(Part 3) Top products from r/Audi

The EGR system is just a bunch of hoses. Look at the diagram on this page and check those hoses for brittleness, leaks, or cracks. Also check the check valves. Over time they can look like they are almost melting? It's hard to explain, but if you know what they are you'll know what I'm talking about when you see it. There's also an "L" shaped plastic hose that comes out of the crankcase. Check it. It has a tendency to explode. Not a big deal if it does, you just lost HP and MPG til it's fixed. Oh and you leak oil.

Look at this preventative maintenance guide that a guy on the Audi forums posted. Read through each of them to learn about the car and check for them while inspecting.

If you are into DIY stuff, check the [Audi DIY] (http://www.audidiy.com/b6a4.html) site. If you can't find it, google it. There's probably a writeup somewhere.

LPTs:

• If you drive with a heavy foot you'll get around 18 MPG. Drive nicely and you can get 25 or so.
  
  
• Never put anything less than 91 octane fuel in it. If you absolutely must, go into the store and buy octane booster.
  
  
• Always use synthetic oil, and make sure you buy the larger filter. WIX makes a decent one for a good price. Also make sure you use the right type of oil. I used Royal Purple for a year until I got some pretty bad sludge. Yeah it's not on the list. Oils on the list have addatives that mitigate engine sludging.
  
  
• Buy yourself some lithium grease and use it on your door hinges and sunroof each time you change your oil. The doors get squeaky and the sunroof can get choppy.
  
  
• The turbo on the 1.8t is too small. It takes longer to cool down so if you drive like a maniac and turn it off it's going to cook your oil into sludge. Drive nicely once you're close to your destination and give the car 30 seconds to cool down. Or buy a turbo timer.
  
  
• Buy a seat cover. If the seat isn't ripped yet it will be.
  
  This car will cost you more money than you want in repairs and maintenance. If you like to DIY it's not too bad. I saved 700 dollars doing my own timing belt+water pump+ tensioners. I still spent 500 between tools and parts but the DIY made it cheaper.
  
  That's all I can remember from my first post. If I remember anything else I'll add it in a new comment.

Get a socket and wrench set What I got

Get torx bits What I got

I got the Haynes Audi A4 book but everyone suggests the Bentley manual, I don't know which is better, I just know that the Haynes helps a bit and is ~100USD less expensive

Jack and Jack stands

35mm or 36mm socket for the oil filter. WIG

That ought to get you through a good chunk of work. Cost me ~200USD for that. Although I did get other things for the car like;

Triple square bits What I got

1/2in breaker bar

Sockets for the 1/2in breaker bar

Security bit set What I got ,Used it to replace a few sensors

Yeah, that's it. The extras ran me ~90usd more

Check out /r/AutoDetailing and specifically their wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/autodetailing/wiki/recommended

I've never had a car worth spending time to detail and keep clean, so I too am a novice. Washed, clayed, waxed my car two weeks ago. Took me ~5 hours to do it all with a friend while we also BS'ed around but it was fun and exhausting at the same time lol.

I bought the Meguiars complete car care https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012ZEZ8A/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

two 5-gallon buckets from Home Depot http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-5-gal-Homer-Bucket-05GLHD2/100087613

and 2 grit guards https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JINPJD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think that's a great beginners set. Anyone who has other recommendations can chime in

Awesome.. thanks for that info, much appreciated. I may try the grille swap myself using this guide.. I have done stuff like this on my old accord and altima but heard its trickier on these cars.

But thanks for the guide, I am going to look it over when I get out of work.

They sell these handles you can put over the plastidip can to give it a more even coating and helps the back and forth motion as well as your finger from pressing on the spray tip.

https://www.amazon.com/Can-Gun1-2012-Premium-Aerosol-Spray/dp/B002EQEE82/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1466530359&sr=8-6&keywords=plastidip

Works really well and can use it for other spray bottles too.

Def keep me updated with pics and thanks again!

You can get whiter bulbs, but whatever you do DON'T be that guy and get blue bulbs. Not only are they blinding, it makes your car look trashy in my opinion because the majority of the time it's a rusted out corolla or beat up ranger that has them.

I can't say these in particular are any good, but just look for something that says white bulbs.

edit: The reviews on Sylvania silverstars seem pretty good

This won't really fix the problem, but it sure will help make the smell a lot better

http://www.amazon.com/einszett-961105-Klima-Cleaner-Professional-Conditioner/dp/B0002Z2MKO

It comes with a really long tube with a nozzle on the end that you fish down the vents and spray it along the whole path

>My baby car seat base unit slides a little bit.

I bought one of these to protect the leather on my A4. This way I don't get hung up on damaging the leather, and I can get the car seat base straps really tight. It's crazy what you have to do to really get them to not slide around. I ended up sort of kneeling on mine and applying a lot of my body weight as a I pulled the straps tight. Even after that, a family member who works for child protective services checked it and said it wasn't tight enough :P. My advice would be get something like the protective mat I have, and go to town getting your seat base in there as tightly as you can. Then check it a few days later and tighten again if you can.

Glad you're digging the car, the A4 is super nice!

This seems like the best bet..Unfortunately I can't find the Klima cleaner on Amazon anymore.. it says "Currently unavailable.
We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

I guess this is the same thing:
Lubegard 96030 Kool-It Evaporator and Heater Foam Cleaner

We actually bought a 13 pin and 7 blade housing and did it ourselves because nobody makes a harness like that.

docooler Tirol 13-Pin Trailer Plug 13-Pole Connector 12V Towbar Towing Caravan Truck Plug N Type Trailer End Plastic https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S97S56C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_S-juzb7EFQ4D8

Hopkins 47185 Multi-Tow Adapter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002Q80GS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_MakuzbBPYZNTN

We didn't use the 4 pin on the second link. Just cut it off. Assuming you haven't already wired up the brake controller, you need to tap into the red and black wire for the brake pedal and recommend a posi tap for that.

Good luck!

Hey guys, I finally got a RS grill. I think it turned out awesome. I also painted my brake calipers and installed a headlight reflector overlay too. http://tjl2503.imgur.com/all/

In case you're interested I got my grill from this guy. I did some research and couldn't find it anywhere else at this price. A friend of mine got his at ECS tuning and it feels like the same material. http://www.ebay.com/itm/190900974331?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It took me about 2 hours to install. I painted the crash bar with plastidip and I bought this to install my front plate. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00032K4VA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. New wheels next.

Nextzett Kristall Klar:

https://www.amazon.com/nextzett-92100815-Kristall-Washer-Fluid/dp/B001NZFCRW/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=kristall+klar&qid=1572501099&s=automotive&sr=1-1

It's arguably the best windshield wiper fluid on the market. I did a lot of research before buying it. It cleans really well and it can make 10-12 gallons worth of washer fluid. Mix with distilled water. If you live in a cold climate you can mix with antifreeze.

This will not gum up and block your nozzles or coat your reservoir like some other fluid does.

i use never dull. they sell it at any autoparts store. it works great.

http://www.amazon.com/Eagle-One-1035605-Nevr-Dull-Wadding/dp/B000CNBI1A/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1464995628&sr=8-3&keywords=never+dull

I recently went through this on my B6 1.8t; ended up buying and installing this downstream sensor: http://amzn.com/B000BZG8ZU

I believe it is the OEM sensor, just without the Audi-specific plug, so you need to re-use your existing cable (splicing stuff is included). Some people don't like this, but I haven't had any issues with mine so far. I figured, for $40 it's worth the risk. That being said, I think Amazon has the complete OEM sensor for around $80.

Before I replaced it, I was getting a CEL, P0420. As far as I know, the upstream O2 sensor is used for engine performance/tuning by the ECU (wide-band) and the downstream (which I replaced) is to ensure the cat is performing correctly.

I did not have to lift the car up. I did remove the air box, though. It took me about an hour iirc. If you took it somewhere, it would probably cost a few hundred dollars.

You probably will never need XZN for your car unless you need to remove the seats. That uses an XZN 10.

I really like this set for Torx

VIM Tools HCT1050 10-Piece Half-Cut Torx Driver Set https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VUM6BU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_AABTybDZ4RPRA

If you buy that and the Neiko set you linked to you'll have all the Torx you need. The small half cut ones are nice for hard to access fasteners and they grip the edges better as they half cut design goes deeper into the fastener so you're less likely to round out rusted bolts.

I located this on Amazon: NGK (6458) PFR6Q Laser Platinum Spark Plug, Pack of 1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0019I57XC/ref=cm_sw_r_other_awd_zsG9wbXFJDVX3

This is it then? Amazon's compatibility thing agrees with my car. It's also much cheaper than the $66 dollar OEM option plus $15 for shipping from ECS.

This happened in mine too until I changed the brake pads and used this where the pads contact the caliper.

I installed this for my Escort 9500i:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006074LT8/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00.
Now, the 30$ might seem steep for a simple cable, but it will install right into your auto dim mirror.
The other alternative might be the the direct wire kit and route it down to your fuse panel.
http://www.amazon.com/Escort-79-001059-01-Direct-Wire-Cord/dp/B0003NN83U/ref=acc_glance_auto_ai_ps_t_3

200 bucks what an incredible ripoff. just use this https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-5685-4-Inch-3-Jaw-Puller/dp/B000NPPB1K/ref=sr_1_4?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1494639647&sr=1-4&keywords=gear%2Bpuller&th=1

This is the one I used to replace my "primary" one.

Back to black may work -> https://www.amazon.com/Mothers-06108-Back-Black-Trim/product-reviews/B0002U1TXK