Coming home down the interstate, I suddenly hear a belt squealing and see clouds of smoke in the reer view mirror! Then all is quiet, the smoke stops and the battery light comes on.....blown belt. At the side of the road calling the wrecker in the middle of nowhere with the wife looking worried...not a good feeling. Managed to get it towed to an Audi specialist nearby...I know, unbelieveable but true. Friends drive 60 miles to come and retrieve us.....As I thought, the AC Compressor seized and tore the belt off but quick. About $1800 later and some travelling to get the car, back on the road. Pretty unusual for a car with 60K on it. I really hate breakdowns far from home but there is no way to PM or predict this failure. Just thought I would put it up as an experience.

 

Ouch! Good story, though!

Bob

 

I thought about the cause a little, the only thing I can come up with is that the car had not been getting the AC run during the winter, suddenly turning it on at 70 on the interstate may have overwhelmed it.