Fuzzbeaner

Hello,

I have been experiencing terrible gas mileage on the A6 Avant I just bought. IE, 1/2 my tank is gone in 100 miles. I brought it in for inspection, fearing the worst on emissions, but passed A-ok. He did say my hand brake felt "funny" though. Still passed. Also, I had been noting that "the engine braking is strong on this car." Not worrysomely strong, but strong all the same.

I got home and tried pulling the e brake. It does feel funny. Only goes up and inch, maybe an inch and 1/2. The seller said he had "redone" the brakes. The car emits a funny smell sometimes. Is my problem a constantly engaged e-brake?!

So, please, someone, tell me. HOW FAR CAN YOU PULL YOUR HAND BRAKE?! (I can't beleieve I might have gone 100 miles with it on!)

-Jeff

Always An Audi Driver

My e-brake cable needs to be tightened.

4N 4RING

Make sure the cable e-brake is not engaged all the time: go under the car and pull back the cable at the caliper (in the direction of the e-brake return spring). Lift the rear wheels and spin them.

scrogers

After I got my e-brake readjusted I too could only pull it up a few inches (1-2). But, now it has stretched and I can pull it way up (4-6in). In NH where I live, I have a lot of problems with the e-brake freezing on, and since I have a 5spd I use it a lot (I've stopped using it when it gets really cold). You can usually tell when its been left (or frozen) on, when I try and coast it slows way down, but also its usually pretty easy to tell with the 5spd as the car/clutch "feels" much different. But when I get out of the car (1) you can usually smell the burning of the e-brake, and (2) the fastest way (I have found) to tell is actually feel the rear rims. They (rims themselves) heat up A LOT if the e-brake is on (or frozen). Also, sometimes in the winter my gas gauge sensors get stuck and can cause weird readings. I have had the EXACT same thing where after 100 miles or so it says "half a tank is gone." But in the end it was still closer to normal gas mileage (although I do get worse mileage in the winter in general). Hope this helps...

~scrogers

A6Gary

~2 inches on my '96 A6 FWD Avant.

beep-beep

how hot the rear wheels/brakes after driving? are they hotter, then front?

All Wheel Driver

there is a cam on the calipers that freezes up after time.
I just replaced both my rear calipers to get my handbrake functional again.

You need at least 1 new rear caliper to fix your problem. Check your rear brake pads, inner and outer, I'll bet they're close to gone.
You can smell the brakes and feel the wheel will be quite hot after driving.
One side may still be working.
Definately check this and fix as needed.

Fuzzbeaner

Pulling the e-brake a couple times loosened it up - I can move it 5 clicks now. Driving 6 miles without using brakes at all yeilded COLD rear rotors. Filling it up with gas gave a trip-o based MPG of 19! I think I'm good! Put in some injector cleaner for good measure, and hoping for the best.

-Jeff

515

My e-brake outer cable had a worn spot in it that made a rusted spot in the cable. If applied the rears would be on for a while, eventually letting go until the next time it is used. I now have a 'don't use the parking brake' post-it for valets. Follow the cable along the undercarriage to see if that could be the problem.