Audi Repair Dallas

Buying a certified pre-owned vehicle like an Audi is becoming more and more popular. Owning the latest model is not as important—status and new bells and whistles vs. overall quality? Quality is what consumers go for and that’s what Audi offers. It’s a trend that’s probably going to continue.

There are great luxury and economy vehicles from just a few years’ ago that are first class, and Audi consistently wins awards for its performance and style.  A luxury car like an Audi is great, and a CPO model means you get the best of both worlds—affordability and quality.

So what to do about a warranty for your new CPO Audi?  Is 100,000 miles/3 years a safe bet? A warranty is pretty much like insurance, and if a dealership is offering an Audi that is certified pre-owned, well that says a lot. Certified means the dealership is going to stand behind it—this car is a top-notch Audi. Insurance vs. warranty?  Most times it’s hard to decide, but essentially it’s the same product. Reading fine print and details will help with your decision.

There are extended warranties for some cars…not on Audis, but if you look at cost, and add into the mix coverage and mileage, the additional cost of an extended warranty wouldn’t seem to make sense on an Audi. Usually the warranty programs offer extended service contracts as part of the package when you buy a CPO. For instance, all repairs are tracked—and are tracked in the same way that repairs done under new-car warranties are. Just pay attention to the fine print and you’ll see that a CPO Audi can really be the way to go.

A recall has been issued for a number of 2012 Audi A6 vehicles. About 300 cars are affected. The safety issue has to do with the faulty stitching of seams in the airbags. This could Iead to the airbags not deploying correctly, or even at all. Audi said the affected vehicles were built from April 8 through May 26, 2011. And the supplier of the airbags tracked it to a manufacturing problem that occurred during a single production day. In January these 317 A6 Audis will be recalled.

One of the new trends in automotive technology is Apps—there are many new vehicle related Apps out there to enhance your driving experience, and to add convenience for the Audi driver. Audi has become a leader in this cutting edge technology.

These Apps work with smart phones—mostly Apple iPhones, but also Androids and certain Blackberry models. There are some great ones out already, with more to come. Some Apps work with older models, while some are specific to 2011 or 2012 vehicles as part of Audi’s renowned After Sales program.

Audi’s Roadside Assistance package is free of charge for 4 years on most new models. Apps that are part of this service offer breakdown coverage, so that when the Audi owner needs a jump-start, fuel, lockout service or tire repair, help can be sent quickly. They can use the App to get help whenever it’s needed—any day, and any time of day. This is a really valuable addition to Audi’s Roadside Assistance plan.

The smart phone’s GPS capability transmits information about the car’s location, and the App sends info about the owner of the car and the model to further help the service operator get information about the vehicle. The Audi Roadside Assistance App can also find the closest service center, and take photos or video of the car if it’s involved in an accident or is damaged.

One Audi app that is coming out soon is the iPhone CarMonitor. This one utilizes the OBD-II port to access real-time vehicle performance data and monitors important functions—one thing it does is analyze information about the engine RPM, which is helpful with Audi vehicles that don’t have an RPM gauge. It also monitors emissions information, including the amount of CO2 saved by adjusting driving performance. Additionally, CarMonitor logs trip data by using GPS technology. It can locate a stolen vehicle or find a car in a parking lot. It also can be used to share the vehicle’s info with AudiLabs.

Look forward to more Audi Apps to come as Audi continues to strive to be the best automaker in customer service for their luxury vehicles.

There is a new system in late models of some vehicles that is called “gasoline direct injection”, or GDI. In these systems, which are featured on some Audis, fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber at a very high pressure. The advantages of this technology means more fuel economy, power, and lower emissions. More power and less effect on the environment—it’s a win–win situation.

Audi is one of the car manufacturers that is leading the way with technical advantages such as GDI. This means that service technicians need to deal with the challenge of understanding Audi GDI systems–how to diagnose them when there’s a problem and how to service them in the best possible way.

Good training makes these things a part of any technician’s skill set. Audi technicians will be familiar with the way that this feature works, the tools required for servicing GDI systems, and the maintenance issues that will affect owners and customers.

Concerning the GDI system, the is a service issue that Audi owners and technicians need to be aware of–the increased need for intake cleaning that is caused by the deposit build-up in the intake tract. With no fuel to clean away deposits brought in by the exhaust gas recirculation system, deposits are building to large levels that can damage the vehicle in as few as 15,000 miles.

Maintenance and repair of GDI is a technical feature that Audi technicians need to be well-versed in, and the technicians are adept at it.

Two Audi models—The A7 and Q7—won 2012 Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year Awards. In this competition, the vehicles were rated in five distinct areas—fuel efficiency, design, engine power, and cargo capability. The ALV awards are unique in that they judge the vehicles in traditional categories, but also consider which of them have the features that suit the needs of sports enthusiasts.

In the “Luxury On-Road” category, the Audi A7 won the highest award.  Additionally, the Audi Q7 took the first prize in the “Family Vehicle” class. These are both high-performance vehicles that have innovative new features, making them stand out in their respective categories.

For instance, the A7 combines the best qualities of a sedan, a wagon, and a coupe. Among the Audi A7’s attributes are the Quattro all-wheel drive and an advanced driver assistance system that is state-of-the-art, offering information about traffic, weather, gas prices, and news. That combined with its multimedia and sound system make the A7 an exceptional high-tech and premium vehicle. It’s comfortable and luxurious, with a sporty feel to it. The A7 has an efficient Audi 3.0 TFSI V6 engine with direct fuel injection, giving it good fuel economy.

And then there’s the 2012 Audi Q7—the premier luxury SUV that Audi produces. The clean lines of the design, the handling, the sturdy but car-like feel, and the high-tech features highlight Audi’s attention to detail. The Q7 has the functionality, comfort and handling to make it a great family SUV for everyday driving. There are many packages and versions of the Q7 that add on even more features.

Both of these award-winning Audis are top of the line vehicles that make them stand out. It’s easy to see how they would be ranked highest in their class.