[Hooplescat]

Hi all

My 2.0tdi Q5 should arrive in a few weeks. On my old car, a BMW diesel, I had a diesel chip made by CHIPExpress - it's a variable chip that you can set for balanced increase in MPG AND power, or crank up and max the power right out...

On the BMW I only ever used it on the balanced setting, and this would give me about 3 mpg increase and a noticeably sharper response from the pedal under acceleration.

I plan to send the chip off to get it reprogrammed for the Q5 - my question is how long should I leave it before plugging it in? I don't want to put any undue stress on the car while everything is running in, but can't decide what would be a prudent distance to do first.

My dad bought a range rover, and THEY chipped it for him so was a manufacturer approved chip, and they did this immediately from new.

I have zero mechanical skill, so would appreciate the advice of someoe more technical...

Thanks!

 

[lockbake]

I am certainly no expert on this, but I would be cautious. The Q5 has a Diesel Particulate Filter fitted and messing around with the engine management either with cheaper 'plug in boxes' or even with a remap could mess up the regeneration process for the DPF. From what I have read the regeneration process can be initiated by the engine management unit, using post injection (injecting fuel late in the combustion cycle) to increase the exhaust gases to the combustion temperature of the particulates.

Now with all this clever going's on, do you really want some box that has little / no knowledge of a DPF regeneration cycle messing with things. I certainly wouldn't.

Revo who are reputable supplier of remaps, have pulled supported for the PD 170, which I assume also applies to the Audi Q5 (although on their website you can still select it as an option???)

http://www.revotechnik.com/aboutRevo/ne ... 70DPF.aspx

Other performance companies do a DPF bypass where the DPF is removed and the engine management modified accordingly i.e. http://www.jbsautodesigns.co.uk/product ... ff-package

Like I say I am no expert, and hopefully you find a solution that works, but after spending so much on a car I would check and double check that the solution you go for isn't going to cause issues down the road.

 

[Hooplescat]

wow...thanks, lockbake, you sound pretty expert compared to my know-nothing position!

The chip express box is a remap system and I am led to believe one of the best options around - the website says:

Compliant with vehicle emission standards, suitable for diesel particulate vehicles

and also has a picture of a Q5. Nevertheless, I want to be careful...if power and sporty were my main considerations, I wouldn't be buying a Q5!

Would my BMW not have had a DPF then? I don't even know what one is or why some cars would have it and not others.

Does anyone else on the forum use a chip express box or have any experience?

Thanks for all your help - I was just off to post the chip to be upgraded, but now I think I will hold back until I know more...

 

[Guest]

I have used MTM a few times including my current Audi - not the cheapest but a well respected modifier of all things Audi.
I would personally wait about 5000 miles before chipping
here is a link to their UK dealer
http://www.qstuning.com/
this is MTM's main page
http://www.mtm-online.de/
kc

 

[smo]

Is it talking about the same engine, the PD was the preceeding engine to the on ethe Q5 uses which is the CR engine???

 

[lockbake]

Hi smo.

Yep you are right! Looking at the the Vehicle identification data on my Q5 2.0tdi (build week 4, picked up on the 1st of March) the engine ID code is CAHA, which according to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Vo ... el_engines) is indeed common rail and not Pumpe D?se. So the million dollar question how does that affect the DPF regeneration and am I worrying for Hooplescat needlessly!!

In the Modifications & 'How To' Guides the ECU upgrade thread (viewtopic.php?f=5&t=140&start=10) audiman went for chipexpress, it would be interesting to see how he is getting on 2 months on....

 

[Hooplescat]

So what does that all mean for those of us whose technical knowledge extends as far as being able to tell you what colour the car is?

I mailed audiman - he says he has had no problems per se, but had to wind back his chip one setting, as he was getting rev fluctuations at constant speeds. I think from memory he had turned it up one previously, so I am reading it as it is working on standard / balanced chip settings...

I think I will run 5k and see how I am feeling then!

Thaks for all your input on this everyone

 

[Guest]

Just thought i would throw in my five pennyworth!

Ive had my Chipexpress fitted for a couple of months now. My car does not get regular use. I use it for long runs for business & 2 or 3 trips each year to the South of France. I fitted the chip largely because the car felt a bit underpowered and over geared. It is only pulling 2000 revs at 80 mph in top gear (7th).

I would certainly say that its worked. It does not hunt for gears as much & pulls top gear at lower revs better. There is also a noticeable improvement in fuel consumption.

I fitted it after the car had done about 5000 miles. I left it at the standard setting, but soon noticed that the engine was hunting a bit at about 2000 revs - cruising speed. I therefore took it back one jumper setting & it is great. There is better midrange, better response & better fuel consumption.

I have no regrets at all.

 

[smo]

I take as you have jumpers you have a plug in tuning box??

The problem with these is they bodge the ecu signals to gain power, the end result is they fool the engine into pumping in more fuel etc. This leads to problems and also ecu error messages along with increased mpg when used on power settings.

The alternative is a proper remap, preferrably done live or on a rolling road, this actually changes the software the engine uses to run and alters parts such as the fuel mapping, the result is a better tune, less fuel usage as it doesnt simply work on overfuelling and fooling sensors.

 

[Guest]

Yes its a plug in tuning box. The car certainly does not use more fuel, in fact its probably 10% better, & as its still under warranty can be returned to standard in a few minutes for servicing etc.