Audi A5 engine question ?

replied on 04/02/2019 13:16

Posted on 04/02/2019 13:16

I've recently bought an A5 convertible instead of an E class convertible that I was previously asking about in another thread, now I did some research prior and it appeared to be a good tow car but obviously not overly practical but since enquiring about having a tow bar fitted it appears that I need to make changes to the cooling system of the car (obviously at great expense) such as upgraded fans, belts and some module too, clearly we are gutted as I have a lovely car which I've wanted for a while but anyone ever heard of anything like this before ? it is also the same with certain Skoda models too.

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25 replies

Phishing replied on 08/02/2019 22:31

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Phishing

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Posted on 06/02/2019 09:43 by cyberyacht

Both the MH(Pug) and OH's i20 have gauges as did, from memory, my old Kuga. Are they really that rare?

Posted on 08/02/2019 22:31

Yes, very rare for a number of reasons.

1. They are a throwback to the 50's, modern cars do not overheat.

2. Customers would return cars to dealers for no reason when the gauge had a slight variation, they became known as 'worry gauges'.

3. Step 1 was to have them read cold or straight up for hot (this makes the dash look symmetrical) but as a gauge they were pretty useless.

4. They are a cost that is not needed.

5. Modern engine management is very clever and measures the temperature in many places on the engine and gearbox, it adjusts if it thinks things are getting too hot.

So all in all they really are not needed, on cars with digital dash etc it is available as selectable graphic but that's really just to give the driver more options to play with, after all they paid £700 extra for the TFT dashboard, it has do something!

EmilysDad replied on 09/02/2019 10:50

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EmilysDad

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Posted on 08/02/2019 22:31 by Phishing

Yes, very rare for a number of reasons.

1. They are a throwback to the 50's, modern cars do not overheat.

2. Customers would return cars to dealers for no reason when the gauge had a slight variation, they became known as 'worry gauges'.

3. Step 1 was to have them read cold or straight up for hot (this makes the dash look symmetrical) but as a gauge they were pretty useless.

4. They are a cost that is not needed.

5. Modern engine management is very clever and measures the temperature in many places on the engine and gearbox, it adjusts if it thinks things are getting too hot.

So all in all they really are not needed, on cars with digital dash etc it is available as selectable graphic but that's really just to give the driver more options to play with, after all they paid £700 extra for the TFT dashboard, it has do something!

Posted on 09/02/2019 10:50

But my Smart 'underheated' due to a sticky thermostat which was diagnosed via its engine temperature gauge. And if an engine did over heat, it's too late when clouds of steam emerge from under the bonnet ..... Just ask Ecotec engined Focus owners.

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lornalou1 replied on 09/02/2019 11:00

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Posted on 08/02/2019 22:31 by Phishing

Yes, very rare for a number of reasons.

1. They are a throwback to the 50's, modern cars do not overheat.

2. Customers would return cars to dealers for no reason when the gauge had a slight variation, they became known as 'worry gauges'.

3. Step 1 was to have them read cold or straight up for hot (this makes the dash look symmetrical) but as a gauge they were pretty useless.

4. They are a cost that is not needed.

5. Modern engine management is very clever and measures the temperature in many places on the engine and gearbox, it adjusts if it thinks things are getting too hot.

So all in all they really are not needed, on cars with digital dash etc it is available as selectable graphic but that's really just to give the driver more options to play with, after all they paid £700 extra for the TFT dashboard, it has do something!

Posted on 09/02/2019 11:00

so you would ignore the TPMS then as " really not needed".

Rufs replied on 09/02/2019 16:45

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Rufs

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Posted on 08/02/2019 22:31 by Phishing

Yes, very rare for a number of reasons.

1. They are a throwback to the 50's, modern cars do not overheat.

2. Customers would return cars to dealers for no reason when the gauge had a slight variation, they became known as 'worry gauges'.

3. Step 1 was to have them read cold or straight up for hot (this makes the dash look symmetrical) but as a gauge they were pretty useless.

4. They are a cost that is not needed.

5. Modern engine management is very clever and measures the temperature in many places on the engine and gearbox, it adjusts if it thinks things are getting too hot.

So all in all they really are not needed, on cars with digital dash etc it is available as selectable graphic but that's really just to give the driver more options to play with, after all they paid £700 extra for the TFT dashboard, it has do something!

Posted on 09/02/2019 16:45

my 2013 Sorento must be very old fashioned then as it has a very large engine temp guage on the dash, and am i glad it has, last year driving up to Zaragoza Spain, i was a little bit ambitious when i set cruise control. Half way up the climb to almost 3000 ft i noticed the needle had risen considerably, not a major problem, slowing down quickly rectified the problem, but what if i had not had a big visible guage.

Metheven replied on 10/02/2019 10:09

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Metheven

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Posted on 10/02/2019 10:09

but what if i had not had a big visible guage.

That works for you 👍 but I have a choice on what is displayed on the TFT screen behind the wheel. In place of the temperature gauge I have road sign/speed recognition by camera, knowing that if something is wrong with the cooling system I will be alerted by an icon, audible and readable message alert.

Unfortunately some German (and other marques) cars are let down with the cooling system regarding the towing of leisure vehicles.

replied on 11/02/2019 20:54

Posted on 11/02/2019 20:54

Hi Les it is an automatic but has full Audi service history so I’ll like to think everything is up to scratch with it, with regards to your car maybe you didn’t need an upgrade to the cooling system, apparently some old A4’s needed it and a certain batch of Q7’s did too, we do holiday abroad with the van a lot but as it happens this year we have 2 flying holidays booked so this year we’ll be tied to this country but that’ll give me chance to monitor the situation in cooler climes.

As I’ve mentioned before the caravan is relatively light compared to the car and at 177 bhp it should pull it ok but it’s something to be wary of if buying certain German cars including certain Skoda models.

lornalou1 replied on 11/02/2019 22:04

lornalou1

Caravanner

Posted on 11/02/2019 22:04

I believe some Tourags may need extra cooling also.

MHG replied on 12/02/2019 09:27

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MHG

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Posted on 12/02/2019 09:27

We brought our A4 new and i don't recall Audi making any changes to the cooling system - even with the "towing pack" we had them fit. Been towing to the south of France every year in the hot summer months for the past 4 years no problem at all.

lornalou1 replied on 12/02/2019 12:00

lornalou1

Caravanner

Posted on 12/02/2019 09:27 by MHG

We brought our A4 new and i don't recall Audi making any changes to the cooling system - even with the "towing pack" we had them fit. Been towing to the south of France every year in the hot summer months for the past 4 years no problem at all.

Posted on 12/02/2019 12:00

As you bought it new and requested the towing pack then the cooling would have been done at factory and you wouldn't see or know the difference. it usually means a bigger fan and oil cooler which unless you knew the original size you wouldn't have a clue what the difference is/was. I wouldn't.

replied on 12/02/2019 12:11

Posted on 12/02/2019 09:27 by MHG

We brought our A4 new and i don't recall Audi making any changes to the cooling system - even with the "towing pack" we had them fit. Been towing to the south of France every year in the hot summer months for the past 4 years no problem at all.

Posted on 12/02/2019 12:11

Depends on the year, they did change them all to the upgraded system at one point or another, Audi wouldn’t even fit a tow bar if the cooling system wasn’t up to it .

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