2018 S5 Tips & Tricks
Discussion
adyzaky said:
Any updates on the TDI chip? Keen to hear your thoughts 
TDI Chip update so far........I will for the benefit of anyone considering a TDI unit publish a comprehensive appraisal which will take a little time, but for now I have installed the chip which took about 10 minutes to complete. There are a few 'watch points', but I will cover these later. My thoughts so far are positive, quicker off the line and whereas I was getting an average of 21mpg, it has now gone up to 24mpg. For those of you who like more sound, yes it does sound a bit louder but not a great deal louder. There are a number of performance settings (1-7) all of which I need to test out, but so far all the above mentioned has been on number 4.
One thing I will mention as I'm sure someone will ask.......yes, did try number 7 (AKA ballistic mode) for a little bit, and yep foot down I had to hang on as it scrabbled for traction on a gritted country lane. I tried this on normal unleaded and it was 'pinking' a bit so switched back to number 4. A quick call to TDI and was told to use premium unleaded for this mode, not tried that yet but I'm sure they are right a this resolved someone else's same issue. 5 & 6 yet to try.
Edited by IJB1959 on Thursday 13th April 11:17
IJB1959 said:
TDI Chip update so far........
I will for the benefit of anyone considering a TDI unit publish a comprehensive appraisal which will take a little time, but for now I have installed the chip which took about 10 minutes to complete. There are a few 'watch points', but I will cover these later. My thoughts so far are positive, quicker off the line and whereas I was getting an average of 21mpg, it has now gone up to 24mpg. For those of you who like more sound, yes it does sound a bit louder but not a great deal louder. There are a number of performance settings (1-7) all of which I need to test out, but so far all the above mentioned has been on number 4.
One thing I will mention as I'm sure someone will ask.......yes, did try number 7 (AKA ballistic mode) for a little bit, and yep foot down I had to hang on as it scrabbled for traction on a gritted country lane. I tried this on normal unleaded and it was 'pinking' a bit so switched back to number 4. A quick call to TDI and was told to use premium unleaded for this mode, not tried that yet but I'm sure they are right a this resolved someone else's same issue. 5 & 6 yet to try.
Interesting stuff!I will for the benefit of anyone considering a TDI unit publish a comprehensive appraisal which will take a little time, but for now I have installed the chip which took about 10 minutes to complete. There are a few 'watch points', but I will cover these later. My thoughts so far are positive, quicker off the line and whereas I was getting an average of 21mpg, it has now gone up to 24mpg. For those of you who like more sound, yes it does sound a bit louder but not a great deal louder. There are a number of performance settings (1-7) all of which I need to test out, but so far all the above mentioned has been on number 4.
One thing I will mention as I'm sure someone will ask.......yes, did try number 7 (AKA ballistic mode) for a little bit, and yep foot down I had to hang on as it scrabbled for traction on a gritted country lane. I tried this on normal unleaded and it was 'pinking' a bit so switched back to number 4. A quick call to TDI and was told to use premium unleaded for this mode, not tried that yet but I'm sure they are right a this resolved someone else's same issue. 5 & 6 yet to try.
How many miles have you put on the car so far?
PorkInsider said:
Interesting stuff!
How many miles have you put on the car so far?
I've done just over 800 miles now. Seems to improve with the mileage. Will have more to report after Easter and a few extra miles in different modes and fuel types. Setting 7 has some great potential, but probably costly in using premium fuel. TDI Tuning have asked me and another chap who has an S5 with the TDI box fitted to have the boxes internal mapping 'tweaked' to our requirements FOC if we want, and provide feedback in doing so. Means a trip to TDI though. That's good service. I may ask for setting 7 to run on normal unleaded and see what they come up with, probably will be less than the current 408hp showing on their dyno though.How many miles have you put on the car so far?
For the fuel use calculation you would need to do a brim to brim, but if your putting in more fuel to generate more power it's now using more fuel.
A tuning box isn't like a proper remap where it's smoothing out spikes in the power delivery or changing peramiters for fuel quality therefor making the engine produce more power by being more efficient.
A tuning box intercepts the signals from the ecu and ups them so that the car puts in more fuel/ups the boost, delete as appropriate, some do more than others. The onboard trip computer will not now be giving an accurate reading as the ecu doesn't know that the signal it's putting out has been tampered with so it's fuel calculation is now wrong.
A tuning box isn't like a proper remap where it's smoothing out spikes in the power delivery or changing peramiters for fuel quality therefor making the engine produce more power by being more efficient.
A tuning box intercepts the signals from the ecu and ups them so that the car puts in more fuel/ups the boost, delete as appropriate, some do more than others. The onboard trip computer will not now be giving an accurate reading as the ecu doesn't know that the signal it's putting out has been tampered with so it's fuel calculation is now wrong.
simonwhite2000 said:
Eagerly awaiting a full review....
From the sounds of it it's a worthy upgrade. What was the TDi stance on if this flags TD1?
Will answer two questions/comment at once. Fuel consumption is better on setting 4, above that we will have to see as no doubt most will hit the 7 and shut the hood. Checked the ECU with VAG-COM (old version but still shows TD1 and clears errors) as I wondered if the 'pinking' in setting 7 logged some errors, and also as I initially put a turbo boost 2 harness plug on the wrong way round and got an engine Start/Stop error logged which I had to clear. Glad to say, no errors other than the one I created by mistake, and when unplugged had no TD1 flag. So far so good.From the sounds of it it's a worthy upgrade. What was the TDi stance on if this flags TD1?
Chatted with TDi on live chat about TD1 code, this was the response;
Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
Stupot123 said:
For the fuel use calculation you would need to do a brim to brim, but if your putting in more fuel to generate more power it's now using more fuel.
A tuning box isn't like a proper remap where it's smoothing out spikes in the power delivery or changing peramiters for fuel quality therefor making the engine produce more power by being more efficient.
A tuning box intercepts the signals from the ecu and ups them so that the car puts in more fuel/ups the boost, delete as appropriate, some do more than others. The onboard trip computer will not now be giving an accurate reading as the ecu doesn't know that the signal it's putting out has been tampered with so it's fuel calculation is now wrong.
Your quite right, I need to do a 'brim to brim' to test properly, and as mentioned all this takes time. I am just giving my early impressions at the moment from the information I have. I would also agree that a tuning box is second to a ECU re-map for the reasons you mention, but as the interested parties on here are lease owners, this is out of the question. With regard to fuel saving the jury is still out, but unless you know how exactly the fuel use is actually calculated with this new engine the inaccuracy comment is purely presumptuous.A tuning box isn't like a proper remap where it's smoothing out spikes in the power delivery or changing peramiters for fuel quality therefor making the engine produce more power by being more efficient.
A tuning box intercepts the signals from the ecu and ups them so that the car puts in more fuel/ups the boost, delete as appropriate, some do more than others. The onboard trip computer will not now be giving an accurate reading as the ecu doesn't know that the signal it's putting out has been tampered with so it's fuel calculation is now wrong.
simonwhite2000 said:
Chatted with TDi on live chat about TD1 code, this was the response;
Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
As I mentioned, when I unplugged it and checked there was no ECU trace.Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
IJB1959 said:
simonwhite2000 said:
Chatted with TDi on live chat about TD1 code, this was the response;
Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
As I mentioned, when I unplugged it and checked there was no ECU trace.Kevin Cottis says:
Hello Simon. My name is Kevin Cottis how can I help you?
Simon says:
Hi Kevin, just got a 2017 Audi S5 coupe and am looking at your tuning box for 649
Simon says:
what is the situation with it flagging a TD1 code when at the dealer
Kevin Cottis says:
These boxes are plug & play, we would recommned that prior to any warranty work at the dealer the box is removed as it leaves on imprint on the ECU.
Simon says:
so even if i remove it before it goes to the dealer, they will see something on the ECU
Kevin Cottis says:
No once removed they cannot see any trace on the ECU. This is big advantage over a re-map which is a permanent change of the ECU settings
Simon says:
Yeah, I had a Golf R before and went for a JB1 instead of a REVO map for this reason
Simon says:
ok, well someone on the Audi S5 forum just got one and fitted it today so im waiting on his feedback and then if he gives it a good write up ill buy one
Kevin Cottis says:
Ok Simon, make a note of my name and we look forward to hearing from you
IJB1959 said:
PorkInsider said:
So is it completely untraceable then, or would there still be data recorded somewhere which shows higher boost levels (for example) than a standard map would allow?
Nope, nothing. No trace at all. Thinking of getting one for your M4??Having said that, I'm not sure I really need any more power at the moment as it's best described as 'ferocious', to be perfectly honest. I've been genuinely surprised at how hard it pulls, even though I'm keeping under 5k rpm and on partial throttle until its running in service.
I did some googling for true power output figures and it looks like the quoted 450bhp is probably nearer to the 'at wheels' figure than the crank output, so that probably explains it.
I'm sure I'll soon get used to it and want more, though, so yes I'll consider adding a box.
IJB1959 said:
PorkInsider said:
So is it completely untraceable then, or would there still be data recorded somewhere which shows higher boost levels (for example) than a standard map would allow?
Nope, nothing. No trace at all. Thinking of getting one for your M4??a: you don't go posting all over the internet about what you've done,
b: you remember to remove it whenever it goes for service/repairs
c: you tell your OH to remove it if they ever need to call Audi Roadside Assistance... (usually in the dark, when it's raining and they've just had a manicure..)
d: Audi don't use anything more sophisticated than VAG-COM to inspect ECU logs.
If I owned the car myself I'd definitely take a punt on one, but the potential for major financial pain from the leasing co would make it a step too far.
silentbrown said:
"No trace" as long as...
a: you don't go posting all over the internet about what you've done,
b: you remember to remove it whenever it goes for service/repairs
c: you tell your OH to remove it if they ever need to call Audi Roadside Assistance... (usually in the dark, when it's raining and they've just had a manicure..)
d: Audi don't use anything more sophisticated than VAG-COM to inspect ECU logs.
If I owned the car myself I'd definitely take a punt on one, but the potential for major financial pain from the leasing co would make it a step too far.
Everyone to their own opinion on these. I have used them before on lease cars with no issues at servicing, warranty repairs, and when returned, so for me I am confident that it is worth the money. You may reconsider when my results and others are published though.a: you don't go posting all over the internet about what you've done,
b: you remember to remove it whenever it goes for service/repairs
c: you tell your OH to remove it if they ever need to call Audi Roadside Assistance... (usually in the dark, when it's raining and they've just had a manicure..)
d: Audi don't use anything more sophisticated than VAG-COM to inspect ECU logs.
If I owned the car myself I'd definitely take a punt on one, but the potential for major financial pain from the leasing co would make it a step too far.
TomScrut said:
So guess what the first thing I did was....
Worked out that IF it increases fuel economy by 10% as you have found then it goes a fair way to paying for itself over 20k miles!
Great minds think alike - I haven't had chance to work it out, but will wonder if that might be the case. I guess it might be a little bit of man maths.Worked out that IF it increases fuel economy by 10% as you have found then it goes a fair way to paying for itself over 20k miles!
A funny thing discussing these tuning boxes. I remember the last one I had and posted it on an MB forum like this, and it was always tried to be debunked one way or another. Later on the same people had secretly bought one and praised it on other MB forums I saw. Don't understand it, but anyway this forum appears to be more objective so more info to follow shortly......
I'm interested. When I had an S3 (02 plate) I had the Revo map with the dongle to switch on/off - made a big difference to the car.
I've done 500 miles now. Longterm average is 28mpg - I've done a long run on the motorway, stuck it in efficiency mode and set cruise control at 73 mph - got 36 mpg for that run.
If you stick to speed limit you will get a good mpg return, even what they have quoted. However the car is a beast and would be a waste not to use it's power.
More i drive the car the more I love it, chuffed.
I've done 500 miles now. Longterm average is 28mpg - I've done a long run on the motorway, stuck it in efficiency mode and set cruise control at 73 mph - got 36 mpg for that run.
If you stick to speed limit you will get a good mpg return, even what they have quoted. However the car is a beast and would be a waste not to use it's power.
More i drive the car the more I love it, chuffed.
IJB1959 said:
A funny thing discussing these tuning boxes. I remember the last one I had and posted it on an MB forum like this, and it was always tried to be debunked one way or another. Later on the same people had secretly bought one and praised it on other MB forums I saw. Don't understand it, but anyway this forum appears to be more objective so more info to follow shortly......
You're doing a cracking job and have brought a load of great info and insight to this forum. Thanks. They're will always be opinions, everyone is entitled to them even if they are utter b
ks. The internet is packed to the rafters with bell ends, let them crack on. Waiting to hear the next instalment poised to purchase.
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