Magnet

Hello Ian, Apologies for the lack of response. We do try, but sometimes we fail. For what it’s worth :- our 2006 A3 - also owned from new - has always done this, so to us, it’s obviously normal. If you say yours hasn’t, then I wonder if you may have had some work done on the car in recent times, such as a new recoded battery etc. If not, it sounds like a trip to your dealer or independent who should be able to either diagnose a fault or re programme it not to do this. Perhaps you could colour in the detail. Kind regards, Gareth.

Surprising to hear the car was built with 18 inch wheels. If it indeed was, then your Speedo is going to be way out unless you have a very high profile tyre fitted on your 16 inch. Would I take it your dealer is correct?? Who did you talk with there? Incase it helps:- Our 2006 A3 is also fitted with 16 inch wheels, and the recommended tyre pressures for that are 30psi front and 29 rear for two passengers. To me, 33psi would be a bit too high. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks John, but the common issue with loss of hydraulic pressure is often associated with slave cylinder assemblies, and not master cylinders. We shall have to wait until Andrew comes back to us. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andrew, Thanks for being in touch with the forum, and sorry to hear of your issue. Many thanks also for the detailed description and action taken. The only thing that I’m not clear on is what you have done (with the clutch hydraulics) to rectify the primary loss of clutch pressure. I saw LUK and clutch, but on re-reading this, it seems the switch was by LUK rather than any clutch parts replacement. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. Not wanting to be critical, but constructive, when I say, I think your location description might not be to your best advantage. As has been said on here so many times, we try to come over as being as helpful and friendly as we can, and I think that that would probably include advice on where best to seek assistance in your area, and even hands on support if that were possible.

Hello Henning, Not sure on a car as far back as 2009, but I wonder if the new battery needs coding to the car, before it will satisfy the immobiliser? Whatever, it sounds like you are going to be in need of some specialist advice and possibly equipment. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Kevin, With the comparatively minor on cost expense, I would be treating this to a good dose of the Redex fuel additive, and half a tank full of premium grade (non supermarket) fuel, followed by a good sprightly run. Worth a try? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Andy, Thanks for being in touch, and sorry to hear of your issue. This could be a number of possibilities from a leak, level sensor, below par compressor etc. Re. safe to drive? - I would be entrusting your judgement based on how you see it, and the advice you will get by phoning your Independent. If it turns out to be the compressor then you have your namesake -Andy - up in your neck of the woods, known as Bagpiping Andy, who specialises in making compressor piston rings ( common cause) and supplying reconditioned units. You should find him on a search. Try EBay search for ‘air suspension piston rings’ if stuck. Perhaps you could let us know how you get on. Kind regards, Gareth.

Forgot to ask - what brand filters are you intending to use?

Hello ?, You can’t beat the sort of advice that hard day to day running proves as with Steve’s experience. Just to be sure I’m on the right track with your question, are you asking for grade confirmation, or brand confirmation. If grade and spec. then always consult the handbook - which I guess you have done -? If brand, then this of course comes from personal choice and experience, as with Steve. My personal brand choice is Quantum (believed Castrol) which was/is? recommended by VAG. Kind regards, Gareth. p.s. What’s you name by the way?

What did you order after? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Terry, Thanks for being in touch. Personally, I would not put my contact details on an open forum. Interested parties can get in touch via. a PM. I think you can edit your post accordingly, but if you have difficulty then please let me know, and I can do it for you. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Leanne, Thanks for being in touch and sorry to hear of your issue. Sounds like battery failure/below par. Can we take it the battery is the original? If so, it would make sense in terms of service life with use if the stop/start system. If it were mine and the battery is the original, I would simply order a direct replacement from on-line suppliers such as Tayna, Battery Megastore etc ( there are more - and no connection) - it should be with you tomorrow. I only buy Varta/Bosch in their 5 year warranty grade (silver topped). It is almost certain that the new battery will need to be coded to the car. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, My gut feeling is that it was originally on the inside of the fuel flap. Does this look as if it might have been changed ar some time? Probably worth keeping an eye out for a similar model year and asking the owner if you can take a photo of the detail on theirs. Kind regards, Gareth.

Edited for you Stewart. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Stewart, Thanks for letting us know. Personally, I would not be listing my e-mail address on an open forum, in preference to asking interested parties to simply send you a message on the forum. You should be able to edit it out. If not, let us know. Kind regards, Gareth.

As Cliff suggests. If not, try 30 psi front and 29psi rear until you find the specified figures - at your Audi dealer. Kind regards, Gareth.

Many thanks Ian. OK, Halfords tests the battery as serviceable, and I’m not sure about their current equipment, but it may not be good enough to test all the parameters of the battery’s serviceability. For example - I have known a just over 3 year old Range Rover battery to test serviceable on 2 ‘normal’ battery tests, yet when tested on the proper RR system it was shown to be unacceptably below par on cold cranking current. We renewed the battery, and all has been well. Obviously, the battery condition monitor was picking up that fact, whereas the ‘normal’ test wasn’t. Way forward:- might be worth getting an Audi independent to check it out on their sophisticated systems. If they confirm the battery is indeed serviceable, then they will be able to diagnose the fault/s at the same time. Re shock absorbers? Guess Halfords reasonable quote was for fitting whatever Brand X shock absorbers are current available from their local motor factors. Quality will be as important as overall cost, so worth checking what your local garage intends fitting. If not genuine VAG, then Bilstein could be a suitable aftermarket alternative, but I would be asking what brand will be fitted. Beware of vague descriptions such as OE or OEM! Kind regards, Gareth.

Fortunately I’m not in your position Natalie, but I wouldn’t want it back for a pension, based on - would I want the constant worry and stress?? Of course, that just my opinion. Others may think differently. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Michael, Thanks for being in touch with the forum. Great move to be interested in checking tyre pressures - sometimes an afterthought. Try inside the fuel filler flap. Usually is - or certainly was - there. Kind regards, Gareth.

Thanks Natalie, I understand that it would be of background information to know if anyone else has experienced this, but in reality it doesn’t matter, since this is affecting you, and your safety, and that’s all that is important. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Ian, My first port of call too with regard to the ‘Christmas tree’ dashboard lights would be exactly as Steve advises. In order to give the battery a realistic test, I would suggest you take the car on at least a 10 mile run before subjecting it to a test. If it proves to be suspect, then would I buy a replacement at Halfords? Um! I don’t, but obviously your call Ian. I alway buy batteries on-line from specialist suppliers such as Tayna, Battery Megastore, Plymouth Batteries - there are more. Most deliver mail order the following day. Incase it helps, I only buy quality batteries such as Varta/Bosch, and only their 5 year warranty (silver topped) grade. Search EBay for your model and confirm suitability with the supplier. With batteries, it’s buy once and wisely in my book. Chances are the new battery will need to be coded to your car - search for a local independent. Re. shock absorbers:- again search EBay for quality aftermarket ones such as Bilstein ( fit as a pair). I’ve used Car Parts in Motion recently ( no connection, and plenty of others) and found their pricing to be reasonable - just input your reg. no. on their website. Personally, I avoid suppliers who list high % discounts off so called retail prices! You can then enquire at your trusted local garage (or independent) for a labour charge. Hope some of this helps, Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Sarah, Sorry, but I’m confused as to why you would want this facility removed. Wondering if you could share your reasoning with us? Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Natalie, Thanks for being in touch with the forum, and sorry to hear of your issue. If I understand it, this boils down to being absolutely dangerous, and I can only equate it to driving on the motorway and suddenly applying the brakes and coming to an abrupt stop in the carriageway. Never driven one of these, but I’m led to believe that taking your foot off the power retards the motors and actual braking, as we know it, is nowhere near as necessary as it is with a conventional car, so the car stops quite quickly anyway. Possible over reaction on my part, but I wouldn’t want this car back for a pension, since I would consider driving it could be life threatening. It would further concern me that the technical experience of fault finding and rectification with EVs is in its comparative infancy, and I would be scared that I would be acting as the test pilot for any work on this car. Having this car back would not be for me - no debate. Kind regards, Gareth.

Awaiting response from Aaron who no doubt knows about it’s listed service history. Kind regards, Gareth.

Hello Steve, Is my dotage showing through, since I seem to have missed the bit about the garage knowing and cutting corners - and the honesty bit? Wasn’t actually aware the garage had stated they were only going to change the one. Kind regards, Gareth.