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Audi A8

1483 messages,  Last post on Jul 23, 2010 at 11:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? Audi A8, Sedan

Messages Page 146 of 149

#1444 of 1483 Re: A8 Oil [harbo] by mclovin4

Jan 24, 2009 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: harbo (Jan 23, 2009 10:37 pm)
Harbo,
         I am stationed at ft knox kentucky so the weather is cold(0-35 depending on the day) I found 5W30 at the PX. which is better for cold?.My audi dealer uses Castrol also.Let me know

#1445 of 1483 Re: A8 Oil [mclovin4] by ayyate

Jan 24, 2009 (6:52 pm)

Replying to: mclovin4 (Jan 24, 2009 4:07 pm)
On the subject of oil for the 2005 A8, here is what Audi said in my 2005 owners manual: "Use only synthetic oil with the quality standard specification VW 502 00." Audi further recommends Castrol synthetic with that specification and the "viscosity SAE 5W-40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving conditions. However, if viscosity SAE 5W-40 is unavailable, you can also use viscosity grade SAE 5W-30 or SAE 0W-40 as long as it meets the VW 502 00 standards." It goes on to say that you should NEVER top off your oil with more than .5 liter of oil that does not meet the VW 502 00 standards, whether synthetic or petroleum based oil.
 
The words in quotes, above, are practically verbatim from the literature that came with my 2005 A8. There was much more, too much to repeat here. The distinct impression I took from all this is: Follow these directions or risk voiding the factory warranty. The oil insert in my manual even went so far as to say that the warranty could be voided if you cannot prove that the VW 502 00 oil has been used every time. Thankfully, my car uses no oil at all. But, just in case, I always carry a couple of quarts of their recommended oil in the spare tire space area in my trunk. This oil is not cheap, but use it anyway. Fortunately, after the first 5,000 mile stop, oil changes don't need to be done very often.
 
So, to your cold weather question, it sounds like the "approved" 5W-40 can be used in all temperatures. Remember, it gets a good deal colder in Germany than at Fort Knox.

#1446 of 1483 Re: A8 Oil [ayyate] by mclovin4

Jan 25, 2009 (12:10 am)

Replying to: ayyate (Jan 24, 2009 6:52 pm)
ayyate,
         Thank you for the info.Spent 4 years im deutschland myself and you are correct...good point.So Castrol 5W-40 it is.Quick question ,Would you recommend investing in an OBD II scanner?I guess they are available for all types of cars,been thinking of getting one, butwhat i dont know is ..can you fix a problem with these things or do they just tell you what is wrong.?

#1447 of 1483 Re: A8 Oil [mclovin4] by ayyate

Jan 25, 2009 (10:53 am)

Replying to: mclovin4 (Jan 25, 2009 12:10 am)
Sorry mclovin4:
 
I am not familiar with that item. When it comes to fixing anything on my Audis (S8, A8, allroad), I have to defer to the dealer. It may cost more, but these cars are simply too complex. I learned that even if you take your car to an independent garage, the parts cost will be about the same. Labor may be lower, but that is probably it. I live in LA where I have many choices and I still go to a dealer where they have one or two technicians that only work on A8's and S8's.
 
Sorry I don't have an answer for you. Can anyone else out there offer advice to this man?

#1448 of 1483 Audi service by harbo

Jan 25, 2009 (3:11 pm)

Agreed ....... Complex. Until the 100K warranty runs out, my excellent Scottsdale, AZ service dept., gets the job. After 100K I do my own Castrol Cyntec, Bosch plugs, air filters etc. Who has GOOD experience with extended warranties and their relative cost?
Thx Harbo A8L

#1449 of 1483 Response to question about extended warranties: by ayyate

Jan 25, 2009 (6:13 pm)

I have had some good experiences with extended warranties. I don't expect to get all my money back, although on at least two occasions I have. I believe the peace of mind that a catastrophic repair would be almost completely covered, plus the possible resale benefit, makes it worth it. My previous A8 (a1999) needed a transmission replacement after I inadvertently drove it low on fluid. Cost: approximately $5K for a remanufactured unit. Covered, minus a $100 deductible. Years ago in my pre-Audi period, numerous Mercedes Benz air conditioning parts replacements cost a few thousand dollars. Also covered. It is a decision not to be made lightly. I have never paid more than $2,500 for an additional 60,000 miles of coverage on an A8. These warranties are highly negotiable, with the selling dealership getting a significant commission. Shop around. Talk to your service writer about which ones are the best warranty companies to work with. Then, even if you do buy one, hope you never need it.

#1450 of 1483 Re: Response to question about extended warranties: [ayyate] by mclovin4

Jan 31, 2009 (9:39 am)

Replying to: ayyate (Jan 25, 2009 6:13 pm)
Holy smokes,
                   just finishing up dealing with the brutality of one hellacious ice/snow storm.Power outages all over the area and the roads were awful.Quatrro is fan-friggin-tastic.My 08 Ram is almost as good. Absolutely love this car!!!!

#1451 of 1483 Re: Response to question about extended warranties: [mclovin4] by ayyate

Jan 31, 2009 (10:34 am)

Replying to: mclovin4 (Jan 31, 2009 9:39 am)
Glad to know that you like the car. I have been an Audi fan for years and am not surprised to hear it, although I have never had one on snow or ice. Here in LA where it hardly even rains, you could argue that all wheel drive is unnecessary. But, I am glad my wife and I have it anyway. On the windy mountain roads I drive on around here, no matter how aggressively I drive, I don't believe I have ever heard a tire squeal. Some of that is no doubt due to good tires, but the Quattro is also at work there.
 
Be careful, though. All wheel drive can only do so much on ice and snow.

#1452 of 1483 NAV Discs by mclovin4

Feb 27, 2009 (3:21 pm)

Replying to: ayyate (Jan 31, 2009 10:34 am)
ayyate,
          I currently have the version 4 disc for my nav system.Can I jump to the most recent version or do i have to up date disc by disc,in other words...ver5, ver 6, ver7 and so on?

#1453 of 1483 Re: NAV Discs [mclovin4] by ayyate

Feb 27, 2009 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: mclovin4 (Feb 27, 2009 3:21 pm)
Normally when I do not know an answer, I stand aside and let someone more knowledgeable take it. But since you directed your question to me, I will just tell you that I am not sure. But, since the system is DVD-based, requiring no software upgrade like a PC might, it seems you can safely jump over versions. On the 2005 A8 I currently have for sale, I went from the 2005 version to the 2007 version without a hitch. Frankly, I could not tell any difference between the two. How about talking to your dealer? Or you could contact NavTeq, the manufacturer of the DVD. My guess, and it is just a guess, is that it is similar to buying a newer Rand McNally map book. The old book was fine, but the latest shows a few new streets. If you spend around $200 for a new DVD, don't expect it to have any new capabilities that were not programmed into the original system. You will need the new Gen 3 system for that: current traffic conditions, 3D images, etc. I believe the Audi Gen 3 navigation system was just introduced on the Q5.

Messages Page 146 of 149

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