Only the dealer can reset the indicator on 96 and 97 unless you obtain the very expensive software.<br>Check the link for more info.<ul><li><a href="http://www.pinkpank.net/a4org/980208/messages/857.shtml">reset info</a></li></ul>

I'm very excited...tomorrow I'm going to pick up my brand new Audi A4 from my dealer. He called me today to tell me it's off the truck and they've prepped it...so that I may pick it up Saturday. But one small problem...I ordered it with the Trip Computer and Audi forgot to put it in during assembly (I can hardly believe this) so as you can imagine I'm pretty pissed off right now. Anyhow the dealer says I don't have to take the car...he'd be more than happy to order me another...but the wait will be approx 3 months...considering that I've already waited 4 months for this one would bring my total to 7 months...this I can hardly bear (considering I'm driving an 88 Ford Festiva my parents handed down to me) to wait anymore.<p>Basically I'm asking how much (Honestly) functionality am I really forgoing by not having the Trip Computer. Will I still have a way to tell if my coolant is too high...or my oil pressure is too high...ect. Do you guys think this is a show stopper??? The got everything else right...i.e. they got the Sport Steering and the Sunroof...the color and interior right...but damned if they didn't forget to install the Trip Computer.<p>I think the dealer may be willing to sport me the CD changer for free in order to balance the scales...do you think this is a good compromise...the CD changer is $325 plus like $50 for the bracket...they will adjust out the 250 value of the trip computer...so basically I will be getting my CD changer for free??? I still feel like I'm getting screwed...but at the same time I'm soo excited by the prospect of getting my new car.<p>Does anyone know if the car could be retrofitted after the fact to include the trip computer...I assume the wiring harnesses are all there...so all I would need is the module and a new turn signal stick...right???<p>I look forward to all of your comments...I will be going to the dealer tomorrow around 11 am

I would say that I use it mainly for trips...Not meant to be sarcastic. But, if you do a lot of around town driving, you probably will not miss it much. The MPG readouts are interesting, but I mainly use the distance to empty. I really like it, but, I am not sure if I would wait again for a reorder due to it's absence.<p>I would suggest two options. <p>A) Have the dealer do a search for the exact car you ordered among those that are stateside and not "sold" or among those, really close to stateside, like in the shipping status or in port status. You may be able to find the exact car and the dealer should have it shipped to them at no charge to you.<p>B) Have them install the CD Changer for ABSOLUTELY No Charge. This is not your screwup, I would also demand a trunk mat, or winter mats, or something, too. If they just "back off" the $250 charge and then charge you for the price of the CD Changer, that IS NOT a deal (think about it). They should "compensate" you for their error. If they do not want to do that, then I would demand a double or triple credit on the option cost which was missing (2-3 x $250 for $500-750) That is fair compensation. You do not have to tell them that you don't really care about the Trip Computer. I would say that you should instantly become really attached to the Trip Computer and say, " I really wanted that Trip Computer, I was really looking forward to that, that's why I didn't get the Mercedes. But, now, AFTER WAITING 3 MONTHS, I am certain I want an Audi and I suppose I'll have to settle for YOUR error and go Tripless. This situation is COMPLETELY UNFAIR and, in my mind, negligent that I would have to wait 3 more months. BTW, I would still rate your dealership excellent on the post purchase Audi Survey if you accomodate my request."<p>Just some thoughts,<p>Kirk<br>

James, The A4 is amongst the best cars out there for instramentation. Yea it doesn't have a turbo pressure gauge (that I wish it had. Barring this drawback, unless you gotta know how many miles you can go before your dead on the side of the road out of gas or exactly what kind of mpg your getting over a certain length trip FORGET IT. The gauges are comprehensive and if you love your car as much as I do - You'll check the oil every thousand miles or two - NO WORRIES. My car so far is bullet proof. It uses less than 1/2 a quart every 3 thousand miles and I haven't had to touch anything else since owning it. You'll love the CD player and it will probably provide far more enjoyment than the damn trip computer will ever have. Trust me (I waited 5 months for mine) Take the car you'll have no regrets and a smile on your face every time you take to the road. If you got the 1.8 I'd STRONGLY suggest chipping it once it's broken in (the smiles will only grow bigger). Best of luck hope this helps some in your decission..

Don P's homepage has the whole thing diagrammed <A HREF=http://www.fortunecity.com/silverstone/chicane/175/info/display/tripdisp.htm><B>here</B></A>.<p>1. Prior to starting up, the whole thing either says "Press clutch to start engine" or "Depress brake pedal to move out of park" depending on auto or manual transmission.<p>2. When you start up, the trip computer has a big "OK" on a yellow background, and then it goes into its "normal mode" (with radio status/station -OR- minor warning on top, temp in the middle, real-time (300 feet?) MPG/long-term MPG/miles to empty/average speed/and drive timer on big bottom, and auto transmission gear info below if Tiptronic). See the page referenced above for more info.<p>3. I have the trip computer, and would have gotten sport seats instead if I had done it over again. You still get outside temp and all the warnings (as backlight lights) just not as animated and fancy. It becomes a novelty after awhile, but an easy way for a dealer and Audi to make some cash...<p>-josh<br>98.5 2.8qms+Wett+trip+leather+Bose+winterpack+195/65QR15 Blizzaks...

I have had several cars with trip computer. The computer function I depend on is "Distance to Empty". When I'm on the highway, I drive until either the fuel tank is nearly empty or my bladder to nearly full. The bladder is easy to guage, but the nearly empty fuel tank depends on the computer. The other functions are just toys.

I'd just like to take a little time to thank all of you for your speedy responses. I guess this group is one of the many perks of owning a fine auto like the A4...you get to hang out and talk with some genuinely quality people. I especially like to thank KIRK for his suggestions...you have a devious mind my man...I may use your script verbatim, I wonder if the dealer will notice my cue cards :) <p>Just FYI I called another dealer and explained my situation...but I did not mention my dealer to avoid any bias...for all he knew I was talking about his dealership..as this man was in the parts dept. He used to be a sales associate what he told me was basically it would be impossible for Audi to screw up on my car..as it would have never made it out of final inspection. Therefore someone at my dealership must have neglected to enter my Trip Computer into the computer. He said raise hell and get my CD player for free...I think I'm going to do that.<p>Thanks again for all the good advice.<br>

I feel like I need to swim against the current a bit :-)<p>I have an aftermarket radio, so I don't get the radio info display. Thus I would also not take the CD changer because I'd throw it away, anyway. My trip shows "miles till empty" at all times, because unlike others, on my long trips, I found it very helpful. Other than that, it's just avg mpg on a gas tank. So you see, I could live without.<p>The reason why I got it was the check control system that comes along. Yes you do get battery and oil warnings without it, but no light bulb warnings and most importantly, hydraulics. You see, in our old A100, once I was driving down an alpine pass and I heard a "beep, beep, beep" with a brake symbol (we get symbols in Europe). If I didn't get that warning, I may have looked quite surprised in the next turn without brakes.<p>I find all the other suggestions good: the only advantage of a new order (other than the trip computer) would be that you get a 99.5 with the new interior, most importantly new cupholder. *I* am patient and anal, but most people on this group are not (patient :-))<p>The one thing you won't be able to do w/o trip is my heated mirror fix as described on the FAQ - w/o trip, my fix kills the temperature (and gear if tip) gagues. But then, you are getting a new car and probably aren't thinking about fixing it right away, eh? :-)<p>The CD is financially a fair trade.<br>Enjoy,<br>- Stan

The trip computer just may come in useful someday in helping determine if your car has a problem. How? If you pay attention to the instantaneous mpg readout, you will eventually learn what it should say at certain speeds, for example centering around 30 mpg at a constant 60 mph. If someday you feel your A4 isn't acting quite right in the power department, you may be able to get more evidence of a real problem if the mpg readout in the same conditions says, say 22 mpg. Of course, mpg varies with the wind, A/C on or off, and lots of other things, but you can eventually learn the effects of these things too. You can even run your own tests on things like the effect of opening the windows versus having A/C on. You'll be able to see first hand what slower warmups in cold weather do to gas mileage, and just how bad/good it is at various times. You can see the effect of a "jack-rabbit" start on your gas consumption (even if you don't change habits, it can be interesting).<p>For those that care about the long-term performance/condition of their car and tend to keep careful records of gasoline consumption, the trip computer can help show you what is going on with the instantaneous and avg. mpg readouts.<p>If you feel like it, you can even play games with the avg. mpg readout. Such as, can you get home from work without the readout falling below a certain figure. (And you don't have to drive slower to do it, just smarter).<p>And if you don't understand any of the above (or what others have posted, if anything, about used for the trip computer), or still don't see any utility, then it's not for you - save your money for something else. For sure, it's not a necessary part of the car.

<br>nt

every time they see the windshield washer fluid low symbol come on, they are using it!!!<p>I don't have the trip computer, and so i check my washer fluid every morning!! (winter in TO)<p>plus knowing status of lights (blown or not) i find a good safety feature.<p><br>So its not necessary, but a nice convience. Remember that u can get an after market CD that will fit the Concert for about $280, but u cannot add the trip computer after the fact!!<br>1996 a4 2.8 qm<br>

It works better than the NY Times, except when those pesky two-headed alien children of Elvis shine their tractor beams on the winshield. :-)

The non-paper towels work great. They last a long time and do not disintegrate. In combination with their glass cleaner, I haven't found anything that works faster or better. At $19.95 a box they are expensive, though. I can't help but think that there's another (cheaper) source for these. The cleaner goes a long way too.

The towels work particularly well on the dash, where I use to always have to deal with leaving paper bits or lint from the towel or rag.