SQ5 Throttle Body Issues: Quick Starts & Fuel Economy Fix

Having experienced similar symptoms on my S4 (2019, gasoline), I can confirm this likely points to throttle valve issues. The control valve was causing irregular engine idle and excessive fuel consumption. Initially tried throttle cleaning which provided temporary improvement for about 2 weeks. However, the complete solution required replacing both the throttle body and accelerator pedal module as they were not communicating properly. The repair was relatively serious since the faulty throttle system was causing the engine management to compensate by injecting more fuel. This not only wastes fuel but can potentially damage other components if left unchecked. The full repair took about 4 hours at the shop. After replacement, both fuel consumption and starting issues were completely resolved. The car throttle now responds smoothly and engine idle is stable. Would recommend getting it diagnosed properly rather than just cleaning, especially given the mileage. A proper diagnosis will show if its just carbon buildup that needs cleaning or if the electronic components need replacement.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the throttle body replacement. My Audi SQ5 had very similar symptoms with rough idle and high fuel usage. Did the repair solve all issues completely for you? Curious about the total cost since Im weighing between full replacement versus just doing an air intake and throttle cleaning service first. Have you had any recurring problems since the fix?

Since having the defective accelerator pedal module replaced at the mechanic, my throttle valve issues have completely resolved. The total cost was 205 Euro for the repair, which was worth every cent considering the improved fuel efficiency and smooth engine idle. The car throttle now responds perfectly, no more hesitation or rough starts. Having tried cleaning before, I can definitely say replacement was the right choice. The control valve system now works flawlessly, and fuel consumption has returned to normal levels. For reference, its been 6 months since the repair with zero recurring issues. While cleaning might seem like a cheaper option, when electronic components are failing, its usually best to address the root cause. The improved performance and reliability post-repair confirmed this was the correct decision.

Thanks for the input. I finally got the car throttle issue resolved last week. After getting multiple opinions, I went straight for the replacement rather than just cleaning since the symptoms matched what others described. The mechanic found the throttle valve was actually failing electronically, not just dirty. Total repair came to 320 Euro including parts and labor. They also cleaned the air intake system while they were at it. The difference is night and day, my SQ5 starts perfectly now and fuel consumption is back to normal. No more rough idle or hesitation. Really glad I went for the full fix rather than temporary solutions. Best money spent considering how much I was wasting on extra fuel. Been about a week now with zero issues. Would definitely recommend getting it properly diagnosed rather than guessing if anyone else faces similar problems.