Hello I am new to the forum.

I always dreamed of audi and just yesterday I just picked up '04 S4 with 75K miles on it for pretty cheap. It drives beautiful. I am little overwhelmed by its nice quality. Since this is my first European car I am also little nervous at the same time with all the mechanical issues I could be having.

There are couple issues I am having that maybe you veterans can help me out with:

Two red warning signs. Car beeps randomly, does it mean it needs service?

1) it says coolant level is low, but the temp level is at dead middle. I checked under the hood in the morning before turning the engine, it was top of the 'min' line. Possible leak?

2) Oil level is low. I am not sure when the car did oil change but I plan to take in for the oil change anyways. But if there's no leak does it mean it's just due for a change and no leak? There's no visible leak under the car right now but under the passenger side little behind the wheel axles, there's this plastic tray. On the tray there's hole. On the hole there seem to be build up or residue of some sort of oil from long time ago. Is this possible oil leak?

thanks for reading and I just hope to clear any issues and enjoy the full potential of the s4

 

I would open the coolant cap, and run the engine till it gets warm, check and see if the water level drops while the car is running. Be sure to put in the proper antifreeze, g12... And use distilled water. Mixing regular antifreeze with the g12 gums up and makes a brown sludge. As far as the oil level. I would see if the warning light comes back on after your oil change. If you don't see any new oil dripping on to the under cover, then I wouldn't worry about it.

 

thank you josh for the advice,

I am going to dealer tomorrow morning, and I need to drive around places today. In the mean time you think I will be fine just driving with the warning lights?

Or should I just add distilled water and 5W30 oil and top it off for now?

Thank you.

 

As long as your temp guage isn't going past normal operating temperature, you should be fine. You can add oil if you like, but be sure that your putting in the same weight oil that is already in your engine. I don't have the v8.. So I'm not sure what weight oil is recommended for your car... But I would have thought it to be a heavier weight. Be sure to tell the dealer what warning lights are coming on... It just may need to be reset.