Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[browna]

Best shop in town for Audi S series front brake pad replacement? Just to maintain factory spec, nothing extra.

Euroworks? Sheni? Rigel? German Automotive?

[PepsiFree]

Unless I’m missing something, couldn’t literally any shop do brake pads in an Audi?

[btimbit]

I've probably said this 100 times over the years, but hell, here's 101

God damn you Chevy and your stupid side post batteries. Why? Why make the connections so small, on the side, and always jam them where there's no room to get a hand in there. Screw you. You shouldn't need an aftermarket battery bolt just to make any connection, yet here we are

On a positive note, I added a noco genius2d trickle charger to one of the trucks. It doesn't get much use so I've been meaning to do this for over a year. Just replaced the battery, the last one only lasted three years since it never got used and just discharged all the time. Saw the trickle chargers get mentioned on the last page, can't recommend them enough. Have used a few over the years

But anyway, screw you chevy

[Fuzz]

Ha, ya...I went through the same thing installing my battery tender connector, but managed to get it on somehow. I don't recall.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by btimbit

On a positive note, I added a noco genius2d trickle charger to one of the trucks. It doesn't get much use so I've been meaning to do this for over a year.

I thought I was smrt and did the same so that I could throw the car outside on the charger easily. Unfortunately the NOCO 2D (and 5 for me) only work down to -20. Had to haul out the Motomaster lunchbox charger and toss it on just now.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I thought I was smrt and did the same so that I could throw the car outside on the charger easily. Unfortunately the NOCO 2D (and 5 for me) only work down to -20. Had to haul out the Motomaster lunchbox charger and toss it on just now.

I usually just top up the battery using a battery tender prior to a cold snap.

But now that I think of it, a ring connector that can be disconnected from a trickle charger or jump starter is brilliant if case you have a battery that is hard to access.

It's worth considering on some of the vehicles where you have to pull up covers to see the battery terminals. I might have to look into this at a later time.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I thought I was smrt and did the same so that I could throw the car outside on the charger easily. Unfortunately the NOCO 2D (and 5 for me) only work down to -20. Had to haul out the Motomaster lunchbox charger and toss it on just now.

Today was the first time in years that my car wouldn't start because of sitting out in the cold, so I finally had a chance to try the 2000 amp NOCO GB70. the NOCO had been sitting in an unheated garage and my engine is a 4.7L V8... so it took a little effort, but it got the job done on the first try.

[Nufy]

Dead battery here as well...

Wondering If I can just heat the engine bay with a small heater before trying again.

Or just attempt a boost with another vehicle.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Dead battery here as well...

Wondering If I can just heat the engine bay with a small heater before trying again.

Or just attempt a boost with another vehicle.

Ditto.

I went to try and boost it but the thing was pooched. It just wouldnt start.

I checked it and the sides werent bowed out so its not obviously frozen but even with boosting it I couldnt get it going.

I'm trying a charger at the moment, but I'm thinking I'm going to have to replace it.

[Nufy]

Haven't looked to see it had swelled.

Just a lot of clicking this morning at 7 when I tried to start it.

Might give boosting a try shortly while the sun is up and its warmer...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Haven't looked to see it had swelled.

Just a lot of clicking this morning at 7 when I tried to start it.

Might give boosting a try shortly while the sun is up and its warmer...

Make sure its not swollen...because if its frozen and you try and boost it the thing can blow up in your face.

And frozen and diluted battery acid is pretty harmless to plastic and steel but it'll still wreck skin and eyes.

[MoneyGuy]

No problem with our Toyota and Honda cars, which are in a garage and not plugged in until we know we’re going out. I wonder if the people who live near me who use their garage for storage now wish they could actually put their cars into their garage.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Unless I’m missing something, couldn’t literally any shop do brake pads in an Audi?

It depends on how the rear callipers are retracted. If they twist in with a tool, anyone can do it, just make sure they don't use crap parts.

If you need to retract them with the diagnostic tool, someone needs the proper Audi service setup, or a VAG-COM at the least. I suspect most indy shops would have this, as they are needed for all sorts of things on VWs and Audis.

[Nufy]

Wouldnt start on boost...

I have a small heater warming the battery now...

Will try again in a half hour.

Then its a search for the battery warranty papers...

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Wouldnt start on boost...

I have a small heater warming the battery now...

Will try again in a half hour.

Then its a search for the battery warranty papers...

I finished the Bayern match, and I've got the timer on so I'll give 'er a whirl in an hour or so. That'll make about 2 hours?

[DoubleF]

Hail Mary wise, I'm stuck wondering whether trickle charging or warming with block heater is more useful right now for a battery too cold to have enough charge.

If possible, I'm leaning towards plug in block heater and then try USB jump starting it again. It might be too cold to trickle charge batteries appropriately if they're too far down in charge.

I trickle charged my van's battery last night because a low battery warning came up. But I trickle charged that thing two weeks ago. That's why I was thinking about this in case the warning comes up again over the weekend and what to try if it won't start.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by browna

Best shop in town for Audi S series front brake pad replacement? Just to maintain factory spec, nothing extra.

Euroworks? Sheni? Rigel? German Automotive?

Calgary AutoWorks. Both the owner Chris, and main guy Colin, are honest and very knowledgeable. They have my implicit trust with any VAG vehicle.

[Nufy]

No luck for me.

Gonna bring it inside tomorrow to see if it will warm up.

Beers by the fireplace will have to do for now

[Locke]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Calgary AutoWorks. Both the owner Chris, and main guy Colin, are honest and very knowledgeable. They have my implicit trust with any VAG vehicle.

Thanks man. I'll have to give them a call.

Originally Posted by Nufy

No luck for me.

Gonna bring it inside tomorrow to see if it will warm up.

Beers by the fireplace will have to do for now

No luck for me either.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Nufy

Dead battery here as well...

Wondering If I can just heat the engine bay with a small heater before trying again.

Or just attempt a boost with another vehicle.

Back in the early 90's when I was working for Safeway there was this employee who went to his car at the end of his shift and couldn't get it to start. The temps then were like they are today. Guy goes back in the store and buys a small Hibachi and takes out to his car. Lights the damn thing and puts it under the oil pan. Comes out 2 hours later and his vehicle started no problem