userbbc

Has anyone tried e85 fuel in their Q5's yet?
Not sure about the 3.0 engine, but on my 2013 2.0t, noticed that the fuel door now indicates the car will accept e85. I'm assuming this is one of the changes to the engine that came along with the new metal IM.

idale

At least from what the EPA has listed on their site, only the 2.0T can come in FFV form (and isn't guaranteed to). But ethanol is a pretty poor fuel, so there's really no reason to use E85 unless you really want to have to fill up more often and pay more overall for your fuel.

Q5 Bob

On the 2.0T gas mileage is 20/28/23 on premium unleaded.

On E85 it's 14/19/16.

userbbc

From what I understand, there could be performance gains with e85 if the engine can detect and take advantage of the higher effective octane - advance timing, increase boost pressure, etc. (seems pretty much like running with meth injection)

I did see the mpg's went way down so the numbers seem to indicate that the q5 doesn't take advantage but wanted to see if anyone has at least tried as the nearest e85 station is a bit out of the way for me.

Q5 Bob

E85 is available around me. I'd use it only in some kind of emergency but I guess it's good to know the vehicle can run on it.

Coolieman1220

Correct. Tuners LOVE E85 as it can handle boost really well and makes BIG power. Tuned Turbo'd cars do well with E85. Some have different maps to run the different fuels.

userbbc

exactly why i was wondering if anyone has tried...on the very slight offchance Audi included a different map when e85 fuel is detected.

Carteen

This is very interesting.Chipped recently my Q5 2.0 TFSI and would love to try maybe 30% E85.No one who tried?

Coolieman1220

I hope you all realize that E85 gives you worse gas mileage. It may be cheaper to fill with and although it can make more power (because it's comparable octane rating is about 95 and when it burns, like meth injection it provides cooling) that all may make you better power but a gallon of gas to a gallon of E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline), it has 30% less energy content giving you worst gas mileage.

Not to mention how corrosive ethanol is as well. I'd imagine our fuel lines are made for it. Also Ethanol is a poor fuel lubricant which is bad for our high pressure fuel pumps as well.

Q5 Bob

Since gas mileage is over 30% worse with E85, at the pump, the price of it would need to be 35%-40% less than than premium or mid-grade unleaded to make it pay financially. Around here it isn't, at least at this point.