2013 Steering Issues VAG COM Fix?

[offthewall]

I have a 2013 S4 with July 2012 build date. It has not been to the dealer since I leased it Oct 2012.

I have the steering problems which are pretty bad. Car often does not track right and is behaves odd when accelerating and changing lanes. Seems to like to steer on its own. Like it wants to go back to center on a quick lane change. But when it is in a lane it doesn't like to stay there. This started happening at about 1000 miles.

So I was really excited to try this on my 2013 S4, and I found a tech with a VAG COM, but when we got into the screens the DSR was already un-checked which was unexpected??

So then I thought, lets check the box and see if it saves and registers, but he just got error codes. Error 31 Request-out-of-range
Error 22 Coding Rejected ,Conditions Not Correct or Request Sequence Error

So I'm not sure what to do now, maybe I don't have 'slip' problem but a notchiness problem.

Sounds like an alignment issue. My 2013 S4 needed to be aligned at about 1000 miles or so.

For the record. I had the rack replaced with the new part number and a second alignment done then.

Car has about 5500 miles on it, one year old. Never had the slip issue, have not bothered with messing with the VAGCOM settings since I'm very happy with the steering as it is now with the new rack and a proper alignment.

I also have the dynamic steering option so my car's steering feels very different from stock without that option (I've driven both back to back).

[mattchat]

I have this same VAG problem as well. I have Audi Drive Select, do you? I'm wondering if that makes a difference on the DSR option.

I have a 2013 S4 with July 2012 build date. It has not been to the dealer since I leased it Oct 2012.

I have the steering problems which are pretty bad. Car often does not track right and is behaves odd when accelerating and changing lanes. Seems to like to steer on its own. Like it wants to go back to center on a quick lane change. But when it is in a lane it doesn't like to stay there. This started happening at about 1000 miles.

So I was really excited to try this on my 2013 S4, and I found a tech with a VAG COM, but when we got into the screens the DSR was already un-checked which was unexpected??

So then I thought, lets check the box and see if it saves and registers, but he just got error codes. Error 31 Request-out-of-range
Error 22 Coding Rejected ,Conditions Not Correct or Request Sequence Error

So I'm not sure what to do now, maybe I don't have 'slip' problem but a notchiness problem.

[Roy34]

I have this same VAG problem as well. I have Audi Drive Select, do you? I'm wondering if that makes a difference on the DSR option.

Matt, yes I have Audi Drive Select. The problem is slightly worse in dynamic mode, but it's there in all modes.

OfftheWall, what makes you say alignment issue? Granted alignment could be a component of my problem. But it really feels like a steering problem, and is so similar to the symptoms other folks are having with the 2013 models.

You must have had more than alignment issue as you had your steering rack replaced. What was going on?

[mattchat]

Hmmmm, same issue as me then. I wonder if ADS vehicles do not give you the option of disabling DSR.

Matt, yes I have Audi Drive Select. The problem is slightly worse in dynamic mode, but it's there in all modes.

OfftheWall, what makes you say alignment issue? Granted alignment could be a component of my problem. But it really feels like a steering problem, and is so similar to the symptoms other folks are having with the 2013 models.

You must have had more than alignment issue as you had your steering rack replaced. What was going on?

[drob23]

I have a 2013 S4 with July 2012 build date. It has not been to the dealer since I leased it Oct 2012.

I have the steering problems which are pretty bad. Car often does not track right and is behaves odd when accelerating and changing lanes. Seems to like to steer on its own. Like it wants to go back to center on a quick lane change. But when it is in a lane it doesn't like to stay there. This started happening at about 1000 miles.

So I was really excited to try this on my 2013 S4, and I found a tech with a VAG COM, but when we got into the screens the DSR was already un-checked which was unexpected??

So then I thought, lets check the box and see if it saves and registers, but he just got error codes. Error 31 Request-out-of-range
Error 22 Coding Rejected ,Conditions Not Correct or Request Sequence Error

So I'm not sure what to do now, maybe I don't have 'slip' problem but a notchiness problem.

Would you mind running a scan and then report back the coding on the steering module (44)? It is a 12 bit binary string.

[thedollardoctor]

Wow, that's surprising! Have not heard of DSR being unchecked and people still having the slip issue. That really sucks man! Sorry to hear it hasn't helped! Made my car 1000 times better

[BzzzBom]

I have a 2013 B8.5 with ADS and was able to disable DSR

[mattchat]

Did you ever have the earlier TSB applied for steering? I did and I wonder if that was the original fix. Perhaps newer vehicles are coming with it already applied?

I have a 2013 B8.5 with ADS and was able to disable DSR

[GC001]

I have a 2012 S4 Avant in the uk, with RHD rack and dont seem to have experienced what you guys have.

I'll hook it up to Vagcom and see if the box is checked for the UK/european market. If it is I may turn it off.

I do occasionally get some tramlining and the sensation of scrubbing tyres on full lock when manuvering at low speed, and figured this as an alignment issue. The tyres have just been replaced and suggested too much positive camber all round.

[thedollardoctor]

Did you ever have the earlier TSB applied for steering? I did and I wonder if that was the original fix. Perhaps newer vehicles are coming with it already applied?

I also have a B8.5 with ADS, have disabled DSR and my car when I bought it in Oct 2012 (July 2012 build date) already had steering TSB applied.

[Roy34]

I'm going to try doing a VAG COM again. I'll get some screen captures. Is mine the only S4 with the DSR box already un-checked?

I drove the car a bunch yesterday. Now that this problem is foremost on my mind, there's definitely something very wrong. You just never feel smooth and connected. It feels like low-res digital steering rather than smooth analog steering if that makes any sense.

I have appointment Wednesday with University Audi dealer, we'll see what they say or do about it.

[drob23]

I'm going to try doing a VAG COM again. I'll get some screen captures. Is mine the only S4 with the DSR box already un-checked?

I drove the car a bunch yesterday. Now that this problem is foremost on my mind, there's definitely something very wrong. You just never feel smooth and connected. It feels like low-res digital steering rather than smooth analog steering if that makes any sense.

I have appointment Wednesday with University Audi dealer, we'll see what they say or do about it.

You don't need to screen cap anything, just write down the coding number stored in module 44 and that will determine whether DSR is active.

[blendertoes]

I have a '13 S5 Prestige with full ADS and my DSR box was already unchecked as well. I ran a full scan and the coding string for module 44 is 010000010001. I also do not feel like my steering is bad, never experienced the jerkiness or notchiness that other owners have reported. My build started in May '13 if anyone is compiling that info as well.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 4

[drob23]

I have a '13 S5 Prestige with full ADS and my DSR box was already unchecked as well. I ran a full scan and the coding string for module 44 is 010000010001. I also do not feel like my steering is bad, never experienced the jerkiness or notchiness that other owners have reported. My build started in May '13 if anyone is compiling that info as well.

Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 4

Very interesting, thanks for the post. Looks like your module came from the factory with DSR off! Appears that Audi is doing the same thing that we've done, just they set the second bit from the left to 1 instead of zero. This makes the ABS module happy. Going in tomorrow for some warranty work, I'll see if the service tech knows anything about it.

[offthewall]

Matt, yes I have Audi Drive Select. The problem is slightly worse in dynamic mode, but it's there in all modes.

OfftheWall, what makes you say alignment issue? Granted alignment could be a component of my problem. But it really feels like a steering problem, and is so similar to the symptoms other folks are having with the 2013 models.

You must have had more than alignment issue as you had your steering rack replaced. What was going on?

Early on, my steering wheel was crooked. I brought it in and they did a full alignment. Crooked fixed, steering had a much better on center feeling.

A thousand miles or so later, I had the "notchy" issue. I brought the car in and they replaced the steering rack and did the required alignment.

The new rack fixed the notchy issue and steering has been perfect since.

My suggestion of alignment comes from 40 years experience driving and working on cars. If your toe in is not set correctly, it will exhibit that vague center and darting you described.


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[BzzzBom]

It looks like Audi has the fix - new steering rack and disable DSR. No wonder we haven't heard a peep from AOA regarding the imminent steering update.

[mattchat]

Yeah, just wish they would replace my rack. Audi Canada has put a total stop on any further repairs until a "fix" is out. My car was built in June 2012 so I'm well before the rack replacements.

It looks like Audi has the fix - new steering rack and disable DSR. No wonder we haven't heard a peep from AOA regarding the imminent steering update.

[Fringe]

Yeah, just wish they would replace my rack. Audi Canada has put a total stop on any further repairs until a "fix" is out. My car was built in June 2012 so I'm well before the rack replacements.

apparently, they say they have a fix now, which is weird because four weeks ago when I took my car in they said they didn't have one and would call me when there was a fix. A week after they ask me to bring my car back in so an AoA person can examine my car and run some tests. And now Audi has had my car for almost two weeks now. They keep telling me they ordered the new part, steering rack, though the day they ordered it on keeps changing, so who knows what's really going on.

[drob23]

Spoke with a service adviser and asked if a steering fix was in place. He knew of the steering issue, and described the off center "slip" issue without me mentioning it. I told him that I had coded out the DSR feature and that things were better, he seemed interested and thought it was cool, but really didn't press the issue.

[Roy34]

The steering issue is on the Allroads, S4s, S5s, A6s and Q5s. Jetter75 described it perfectly in post 69 here.

http://forums.audiworld.com/showthre...2838265&page=7

[Fringe]

After 15 days without my car, Audi put an "updated" steering rack in my car. I went to the dealership, test drove it, the problem was still there. Audi refused to do anything further for me and told me they'd tell me when there is a fix. This morning, I get a call from Audi Customer Care and they now say that the software update is ready and I will be able to have the fix by next week. I got to say, I have absolutely zero faith that they are telling me the truth at this point.

[brittney]

I just want to let everyone know that Audi has finally released the power steering update for the vehicles with electromechanical steering. If you have experienced this issue contact your dealer, as the software update was officially released today.

[millerrh]

I just want to let everyone know that Audi has finally released the power steering update for the vehicles with electromechanical steering. If you have experienced this issue contact your dealer, as the software update was officially released today.

Wow, that's great news! Anyone that gets this software fix, please report back if it fixes it.

[gendry]

+1 Also, does the update just officially do the same thing as unchecking the VAG com box? Or does it leave this feature enabled but fix its shortcomings?

Assuming the latter, perhaps we should have a discussion regarding whether we like the home grown hack over the official fix. I found that unchecking the box made my steering tighter (in that the wheel was harder to turn) in all circumstances - and I like this change. I expect that if I re-checked the box, dynamic mode thereafter would seem like comfort mode does to me now.

Wow, that's great news! Anyone that gets this software fix, please report back if it fixes it.

[thedollardoctor]

Glad to hear they may have FINALLY come up with a software "fix" and I hope it works for those of you who decide to go this route. Please report back your findings.

That being said Audi isn't TOUCHING my car with any kind of supposed software flash fix update. My car is finally exactly where I want it in all respects (looks, performance, handling, etx) and I have no intention of letting them mess with any of it.

[Pac]

Hello,
I have a 2013 A4 (built in Nov. 2012 - bought in Jan. 2013). I experienced the slip issue a few times during the cold months here in MA. Once the temperature warmed up, the slip problem went away, although the steering remained too "light" at highway speeds.
I went yesterday for my 15k service and they performed a steering software update with the code name 48402599 48K4. I knew that there was a previous 48K4 update not related to the "slip" issue and that the code of the new update was 48K8, so I contacted my service advisor once I noticed this discrepancy. He told me that even though my invoice did not show the 48K8 code, according to his computer both codes appeared in relation to the new update performed to my car and that this was the new steering fix, which had been released just a few days earlier.

I had the opportunity to drive in the highway and the steering felt great, a little bit firmer than before. But because of the code discrepancy I kept wondering if maybe it was just the placebo effect. Are all of you getting the code 48K8 in your invoice?
Thanks in advance!

[jg 4/c]

Just had mine done today. Some background: 2013 S4, build date August 2012.... picked up October 2012.
I had the slip issue, but mildly from day one. Alu Kreuz helped a lot from the beginning.
Many debunk the theory that AK can help the sloppy steering, but it does make a difference.

Never had the notchy issue until about 2 weeks ago at 4,400 miles. Only when starting the car in the morning and goes away within a few minutes.
Never disabled DSR and never had the rack replaced.
I expected more from the update. I'm sensing only a slight overall improvement. Better on center feel and slightly less correction needed
to keep the car straight. Slightly heavier feel at the wheel but was hoping for MUCH firmer resistance. No such luck.....

I'd guess that if you had the slip/notchy issue much more severely and your steering can get to the way mine feels, you'll be very pleased
with the update.

Why am I not convinced that this is the ultimate fix? I wonder now if disabling DSR would make more of a difference.
SA said this update should fix the slip and notchy issue..... not convinced they know the truth about that either.
Will see over the next few days if the notchy feeling at start up is gone.....

[Celiot29]

Just had mine done today. Some background: 2013 S4, build date August 2012.... picked up October 2012.
I had the slip issue, but mildly from day one. Alu Kreuz helped a lot from the beginning.
Many debunk the theory that AK can help the sloppy steering, but it does make a difference.

Never had the notchy issue until about 2 weeks ago at 4,400 miles. Only when starting the car in the morning and goes away within a few minutes.
Never disabled DSR and never had the rack replaced.
I expected more from the update. I'm sensing only a slight overall improvement. Better on center feel and slightly less correction needed
to keep the car straight. Slightly heavier feel at the wheel but was hoping for MUCH firmer resistance. No such luck.....

I'd guess that if you had the slip/notchy issue much more severely and your steering can get to the way mine feels, you'll be very pleased
with the update.

Why am I not convinced that this is the ultimate fix? I wonder now if disabling DSR would make more of a difference.
SA said this update should fix the slip and notchy issue..... not convinced they know the truth about that either.
Will see over the next few days if the notchy feeling at start up is gone.....

Are you saying you are actually still feeling the weird notchy steering or just that it's not s tight s you thought it would be. I think the lightness might never go away completely as this is beginning stages of the electric steering but it is encouraging to see the that with updates they can stiffen it up somewhat so maybe they can perfect it even more

[jg 4/c]

Are you saying you are actually still feeling the weird notchy steering or just that it's not s tight s you thought it would be. I think the lightness might never go away completely as this is beginning stages of the electric steering but it is encouraging to see the that with updates they can stiffen it up somewhat so maybe they can perfect it even more

Don't know yet about the notchy feeling. Only happens on start up in the morning. Will know tomorrow.
Hoped for much tighter steering. Still feels like too much boost. Fringe has me wondering if the real fix is rack replacement.
That may produce the greatest improvement over any software update.

It's gettiing harder to determine what creates the best overall improvement in steering. Is it pre update rack
replacement only, update rack replacement /disable DSR, or can things be improved post SW update with a
rack replacement and, or disable DSR? Frustrating.... If I had a Vag Com and knew how to use it, I'd try disable DSR....

[SwankPeRFection]

Does brittney work for Audi? I had to ask... lol

[brittney]

Does brittney work for Audi? I had to ask... lol

I do work for Audi as a service consultant.

[tomaszp72]

@brittney Now I only wish I had my car serviced at your dealership :):):):)

[thedollardoctor]

Does brittney work for Audi? I had to ask... lol

Kind of seems like it doesn't it?

[SwankPeRFection]

Kind of seems like it doesn't it?

Well, if she does and she's one of these people that look on the forums to see what concerns/problems people have and internally escalate them for Audi to resolve and implement to ALL clients in the field, more power to her. I actually like it if it was like that. Big companies probably need to work closer to the informed consumer community for the goods that they sell because we are the ones that will find/diagnose/fix issues for them before they even hear about it from the old lady with grandkids driving her A4 Avant 200 miles a year and never notices minuscule stuff. Ya know what I mean?

[Moose201]

I just spoke to my Service Mgr and he says the update was specifically for steering symptoms experienced in freezing temperatures.

[visualguy]

I just spoke to my Service Mgr and he says the update was specifically for steering symptoms experienced in freezing temperatures.

Then this doesn't sound like what people are talking about here which is experienced even in warm temperatures...

By the way, my car which was made in 8/2012 still doesn't exhibit any steering problems. Never fixed, replaced, or updated anything. I put close to 4K miles on it so far. Never drove it in freezing temperatures - maybe that's the reason it's ok!

[CharlieG]

Then this doesn't sound like what people are talking about here which is experienced even in warm temperatures...

By the way, my car which was made in 8/2012 still doesn't exhibit any steering problems. Never fixed, replaced, or updated anything. I put close to 4K miles on it so far. Never drove it in freezing temperatures - maybe that's the reason it's ok!

Mine was built 9/2012 and thus far has not exhibited anything more than a brief inconsistency in steering feel (4300 miles now). My car has experienced freezing temperatures though so that's not necessarily a factor here. I have not bothered to change any settings because I have yet to experience anything like what some people have reported here.

[brittney]

I just spoke to my Service Mgr and he says the update was specifically for steering symptoms experienced in freezing temperatures.

The issue isn't just in cold weather cliamtes, it is happening everywhere.

[Gromit]

The issue isn't just in cold weather cliamtes, it is happening everywhere.

Two things: First, kudos to brittney for not only monitoring these boards but speaking up and providing useful information. Also nice to see that you've done some mods to your S5.

Second, I have not experienced this issue, but I'm interested in ANYTHING that will give me tighter steering and more road feel. Based on that, what are opinions as to whether I should go in for the update? I know dollardoc will advise me to uncheck DSR and stay the hell away from a software update. But I'm curious what brittney and others think. I guess the best answer will be available once people report back on how their car feels after the software update.

I should add that I have only 2k miles on my '13 S4. Many work and personal things have severely limited my time and attention to my car.

[Moose201]

The issue isn't just in cold weather cliamtes, it is happening everywhere.

I agree, I'm just passing on what he said. Have you read the bulletin and does it somehow reference cold climates?

****Never mind, just got my answer in the other post.****