Hello Fellows,<p>On a recent trip to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada on December 30th, I experienced some temperatures in the -20 to -30 degrees Celcius (-4 to -22 degrees Fahrenheit)range. On the drive into Ottawa the temperature dropped from -4 to -23 but the interior was able to maintain a comfortable 20 degrees without drafts or cold spots.<p>The next morning, I started the car up after it spent the night on the street at temperatures as low as -30 degrees. After a bit of turning over, it started up with a few shakes and went into a rough idle. I attempted to put into gear and the shifter was so stiff that I could barely move it!! The weirdest thing was the radio LEDs when I switched stations, they would sort of change incrementally to the new digits.<p>The vehicle was really stiff over bumps and creaked like it never had done before. It has sinced returned to its previous (thawed) state.<p>I was wondering if anyone else has experience these conditions with their A4 (Wong from North?) and how their car behaved.<p>John<br>98.5 A4 2.8 QMS

Heard the same creeks and pops you spoke of. Seems like the whole body makes noise when it's this cold. ( -5 low, to about +10 high for today)<p>What was really strange was when I got to my destination, after about an 1.5hrs at 75-80mph, the brake pedal felt VERY stiff. After a few pumps it returned to normal. Whew! <p>Otherwise, car drove, rode, sounded fine.<p>MikeP<br>99 1.8TQSTip Wett

(nt)

This morning in Chicago was the exact same. Creaks, rattles, groans and stiffness until it warmed up, then everything was great. Quattro always works though!

i had a prior post with the same problems u outline.<p>I think that the fluid in the dampers becomes thicker (more viscous?) this gives u a stiffer ride. Also tires are stiffer.<p>I was in the bayshore area, and carton. How come the difference in temp?<p><br>1996 a4 2.8 qm

I went to Banff/Jasper over Christmas and it was -30C there most of the time during the day and possibly colder at night. I did not experience any problems in My 99 Avant 1.8T. It always started up without a hitch and the engine was as smooth as always.

I live in Ottawa and don't experience what you describe. This morning my temp guage was reading -29.5 C but I don't really think it was that cold. Maybe the cold weather package that we get up here makes some difference (don't really think so)? My car starts and runs smoothly even when cold.<p>

Posted elsewhere about the warning light for coolant comming on indicating overheating ( you wish) or low coolant. Other than that which is an apparant gremlin, car started fine with 5W30 Mobil 1 . Some stiffness in shocks. I strongly advise a gentle warm up prior to any normal driving to get trans/diff/ps pump & other fluids warmer. Now I have to get Audi to figure out the gremlin! Another owner relates same problem so hopefully we can advise others with fix.<br>Chattering cold.<br>Skimants 98.5/2.8Qspt-tip

hey,<p>thats not funny. this a.m. west of chicago it was -25°. just before getting to work my brakes became extremley hard to push. i almost had to stand on the pedal. called the dealer. he said yea that can happen. wait 10 minutes and try again. well he was correct. they worked again. today i feel lucky.<p>carl

Do Canadian built cars have an engine block heater standard?