Early in the week I posted a video showing a friend of mine, John, doing a stage 1 upgrade on his 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero V6 using the new Maptuner plugin upgrade tool.
If you haven’t seen it yet click here to watch the video.
John recently did a road trip here in Tasmania, from Hobart to Devonport and back.
John has written to me about the fuel consumption he observed on this trip. I should tell you that the road driven here is basically the main highway here in Tasmania. As such, it’s reasonably flat, however Tassie is a hilly place so there’s also a good smattering of undulation along the way.
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Hi Steve
Thought you might be interested in fuel consumption figures for the upgraded V6 ECU on a trip to Devonport on Friday 22nd & return on 23rd.
On both days the weather was fine and sunny with a light breeze for most of the way with a temperature of around 23 -24 degrees on the outward journey and around 25-26 on the return.
Vehicle load consisted of the driver and a substantial load of tools & equipment in the boot at least equal to another person.
Computer readings were all cleared at Brighton (see B on the map – SW) on the outward trip to remove last few days city driving consumption.
On the outward trip the traffic was medium (by our standard) although Mr Clarkson would have made comment on his pet hates (caravans and horse floats), so speed sometimes down to 95km/hr, at all opportunity speed was at cruise control setting of 108km/hr, air conditioner not used.
On the return trip the traffic was light but the temperature was a little higher for the first hour and the air conditioner was used intermittently, speed was at cruise setting of 108km/hr for nearly all the Midland Hwy (distance of, say 120km) as well as most of the Bass Hwy but more interruptions with traffic on the Bass Hwy.
Computer fuel consumption showed 7.4Ltrs/100km on arrival at Devonport (31.8mpg US and 38.2 mpg UK). Car was not moved until return journey, computer settings were not altered. On arrival in Hobart at 8pm on Saturday 23rd fuel consumption read 7.5 litres/100km (that’s 31.4mpg US and 37.7mpg UK).
Car was filled on premium fuel two days before the trip and filled again on arrival back in Hobart. The round trip was about 560 km.
Very pleased with the upgrade, throttle settings are noticeably lighter, the normally smooth running seems even smoother and passing performance is phenomenal.
Cheers
John
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Don’t forget that Maptun are offering a 20% discount this week on all of their software upgrades.
All you need to do to claim the discount is write “Saabs United” in the message field of your order form when you order from www.maptun.com and they will apply the discount manually.
Click here for full details of the discount offer.
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Related posts:
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{ 98 comments }
makes the maptun even more enticing!
makes the maptun even more enticing!
makes the maptun even more enticing!
This is fantastic.
The values seem fantastic … maybe too fantastic.
What does “premium fuel” fuel mean down there? What octane and octane measurement method?
Does he have any historical values to share so we can compare?
Maybe Maptun would like to send me a free Maptuner for my 9-5 Aero so I can make a video if it uploading and publish my MPG’s for the next year. Great advertising! Haha… Even with their very generous 20% discount there is no way on Earth I can afford one at this point in my life. Someday though! I promise.
That’s all brilliant and fairly scientific and helpful with the converted units and very good for any V6 car over 3200 pounds, but for those of us on the fence, we want to know if your mpg is better before the tune or worse and by how much.
On one trip through the city I was following a truck which couldn’t go over 55mph. I went about 40 miles in mixed conditions, but mostly highway. My SID indicated 36mpg. That’s on a 2.3t in a 9-5. That is so high I just laughed. I love my 9-5.
I’ve already sent John an email with that same question – i.e. comparison with fuel economy pre-upgrade for the same trip (it’s a trip he’s done numerous times).
I’ll update the post with that information when he sends it on but I figured the raw info would be useful for some right now.
Premium fuel here is 98 RON, and any tuner will recommend that you run on the best fuel you can get for optimum performance and protection. It will run on other grades of fuel (we have both 91 and 95 RON available) but not as well.
John didn’t get a free Maptuner. He’s a paying customer just like anyone else (and he didn’t even get the 20% off).
And once again, these posts have not been made at Maptun’s request, nor am I being compensated for them. Maptun are a sponsor of the site, which they have been since mid-2009. They pay the same three-monthly fee now as what they did then, and it’s the same amount that all other advertisers pay as well.
It’s just a damn good product.
98!?!?!? I’d have to go to the airport for that!
98!?!?!? I’d have to go to the airport for that!
98!?!?!? I’d have to go to the airport for that!
We use a different fuel grade measurement here to what you use in the US, Jim.
98 RON is equivalent to 90 MON, which I believe is the measurement system used in the US.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octane_rating
Oops. Maybe that came out wrong? I am not at all trying to give anyone a hard time about being compensated or requested to “advertise” Maptun stuff here. I know that’s not the case anyway and even if it were the case I personally wouldn’t have a problem with it. It truly is great stuff that people should know about!
I run my stock 1.8t (150hp 2.0 turbo) on 98RON, although it’s probably a waste!
Australia uses the RON octane number system, which is the same as used in Europe but different to the one in North America (I assume you are North American?) 98RON is about equivalent to 93AKI in the US.
Hum… I thought we used the RON grading as well… well, that is what the pumps are labeled…
Hum… I thought we used the RON grading as well… well, that is what the pumps are labeled…
Hum… I thought we used the RON grading as well… well, that is what the pumps are labeled…
Stingray, you’re right, it IS confusing. But there is in fact some sort of difference in the measurement technique.
OOPS… our pumps are labeled with this…
(R + M )/2 Method
91
which is “Average of RON & MON. Usually 4-5 units lower than the RON. USA, Canada”
OOPS… our pumps are labeled with this…
(R + M )/2 Method
91
which is “Average of RON & MON. Usually 4-5 units lower than the RON. USA, Canada”
OOPS… our pumps are labeled with this…
(R + M )/2 Method
91
which is “Average of RON & MON. Usually 4-5 units lower than the RON. USA, Canada”
When I first hit their site with one computer it
said a stage1 tune for my 2003 9-5 areo was 1400 U.S. dollars.
Hitting their site today..it looks redesigned..I can’t get it to show U.S. dollars.. the same stage 1 tune is listed at about 649 euros? …. I assume that’s 1200 U.S. dollars?
So it would about cost 1000 dollars with the discount.
I put Chevron 94 octane in my baby as its only 2c a litre more than 91. MON RON? Who knows.
)
Nice to see that kind of mileage on a ‘tuned’ car though.
I’m looking at Maptun.com right now. I just now did a Control+R refresh in Firefox 3.6 on WinXP Pro. I see US Dollars and am configured for UK/English on the site. The US Dollars is apparently in a cookie because I answered a layover-type prompt that asked me where I’m at/what currency when I first visited. My VISA card is still 250 miles away, but the price since Tuesday has not changed.
Here’s the text straight from Maptun’s site:
Saab 9-5 1998- / 2.3T Aero 260Hp 2006-2009
270hp / 420nm
Stage 1 for the 9-5 Aero gives your car a healthy boost in mid-range torque!
Price: 903.39 USD (excl. VAT) Stage 1 excl. mounting
This is for the gasoline (not biopower) Saab 9-5 2.3T engine. Expect $114 in UPS shipping to the U.S. Maptun accepts VISA and MasterCard. They take Paypal for a ~$33 dollar fee. The $903.39 is before this week’s discount. They apply that after you place the order with the correct note in order comments. There is not a discount on shipping or other parts.
If you need a faster upload time for the Trionic 7-based system, there’s a cable harness you can request in order comments. It is 200SEK (~27.53USD) in price. I believe the note I will be using is:
“Please add the separate cable harness to connect the CAN bus to the OBD2-connector.”
Hope this helps.
Does anyone know if Maptun-ing has an effect on torque steering? (i.e., does it increase it?)
I have a 2007 2.0T 9.3 SS (US).
Dang, this is cool! I have a friend with a 9-5 Aero who was thinking about a Maptuner before I sent him the 20% off info – I bet he orders one now!
If we didn’t have a lot of warranty left on our 9-3 Combi (2.0T), I would be really tempted as well!
This is soooo tempting…
Please convince me!
How is the Maptun ECU doing in the Monte Swade? I still have one on the wishlist!
Going well, but I’m pining for a bit more. Have a big exhaust on the way from Hirsch, so might have to peg Maptun for a Stg 3 when that’s done
If you do that, try their intercooler as well. It’s 99.99% compatible with the original and very easy to change.
@ RMinNJ – per google, 1 euro=1.3881 dollars (for now), so 649 Euros would actually equal approximately 900 US dollars not the 1200 US dollars you assumed.
I can’t speak for the final tally with discount/shipping/whatever but just wanted to clarify the Euro v. Dollar numbers.
Something I miss about living in BC – 94 octane fuel. The best we get here in Alberta is 91! And we MAKE the stuff! Arggh. I know my Saab did run much better with that sweet 94 percolating through the injectors. I’m sooo tempted to Maptun my 2002 9-3SE because a trip through the mountains would be a massive blast.
BIG thanks to Swade and his mate John for giving us some on-the-road experience with the upgrade.
RMinNJ,
If the original price is $1200, then $1200 * 0.8 = $960.
…and while I’m clarifying dollar amounts, $114 for shipping to the US? For what exactly?
And put a magic magnet on the fuel line and get another 10mpg.
This subject is embarrassing to those with cranial matter.
UPS. This site knows that I am in the United States.
Text borrowed from Maptun’s “Conclude Order” form (with apologies … just trying to help):
Express Saver 114.66 USD
Worldwide Expedited 115.68 USD
Worldwide Express 123.81 USD
Worldwide Express Plus 171.69 USD
I missed one payment method. Maptun also take Bank Transfer at “Service fee 0.00 USD.”
Paypal is “Service fee 35.23 USD.” I was low by $2.23.
The UPS costs assume that I had only the Stage 1 MapTuner in my cart.
I usually use 93 octane from Mobil but I tried the special V-Power from Shell 94 octane and about 100 miles into the new full tank, I got a Check Engine Light. Checked the OBD II code and it apparently was “gas mixture too lean.” So I went back to the 93 Mobil and never had the problem again, light went off on its own. Scared the bejeezus out of me though.
Can you link to a video of an auto enthusiast who’s done the upgrade and *not* experienced a performance benefit?
I’m not accusing, just asking what evidence you have that this stuff doesn’t work. It’s a fact that modern engines are controlled by software, so a software change can feasibly make said engines perform differently.
Map Tun and the like are a very different league as those fuel economy magnets. Now, if we were talking about the $69 chip that’s advertised next to my Gmail messages “5 MPG and 50 HP,” I would be much more likely to agree with you.
So if I live in an area (Alberta) that has max 91 (R+M/2) is maptuning going to still make a worthwhile difference? If I read right, the altitude here helps too?
You couldn’t be more wrong if you tried, Keith.
As Paul wrote, there’s some charlatans out there with their Vortex devices, magnets, etc, but engine tuning – real engine tuning – is a bona fide technology and the benefits of doing so with a turbocharged car are magnified compared to a normally aspirated car.
I visited the Maptun guys when I was in Sweden last year and they live and breathe this stuff.
Wrap your cranial matter around this:
http://www.saabsunited.com/2009/11/visiting-swedish-saab-tuners—maptun.html
Ohhhhh Keith.
Ok, I will bite. We have a 9-3 Areo 5 speed, and a 9-3 6 speed, 2005,2007 respectfully. The Aero does 29.8 in all aorund driving on Reuglar 87 R/M. The 2007 6 speed, about 30.7 all around driving. This is about 35% city and 65% highway. I have been getting these numbers for two years. These numbers are much higher than the posted MPG. The cars are stone stock.
If I put the 91R/M super in,maybe I pick up .75 MPG. My highway speed is normally about 66 MPH. AT $ 1000 U.S. how many years or miles, will it take to get a return on investment? My guess is that I will be dead first. Or that I will have traded one in on a new 9-5, something I think we all need to consider, as long as they continue to offer a stick transmission. It has value for reduction green house gases and that’s about it.
Chris
p.s. the earlier poster was correct, if you dare to drive the freeway at a constant 55 miles per hour you get as high as 36-7 mpg with grades.
I can’t use any upgrade from maptun on my 9-5 aero, cause mine is an automatic. The automatic is limited to max 400nm. And i guess even that is a little to much. Saab has reduced torque on mine compared to the manual. So i don’t dare.
It’s interesting to see how todays car guys and gals are focusing on MPG. Yesterday it was more important to discuss 0-100 km/t or 80 – 120 km/t, cornering abilities and driving pleasure. People are still buying expensive and well equipped cars with plenty of power, but now they are trying to somewhat defend their purchase with MPG datas instead of how pleasure a modern and powerful car can be to drive. People and medias are running long distance tests with an egg under the accelerator and the forefinger continously turning on and off the airconditioner. If the main focus is low MPG instead of having some fun out there we should all go for Toyota Prius or something similar and boring.
Off course it’s important to take care of the environment, but as long as I am driving a SAAB I am -as we speak- not in the greenest range of automobile production. And I drive SAAB because of my passion for driving, I simply refuse to put that egg under the accelerator and continously turning on and off the airconditioner, my car won’t use that more fuel than a similar with the egg under the pedal and a hot coup
Olav,
well at least here in germany most of those MPG-gold medallist do not care that much about the environment but about their pockets.
People here in germany started caring about MPG as the gasoline reached the 2
I care about mpg. We pay yearly tax based on official CO2 figures, we pay certain percentage of CO2/tax when we buy a new car, we have relatively high price for gas today. So I really care.
Example: right now I have a car with CO2 value of 155g/km ~ I paid tax 7140
Chris,
The post isn’t intended to prove that you can improve your fuel economy with the upgrade.
This is an upgrade that provides you with very useful improvements in performance. If anything, the point of the post is to tell people that there will not be a huge penalty (if any) to get that performance gain.
In some instances there is an improvement in economy, but it depends on the conditions.
No problem with automatic:)
Go for the BSR PPC solution then.
Works perfect. I’ve two Aeros with BSR stg 3+
Measured 460Nm and Absolutely no problems.
And always use the highest octane avaiable(min 98)
The higher cost is balanced by better fuel economy.
Oh, BTW who really cares about fuel economy, should’nt consider high performance tuning.
Just forget it, -and enjoy the fun
I agree, Swade, but we shouldn’t forget that tuning our cars also changes the car’s tax basis, at least in my country. Most people tuning their cars don’t pay that new taxes as far as I know, and that might bring up some potential, serious echonomical issues for the owner if he/she runs into an accident, highway controls etc. Our government has started to focus on this….. So with some bad luck the tuning savings can destroy the good math completely.
Late last year I heared about a guy here who was brought in for a control with his Subaru Impreza. It was properly tuned to put it that way, but no extra taxes paid and he had to pay approx NOK 120 000 (15 000
Ouch !!
How can an oil producing country be so hostile towards car drivers?
Because we have huge charges on new cars. The factors are engine displacment, Co2 emissions, weight of the car and hp and vat on everything.
If you increase the hp, you have to pay for it.
That’s OK for me, but 15.000
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V& has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V& has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V& has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V6 has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V6 has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I’m not sure if I calculating wrong bur the V6 has 61 litre fuel capacity the trip was around 560km
this give 9.2 litre / 100km which sound more reasonable for the thirsty V6.
To get a accurate long time consumption overview, I use fuelly.com to keep track on all cars I’m driving, but even then will the consumption not be exact as the speedometer is never 100% correct.
So I would recommend to double check the figures you have received.
I can
Oh, yes, we’re somewhat living in Tax Hell. But just for the record: 1 litre 98 Octane Petrol costs here approx 1,5
I was calculating wrong :O) It would be interesting to know how many liters he had to refill after the 560km trip. I don’t think he has used up all 61 liters in the fuel tank :O)
I was calculating wrong :O) It would be interesting to know how many liters he had to refill after the 560km trip. I don’t think he has used up all 61 liters in the fuel tank :O)
I was calculating wrong :O) It would be interesting to know how many liters he had to refill after the 560km trip. I don’t think he has used up all 61 liters in the fuel tank :O)
Correct
He didn’t say the tank was empty. He just said he filled up again.
Price?
54000
Got room for me?? I am sure there are some ejection seats there for me to fix in your Air Force!
How can there be such a huge price difference? In Sweden the cheapest Saab, 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD, starts at SEK 236,900 (according to the Saab website). Thats 23,432 euros in today’s exchange rate.
How can there be such a huge price difference? In Sweden the cheapest Saab, 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD, starts at SEK 236,900 (according to the Saab website). Thats 23,432 euros in today’s exchange rate.
How can there be such a huge price difference? In Sweden the cheapest Saab, 9-3 Linear 1.9TiD, starts at SEK 236,900 (according to the Saab website). Thats 23,432 euros in today’s exchange rate.
I apologize re the tone of my comment – at the hour your having first coffee I’m having a second glass of wine. It can effect my cranial matter.
I’ll agree that great software could change performance. That said, I’ve seen friends convinced that the chip they got for their Toyota has improved their mileage 20 or 30%. Or the “hydrogen bubbler”.
What happens to some people when they buy a mileage enhancing product is they really want it to be true. The product will include information on how to improve mileage, which will include driving habits. So they change how they drive. They drive slower, accelerate slower. They make sure their tires have correct pressure (they never checked before). They take different routes to avoid stop n go. And voila, after a week or two of this their mileage is about 20% better. That (software, bubbler, magnet, etc) is amazing.
Of course if they had put a pineapple in the back seat and changed their driving habits the amazing improvement would also occur.
I have no problem believing this product can change performance parameters, but I’d be sincerely astonished if users claimed results re mileage are not mostly the result of the above effect.
My 9-3 (1999) can get 34.5 mpg if I just use cruise control and drive 55mph, and accelerate slowwwly. If I drive aggressively and have fun with that turbo, highway at 75mph, suddenly the mileage is 27 mpg.
It is a fun discussion. I’d love to be wrong re the mileage. I have Scottish blood and would enjoy a 40mpg 9-3…..
I’m pressed to get a short amount of 31 mpg (US) on a flat highway at 60mph in my ’06 Aero. Throw in starting, passing, a hill or two and it drops to the 29 range. Around town (short trips start stop …) numbers are closer to 19 mpg (US).
Again Keith,
I can only say that the reason people buy these upgrades is for performance reasons, and by that I mean a boost in terms of power and torque.
This post on fuel economy achieved was only intended to illustrate that that power boost need not come at the expense of economy.
Tax hell and hideously expensive for tourists, but what a great country! One of themost beautiful places in the world. If it wasn’t a hellish 27 hrs of travel from Oz I would be there in a flash. The taxation system for cars seems pretty extreme, even for Norway. Do you have a carbon trading scheme or flat tax?
I also find myself suddenly caring less about mpg and enjoying the drive…so much so I’ll find any excuse, even if it means driving round the block before parking it in the garage
Acording to the SAAB website the 9-3 Linear begins at DKK 401650 (
You are right, I was a but unprecise. When I meant that our fuel prices were in the lower european end it was based on fuel price statistics measured against european people’s average echonomical income.
Cheers from Norway
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Sure! Anytime, 74stingray!
Cheers from Norway
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
Is there a huge tax on car imports, then? Otherwise I would expect every single Dane to take the train over to Sweden and drive back in a new car…
Is there a huge tax on car imports, then? Otherwise I would expect every single Dane to take the train over to Sweden and drive back in a new car…
Is there a huge tax on car imports, then? Otherwise I would expect every single Dane to take the train over to Sweden and drive back in a new car…
Thanks. Yes, Norway is beautiful (I can’t be objective on that one), but after having travelled alot all over the world I have seen many, many such as beautiful countries.
”
The taxes on our cars are based on several parameters such as cylindervolume, weight, CO2 emissions and so on.
I like your statement here: “…so much so I’ll find any excuse, even if it means driving round the block before parking it in the garage
Two souls, one thought ;/)
Cheers from Norway
-Olav-
Always on the longest road home when out there with my SAAB. Always!
A friend of mine bought an old VW here in germany, and when he got back to denmark he imported the car. He told me he had to pay about twice the price in taxes.
I’ve heard some danes moved to Malm
It is a refreshing novelty for a Swede to be able to marvel at the high taxes in other countries.
)
It is a refreshing novelty for a Swede to be able to marvel at the high taxes in other countries.
)
It is a refreshing novelty for a Swede to be able to marvel at the high taxes in other countries.
)
LOL! B
Yes, that’s correct.
In DK you have to pay 180% in tax to get licence plates.
That means you actually pays for 3 cars, when you by one !!
And it’s illegal for Danes to drive foreign registered cars in DK.
So your German registered Ferrari must be standing by in Flensburg (Germany close to Danish border)
I asked Maptun about automatic transmissions and the 9-5 2.3T engine and whether the Stage 1 will differ from the “270hp / 420nm” listed for Stage 1. Fredrik replied quickly and stated:
“No, it will be the same. For the automatics we always cap the torque at 420 nm, but since it`s only a Stage 1 it doesn`t matter in this case.”
So, looks like us auto tranny folk do get the 420nm for a Stage 1 upgrade.
That means danes living in Malm
Let me clarify. The 5-speed auto (2002-) gets 420 nm. The 4-speed (1998-2001) gets 400 nm.
Thanks for the clarification. My question to you was qualified with my model year. I should have framed my earlier post with the fact I have a 5-speed auto.
I look forward to getting home tomorrow and finding my Visa card.
Me:
Depends on where you Actually live, -and pay tax !
If you live in Sweden you are “Foreign Dane”, and have left the country.
So living outside DK you can work in DK, and drive in your Swedish reg. car. But you are no longer a “Danish citizen”, -so it’s OK.
The Danish 180% tax can be “avoided” in a lease arrangement, so you only pay the calculated tax, pr. month you actually have plates on the car.
So, e.g. an expensive cabriolet only registered in summer, only pays tax for these months.
Tax can only be stretched out over 10 years though, then it must be paid, but is reduced, compared to paying up front, as it is calculated as a rest value, according to mileage and age every year.
Hope this sorted it out for you:)
Kind of
And what about the yellow plates?
Can you use them on a Spyker, it has only one seat row
I doubt it !!
Yellow plates (with less tax)are for cargo transportation only.
Must have a separated cargo room of certain dimensions.
Years ago, there have been certain models of the Trans AM, and Corvettes, which was creatively rebuild, for registration on yellow plates, but that has long stopped now !
Hi Keith, the reality is that the factory tune of many cars is fuel “rich”. Aftermarket tunes usually run “leaner”. If for no other reason than that, there are economy gains that have been measured meticulously by drivers with such tunes. These gains are all the more achievable in turbo cars as we know turbo-charging is a very efficient way to gain power and SAAB tunes always involve upping the boost, therefore reducing the need to over-rev the engine or shifting into less efficient gearing.
That’s my non-auto-mechanic understanding anyway.
BTW: To suggest that SAAB owners measure such things in less than a meticulous way is heresy.
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