Audi maintenance, tips, etc.

Windshield wipers / washers

I had a 2002 A8L and I remember the sensor in the washer tank went bad. The dealership wanted to blame it on the windshield washer fluid used. So with my "new" 2014, I decided to only use the fluid recommended in the manual. It is part number G 052 164 M2 washer solvent with anti freeze. Cool, but looks like it has some alcohol in it. Makes sense since the manual references solvent so the nozzles don't plug up. Great, but wait, you cannot get it in California any more, and I had to order from another dealership out of state. It's getting scarce, and be careful, the first place I went wanted $60 shipping because of "hazmat". Bought mine from Audi of Alexandria.

Oil

Get a dipstick 79-115-607-C I got mine from AudiUSAParts.com

The oil measuring system in the car is great, but it only works with the car in motion, and gets a reading every 50 km, and it can fail. Add the dipstick, there is a plastic plug where the dipstick goes, it pulls right out.

Radiator / Coolant

4E0 121 176 silicate cartridge, used in many VAG cars.

Leather Care

General

Find out what type of leather it is, sealed or not.

Looking for right stuff for perforated leather... Sonax foam recommended.

look into chemical guys

 Polish Angel Bellaclean to clean and condition, Charisma to condition.

 Zaino Z9 and Z10

 

Determining Leather type

does it have nap like suede or cloth of a pool table?

Yes nap

Nubuck or Suede leather

The softest and most expensive of all the leathers

Nubuck will have a ‘nap’ on the surface that feels like a billiard table

The nap will change the shade of the leather if you run your hand across in different directions

Nubuck is created from Full Grain leather that has been buffed on the surface to open up the fibres, this make is very soft but also very absorbent

Nubuck should be protected very regularly with Waterstop protector and cleaned with a Nubuck Brush and Nubuck Cloths

DO NOT attempt to wet clean Nubuck with any type of wet cleaning system including foam cleaners as these will not work

For technical problems such as stains or body oils please seek professional advice

Nubuck should not be mistaken for Alcantara which is a fabric created to look and feel like Nubuck

 

No nap, continue, does scratching with fingernail leave a mark?

 

yes fingernail leaves mark

does it absorb water easily?

yes fingernail leaves mark, absorbs water easily

ANILINE or PULL UP Leather

Easily absorbs stains and spillages so should always be protected annually with Aniline LeatherGuard and regularly cleaned with Aniline Cleaner

Spillages - remove as soon as possible and clean the whole panel

Body oils or grease build up - use Leather Degreaser

 

Body Oils on leather

Mould, odours or bodily fluid stains - use Em Clean

Ink Removal – generally speaking ink cannot be removed from these types of leather - DO NOT use ink removing products – take further advice

 

yes fingernail leaves mark, no water not absorbed easily

SEMI ANILINE Leather (Micropigment)

For further information see our Leather A-Z

A Full Grain Leather with a finish of clear coat or a fine layer of pigment to make the leather more serviceable

The surface will be natural and smooth – natural scars may be visible

This type of leather may absorb spillages after a short time which will leave the area darker

Body oils or grease build up - use Leather Degreaser

The leather may be slightly absorbent but not as absorbent as an Aniline Style leather

The leather will feel soft and warm to the touch

Semi Aniline leather should be protected with Aniline Leather Guard and cleaned on a regular basis with Aniline Cleaner

Semi Aniline Leather can fade over time

Faded Colour – if your leather is absorbent you can use Aniline Dyes to restore colour loss

For less absorbent leather use Leather Recolour

Ink – it is best to take professional advice on the removal of ink as it will depend on the finish on the leather for the method used (link to Contact us)

Grease – due to the absorbent nature of the leather body and head oils can be absorbed on the contact areas – use Leather Degreaser to remove

 

no nap, fingernail does not leave mark easily

does it absorb water easily?

 

no nap, fingernail does not leave mark easily, absorbs water easily

SEMI ANILINE Leather (Micropigment)

 
A Full Grain Leather with a finish of clear coat or a fine layer of pigment to make the leather more serviceable

The surface will be natural and smooth – natural scars may be visible

This type of leather may absorb spillages after a short time which will leave the area darker

Body oils or grease build up - use Leather Degreaser

The leather may be slightly absorbent but not as absorbent as an Aniline Style leather

The leather will feel soft and warm to the touch

Semi Aniline leather should be protected with Aniline Leather Guard and cleaned on a regular basis with Aniline Cleaner

Semi Aniline Leather can fade over time

Faded Colour – if your leather is absorbent you can use Aniline Dyes to restore colour loss

For less absorbent leather use Leather Recolour

Ink – it is best to take professional advice on the removal of ink as it will depend on the finish on the leather for the method used (link to Contact us)

Grease – due to the absorbent nature of the leather body and head oils can be absorbed on the contact areas – use Leather Degreaser to remove

 

no nap, fingernail does not leave mark easily, does not absorb water easily 

Pigment Coated or Protected Leather

Used on furniture leather and on most car interiors

How to test:
To see if you have a pigment coated or protected leather put a drop of water on the surface and see whether it soaks into the leather or stays on the surface
If the water stays on the surface you have this type of leather
Leather that has a pigment coated surface with a clear coat finish

Protect from new with Ultra Leather Protect
Regularly clean with Lazy Leather particularly on the contact areas of the furniture
Deep Clean with Ultra Leather Shampoo or have professionally cleaned once a year
Products containing oils or waxes (including conditioners) should be avoided on this type of leather
Ink – this will always be easier to remove if the leather has been protected – use Ink Remover as soon as possible (for further information see Removing Ink from Leather)

Urine and Bacteria – Use Em Clean
Dye transfer – this is very common on pale coloured pigment coated leather that has not been protected – for easy removal use Jean & Dye Transfer Remover Kit and once resolved protect with Ultra Leather Protect

Other types of leather in this range include Two Tone and Antique Leathers which are treated in the same way, however care should be taken in the cleaning process as the top coatings are not always as stable as on single colour pigments

 

 

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