Audi A3 8P 1.6i - high rpm on motorway

[otydeman]

Hi all,

Ive just bought my first audi. 2005 A3 1.6 petrol. it’s at 120k miles. 

I’ve got no issues whatsoever apart from when in 5th gear on the motorway/dual carriageway. When sitting at 70-80mph the car is at 3500-4000rpm which seems very high to me. 

Is this common with the 1.6 petrol due to only being a 5 speed? or is there a common fault that i can fix to solve this?

Worried about it drinking fuel on any motorway trips due to this - it also seems to lack a bit of power in 5th gear, and as it’s at 4k rpm at 80mph - any higher speed just makes the rpm go crazy high. 

Any help greatly appreciated- cheers 👍

[Magnet]

Hello Oliver, 

Welcome and thanks for joining. 
Having had one in the family since new, and now sitting on 172k miles, I can assure you your car is absolutely as it was when new. 
‘Drinking fuel on motorway trips…’ You will find that they aren’t that economical - around 38 mpg on steady speed-limit motorway driving, and about 33mpg around town. I don’t want to tempt fate, but despite that, I wouldn’t swop ours, judging by some of the issues listed on here with later models! 
What I would advise to preserve its hopeful longevity is:- 

Treat it to an oil and filter change. ( I use Quantum Longlife 5w/30 and change it annually - use a quality German filter) 

Renew the air filter every 2 years. 
All important - renew the cambelt ( and alternator belt) assembly unless you have documented evidence that it’s been changed within the last 5 years. 
Hopefully, if you look after the car, it will treat you well. 
Kind regards,

Gareth. 

[Magnet]

Hello Oliver,

Would you be kind enough to please respond to the the reply, and confirm it adequately answered your question, so the thread can be correctly marked as a Solution. 
Kind regards,

Gareth.