B9 SQ5 Flex Fuel - When's it coming?

[SkepticTuner]

All the major tuners for the Audi platform offer maps for ethanol (E85). Here in California, it's much less expensive than 91 octane and offers huge performance gains. The B9 SQ5, and most other Audi models can run FlexFuel without needing to replace fuel lines or fuel pumps. Why do none of the tuners offer a Flex Fuel option? For those not in the know, it basically reads the ethanol content of the fuel in real time and adjusts the maps accordingly. Many other platforms offer this level of tuning and I see Integrated Engineering releasing flex fuel kits for other VAG models. They market it as True Flex.

Any tuners up for the challenge?

[asrautox]

The issue is that this functionality is not mapped within the stock ECU. While we have capability to flash between maps for pump gas and E85, seamlessly transitioning between the two without a reflash requires an ECU with dual map capability and the ability to reference the ethanol sensor to transition between the two. This isn’t something that currently exists, but I know 034 has been working on some sort of implementation. What it is and what it will require remains a mystery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hbnoodles]

The issue is that this functionality is not mapped within the stock ECU. While we have capability to flash between maps for pump gas and E85, seamlessly transitioning between the two without a reflash requires an ECU with dual map capability and the ability to reference the ethanol sensor to transition between the two. This isn’t something that currently exists, but I know 034 has been working on some sort of implementation. What it is and what it will require remains a mystery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah, 034 has talked about it but I doubt they’re putting a ton of effort into it since it’s really easy to flash between files with their app. You could jump from 91 to E85 in a minute or two right at the pump. Definitely would be nice to have a flex fuel tune though so fingers crossed we’ll see it.

[asrautox]

Yeah, 034 has talked about it but I doubt they’re putting a ton of effort into it since it’s really easy to flash between files with their app. You could jump from 91 to E85 in a minute or two right at the pump. Definitely would be nice to have a flex fuel tune though so fingers crossed we’ll see it.

Agree and while I do use the mobile flashing quite often, it’s not ideal. The last time I switched from E85 back to 91, I was getting misfires and throwing lean codes for about 10 mins until the gas finally reached the motor. I was fully aware of what was happening and why, but still not great when you don’t have time to idle for 10 minutes before flashing over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[hbnoodles]

Agree and while I do use the mobile flashing quite often, it’s not ideal. The last time I switched from E85 back to 91, I was getting misfires and throwing lean codes for about 10 mins until the gas finally reached the motor. I was fully aware of what was happening and why, but still not great when you don’t have time to idle for 10 minutes before flashing over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I definitely get that. I’m only running 91 now but will likely go E85 in the summer since Colorado weather is absolutely bonkers and I’m not trying to run E85 in the winter.

[asrautox]

LOL, good call. My folks got 27” out in Golden. Bananas!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gunnarrrrr]

Agree and while I do use the mobile flashing quite often, it’s not ideal. The last time I switched from E85 back to 91, I was getting misfires and throwing lean codes for about 10 mins until the gas finally reached the motor. I was fully aware of what was happening and why, but still not great when you don’t have time to idle for 10 minutes before flashing over.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I never have this problem, I just keep driving after leaving the pump and watch the fuel-it and pull over when its time. If I'm switching to 91, I wait until it hits about 20. If I'm switching to ethanol, I wait until I see 40. Obviously stay off the boost, but this has worked for me for the last 40k miles. I've primarily been on ethanol though, I just switch if I'm on a road trip and run out of ethanol.

[mtwallace85]

The issue is that this functionality is not mapped within the stock ECU. While we have capability to flash between maps for pump gas and E85, seamlessly transitioning between the two without a reflash requires an ECU with dual map capability and the ability to reference the ethanol sensor to transition between the two. This isn’t something that currently exists, but I know 034 has been working on some sort of implementation. What it is and what it will require remains a mystery.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It doesn’t currently exist for the SQ5 but it definitely exists. I have it on my TTRS, it’s called DS1, and it’s available for several platforms. You have a plug for the OBDII port that gets 1 wire pinned in to send the signal from the ethanol content analyzer.

[SkepticTuner]

That's the beauty of FlexFuel. No flashing. Just fill up and the car knows the best tune for the fuel in the vehicle. No caveats when someone borrows your car.

I have it in my other car and love it. Really hoping we can convince one of the tuning houses to put some R&D into it. I'd pay to a gofundme to get on a list.

[SkepticTuner]

Totally stoked, got an email from IE that they have released their Flex Fuel kit for $420 (True Flex in their marketing speak). No, I'm not paid by IE nor do I get discounts. It will require me to upgrade the HPFP to be able to use the sensor and E85 gas, but $900 for 80 HP sounds pretty good to me. I'm in Cali where we only get 91 octane fuel. My Nissan runs flex and I love it, plus, it costs 40% less than premium. Can't wait to get this and install it on my SQ5. Will update with more info when it arrives and gets installed.

https://performancebyie.com/products...42326425600139

[Local]

I'd like to bring this back to the front.

Waiting on 034 to release their flex fuel for b9.5 - I might even consider switching back for this.

[boostin20v]

https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethano...arest?fuel=E85

That accurate? The north east is pretty empty, no stations in under 1:30h-1:45h.

[Local]

https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethano...arest?fuel=E85

That accurate? The north east is pretty empty, no stations in under 1:30h-1:45h.

Looks accurate.

Very few local locations for me (Boston) and less when I travel north.

Plus my wife takes the car some times, Some times I leave it with my mom and drive her b9.5 A5 convertible.

Explaining to them that they have to switch maps if they don't fill up with e85 is a non starter.

Sitting there for 10 - 15 minutes every time I want to switch back and forth is difficult as well.

Time is money as they say.

[boostin20v]

Yep, for all those reasons I've never invested into things like water/meth injection etc...IMO there are already enough variables to deal with. I'd rather dial back my expectations than jump through hoops to gain 10% more.

[adamazing]

Looks accurate.
Plus my wife takes the car some times, Some times I leave it with my mom and drive her b9.5 A5 convertible.

Explaining to them that they have to switch maps if they don't fill up with e85 is a non starter.

Fun story. My wife and I drove from San Diego to Sacramento to visit family last Christmas. My wife is aware and knowledgeable of the SQ's E85 requirements (she was all-in on getting it tuned to begin with). A week or so before we leave, I task her with scoping our route up central CA to make sure we know where we have E85 options. She tells me she's got it. She says there's a bunch all the way up and it shouldn't be a problem.

Day of, we fill up in San Diego before leaving, then top off in Santa Clarita at the start of the Grapevine. We're taking the 5 freeway (because it's a straight shot and because she said we were fine all the way up). About 2-3 hours later we're in the middle of fuck-all nowhere with a little over a 1/4 tank left, so I ask her where the next station is to top off. It turns out, during her research, she looked at the map at such a high level that it only looked like there were a ton of stations along the way, but all of them were on a completely different freeway, and none anywhere along the 5 freeway.

I immediately started driving like a grandpa after Sunday service and barely made it to the closest station with only 15 miles of range left. Shit definitely became a tense drive real quick.