Audi Maintenance During and After Covid

July 28, 2021

Pre & Post COVID Audi Maintenance

What You’ll Learn

As you read this article about maintaining an Audi during and after Covid, you’ll learn:

• Sometimes your vehicle needs extra maintenance when you’re driving it a lot, but it’s also important to get maintenance if your vehicle has been sitting around.
• Since Audi vehicles have premium parts, it’s important to find parts and maintenance that match the original quality from the manufacturer.
• Find a specialty car repair shop to get the best Audi maintenance in Denver.

Covid-19 Audi Maintenance

As people started working from home because of Covid-19, many let their cars sit unused in the garage for an unusually long time. On the other hand, some people used their time social distancing to go on road trips and explore the great outdoors, racking up a lot of miles in the process. No matter which of these scenarios describes your last year, your vehicle is probably ready for a tune-up and some preventative maintenance to make sure it’s ready for the road ahead.

If you’ve been driving a lot, your vehicle is experiencing more wear and tear, so it only makes sense that it would require more maintenance. The thing that’s much more surprising to some people is that your car can actually develop problems if you go too long without using it. It’s best to take the car out for a drive periodically to avoid problems like the following:

• The brakes could rust. If you go for an especially long time without using your vehicle, the brakes may start to rust. If you notice a squeaking or grinding noise when you apply your brakes, get them checked out right away to make sure your vehicle is safe.
• The tires can go flat. When the temperature changes, so does the air pressure in your tires. Since the weather can change so dramatically here in Denver, from cold and snowy to hot and sunny, your tires need attention throughout the year. Letting your car sit for too long can let the tires get deflated, or worse, they could become warped or develop bubbles that lead to a blowout.
• The battery might die. Your battery recharges as you drive around, so letting your car sit in the garage for weeks or months at a time will eventually cause the battery to run out.
• The fuel pump might break down. Most fuel goes bad in a matter of months, which means you’ll have big problems if you let it sit in your vehicle too long. You might have to have a mechanic remove the old gas for you if the problem gets really out of hand.
• Your car can get damaged by its environment. This is especially true if you park your car outside and let bird droppings sit on the paint for too long. Street parking in Denver also means exposure to salt and moisture. Some animals might even get into your garage and damage the car.

Most Important Maintenance Checks

Even if you’ve still been using your vehicle regularly, it’s important to keep up with your regular maintenance checks. Audis are impressive machines, and they deserve to be cared for with strict attention to quality and detail. As you prepare your vehicle for this summer and beyond, a multi-point inspection might be the best thing for it. This will cover tire pressure, tire condition, oil levels, coolant levels, and an inspection for leaks. Familiarize yourself with the following common types of Audi maintenance, so you know what to expect.

• Oil Changes – Audi normally recommends oil changes at 10,000-mile intervals, but most owners find it’s better to get one every 7,500 or 5,000 miles depending on the specific model and engine. Taking extra care of the vehicle in this way will help you get more performance out of it and will help keep your car healthy for many years. If you have a sporty vehicle and drive it accordingly, frequent oil changes will help keep everything in good working order.
• Air and Cabin Filters – Audi recommends getting new air and cabin filters every 20,000 miles as a general rule, though other factors are at play. Geography, season, climate, and your driving habits all affect how quickly your air and cabin filters need to be replaced. If you take your vehicle in for regular maintenance, you’ll start to get a better feel for your own personal schedule.
• Fuel Filters – Diesel fuel filters in Audi vehicles only need to be replaced roughly every 40,000 miles, and it’s even less than that for gas models. Still, expect to do a few fuel filter changes throughout the life of your vehicle. This helps protect your fuel pump from debris.
• Brake Fluid – The brake fluid should be flushed and exchanged roughly every three years or 30,000 miles. High-performance driving may accelerate this timeline slightly. In either case, regular brake checkups should cover this, and you’ll know you need service when your brake starts to feel soft.
• Spark Plugs – This depends on the engine, so check for your specific schedule.
• Coolant or Antifreeze – This should be flushed and replaced every 40,000 miles, or any time a coolant system part (like the radiator, thermostat, hoses, or heater core) is replaced. If you let too much debris accumulate in your cooling system, you could be looking at serious damage.
• Timing Belts – This is only required after about 80,000 or 90,000 miles in most cases. Expect to get a new one once or twice throughout the life of your car, since Audis usually last for such a long time.
• Transmission Service – This is another one of those things that depend on the specific vehicle you own, even across different Audis. You can learn about your specific service schedule by consulting the owner’s manual, looking online, or contacting a mechanic specializing in Audi repairs. If you don’t keep up with the transmission service and keep your fluids at the correct levels, it may lead to extensive damage and expensive repairs.
• Tire Rotations – Extend the life of your tires by getting them rotated when you bring your vehicle in for other types of service. Also, keep an eye on your tire pressure levels and the tread level on your tires.

What Can Be DIY and What Needs an Expert?

Small jobs like putting air in the tires are definitely easy enough to do by yourself, but the rest of the list above can be challenging. For most drivers, the best thing to do is take your Audi to a professional mechanic. The last thing you want to do is cause damage to your imported vehicle by trying to save a little bit of money on service costs.

Audi Maintenance Near Denver

Here at Paddock Imports, we specialize in the service and repair of imported vehicles like Audi. We know what it takes to keep these cars performing at their best, and our maintenance services are intended to prolong the life of your vehicle while saving you money in the long run. Call us to schedule your extensive repairs or just a tune-up.

Featured Image: Shutter2u/Getty Images