Couple quick questions from a noob

[xlr8ed]

Hello All

Did a bit of searching but couldn't find my answers and I figure it would be a good time to introduce myself!

I just purchased a 2002 A4 1.8T Quattro for my wife on Saturday. It only has 16K miles on it, and appears brand new. Due to the hairpins and hard candy's in the center console (not kidding!), and the slight combination of Aqua-net and new car smell (still not kidding!) in the air, I can only assume that an older lady drove it and took remarkable care of it. Runs great and after about 5 hours of going over it and 3 test drives, couldn't find any faults with it.

However, no drivers manual, I have one on order but have a few questions.

1. Anything I need to keep an eye on? I have read about transmission issues with some of the 02's, but wanted to gain a bit more understanding.
2. We have two buttons near the switch to pop the truck at the back of the map holder on the drivers side door, what the hell are they for?
3. And since it's my wife's car and I mistakenly showed her a pic with the wood trim (walnut?), she would like that instead of the AU trim, any place I can order it? ( would prefer actual trim instead of the 3M stuff)

[97ss10]

Welcome to AZ! I'm sort of a NOOB also but I think I can help you with your questions.

1. I have a 3.0 so I'm not up on the problems with the 1.8 other than I've read a little
about oil sludge issues in the motor? Maybe someone else will help with that one.
2. The 2 buttons on the door panel are for the sensors for the alarm. Incase you leave a dog or something in the car you can turn off the motion sensor. The other is for a tilt sensor so if you must have it towed you can turn that sensor off.
3. As for the trim, you can order it from the dealership or there's another AZ sponsor site that sells it. I get all my parts from Kyle at [email protected] . Most of his prices are below dealer prices and are factory sealed parts.

Hope this helped and again...welcome!

[Turb_Oh_A4]

To answer the question about the tranny, if it's a CVT auto then yes i have heard of problems with them. With that low of miles i dont see how it would give you any just yet. Yes, ONLY use synthetic oil because there is a major problem with sludge. other than that i think the other guy answered everything else. Congrats on the buy and goodluck, they are fun!

[demea]

Here's a good thread to peruse for some fun stuff...Click

Oil sludge buildup is a known issue in the 1.8, but since your car is such low mileage, just keep changing the oil with synthetic and the Audi oversized filters and you'll be ok.
The 1.8 is generally trouble free with a few exceptions. Coil packs could fail, but are a cheap fix.
Later on down the road (around 75K), you'll have to replace the timing belt.
Little things start to nickel and dime you (vacuum leaks, hoses, etc.) but thats any car.

Keep up w/ the regular maintenance and all should be good
Nice find, BTW.

[Condo]

If you're looking for wood trim you could probably find someone willing to trade by posting in the wanted section.

[Teratorn]

I think this is on the list in the link Demea provided, but there's a shelf under the steering wheel. You may want to check if the driver's manual is there.

One of the first things I had to replace when I got my '03 was the oil dipstick and neck/sleeve. It becomes very brittle with heat. But with only 16K, it shouldn't be a problem for quite a while for you.

[kaizr]

Yea, first time I pulled on my dipstick, it broke the handle. I assumed that when I took it in for maintenance the dealer would just toss a new one in there. WRONG.

[xlr8ed]

Thanks all for the helpful answers!

I think this is on the list in the link Demea provided, but there's a shelf under the steering wheel. You may want to check if the driver's manual is there.

One of the first things I had to replace when I got my '03 was the oil dipstick and neck/sleeve. It becomes very brittle with heat. But with only 16K, it shouldn't be a problem for quite a while for you.

My wife showed up this morning with a manual, someone she works with has a 02 A4 and loaned it to us. One of the first things I saw was in it was where the manual was stored and was able to located it, along with the radio code. I must have missed it when I read the Easter Eggs thread. I also found the original bill of sale addressed to a "Mildred and Howard", so I was half right about a little old lady.

Thanks for the tips on the oil, I have to do full synthetic with my TDI basically because of the Turbo, so I suspected the same for this one. And I will make sure that the Wife doesn't yank on the dip stick too hard.

[Exanimas]

My wife showed up this morning with a manual, someone she works with has a 02 A4 and loaned it to us. One of the first things I saw was in it was where the manual was stored and was able to located it, along with the radio code. I must have missed it when I read the Easter Eggs thread. I also found the original bill of sale addressed to a "Mildred and Howard", so I was half right about a little old lady.

Thanks for the tips on the oil, I have to do full synthetic with my TDI basically because of the Turbo, so I suspected the same for this one. And I will make sure that the Wife doesn't yank on the dip stick too hard.

What, there can't be any hot young girls named Mildred? On the same topic, I found the original bill of sale in my car too (or something with the original owner's name on it) and he had the exact same name, first middle and last, as one of my good friends. Really weird actually.

[xlr8ed]

What, there can't be any hot young girls named Mildred? On the same topic, I found the original bill of sale in my car too (or something with the original owner's name on it) and he had the exact same name, first middle and last, as one of my good friends. Really weird actually.

I believe there can be hot women named Mildred, just not after 1956

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Coil packs were mentioned, but to give you a little more info on them if you dont know, here goes:

They are what plugs into the spark plug (4 on the top of the head) If the car ever were to start idleing terrible and misfiring like it is running on 3 cylinders instead of 4 and the engine light is flashing then most likely you have had a coil pack fail on you. They are around $30 a piece (little cheaper at a VW dealer) and it is good idea to keep one in the trunk just in case.

If the problem were to ever come up you can simply leave the engine running and unplug the power plug from the coil. Do one of them at a time and see if the engine loses power or not. When you unplug one that doesnt affect the idle (engine doesnt want to stall or drop down a few 100 rpm) then you found the culpret and simply take that spare you have in the trunk and pop it in and you are good to go.

Also mentioned earlier the car originally came with a smaller oil filter which you most likely still have. Get that changed out which allows for another roughly 1/2 quart of oil in the car. Car takes right at 5 quarts with the larger filters which everyone will sell now (all auto parts stores) since audi made the update due to the sludge problems.

I see you found the easter eggs thread so you are set there for learning about all the tricks.

[Anthony]

3. As for the trim, you can order it from the dealership or there's another AZ sponsor site that sells it.

OEMPl.us

Also maybe hit up Chase at A&P, as they may be able to locate a used set.

[pondside36]

Congrats on a low milage find... pretty much everything was covered above, enjoy and welcome.

[Exanimas]

I believe there can be hot women named Mildred, just not after 1956

Touché sir, congrats on the new car.