Hi,
I bought a 2008 A3 2.0TDI 5 door Sportback with 98K miles last October, driving the car home Friday night, the Emission Control System warning light came on and stays on, car drives the same, no noticible difference in performane etc, made it home no problem, looking at the manual, it advised driving the car for 15-20mins between 40-60KMH to burn off the filters, this made sense as I do a short run to work and home (10 mile round trip on B roads with stops/starts for traffic/lights etc) I did this on an A-road and had a 30 mile run (not pushing it at 60-70MPH) on the motorway but the light remains on? is it still safe to drive, I presumed it was ok to drive as owners manual basically advises you to take it on a good run !!!
The only thing I'd noticed on the car since getting it is a very slight judder when dropping to idle Neutral at traffic lights, it pulls of fine etc, so was planning to mention it at the next service due in May, but just wondering now if that could be related to the warning light? never driven an A3 before so didn't think it was a major problem.
So planning to take the car to a garage as most of the posts say you need the fault code, I'm concerned it could cost a packet at an Audi dealer, so would a non-dealer garage be able to diagnose the code? I have a 2 year RAC gold warranty I bought with the car (was planning to keep this car a few years as been after an A3 for years), but reading on the forums most people are saying they they try and wriggle out of covering you !!! but the manual does seem fairly comprehensive so I'm hoping i'm covered.
I also have AA Homestart breakdown cover through my bank, is it worth calling them out to see if they can diagnose the fault?
Can anyone recommend a garage in Manchester? Manchester Audi is the main dealer near me, they will probably charge me £100+ just to plug the fault code laptop in
Thanks for any advice.
I bought a 2008 A3 2.0TDI 5 door Sportback with 98K miles last October, driving the car home Friday night, the Emission Control System warning light came on and stays on, car drives the same, no noticible difference in performane etc, made it home no problem, looking at the manual, it advised driving the car for 15-20mins between 40-60KMH to burn off the filters, this made sense as I do a short run to work and home (10 mile round trip on B roads with stops/starts for traffic/lights etc) I did this on an A-road and had a 30 mile run (not pushing it at 60-70MPH) on the motorway but the light remains on? is it still safe to drive, I presumed it was ok to drive as owners manual basically advises you to take it on a good run !!!
The only thing I'd noticed on the car since getting it is a very slight judder when dropping to idle Neutral at traffic lights, it pulls of fine etc, so was planning to mention it at the next service due in May, but just wondering now if that could be related to the warning light? never driven an A3 before so didn't think it was a major problem.
So planning to take the car to a garage as most of the posts say you need the fault code, I'm concerned it could cost a packet at an Audi dealer, so would a non-dealer garage be able to diagnose the code? I have a 2 year RAC gold warranty I bought with the car (was planning to keep this car a few years as been after an A3 for years), but reading on the forums most people are saying they they try and wriggle out of covering you !!! but the manual does seem fairly comprehensive so I'm hoping i'm covered.
I also have AA Homestart breakdown cover through my bank, is it worth calling them out to see if they can diagnose the fault?
Can anyone recommend a garage in Manchester? Manchester Audi is the main dealer near me, they will probably charge me £100+ just to plug the fault code laptop in
Thanks for any advice.