Some simple FAQ answers consolidated . . .
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AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
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Some simple FAQ answers consolidated . . .
I have noticed many new A6 owners posting. I know that when I first visited here after taking delivery the information here proved almost invaluable. Here are some of the common things I encountered and hope this consolidated list will answer some of the most common FAQ.
Disclaimer: I love my A6 and am very happy with the vehicle at this point.
Q. Will the conti all season tires be o.k. for winter?
A. Yes. However, spirited winter driving and driving in moderate-heavy snow conditions regularly may require a change to a "winter tire".
Solution. Buy winter tires and wheels(see tirerack.com or ronalusa.com)
Q. There are ripples in my glass, is this normal?
A. Yes & no. The Audi glass is "soft" and some have observed ripples. Solution. Have it replaced by the dealer if you are unhappy or concerned about the quality. Some dealers need a little more persuading than others.
Q. My radio seems to change frequency on it's own, is this a defect?
A. Yes. It has been described as a firmware problem and cannto be fixed with a software upgrade. Thus, the unit needs to be replaced. Solution. Temporary: Turn off your radio before shutting down the car. I have this problem and frankly have only experienced it once. I always shut down everything before turning off the car. Would be nice if their was a master switch like in aircraft.
Q. My gas gauge is going cuckoo and reads full then empty. Is this normal?
A. Yes & no. It's normal if you have sulphur build up on the contacts of the fuel sending units in the tank. Solution. Contact the dealer asap for replacement units. Solution. Temporary: reset trip odometer at each fill up.
Q. My car (2.7T especially) seems to be burning 1/4-1/2 quart every 1500-2000 miles. Is this normal?
A. Based on my analysis of the postings here and in the S4 forum it is normal during break in period. Solution. check oil frequently and keep oil at full level during break in period. Lack of oil is a turbo killer. Also, check under car to make sure you do not have a more serious but unrelated problem. This would apply to any new car.
Q. My windshield wiper flew off, is this normal?
A. No. solution. Call the dealer and have them replaced. They are covered under warranty.
Q. Is the fuel system pressurized ?
A. Yes. Make sure you always secure your fuel cap until it clicks past the stop. Never fuel your Audi with the engine running.
Q. My car is five hours old and vibrates while braking, is this normal ?
A. No. You need to have your rotors cleaned of residue or "turned". Check for rust buildup on rotors at delivery. As my Audi tech told me on delivery "USE YOUR BRAKES" they are covered under warranty.
Q. My handling seems too mushy (non-psk), is there and easy way to improve it?
A. Yes. Solution 1: You can switch to 17" wheels and tires for a quick and moderate improvement. Solution 2: You can switch to 17" w/t and order springs from the dealer or other outlet. Solution 3: You can do tires, wheels, springs, and shocks. Wallet, usage, and personal preference dicates the solution on this one.
Q. My 4.2 will not go over 1000 rpm and will not shift out of 1st or 2nd gear, what happened?
A. Could be a number of things but first check to see if water has entered the interior of the vehicle and made it's way to the control unit under the front passenger seat & carpet. A hand test should be sufficient. If it's wet/damp it's liquid. Either way, call dealer ASAP.
Q. My tip automatically shifts out of first gear right away, is this normal?
A. Yes. The tip will shift out of first gear whether you like it or not. Someone posted about getting it to stay in first somehow but I have not been able to duplicate myself. Hopefully they will repost the method.
Q. My headliner has a buzz and/or rattles, is this fixable?
A. Yes. The dealer can install a felt kit to silence the noises to some degree.
Q. When should I change the oil and should I change to synthetic?
A. I will now way attempt to provide an answer other than to read your manual and use your best judgement/experience.
Q. Will a ECU modification (chip) void my warranty?
A. Too subjective. Check your local dealer without checking with your local dealer if you get my drift.
Q. My windows only go full up or full down, is this normal ?
A. Yes, if that's what you tell them to do. To stop the window at any point just tap the respective button again.
I left out a few because I am tired of typing but I am sure if anyone follows up they will complete the list.
I hope this helps and the Audi A6 is a wonderful car. Do not get confused by this listing or any other posting regarding common questions/problems. I would not change my purchase decision based on any experiences I have had to this point.
This is not meant to diminish from the problems people have had. So please do not interpret that my post is a testimonial and that all problems for all users can be mitigated.
Good luck and best wishes.
Le Geezer<p>00 2.7T
17"ATP/Yoko S
Disclaimer: I love my A6 and am very happy with the vehicle at this point.
Q. Will the conti all season tires be o.k. for winter?
A. Yes. However, spirited winter driving and driving in moderate-heavy snow conditions regularly may require a change to a "winter tire".
Solution. Buy winter tires and wheels(see tirerack.com or ronalusa.com)
Q. There are ripples in my glass, is this normal?
A. Yes & no. The Audi glass is "soft" and some have observed ripples. Solution. Have it replaced by the dealer if you are unhappy or concerned about the quality. Some dealers need a little more persuading than others.
Q. My radio seems to change frequency on it's own, is this a defect?
A. Yes. It has been described as a firmware problem and cannto be fixed with a software upgrade. Thus, the unit needs to be replaced. Solution. Temporary: Turn off your radio before shutting down the car. I have this problem and frankly have only experienced it once. I always shut down everything before turning off the car. Would be nice if their was a master switch like in aircraft.
Q. My gas gauge is going cuckoo and reads full then empty. Is this normal?
A. Yes & no. It's normal if you have sulphur build up on the contacts of the fuel sending units in the tank. Solution. Contact the dealer asap for replacement units. Solution. Temporary: reset trip odometer at each fill up.
Q. My car (2.7T especially) seems to be burning 1/4-1/2 quart every 1500-2000 miles. Is this normal?
A. Based on my analysis of the postings here and in the S4 forum it is normal during break in period. Solution. check oil frequently and keep oil at full level during break in period. Lack of oil is a turbo killer. Also, check under car to make sure you do not have a more serious but unrelated problem. This would apply to any new car.
Q. My windshield wiper flew off, is this normal?
A. No. solution. Call the dealer and have them replaced. They are covered under warranty.
Q. Is the fuel system pressurized ?
A. Yes. Make sure you always secure your fuel cap until it clicks past the stop. Never fuel your Audi with the engine running.
Q. My car is five hours old and vibrates while braking, is this normal ?
A. No. You need to have your rotors cleaned of residue or "turned". Check for rust buildup on rotors at delivery. As my Audi tech told me on delivery "USE YOUR BRAKES" they are covered under warranty.
Q. My handling seems too mushy (non-psk), is there and easy way to improve it?
A. Yes. Solution 1: You can switch to 17" wheels and tires for a quick and moderate improvement. Solution 2: You can switch to 17" w/t and order springs from the dealer or other outlet. Solution 3: You can do tires, wheels, springs, and shocks. Wallet, usage, and personal preference dicates the solution on this one.
Q. My 4.2 will not go over 1000 rpm and will not shift out of 1st or 2nd gear, what happened?
A. Could be a number of things but first check to see if water has entered the interior of the vehicle and made it's way to the control unit under the front passenger seat & carpet. A hand test should be sufficient. If it's wet/damp it's liquid. Either way, call dealer ASAP.
Q. My tip automatically shifts out of first gear right away, is this normal?
A. Yes. The tip will shift out of first gear whether you like it or not. Someone posted about getting it to stay in first somehow but I have not been able to duplicate myself. Hopefully they will repost the method.
Q. My headliner has a buzz and/or rattles, is this fixable?
A. Yes. The dealer can install a felt kit to silence the noises to some degree.
Q. When should I change the oil and should I change to synthetic?
A. I will now way attempt to provide an answer other than to read your manual and use your best judgement/experience.
Q. Will a ECU modification (chip) void my warranty?
A. Too subjective. Check your local dealer without checking with your local dealer if you get my drift.
Q. My windows only go full up or full down, is this normal ?
A. Yes, if that's what you tell them to do. To stop the window at any point just tap the respective button again.
I left out a few because I am tired of typing but I am sure if anyone follows up they will complete the list.
I hope this helps and the Audi A6 is a wonderful car. Do not get confused by this listing or any other posting regarding common questions/problems. I would not change my purchase decision based on any experiences I have had to this point.
This is not meant to diminish from the problems people have had. So please do not interpret that my post is a testimonial and that all problems for all users can be mitigated.
Good luck and best wishes.
Le Geezer<p>00 2.7T
17"ATP/Yoko S
New Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Re: Some simple FAQ answers consolidated . . .
I am new to this site and thought your comments were good. One observation on the a6 2.8
The stock 16" tires do not have much side wall bulge between the rim and a curb. Very easy to scratch a weel if one gets to close to a curb. . tire size: 205-55-16<p>phil
00 a6 silver/onyx2.8quattro
The stock 16" tires do not have much side wall bulge between the rim and a curb. Very easy to scratch a weel if one gets to close to a curb. . tire size: 205-55-16<p>phil
00 a6 silver/onyx2.8quattro
New Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
Re: Some simple FAQ answers consolidated . . .
This will be a very useful (and hopefully evolving) FAQ for the growing number of new Audi owners who are perspicacious enough to discover this wonderful forum. Many thanks for the beginning--good job! One comment -- I think you may mean "headlight washer cover(s)" instead of "windshield wiper" flying off.
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 2,310
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Q. Can that idiot 2.7 Geezer spell check before posting - A. No, he is too damn high from 100 proof.
Also, I forgot the one tip I learned here that saved me about $1500.
YOUR A6 NOSE IS LOOOONNNGGG AND LOW. Do not pull over curb stops with the nose of the car. If you do, I guarantee that you will rip the nose off at some point. It is inevitable.
Solution: Back in.
If you do not believe me here is my experience.
Pulled into office lot and over curb while in hurry.
leaving, felt a strange resistance while in reverse.
Bingo, Audiworld sprung to mind and I immediately pulled forward.
Sure enough, lower lip had caught.
Laid on stomach, pulled one pin out of curb stop, pivoted sideways so that it was at a 30-45 degree angle (vs. perpindicular).
Backed car out, and all was o.k.. thanks A4.org<p>00 2.7T
17"ATP/Yoko S
YOUR A6 NOSE IS LOOOONNNGGG AND LOW. Do not pull over curb stops with the nose of the car. If you do, I guarantee that you will rip the nose off at some point. It is inevitable.
Solution: Back in.
If you do not believe me here is my experience.
Pulled into office lot and over curb while in hurry.
leaving, felt a strange resistance while in reverse.
Bingo, Audiworld sprung to mind and I immediately pulled forward.
Sure enough, lower lip had caught.
Laid on stomach, pulled one pin out of curb stop, pivoted sideways so that it was at a 30-45 degree angle (vs. perpindicular).
Backed car out, and all was o.k.. thanks A4.org<p>00 2.7T
17"ATP/Yoko S
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