I've had only two unfortunate opportunities to really jam on the brakes since owning this car (about 9 months). Both times the car went into limp mode. The second time happened yesterday. Both times it really scared the crap out of me, making me think that I killed the tranny. Fortunately, restarting the engine cured it in both instances.

I've also been noticing that the car will clunk or jerk when I am on a steep decline, turning, and hit a speed bump (sounds like a rare happening... but just about every day in my parking garage). I'm not sure if it's related to the tranny or just a quirk of the quatro system.

Also, I've posted the problem I've heard others mention about the "whine" on cold starts.

The previous owner had the tranny fluid changed last year, but I have no way of verifying if they also changed the filter. I suspect that the filter is getting clogged up, explaining the whining noise. Have any of you had the "jerking" on decline turns, limp mode after hard braking, and cold start whines? If so, did the problem cease after changing the tranny fluid and filter?

Feedback appreciated.

Low tranny fluid could cause all of the problems you describe. If you haven't done a tranny fluid and filter change, now would be an opportune time to do so.

I have the same issue with my car. I had the fluid changed in Jan or Feb and will change again in the next month or so. I am hoping it's the low fluid senario.

You are not the only one with this issue. Thank God I figured out a pattern. It's really hard braking and inclines that cause limp mode. I pull to the side, restart, and I am good to go. Some days it will be fine and others I get cab drivers and maniacs pulling in front of me.....and limp mode.

His 98 would go into limp home mode on inclines....two fluid and filter changes fixed it....

This is what we found on the first change

<img src="http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/auto_transmission/tranfilchange16.JPG">

Glen, if you car is whinning, get the fluid and filter changed. And if it's going into limp home mode, pull the codes so we can see what is going on.

the service fixed everything

Even worse than the A6 at the first change:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/1018/a6_service_015.jpg">

in that pic of Paul's old fluid. Maybe that's why our tranny's fail, there's ghosts in them thar tranny's...and I still don't think these tranny fluid changes ( done by a shop or Audi ) are completely "filling" to the proper levels and following the correct procedures ( which they never had until Paul wrote them ).