My A4 wouldn't start a few days ago, called Audi guaranteed mobility and had the car towed to the dealer. And the car was towed with the rear wheels on the ground! It's a quattro 5-speed manual. The dealer said absolutely no problem since it is a manual, but would it damage the Torsen centre differential?<p>It was -25C out there so overheating the transmission wouldn't be a concern, but how about the centre differential? I know it is a mechanical device, and it is designed to take some small speed difference, but 50km/h or more between the front and rear wheels? Still OK? I am just a bit paranoid and skeptical about the dealer's words.<p>Still haven't got the car back and didn't know why the car wouldn't start.<p>Wong from North<br>98 A4 1.8TqMS<br>

nt<br>

Check your manual, and then show it to the dealer. This is a problem for quattros. It may survive, but the manufacturer states not to do it.<p>FWD Audis do not have this towing restriction.<br>

I know they have some customer service problems, but they are the ones who called the tow company. You might want to call them and ask questions about towing a Quattro with the rear tires on the ground, before you tell them what happened. See if you can get them to admit what problems might arise, then have them nip them in the bud. You have definite rights here, don't let Audi, the dealer, or the towing company dismiss this.

It may depend on what state you live in, but I know in Michigan all Tow companies have an insurance fund for this reason. All you have to do is file a case against the tow company using what Drew said. It's clear negligence on the part of the tow company. You wont have to go to court, they will pay you right out of the fund. It's less work then it seems...<p>good luck<br>Jason C

They purposefully organize theri operations in small, semi-independent units with few assets. They learned this trick from taxi companies so they have no money for claimants to go after.<p>Sorry, but AoA has deeper pockets, so if you need to make a claim go to them and say their agent (i.e., the towing co) messed up.<p>But you still have warranty, yes?<br>

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AoA should have been very explicit when they called the towing company and they should have demanded a flatbed truck. If AoA called the towing company and didn't request a flatbed, then the towing company did what it was asked to do: provide a tow truck to move a car.<p>By the way, did you know that there is a hook on the front end of the A4 for towing it onto a flatbed? The trick is that is it hidden behind the lower passenger-side grill, which must be removed to expose the hook. This info is in the manual and I found it one day by accident. I went to my car and pulled off the grill to see what they are talking about so that I'm prepared if I ever get towed. I recommend this practice for any A4 owner. The towing company won't know about removing the grill to expose the hook.<br>

I don't know whom to blame, but somebody has got to look after this. The operator on Audi mobility asked me what drivetrian it is and I said "quattro all-wheel-drive". Then the towing company didn't come with a flatbed. Either the towing company was clueless or the operator guy didn't tell the towing company. But then the tow truck driver should've seen the "quattro" badge.<p>BTW I know about the towing hook.<p>Wong from North<br>

My speculation is either one or more of the following:<p>1) too cold outside, god it was -25C<br>2) the engine oil could've frozen up<br>3) bad tank of gas<br>4) clogged up injectors (unlikely as my car is only 11 months old)<br>5) fouled spark plugs<p>The engine was flooded when the tow truck guy attempted to start it so #4 is unlikely. Still waiting for the word from the dealer.<p>Wong from North

Even though I believe you should go after AoA, the tow company should also have noticed. Was your car in gear when they got to it? I was towed once, and the tow truck drive slim jimed his way into the car to take it out of gear, before he cranked it onto the flatbed! I was pissed that it was that easy to take my car, from right outside my apartment, but I was happy they did it that way instead of draging it!<br>

AoA is not to blame, legally. They don't have to instruct the tow company on how to do their job. It's the tow company's legal responsibility to know how a car is to be towed, especially if it's printed in the manual. The tow company is essentially providing the service, if they don't know how to do it, then they are responsible. <p>Also, I order for the tow company to be licensed. They must first establish insurance with the state. Along with insurance to provide towing services they must also pay dues to a state fund set up for this purpose.<p>Go after the tow company. AoA is not responsible.<p>Good luck<br>Jason C

I meant to say, in order for the tow company to be licensed they must first...<p>sometimes I go too fast...

Tell you definitely need to know how much damage my occurred. If they say no damaged occurred, then ask them how much life was removed from the center differential. Why should you pay out of warranty for a failed differential later in life?<p>You are probably talking a few thousand dollars for the differential and it was the tower's fault. He's long gone (no responsibility) at the $'s time.....

Audi Quattro's, as well as Subaru's AWD state that they should only be towed by flatbed trucks, or by putting the rear wheels on rollers. Subaru does provide an emergency system whereas you can disable the rear transaxle by putting a fuse in the fusebox under the hood. No such shutoff on Audi's though.