It’s no secret that new Audi cars are both high-tech and stylish. Between a suite of driver assistance features and plenty of small, quality-of-life improvements (ventilated seats, anyone?), there are plenty of moving parts that make the Audi experience so uniquely luxurious. To that end, it’s a good idea to keep your Audi current with any maintenance it might need in order to maximize the performance that you get out of its sophisticated engineering.
If you’ve been keeping on top of your visits to the dealership service center, this list will feel like a review to you. Otherwise, you might want to schedule an appointment …
Audi Maintenance That You Should Do Regularly
Start Simple: Headlights
Okay, you might as well start with headlights and other lights too. You don’t need to schedule regular inspections to make sure that all of your lights are working properly, but it helps to keep an eye out for any LEDs or bulbs that need attention. After driving through heavy weather (or extreme temperatures), it’s a good idea to park your car, turn on the lights, and get out for a full inspection–or count on doing it every two months or so otherwise.
Don’t Forget Coolant and Oil Levels.
It’s a good idea to check both your oil and coolant levels every month or so. In the event that you have a road trip planned, go ahead and check them before you leave. Wait until your car is cool, pop the hood, and make sure that both are in line with the number in your Audi owner’s manual. If either are running low, it’s a good idea to refresh them ASAP.
Air Filters Are Pretty Important. It’s in the Name.
Your owner’s manual will give you an exact number, but you should generally count on replacing your air filter approximately every 13,000 miles. Driving in harsher, dustier, or dirtier conditions will speed up the rate at which these filters clog up--meaning that it doesn’t hurt to lean on the safe side if you’ve been doing any desert road trips.
Tires, Just Tires
Few things make car owners shudder as much as the thought of tire issues, and there are plenty of valid reasons why. After all, your tires are the part of your car that actually touches the road, so there’s plenty of opportunities for them to wear down–and pick up debris! Check the tread bar on your tires every month or so, and take your car into the dealership if you start to notice anything unusual. Beyond that, you should plan on rotating your tires every 7,500 miles or so. Of course, if you experience any tire issues, you should get those taken care of immediately.
Long-Term Audi Maintenance
Never Skimp on Brakes.
This one should be obvious but you always want to make sure that your brakes are 100% functional. Getting behind the wheel of a car that can’t start is frustrating; while getting behind the wheel of a car that can’t stop is a whole different level of terrifying. You’ll want to check every part of your brake system once per year, or 12,000 miles–whichever comes first.
Cabin Air Filters: The Other Air Filters
This can be an easy mix-up to make, but your Audi’s cabin air filters are separate from the filters that keep debris out of your engine. You’ll want to replace the cabin air filters every year, something that you can easily do by doing it at the same time you have your brakes examined. Otherwise, the fact that it’s a yearly thing means that you could easily make it a tradition for a lesser-observed holiday, like Arbor Day.
Remember to Replace ALL Your Fluids
Both your automatic transmission fluid AND brake fluid need to be replaced every two years. Your dealership will often be able to bundle these services together too, meaning that you can save some time by taking advantage of your new Audi’s warranty.
Finally: Batteries
Your car’s battery can be a bit of a special case because plenty of different factors can accelerate the rate at which it wears down. Repeated exposure to extreme temperatures–both hot and cold–can sap your battery and wear down the integrity of its connectors. Start thinking about a replacement when your battery is 3 years old. At the very least, bring it to your Audi dealership’s service center for testing. After a battery turns three, you should start either testing it every few months or just consider replacing it entirely. Once it starts to show signs of decay, get a new one before a dead battery has a chance to cause any problems.
Of course, there can be plenty of maintenance that goes beyond the routine. Driving around New Jersey can mean handling some pretty unique road conditions, and these can wear on a car over time. To that end, you want to make sure that your new Audi is being maintained by certified technicians who are exclusively using OEM parts.
Bell Audi in Edison, New Jersey
Bell Audi is the premier Audi Service Center for Edison, New Jersey for a reason. Our bay of expert Audi technicians have everything needed to get your car on the road–and keep it there! Schedule service with us today to see we’re the #1 place to take your Audi for maintenance.
