markN1689

How does the s3's boost gauge work?

What happens when you chip the car? Does the gauge max out earlier and give a false impression of max boost?
If so can we set the max to anything we want? and how? thanks

DennisMitchell

Great question. In fact I would like to know if we can change the coding so that it displays temperature rather than boost. Would be more useful to me.

Kevin70

I too would find temperature more useful.

markN1689

can anyone with a chip chime in here? also, was told on the vortex forum that this gauge is reading 'engine load' not 'actual boost'. could be bs idk

mhblaw

Not sure what a temp guage would tell you. On my RS5 it is always in the middle once the car is warmed up.

DennisMitchell

I would look for the coolant or oil temperature to be warmed up before I would start driving aggressively. I don't understand why we don't even have an idiot light that glows blue while the engine is cold. At least when it turned off, we can feel better about pushing the cars performance.

Kevin70

The boost gage of the S3 is really just a indicator. Without scaling no one who while "performance" driving will be able to determine the amount of boost just that they have a little or allot. It is pretty though and could help letting you know if your driving efficient but who here really cares about that ???

If you want a ton of data and have a smart phone try apps like Dashcommand or Torque. There are others too.
I use dash command with my other car and plugging it into the S3 last night I see that amongst other data on the many screens it shows a auto scaling Boost / Vacuume Gage and engine coolant temperatures.

The app also allows you to create custom gate screens with analog or digital gates.

Another nice thing with these apps is that they have a data logging function. Start a logging session, make a few runs and the data can be played back or exported to a Excel spreadsheet for analysis and comparison.
They also log acceleratometer data using your phone's system and GPS info for acceleration and 1/4 mi runs.
If you want good GPS data you'll want to add a external paired gps device because a phone GPS only updates about once per second.

If you have a iPhone you'll need to use a wifi OBD reader. iOS does not like the Bluetooth readers.
Androids phones can use the Bluetooth readers.

I have a iPhone and have been using the iCar wifi OBD reader.

I'm not one to mess much with my phone while driving but if car mfgs would get their sh_t together and allow phone mirroring to the vehicle display that would just tickle me pink.

markN1689

o dear. no. really what i want is just a rough measure of boost. to know if i am running at full boost and half boost would be great.

To be honest i couldn't disagree more about replacing this with a temp gauge. We (enthusiast and previous gen s3 owners)asked for this boost gauge. Audi delivered.
Boost gauge= staple in any turbo car

Now if anyone can tell me if the gauge gets programmed for the higher boost of the chip?