Wildly optimistic MPG claims?

[Quattravant]

Is it just me or are Audi’s MPG figures wildly optimistic?

My new 3.0 Tdi Quattro Tiptronic returns on average about 28-32mpg (so far).

On a recent 200 mile drive travelling within the speed limit and deliberately trying to drive economically, I achieved 35mpg. I cannot possibly see how Audi’s claims of 45.6mpg for extra-urban can be achieved. I’m hoping that with time and loosening up of the engine, my mpg may improve.

I am still impressed by the mpg for such a large and powerful engine, but I just wish that Audi (and presumably other manufacturers) would not exaggerate their figures.

Anybody else have any views?

[mavala]

I went on a round trip to York last week and averaged 41.2 MPG.
Which was about 80-85 MPH cruising on motorways and I did not use cruise control.
When driving around town, she manages about 30MPG.
I am going on a trip to Belgium next week and I'll keep a record of the fuel consumption on what should be about 1000 miles.
Mine is a manual, but I would not expect such a big difference with the Tiptronic.

[Quattravant]

Around town I get about 23-26 if I'm lucky. It seems not to like sticking to 30mph as the tiptronic box keeps jumping up and down between 3rd & 4th. If I get into a 40mph zone it's much happier and I get mpg of late 20's. But I would like to see figures like yours on a long run, particularly if I'm deliberately trying to drive economically.

[mavala]

Mine has now done over 6500 miles and I think that the engine is bedding in and starting to loosen up.
If yours still has very low mileage, the fuel consumption will probably improve once you get some more miles on it.

[ChrisA6]

I've had my 3.0 S-Line Saloon for 3 months. I note the indicated fuel consumption on the DIS display is as optimistic as Audi's figures...

To accurately check the fuel consumption I use a simple spreadsheet that I've printed and keep in the car; I set the trip milometerwith each fill-up and the chart gives MPG for all common miles/litre combinations - If anyone wants a copy I attach it here...

Nearly all my miles are motorway cruising (journey to work is 38 miles each way) at about the legal limit (except for M25 buggeration... ) The car seems to average 34-36 MPG with the best return being last week at 39 MPG - I cannot explain the slight improvement...

I guess the car can give an awful return on short journeys; I remember my old (and much missed) VR6 used to take 5-7 miles for the oil to get to the correct temp - guess the Audi is similar & inefficient during this period...

Does anyone know what effect 'chipping' might have? Are there chip profiles that take more advantage of the wonderful torque characteristicsof the engine and prevent the 'gear hunting' at around 30 mph...

[Quattravant]

Thanks - that's a useful spreadsheet which I'll use.
My quoted figures are from the DIS Display, but I have now started to keep a log of mileage between fill-ups, so I'll compare the two. Looks like your mpg is similar to mine.
The point about the warm-up is probably very valid as my journey to work is only 10 mixed miles - it's probably only just warmed up by the time I get to work.
God knows how Audi achieve an extra-urban 46mpg though!!

[wesleyburns]

A lot of aspects affect mpg on the same stretch of road to. Like which way the wind is blowing. Cold/Hot seasons, Aircon, windows up or down. Tyre inflation.

Also, i like to use the cruse control. If you are cruzing a long using your foot, and your mpg reading is quiet good, adding just a tad more fuel doesnt neccesarrly equate to acceleration, rather just lost of MPG.

I average 22MPG(UK) atm in my 2.4 V6 A6, forever trying to watch the mpg, which is pointless on a big engined petrol car

[Les 51]

I was under the impression that the tiptronic wasn't as economical as the manual anyway?

[Quattravant]

You are quite right, but only by about 1.5mpg according to the rose-tinted official figures.