Audi Preventative Maintenance | 5 Signs Your Car Needs A Service

There is an old adage, prevention is better than cure, and this certainly applies to Audi preventative maintenance. If you don’t believe me, then you’ve never had that experience of a car letting you down when you need it the most. In today’s world, (where cars literally drive themselves) there is no skill to knowing when your car needs some tender loving care; the built in computer will simply inform you that it is due for a service. Or if something critical has gone wrong, the car will most likely tell you to take it to a mechanic, and sometimes even what the exact fault is. Modern technology sure is wonderful!

Of course this assumes you drive a modern car. For those of us who like the vintage look and feel, or simply consider new cars a little above budget, this Audi Preventative Maintenance guide will help you to know what needs doing, when, and without the help of that little “check engine” light.

• Service on Time, Every Time

  The standard rule of thumb for older cars is one year or every 6,500 miles. The mistake people often make is to adhere to the latter, but forget the former. Surely if I haven’t done 6.5k my car doesn’t need to see a mechanic? Think again. As Paul Simon loves saying, “Everything put together falls apart,” and over the space of a year, perishable materials such as rubbers and seals take a beating in the warm Florida climate. These can crack and fail catastrophically. Oil also degrades over time, and loses some of the vital additives that keep the friction on bearings and shafts to a minimum. Filter elements decay. Air-conditioning loses gas. Nothing is immune to the relentless passage of time. What is important is to make sure that your mechanic checks every last detail and makes sure that all subsystems of the vehicle are functioning properly. Here at Foreign Affairs Motorsports, we believe in thoroughness. Our ASE certified mechanics will put your car through a rigorous multi-point Audi preventative maintenance check every single service interval, so that you can be assured of being forewarned of any issues.

• Listen Very Carefully, I Will Say This Only Once

  It’s important to listen to your car’s motor. Now if you are at all like me, you probably like to have your tunes playing when you are going places, which makes it almost impossible to hear what the vehicle sounds like. So I suggest that instead of immediately cranking up the volume, you keep it low for the two most critical (mechanically) parts of the drive; the warmup, and the cool down. When you initially start driving, the engine is cold, and systems need to begin circulating fluids. This is a crucial time for your car, and if there are any problems, you’re most likely to notice them now.

  Here’s What to Look Fo

  1. Smoke. When you start the car (unless it’s a diesel engine) a little smoke from the exhaust could mean that your valve seals need replacing. If the smoke continues after the warmup, the rings could be at fault.
  2. Knocking noises before moving off can mean bearing or pulley problems – take the car in to Foreign Affairs as soon as possible.
  3. Knocking noises after moving off are worse, as these imply brake or steering problems, and are critical to your safety.
  4. A squeaking is probably related to belts and pre-tensioners, also something that needs to be seen too fast.
  5. Rattling or extreme vibration may mean a loose exhaust or engine mountings.

As you can see there are lots of things that can go wrong, and although some are more severe than others, it is really important to get them fixed as soon as possible. One issue leads to another and before you know it, you’ll be stuck by the side of the road.

We don’t want you to end up in that situation, which is why as soon as you hear or see something, you should consult with us. No job is too big or too small for us, and no issue too trivial. At Foreign Affairs Motorsports, we believe that you come first.