Joe,thanks for your reply.
" I believe this also pre-heats all the motor (i think) and battery, so worth doing if you're looking for better EV range. This comes direct from the cable when plugged in (don't know if scheduled charge or immediate charge makes a difference)."
I doubt it pre heats the electric motor since there would be no benefit but its a big help to the battery as you say.
"With using the sat nav on the MMI, i personally find it a pain. I've ended up at a destination with no battery and no where to charge. And on my return home, it is just the ICE which isn't so efficient on its own. Generally on long journeys i stick it in Hybrid mode and use android auto with google maps & waze (in the background)."
Yes, coming down here on the first day I drove 500 miles (autoroute) and ended with a completely discharged battery, no way to charge it and a frosty night. The second day another 500 (autobahn) and about 200 miles in, it was showing 25%, but again ended at zero. Fortunately I could plug it in. Locally I drive it in EV mode, but on long journeys like these, intelligent/hybrid mode. It puzzles me why it did charge to 25% and then let it all go.
I have been setting up Waze/Android Auto on the big screen and the Audi maps behind the steering wheel since I think it needs that, running in intelligent/hybrid mode to be efficient. Do you plug your phone in or can it run on bluetooth for Waze? So far I have only had success with it pluged in to the socket under the arm rest, not bluetooth or the socket forward of the gear lever. Even then it (Waze) freezes a lot.
Yes, the pre heating is invaluable.
RE the snowboarding I consider that 'the darkside', but since you have a Q5 I will let you off! 😂 Have fun!
Steve.
PS Even in hybrid mode with the battery showing zero I find the ICE will cut out at times and run on the battery.