Hello all. Let me first start by saying that one of the main reasons I purchased my A4 was for what I felt would be a superior winter driving experience here in Chicago. However, now that temperatures have dropped, I am questioning my decision. Since temperatures have been < 30 degrees, it has taken 5-10 minutes for the engine to warm up. It takes close to that time for the heater to start giving off warm air. And, what really began to tick me off yesterday (when the temperature guage read 2-9 degrees) was that the brakes squeaked LOUDLY until the car had warmed up. I have owned this 98.5 1.8TQMS for < 5 months and, except for a few rattles and vibrations that I have fixed, I have been very happy with the car. But I cannot believe the car could feel so...I don't know...*fragile* in the cold, especially when every Honda I have owned has never displayed these characteristics.<br> Is this something I should worry about with my particular car or is this common? Thanks.<p>--frank<br>98.5 A4 1.8TQMS All-Weather, Bose

Cars may offer features that make winter driving safer or more comfortable (quattro, heated mirrors, heated seats, etc), but I think the issues you raise are going to be the case in any car on the road.<p>At temperatures in the single digits, ANY car will take time to warm up! Imagine sitting outside all night long in sub-zero wind chill. It would be quite a technological advancement to have a car warm up in an instant. Personally, I like the feature where the heater doesn't blow air unitl it's warm enough. I'd rather just sit in the cold, than sit in the cold with cold air blowing at me as well. Plus the seat heaters set at 6 are awesome!<p>As for the sqeaky brakes, that is not necessarily a product of the cold weather. There are many Audis and other german cars with sqeaky brakes even in the warm weather. The sqeaking and brake dust are a result of the brake pads that german car makers choose to use. All of my family's 7 Audis have had squeaky brakes a t one point or another, and many friends with BMW, VW, and M-Bs have had them as well. Brake performance, however, has always been excellent!<p>Wait until you drive try the quattro in some heavy snow...you won't regret your decision to buy an Audi!!! <p>Maybe you should invest in a remote starter, if you really want to be warm when you get in the car.<p>Dave<br>'97 1.8TQMS<br>

I never claimed to expect a car to be warm immediately. I do NOT think it is too much to ask for an engine to be warmed up and the heater to be spitting out warm air before 5-10 minutes. As I had said, all the Hondas I've owned have done both in less than 5 minutes and even the american rental car slugs are around there (and most of their heaters are even quicker).<p>--frank

It would be a shame to hate a $25K+ car for $200 in mods. Also, the harder you drive it the quicker it warms up, heater and brakes. :-)))))) (Just let the oil warm up a little first)<p>I have found that Audis love to play in the winter, but prefer to sleep in the garage.<p>Todd W

Sorry to say so, but I think you have your priorities somewhat backwards.<br>Put some nice 5W-30 Mobile 1 in to protect your engine. Then turn on your seat heater! It takes your engine some time to warm up because it's cold! Let it warm up with easy driving. Take care of your A4 and it will take care of you. I am very warm in my seat long before my coolant temp gets to 12 o'clock.<br>Your seats have electric block heaters for your body, how about getting one for your poor engine?

The owners manual specifically says to put the climate control on 75 degrees and medium to max air and the car can most efficiently get the car warm.<p>Its under 'using the heater' in the manual.<p>I owned two hondas (acura) before this and I think the Audi heats up sufficiently and as quick as the Hondas. Be glad you arent driving american.

I own a 98.5 1.8TQS/Tip and this has not been my experience.<p>In fact, just this morning it was 19 deg. (F) and I had heat in less than 5 minutes, nor were my brakes sqealing. The engine was a little sluggish at first, but I keep my foot out of it when the engine is cold to keep the boost levels down (boost isn't the greatest for a cold engine).<p>One thing that I do which may make the difference is put the Tip in manual mode at first so I can let the engine wind it's way up to 3000 RPM before shifting (obviously people with manual transmissions can try this just as a matter of course). I don't give it much throttle, I just sort of let it gradually wind up there and then I shift. The road away from my home is 35 MPH and I leave it in 4th for the duration of this drive (1-2 minutes). When I hit the main road I put the gear selector in 4 (not D) and allow a bit more throttle, enough to cause the Tip to rev up to just over 4000 RPM before it shifts. Driving it this way I usually have heat within 30 seconds after hitting the main road. I've never timed it, but it's about 3 minutes, even quicker than the Saturn I used to drive, which always took at least 5 minutes to start giving heat.<p>Anyways, I hope this helps.<p>Paul

I noticed this morning (first really cold night) that it really does take the 1.8T a while to warm up... longer than my Corrado did with same size engine. The seat heaters however kick in like gangbusters sending a nice warm feeling through the bones. I'd say that if you've had cold weather experience with your A4 and this bothers you, get a block heater. I've only had my A4 for 500 miles so I haven't adjusted yet from the 7 years I've driven my Corrado.

Yesterday morning it was minus 11 F and this morning it was minus 4. My seat heaters kick in within a half mile of the house and the heater is starting to pump warm air within two miles. The engine is fully warmed up between 4 and 5 miles from home, although the oil temp is running much cooler than in the summer.<p>That's quick enough for me, but as someone said in another thread, thank god for seat heaters.<p>Andy 1.8TQm

I have lived many years in some serious winter conditions (more snowy than icy conditions, however). Past vehicles: subaru Wagon 4wd, Jeep CJ7, Honda Accord (hatchback), Isuzu Trooper, Saab 9000, VW Vanagon, Porsche 911 and now an A4/quattro.<p>the A4 ranks with the best in terms of 'drives most like normal in snowy conditions.' The Accord had studded snow tires, it was the next best. the subaru worked well too, but very little power. The trooper worked OK, but getting into 4WD was an inconvenience. and believe or not, the vanagon is a great snow car, if driven conservatively (is there any other way?)<p>the worst? well the 911 should be of no surprise. also the Jeep. the Jeep is good for blasting thru 18" of fresh snow, but it's outta control on ice and hard packed snow. CJ7 => "Get out of my way"<p>hint with the heater... turn on the defrost button which causes the blower to go full blast. (or just turn up the blower i guess, either way)<p><br>no squeeking brakes, it was between -2F and 15F the past few days up in Mammoth.<p>climate control is really cool, even if it does take a few minutes to warmup.

<br>Groomed was great, Top was variable hard pack, wind pack, break thru crust and spots of decent pow. Monday not a cloud in the sky, nor a breath<br>of wind. Tuesday was _chilly_ and mostly overcast.<br>Minimal crowds, parking not even down to chair 2. Screaming top to bottom GS runs. Bitchen, capital B.

Didn't you read the owners manual? It's for SUMMER USE ONLY! They don't have winter in Germany you know.

It got even better Wednesday. No clouds, no wind (!) 30-ish temps. Cars at Main Lodge parked only to "C" sign. Those screaming GS runs only got better, although I'm still not sure about this elliptical ski business.<p>I was in the Pearl '98 a4Q parked at "C" Mon thru Wed - which A4 were you? I saw a black one...

<br>Cactus Green 1.8TQ Tip Monday & Tuesday near the C stop.<p>How cool is that new panoramic gondola? forget about it.<p>Shaped skis can suck some of the fun factor on those high<br>speed top to bottom runs. Personally, I would ditch 'em.<p>Kinda like my complaint about the over powerful power steering<br>on the A4. But that I can't ditch.

I never let the car warm up. Just get in and drive and it will be blowing warm air within half a mile.