Our very first Audi - a 2000 A3 convertible - and we're handling it with kid gloves... but we're keen to leave it garaged in winter months, but want to use a trickle c local charger. Our local Audi dealer adviser not to - but - can this really be unwise? Advice VERY appreciated!

SORRY - I really meant "trickle-charger" not "trickle c local charger"

21 minutes ago, Novice2 said:

Our very first Audi - a 2000 A3 convertible - and we're handling it with kid gloves... but we're keen to leave it garaged in winter months, but want to use a trickle c local charger. Our local Audi dealer adviser not to - but - can this really be unwise? Advice VERY appreciated!

Hi as usual the dealers are full of brown stuff as long as you have the type of charger that has the voltage cut off for when the battery is nearly full it will be fine, it should go on/off as the battery voltage rises and falls, they are probably hoping you will leave the car and the battery will die and they can charge you £400 for a new one plus fitting.

Steve. 

 

Charge away Duncan, providing it is a smart charger. Some can be set according to the type of battery: plain wet cell, or glass mat etc.

The old fashioned chargers that do not cut off are unwise for long term use.

Thank you, Stevey and  Clifford - what a difference from the Audi main dealer! My first really good Audi encounter; thank you both very much! (And it is a smart charger)

Sadly Audi main dealers will disappoint you, both in terms of customer service and cost. Others here would use less temperate descriptions of them. Hint, hint.

5 hours ago, cliffcoggin said:

Sadly Audi main dealers will disappoint you, both in terms of customer service and cost. Others here would use less temperate descriptions of them. Hint, hint.

Hi very, very diplomatic Clifford, disappoint is definitely not on my list of terms for them.

Steve.

As an example of main dealer fraud, though not specifically Audi, see this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9LyzCzI1xw