Weather "Options"
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1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2
Weather "Options"
Hey all, got some questions on "weatherizing" (for NYC) my car.
It's a 2003 A4 Q, 6-spd manual, ~45k miles. I bought it used in '06.
First, tires. I'm looking to replace the summer Dunlops the dealer put on with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus all-seasons. I spoke with a tire guy at Costco, and he said replacing the summers with a/s could alter the "feel" of the car. Anything to that? He also said not to use one for the full-size spare because these are directional (right/left bias on the tread). Any recommendations for a spare? I've been driving without one for a while and have this sort of anxiety about rough roads and want to get that replaced at the same time.
Second, wipers. Is there a replacement arm that would let me use regular (i.e., store-bought) blades (particularly the rain-x latitudes [or some other if those suck]). Or, regular blades that fit the stock arms?
Third, battery. I start up fine in the cold but i have to sit with the check-engine and battery lights on, and rough idle for a few minutes. The lights turn off when the idle settles down. i'm assuming one of the computers loses its memory and is recalibrating? I get the battery light even in just slightly cold weather also. I mentioned this to the Audi dealer at my last service and he said the battery's putting out its full voltage, and didn't need replacing. Any advice here?
And last, the seat warmers. I get a burning-wire smell every now and then when they're on. Dangerous? Anything I can/should do?
It's a 2003 A4 Q, 6-spd manual, ~45k miles. I bought it used in '06.
First, tires. I'm looking to replace the summer Dunlops the dealer put on with a set of Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus all-seasons. I spoke with a tire guy at Costco, and he said replacing the summers with a/s could alter the "feel" of the car. Anything to that? He also said not to use one for the full-size spare because these are directional (right/left bias on the tread). Any recommendations for a spare? I've been driving without one for a while and have this sort of anxiety about rough roads and want to get that replaced at the same time.
Second, wipers. Is there a replacement arm that would let me use regular (i.e., store-bought) blades (particularly the rain-x latitudes [or some other if those suck]). Or, regular blades that fit the stock arms?
Third, battery. I start up fine in the cold but i have to sit with the check-engine and battery lights on, and rough idle for a few minutes. The lights turn off when the idle settles down. i'm assuming one of the computers loses its memory and is recalibrating? I get the battery light even in just slightly cold weather also. I mentioned this to the Audi dealer at my last service and he said the battery's putting out its full voltage, and didn't need replacing. Any advice here?
And last, the seat warmers. I get a burning-wire smell every now and then when they're on. Dangerous? Anything I can/should do?
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 137
If you're getting a burning smell when you use your seat heaters, you ought to stop and find out whats burning...mine don't make any odor at all. Find the problem and fix it, you're running a risk that you could burn your car.
Pick pretty much any non-directional tire you can get that will fit the spare wheel. You don't need to put anything fancy on there...just something that'll hold air and will fit properly.
There is a difference between summer tires and all seasons. You're not going to compromise your safety or anything like that, but if you tend to drive your car hard you're probably going to be alot happier with new summer tires and if you drive in the winter, get a set of snow tires on cheap wheels.
If the battery tests fine, its fine. Not much question there. Your description though sounds like you have another problem. Could just be a low cold idle speed and maybe the idiot lights are just on because the car's not sure if its running or not, but you may have a deeper issue.
Pick pretty much any non-directional tire you can get that will fit the spare wheel. You don't need to put anything fancy on there...just something that'll hold air and will fit properly.
There is a difference between summer tires and all seasons. You're not going to compromise your safety or anything like that, but if you tend to drive your car hard you're probably going to be alot happier with new summer tires and if you drive in the winter, get a set of snow tires on cheap wheels.
If the battery tests fine, its fine. Not much question there. Your description though sounds like you have another problem. Could just be a low cold idle speed and maybe the idiot lights are just on because the car's not sure if its running or not, but you may have a deeper issue.
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,738
From: Holland MI
I'll open myself up to abuse my stating I've been very happy with the Pirelli P6 FourSeasons and they are a great winter tire. I stayed with them for three sets because I have a full size spare which I have used a couple times. If money was no object I would seriously consider Blizzacks for the winter and swap back to my Continentals on the RS4 rims as soon as snow was off the ground.
Take your car into an Autozone or equivalent and have the battery and alternator tested. They usually do it for free (at least out here, in the Midwest).
Take your car into an Autozone or equivalent and have the battery and alternator tested. They usually do it for free (at least out here, in the Midwest).