Okay, so yesterday I was messing around with my Audi, a Q5 to be exact, and decided to finally tackle something that’s been bugging me: the car’s weight. I’ve always felt it was a bit sluggish, and I figured shedding some pounds would definitely help with the handling and maybe even the fuel economy. So, here’s what I did, step-by-step.
First thing’s first, I did some research online. Found a bunch of forums and articles discussing ways to reduce weight in cars, specifically Audis. A lot of people were talking about things like lightweight wheels, carbon fiber parts, and even removing the spare tire. I decided to start with some of the easier, less expensive options.
Step 1: Emptying the Car
This sounds super obvious, but you’d be surprised how much junk accumulates in a car over time. I started by pulling everything out of the trunk – spare tire (yes, I decided to go there, but I’ll explain later), jack, tools, jumper cables, you name it. Then I moved to the interior. Floor mats, any loose items in the glove compartment, center console… everything came out. I even took out the rear headrests, which I honestly never use. It probably wasn’t a huge amount of weight, but every little bit counts, right?
Step 2: Weighing the Car (Roughly)
Okay, I don’t have access to fancy scales, so I used a public truck scale nearby. It’s not perfectly accurate, but it gave me a baseline. After emptying everything, the scale read about 4050 lbs. Not great, not terrible. It confirmed that it was heavier than I thought!
Step 3: Spare Tire Removal
This was the big one. The spare tire and jack setup in the Q5 are HEAVY. I debated this one for a while because, you know, getting a flat sucks. But I decided to take the plunge. I replaced it with a tire repair kit (the kind with sealant and a small compressor). This saved a significant chunk of weight, probably around 40-50 lbs. I feel like that’s a decent trade-off since I also have roadside assistance if things go south.
Step 4: Lighter Battery (Maybe Later)
I considered swapping out the stock battery for a lightweight lithium-ion battery. These batteries can save a good 20-30 lbs, but they’re also pretty expensive. I decided to hold off on this for now. It’s something I might do in the future if I’m still chasing weight savings.
Step 5: Back to the Scales
Headed back to the truck scale to see the difference. This time, the scale showed roughly 4000 lbs. That’s a drop of about 50 lbs, mostly from the spare tire removal. Not a massive change, but noticeable.
The Result
So, did it make a huge difference? Honestly, not a night-and-day transformation. But the car does feel a bit more responsive, especially in corners. And I feel good knowing I’ve shaved off some unnecessary weight.
- Pros: Slightly improved handling, potentially better fuel economy (still need to test this properly), peace of mind knowing I’ve optimized the car a bit.
- Cons: No spare tire (potential inconvenience), cost of the tire repair kit, time spent doing all this.
Would I recommend it? If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to improve your car’s performance, it’s worth considering. Just be realistic about the results. It’s not going to turn your Audi into a sports car, but it’s a step in the right direction. I’m planning to look into the lightweight wheels next! Let’s see where that takes me!
