Any remedy for the myriad light-catching specks that cover the windshield? Are Audis more prone to this phenomenon, or do we just put them in harm's way more often than other drivers?

I've never owned a windshield (car) that didn't get these. I assume that you are refering to pits from sand and small rocks you don't even hear, mostly. These catch the sunlight at certain angles. My A4 winshield doesn't seem any worse than other cars in this respect. Pits like this are too deep to polish out. The only real solution, other than not driving the car, is to replace the windshield when they get too bad after many years (and you won't feel so bad about an eventual replacement due to a crack or rock breakage). They are actually more conspicuous when the car is newer and the glass is otherwise perfectly clear. They become more "part of the glass" or "just the way it is" on an older car. Winter driving, if sand and gravel is used on the roads, is especially bad for creating these tiny sandblasting pits.

Thanks for the comments. Something about I-95 in Connecticut, and people who barrel across the median swale seeking the HOV lane on other highways, makes me want to stick to the back roads.

...the losers that drive where all the dirt and crap is, just to get in front of everyone and save a couple seconds? Does wonders to the front of your car! :-(<p>Charles<br>

On other auto newsgroups I've seen, people have recommended Bon-Ami cleanser. I don't know why they pick this one by name, perhaps it has a mild formula or something?<p>If regular window cleaner isn't working, then sometimes vinegar will. If these windshield pits are filling with little bits of whatever (non-acidic particles) vinegar will usually help remove them. I'd try wetting a cloth with vinegar and then rubbing the windshield with it. Don't pour the vinegar on the window, it will just make a mess. Good luck. YMMV.<br>

I also noticed a lot of these windshield pits on my car, only a few months old. I think the problem is much worse than on my previous cars. In fact I plan to mention it to the dealer at the next service, although I already know what the answer will be . . .