I'm a little nervous about picking my car up in Seattle and driving it home while not being too familiar with it and possibly breaking in the engine incorrectly. Any suggestions or basic procedures that I should be aware of as a novice A4 driver?? I've never had a car with a remote locking system either is that difficult to operate?

and your salesman should give you a complete walk-through on all the car's features and functions. YOU WILL LOVE THIS CAR!

99.5 1.8Tqms Volcano

Find (if you can) a route that doesn't have too much traffic, and just try to keep the rpm's between 2500-3500, vary the speed occasionally, and ENJOY the ride!

I just did LA to San Diego and back on Saturday, my year-old 2.8 quattro just loves the road. I could have stayed home, but am always looking for excuses to DRIVE!! Best of luck with your new car, you will love it!

Regards,

Dave

Which route/way you heading?

Route Tips:
North:I-5 no earlier than 6:30 pm
South:I-5 no earlier than 7 pm
East:take SR-20 or SR-2 over the mountains, then down to I-90 the drive is worth it!

Cruise around town getting used to the car. That way you can enjoy it more while you are doing serious drivng.

Take it up to and through the mountains whenever possible! This car lives for the mountains. Mileage is about 25-35% better than my average (25% city/ 75% freeway)
Wash and wax weekly. It is worth it to keep this car clean, and you won't get the chance to in the winter!
Drive this car on the gravel somewhere! (The UW is repaving the roads on campus- I used the cones they set up for salom test on a slippery surface) Get the feel for the 4WD.

Most important - ENJOY!

Please.....
Drive it and enjoy it. If you have enough sense to use your computer, then a keyless entry system is not that much of a challenge....

I made a point to follow the manuals directions to keep it in the suggested ranges and I changed the speed frequently by exiting the interstate frequently and re-entering the highway. I was careful not to rev to high on the entrance ramps. It made for a longer trip home but it was still enjoyable. Be patient during the break-in. It will be over before you know it. Congrats on your new car!

parkerpt
99.5 1.8T qms

I drove my 99.5 1.8T QMS from Philly to Pittsburgh and back. The key was to vary the RPMs. I would drive from 60 to 80mph using 4th and 5th gears always making sure that I did not get near 4000rpm. I was humming along at 80 in 5th with 3800 RPMs.

I used cruise control but not for more than twenty minutes in a stretch. At that time, I would either go faster or slower depending on where I was driving and road conditions.

When you make a stop, be sure to let the car idle for a few minutes (2) before you kill the engine. It is nicer on the turbo.

It was a great ride. You are gonna love this car.

dy

They literally ask what they need to do to ensure that you say that their service was excellent and your experience was beyond pleasant.

I have heard (and experienced) nothing but wonderful service from them. Hey, they service mostly BMW's, Mercedes, Porsches, and Jag owners. Not just any nice car owners, but the snobby east-side car owners. These people comprise 2/3 of the northwest millionaires. If the service is made to satisfy them, it will do for you and me! (Well, at least me - I'm not too picky)

Bottom line - plan ahead and get your car serviced their. It is very much worth it!

Oh-yeah! I'm sure you are probably home right now-or on your way home- and I was just wondering where you live? Which direction you took to get home. Anything scenic?

Yes, about 400 under invoice through Carorder.com and their driving me their-can't wait for it to be trucked! I think their 99.5 A4 prices have gone up to normal invoice, where as before- prices were at early 99 invoice.

I live in the Tri-Cities on the eastern side of the state - I'll be getting service at Overturf Volkswagen and Audi here in Kennewick. they should be fine. I liked how they performed on my VWs. Carorder.com only deals through university Audi that's why I have travel there - Carorder is actually trying to set up a town car to pick me up otherwise I'm looking at a 5 day wait to have it trucked over. I will travel through the mountains on my way home. Probably over I90-.

I live in Kennewick, enjoy your new A4, but be sure to specify with Overturf that you need a loan car if you want one or they will not have one available. Read my brake story above.

If you want to chat, email me. I would like to get together with those "westside" A4 guys in the Seattle club a little more often, perhaps we can push them for an Eastern Washington meeting...

Kirk
brakeless A4

...with you on delivery. You can use that time to familiarize yourself somewhat with the car.

On the drive home avoid using the cruise control and vary your engine speed, even if it means you have to shift between 4th and 5th gear. Also, use some of the revs. Probably don't want to go over 5K RPM, but don't lug the engine at 1K either. I'd drive it between 2K and 5K myself, but I would not use aggressive acceleration to get to the 5K. Make it a steady and gentle climb. Downshift before the car starts losing speed, if you have to downshift for a hill. Lugging is very bad! Finally, watch out for whackos and wildlife! :-)

Don't ever, under any circumstance, use University for service or bodywork (hopefully you won't need that!). I'll save my breathe, but I could tell you some horror stories from having my 90Q serviced and repaired there. It's a very scary place. I heard that the only good tech there is now working for Barrier in Bellevue.

Have a safe and exhilirating drive home! :-)

Charles

I, too, drove about 280 miles home. First part was interstate and the rest Great Smokey Mountain Expressway. What a wonderful way to learn your new car!!! Read the manual, but just be sane more than anything else. Don't lock in the cruise control for the whole ride and don't overwork your tach needle.

As the others have said, you will love the ride!

Gary
99.5 A4 Avant 2.8QM