joeq10

back to peak performance?
I drive a 2003 A6 2.7T (w/85,000 miles. bought it used about a year agao (56,000 miles) and really love it when it drives well. For some reason I seem to get spotty performance ffrom the turbos and just the overall drive of the car is never consistant. I use Premium unleaded in 3 out of 4 tankfuls. I did notice the coolant tank is very low (below the min line). Owner's mannual says to only use G12 coolant additive (I've been to f stores and no one has it, do I need to go the Audi dealer?)
My last car was a BMW 338 and I did love the feel of the drive. This audi is amazing, but I'm giving the edge to BMW unless I can figure out how to get my A6 to run more consistantly.
Thanks to anyone for their advice and thoughts.
Joe

quickaudi:STFA

use premium ONLY!!!! don't ever use anything else - 91 octane is the minimum that you should use in this car!!!

G12 can be ordered online from places like PureMS or Vast.

Have you hooked your car up to a VAGCOM to check the codes? Do you have a boost leak? Have you done a timing belt change yet? Did you do anything that I told you to in my last response?

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

No good deed goes unpunished.....

JoeyVee

HAve you given it a decent tune up? I notice mine drives a little different depending on weather. humidity and such. But I know I need plugs. and gonna change the fuel filter as well.

joeq10

Thanks for the tips. I try to keep the gas to "premium", but unfortunately, money has recently and become a much bigger issue for the family. This is actually why I'm looking for inexpensive ways to optimize my car and hopefully ward off future avoidable repairs due to lack of upkeep.
Just yesterday, I filled the coolant (w/G12) to the max line (it was below the min line for some reason). I also topped off the power steering fluid and added a bottle of fuel cleaner to the gas tank. I checked the air filter and I think it looks a bit dirty. from what I've been reading, a dirty air filter can have a major impact on the overall drive of the car (which makes sence). Question: the only brand filter I've heard of is "Fram". Is this a good quality filter? Are there others you might reccomend?
Finnally, I guess a tune up is probably necessary ((85,000 miles). Would you recommend I go to a dealer for the tune up given the turbo engine?
Thanks again for the great advise.

quickaudi:STFA

run premium only - if you run anything else, you are at risk for knock, etc. in the engine, and then it WILL BE EXPENSIVE!!!

Stock air filter from Mann or whoever is fine. Not even sure Fram makes one for our car.

Do not go to a dealer for a tune up. It's just spark plugs and air filter and oil change. Maybe coolant change. You might want to check your system for pressure leaks and change your bypass valves and consider a complete timing belt job.

joeq10

Thanks.

quickaudi:STFA

for short answers, just use the subject line. it's cleaner that way

joeq10

Will do