ECU Tunes and MPG

[KevinM.]

I've been eyeing an at home ECU tune for a while, but haven't made the decision to pull the trigger. The biggest downside to this car, for me, is the gas mileage. On many of the tuning sites' pages for their ecu tunes, they mention increased fuel efficiency. Has anybody noticed actual efficiency gains?? It would be awesome to imporve the gas mileage while driving sanely, while being able to get that added power when wanted.

[Baggio]

I've been eyeing an at home ECU tune for a while, but haven't made the decision to pull the trigger. The biggest downside to this car, for me, is the gas mileage. On many of the tuning sites' pages for their ecu tunes, they mention increased fuel efficiency. Has anybody noticed actual efficiency gains?? It would be awesome to imporve the gas mileage while driving sanely, while being able to get that added power when wanted.

Depends on how heavy you are on the throttle. I usually get about 21-22 MPG in the city and about 28-30 MPG on the highway and I tend to have a lead foot. My city mileage would be a bit higher if my commute to work was longer than 6 miles 1 way. The car isn't getting to full operating temp until I am almost at work. I am on APR stage 2 with APR DSG tune.

[KevinM.]

I usually get about 21-22 MPG in the city and about 28-30 MPG on the highway and I tend to have a lead foot.

WOW! That is considerably better than my mileage. My 30 mile round-trip to school and back every day is a good mix of city and highway driving, and I am consistantly getting a combined 18mpg.
Would love to hear is anybody else is experiencing such gains with an ECU tune

[Baggio]

WOW! That is considerably better than my mileage. My 30 mile round-trip to school and back every day is a good mix of city and highway driving, and I am consistantly getting a combined 18mpg.
Would love to hear is anybody else is experiencing such gains with an ECU tune

I think the DSG tune keeps the engine in the powerband and makes it more efficient. I sometimes get 19-20 on 1 way to work, but like I said my trip is short.

[HurrayFive]

I have similar mileage numbers to Baggio and the same tunes.

I did before/after comparisons on the same roads at the same speeds with both my A5 and S3 and when you're just cruising there was at least a 1-2MPG difference (improvement) at the same speeds on the same roads; they (and by they I mean most tuning companies) optimize fueling for performance and for cruising, so you'll generally see an increase in economy even with a heavy foot.

The S3 is a weekend only car now so I usually get on it at least once when I take it out, I do not take the car on the freeway if I can help it (rocks like a mofo out here), and my mileage average is usually 22.

[KevinM.]

Great to hear, currently debating between Unitronic and Eurodyne, leaning towards Eurodyne.

Baggio, are you able to compare your pre-flash mpg with your post-flash? Its good to know what your current mpg is, but I believe it shows a better picture if you know what your net gain was.
Appreciate your guys' help a lot!

[Baggio]

Great to hear, currently debating between Unitronic and Eurodyne, leaning towards Eurodyne.

Baggio, are you able to compare your pre-flash mpg with your post-flash? Its good to know what your current mpg is, but I believe it shows a better picture if you know what your net gain was.
Appreciate your guys' help a lot!

It was about 1-2 mpg less.

[ModdedEuros]

We run Unitronic Stage 2 ECU/DSG on our S3 which is daily driven. As long as you drive normally its more efficient. But generally most people regardless of tunes tend to get the "heavy foot" syndrome afterwards lol

[rhexis]

i have noticed if i drive it like a 97 year old at night in the rain i get about 23 but in sport and winding it out a bit im lucky to get 18 and i can see the gas gauge going down.

[A20V200]

I generally drive in Dynamic Manual mode use its more fun. I get about 325-350 miles between fill ups.