The DOs and DON'Ts of Audi Ownership!

Intro

There are dos and don’ts for everything in life. Do eat a balanced diet, and exercise. Don’t lay in bed and eat potato chips all day. (Although there's nothing wrong with a cheat day every once in a while.) Owning an Audi comes with its own set of recommended dos and don’ts. These are not hard and fast rules or requirements. You are not breaking any laws if you don’t follow these. But we think if you follow our list of dos and don’ts that it will enhance your Audi ownership experience. Owning an Audi is not cheap, so you may as well get your money’s worth. If you are a current Audi owner or are considering becoming one in the near future our list of dos and don’ts will help guide you to an enjoyable experience. For those Audi owning veterans out there, if you have other suggestions that you would like to share, we would love to see them.

5. Don’t – Ignore Scheduled Maintenance

The phrase “penny wise, pound foolish” comes to mind here. Sure, you could save a few bucks today by not getting your oil changed. But you may have to pay ten times the amount you saved on repairs down the road. An Audi is pricey to maintain. We understand that. And hopefully, you knew that before buying one. But keeping up with (or surpassing) Audi's recommended maintenance schedule is the best way to keep it running smoothly for many years. Because, if you think Audi maintenance is pricey, wait until you get the bill for Audi repairs. Do yourself a favor and keep up with maintenance.  

5. Do – Get Extended Warranty

As we mentioned previously, Audi repair bills are not for the faint of heart. And if you plan on keeping your Audi for many years an extended warranty is a good idea. Audi offers three different vehicle service protection plans: Powertrain, Gold, and Platinum. With these plans, you can extend the warranty on covered parts up to 10 years or 150,000 miles. The plans also offer roadside assistance, towing reimbursement, rental reimbursement, and more. As much as we love Audi, they don’t have a reputation for being the most reliable. So, if you are in it for the long haul, an extended warranty could save you substantial money.  

4. Don’t – Believe Audi Performance Makes You a Driving Expert

Audi makes some incredible performance cars. But don’t look at lap times in a magazine and assume you can match them. This is true even with base model Audis and the RS cars are far more capable than the average driver. We know that everyone thinks they are an above-average driver. But the harsh truth is that is simply not the case. Putting an inexperienced driver behind the wheel of a 600+ horsepower Audi can lead to some unfortunate situations.

4. Do – Take High Performance Driving Lessons

So, how do you rise above the ranks of the average driver? By taking high performance driving lessons. Not only is it fun, and safer than pushing a car hard on the street. But this will help you get more out of your car and get closer to realizing its full potential. And this training you will take with you to whatever car you ever drive. The only downside is that driving on a track becomes highly addictive, and it makes driving on the street relatively boring.

3. Don’t – Buy an Audi as an Investment

It is true that some Audi vehicles have increased in value quite a bit over the years. It is possible that it will continue to happen with additional models. But that is a lousy reason to buy an Audi or any car for that matter. That is especially true in the current market with values crashing for most vehicles. Also, keep in mind that investing in a car also comes with expenses such as storage, maintenance, insurance, etc. If the idea is to simply make money, there are many better investment options out there.

3. Do – Buy an Audi Because You Love It

Instead of buying for an investment, buy for love. If you love vehicles like the R8 or RS 6 Avant or even the e-tron GT, you should buy it. If it goes up in value while you own it, great. If the value craters while you own it, who cares? You are still driving a car you love. You won’t be afraid to put miles on it that will reduce its value. The value of an Audi, and most cars, is in the drive. The enjoyment from behind the wheel. Looking at it in your garage is nothing like going for a blast with some friends on your favorite backroad.

2. Don’t – Use an Automated Car Wash

This can be a tough one for city dwellers or for anyone that has to endure the colder winter months. But an automated car wash typically does two things. One, it cleans your car about as well as a 4-year-old kid that just chugged a Red Bull. In other words, poorly. Two, it can cause scratches, swirls, and other paint damage. If you can’t hand wash in your own driveway, use one of those car wash booths where you can pull in and wash your own car by hand. Don’t trust a machine to clean your beautiful Audi. You will be disappointed.

2. Do – Get Some Paint Protection Film

PPF is great for all cars, but if you plan to track your Audi or take it on a rally cross course, PPF is vital. There is also a protection film for the windshield that can save you from expensive glass repairs.  You will spend some money now, on these products. But these items will keep your Audi looking great for years to come. Modern PPF that is installed by an expert is nearly invisible but is surprisingly tough. We highly recommend you get at least the high impact areas of your car treated.

1. Don’t – Assume Quattro Solves Everything

Quattro or not, you don’t want to drive an Audi on summer tires through a snowstorm or across a flooded street. The Audi AWD system is iconic and probably the most identifiable aspect of the brand. But it is not a God mode. The laws of physics still apply. You need proper tires for the conditions. But even with proper tires, having AWD isn’t going to help you stop. Don’t let quattro make you think you and your car are invincible in all conditions. You still need to use common sense.

1. Do – Take Advantage of Quattro

Properly equip your Audi with appropriate tires, skid plates, and whatever else you may need to tackle the terrain and conditions you plan to drive on. And then go have a blast. Quattro adds weight, and complexity to the car. But the upside is that it can do some amazing things in challenging conditions. That is the fun of it. So, you may as well take advantage of it. You paid for quattro, now get out there and use it!

Images: Audi