Just got my A4... quick couple of q's!

[needles]

Hello all, first post!

Just got my A4 last week, and I'm very impressed with it! I just got rid of my 350Z-Summer/Jeep Cherokee-Winter cars to consolidate to one car. I must say I'm thoroughly impressed with the Audi so far. The whole driving experience is very satisfying, from the turbo thrust that makes me smile to the Porsche-quality interior. The Buffalo winters will be when this car makes me giddy though, can't freaking wait! I'm almost ready to forfeit my summer/fall to go right back to winter... ok not quite.

So it's a 2001 A4 1.8T with Sport package, Cold Weather package, and Premium package(I think it's called "premium"). 100K miles, but hardly a scratch inside or out, it's amazingly clean for an '01. I think the previous owner was OCD - in a good way! I have all service/oil change records and the original window sticker. Timing belt just changed. It's completely stock, and I plan to leave it stock except for chip, and I'm thinking APR since it's switchable on/off.

Although I've found a TON of info here thus far, I still have a couple q's that I'm not completely clear on after spending the past few days lurking and searching the forum here...

1. Oil: Does Audi actually approve of certain brand/weight oils to use? If so, does Mobile 1 fit the bill? How will I know if the oil change place is actually using the "bigger" oil filter?

2. Fog Lights: Why don't they stay on after the car has been turned off? Do I really need to tun them on every single time i turn on the headlights?

3. Ticking: When I start the engine from a cold start, it makes a ticking/vibrating noise. It lasts about 5 seconds. It almost sounds like an exhaust heat shield, and it would make sense, but any ideas on where to begin to look for it? It's kinda hard to find since it only does it the first time I start the car cold!!!

4. Red T: I've got that red "shadow" on my T on the trunk, does that mean Sport Package? Also, do I have 170hp or 150hp? I've read conflicting opinions!

Well guys/girls, thanks in advance for your help!

-Tom

[mike-2ptzero]

2001 = 170hp. Audi just bumped up the boost to gain that 20hp from 2001 up on the A4 1.8T.

[jstdoit1112]

I tend to buy the bigger filter and watch em like a hawk..lol

THE FOG ..yes you need to turn them on or you can rewire them so they some on with the Headlights

[Seerlah]

Hello all, first post!

Just got my A4 last week, and I'm very impressed with it! I just got rid of my 350Z-Summer/Jeep Cherokee-Winter cars to consolidate to one car. I must say I'm thoroughly impressed with the Audi so far. The whole driving experience is very satisfying, from the turbo thrust that makes me smile to the Porsche-quality interior. The Buffalo winters will be when this car makes me giddy though, can't freaking wait! I'm almost ready to forfeit my summer/fall to go right back to winter... ok not quite.

So it's a 2001 A4 1.8T with Sport package, Cold Weather package, and Premium package(I think it's called "premium"). 100K miles, but hardly a scratch inside or out, it's amazingly clean for an '01. I think the previous owner was OCD - in a good way! I have all service/oil change records and the original window sticker. Timing belt just changed. It's completely stock, and I plan to leave it stock except for chip, and I'm thinking APR since it's switchable on/off.

Although I've found a TON of info here thus far, I still have a couple q's that I'm not completely clear on after spending the past few days lurking and searching the forum here...

1. Oil: Does Audi actually approve of certain brand/weight oils to use? If so, does Mobile 1 fit the bill? How will I know if the oil change place is actually using the "bigger" oil filter?

2. Fog Lights: Why don't they stay on after the car has been turned off? Do I really need to tun them on every single time i turn on the headlights?

3. Ticking: When I start the engine from a cold start, it makes a ticking/vibrating noise. It lasts about 5 seconds. It almost sounds like an exhaust heat shield, and it would make sense, but any ideas on where to begin to look for it? It's kinda hard to find since it only does it the first time I start the car cold!!!

4. Red T: I've got that red "shadow" on my T on the trunk, does that mean Sport Package? Also, do I have 170hp or 150hp? I've read conflicting opinions!

Well guys/girls, thanks in advance for your help!

-Tom

Welcome to Audizine and congrats on your purchase. As I tell all whom first join, to save face from being flamed, "The search button" is your friend. Always search before asking, and when you can not find an answer to what you are looking for, then ask and people are more than willing to help.

1. This is a list of the approved motor oil by Audi. But not on that list is what most tend to use and call full synthetics as most oils on that list are Group III, even though they are advertised as full synthetic. You want to use a Group IV/V full synthetic oil such as Motul, Amsoil, Royal Purple, etc

2. Guess it was just the circuit design as fog lights are not something that is really for looks, but more of convenience and safety measure when driving in foggy conditions.

3. Can't help you there. Maybe take it to Midas or something and see what they tell you. But now that you are in the German Engineering scene, beware of overpriced dealer/mechanics. It might be prudent to ask on the North East Regional Forum for a fairly priced reliable shop. And a good personal investment is to learn to DIY, unless you already know. Saves you much money in the long run.

4. This one got me stumped.

Peace!

[Stampy]

APR is weak sauce man. You have an 01, go GIAC or Dahlback. You can always go buy the oil filter from audi and then bring it to wherever you go. If you aren't afraid of a little oil, its not a hard job.

[needles]

Wow guys, thanks for the quick replies and thank you all for the very useful info!!!!!

[Seerlah]

I told myself I was not going to get chipped, and just save up for a BAT. But I found a local (not local, but close) person whom is a CTapp distributer and just got flashed today. The only reason I got it is that I would have paid like $750 for my BAT file. But he said I could get my ECU flashed and then upgrade later for $250 .

I forgot to ask about the file, but I run 93 anyways, so it does not matter to me. Peaked at maybe ~22. Kind of high, but I don't drive like a mad man. Most times anyways .

But to the OP, you should do searches and contemplation on what you want to do with your car before deciding on purchases. One of the more prudent advices. It will save you money and headaches.

[jstdoit1112]

Peaked at maybe ~22. Kind of high, but I don't drive like a mad man. Most times anyways .

[/QUOTE]

But once you get chipped you will. Just seeing how undertuned these cars really are is amazing

[needles]

But to the OP, you should do searches and contemplation on what you want to do with your car before deciding on purchases. One of the more prudent advices. It will save you money and headaches.

I've been searching my butt off through this forum and audiforums, but I guess I just need more time to take it all in!!!!!

The ability to turn on/off the program on the APR setup was what interested me though. If it was a matter of 5hp loss by choosing APR, but being able to easily go back to "economy" mode, that'd be well worth it to me. :)

I guess if the APR software is really that crappy I'll go for GIAC, which I see in the newbie guide seems to be the preferred sw! But I PROMISE to thoroughly research before I make a purchase!

I appreciate all the input!

[Seerlah]

Do you ever plan on going BT (anything bigger than GT28rs)? For example, you could get an EBC and set it to stock and maybe ~18 to ~21 for peak (assuming you were chipped). Then when you wanted to go BT, you would already have an EBC. Same function as the on/off would have performed with APR, but better.

[Nebone]

3. That ticking noise on startup is the camshaft chain tensioner. The 2001 has a really expensive unit and it starves for oil on cold starts. I had that for the last 3 years of ownership.

[Stampy]

If it was a matter of 5hp loss by choosing APR, but being able to easily go back to "economy" mode, that'd be well worth it to me. :)

A dyno might say 5 hp, but ass dyno tells truth. I had APR on my 01 it was essentially how the car should have came I guess. Enough power when I needed it but even regular driving I was getting 30mpg. That being said, you can achieve the same mpg from GIAC but with a more aggressive tune for 01. As mentioned earlier, even a small turbo upgrade can be reflashed with GIAC. APR you have one choice and thats pure stage 3. I drive like an old man, so I really didn't care when I got my APR chip used on here. If I had intentions of going anywhere with the car I would have done GIAC or dahlback.

[needles]

3. That ticking noise on startup is the camshaft chain tensioner. The 2001 has a really expensive unit and it starves for oil on cold starts. I had that for the last 3 years of ownership.

Oh boy that sounds scary. Should I be worried?




...and another thanx to all posters, very useful info.

Just found that I have a GIAC shop right around the corner. Looks like decision made on that one. That was easy!

[jstdoit1112]

Oh boy that sounds scary. Should I be worried?




...and another thanx to all posters, very useful info.

Just found that I have a GIAC shop right around the corner. Looks like decision made on that one. That was easy!

The Cam Chain tensioner, well makes noise i have had my car for two years and it hasnt caused any problems just noise. Some people will say to replace it, other say no need ... but i think i am gonna get mine changed this year

[onemoremile]

The economy mode doesn't matter. Since boost is controlled by your right foot the economy is too. All the economy mode does is lower the peak boost. I had it on the S4 and gas mileage was the same as in other modes.

The ticking could also be the hydraulic lifters. Some days my engine is silky smooth and others it chatters. The lifters are known to get sticky and make a little noise now and then. It is usually nothing to worry about. If they get loud you can pour some Seafoam into the oil and clean them up. Another way to keep the quiet is to add Lucas pure synthetic oil additive.

[Dlay]

Welcome to the zine man