Snark

For the past few days my RS4's steering has had an odd feeling when the car first starts up. Turning the wheel at slow speeds (or when the car just gets moving) gives me the impression that there's some tight rubber bands being stretched and I feel a shimmer in the steering wheel. I also hear a "whirring" motor noise at the same time. It's almost like the car has tendinitis or something, if you know what the feels like. This mainly reveals itself when I'm backing out of my driveway and for the first few minutes driving in the neighbor streets.

The problem goes away when the car warms up and/or I'm going faster.

Sound familiar?

SteveRS4

Sounds like a loose belt, have your dealer check belt tension.

ELEVENS

First thing I'd do is check the power steering fluid level. Assuming serpentine belt, I doubt any slippage. I had to replace a $20 power
steering pump control valve once in my Vette, but that car didn't have something you've got - a warranty!

Parikh1234

the steering is never the same twice. It so annoying, some days the car drives like its on rails and then some days its like the car is on a sheet of ice. Oh well....

nirad

your dealer should top it off for free.

Silver Fun

Don't forget the B5 S4. I had them with mine.