My 2002 A4 quattro is my daily driver so it lives outside. This morning it was really cold out, 10 degrees with a wind chill of -15.

When I got in it, she started right up. I let it warm up for about 4 minutes, hopped in and put it in reverse. When I started to back up it felt like the emergency brake was on. I looked down and it was not on. I backed ther rest of the way down the driveway and it felt like there was alot of drag on the car. When I let off the gas the car would slow down and stop like the brakes were on. I drove arounf the neighborhood and it slowly "loosend" up. After about 5 minutes of putting around the hood everything seemed normal...

Is this normal???

Peace
Willfulone

 

my car did the exact same thing, E-Break stuck and froze basically.

 

where do u live? i never had that happen yet, but my car is garaged

 

That used to happen on my mazda. I wouln't worry too terribly much unless it becomes serious. By the way, you really shouln't warm your car up. It's hard on the engine internals.

 

Ok, just so you guys/gals don't get confused about what Jester is saying..he means that it is not recommended to let your car idle to warm it up. It is a great idea to warm up your car, it is hard on your ride if you only drive short distances not allowing the car to reach optimal temperature..but the key is driving it..not just sitting in it (or the house for that matter) while it warms up.

I personally take it easy on my car until the needle starts to rise. I keep my shifts under 3k RPMs and I keep my foot light on the gas.

Question: I'm wondering if there is any difference in cooldown procedures between summer and winter. I know when its hot you want the engine to run abit in either an idle or a gentle manner. Should I be doing something else during the winter?

-T

 

So is it bad that my car warms up for about 5- 10 minutes before I drive it then take my 30 minute jog home? I have always heard the opposite to let it warm up and the go not just to start and go. Especially when we are nearing single and sub digits on the F meter.

 

It states this so in your manual. Let the car idle for around 30 seconds or so. Then begin driving, but keep the engine under 3k rpms. Letting the engine sit cold and idling is hard on the internals as oil may not get where it needs to go etc.

 

I dont have an audi yet but my car doesnt state this. If you start the car the only thing i can see when its cold is to go drive slow like lower rpms is heat the oil up quicker to get the pressure up quicker. But my car idles pretty high when cold outside anyways......thats interesting info tho.

 

Yes, i hear that it is also bad to run your car. I guess it leaves the oil stationary, and thats not a good thing. You should turn on your car and let it run for a minute or so, and when you drive keep RPMs under 3.

 

agreed. do not let the car sit idle.