Motorway / A road / Urban across 5000 miles the average is just under 45 mpg. Its barely run in yet so I'd expect it to do better as the mile go on. Only using it through the colder months of the year is likely to have an adverse effect on MPG as well. The engine has plenty of low down torque thanks to the advance turbocharger design. A road overtaking is no problem. One area I find it lacking, (maybe I expect too much..) is the responsiveness at motorway speeds. Its useful sometimes on a motorway to be able to boot it and pull into a gap on the 3rd lane.

I run mine as a company car so the 1.5 gives a good balance between performance and the monthly tax payment
 
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I can vouch, the 1.0 tfsi is a superb engine and no slouch either.
 
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