Today I.....
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johnyfartbox
A2OC Donor
just after I took I off.
Chris Warren
Member
You should consider the clutch almost an on/off thing. When pulling away get biting point, within a couple of wheel rotations release pedal and off you go. Gearchanging should be smooth and controlled. Hill starts, yes, the clutch needs to be slipped more. Bad practice to use the clutch as a handbrake as it causes premature wear. Also resting your foot on the clutch pedal runs the release bearing. Also resting your hand on the gearstick puts slight pressure on the synchro cones in the box. A clutch should last the lifetime of the car, as should the transmission, esp the Getrag boxes in the A2, they are very well made. It’s just bad drivers that wear these things out, they weren’t taught correctly and pick up bad habits.Today I was about to change the front position headlight bulb, but then it suddenly works again
A question about clucth-wear, I've been trying to find out. When does the clutch actually wear? Is it when depressing fully and holding it in 1st gear, like many at traffic lights so they can drive of asap, or during release&holding when finding the biting point? Thanks
Proghound
Admin Team
Today I ... drove a petrol A2 for the first time. With it having been dry and relatively mild for the last few days I felt it was about time to get the beautiful Cobalt FSI that I bought from @Darren C over a month ago, out of the garage for an inaugural run.
First impressions? Night-and-day difference from the TDI 75's I've been driving for almost 5 years now, but it's all in trade-offs that are going to need a change to my driving style to maximise the benefits from. It's so smooth and quiet, and feels like a larger car as a result, but with a similar lack of audible cues as to how happy the engine is with what I'm asking of it at some points. The gearchange is lovely and it's surprisingly torquey even at low revs, but I miss the TDI's sheer punch for mid-range overtaking (I've been spoilt on that score as they have all been remapped). I haven't had the proper chance to drop a cog or two and investigate the right-hand side of the rev-counter yet, I'd like it to be a lot better warmed up than just a 10-mile run for that
Back to the 'dark side' for this evening's commute back to Chesham, literally and metaphorically
First impressions? Night-and-day difference from the TDI 75's I've been driving for almost 5 years now, but it's all in trade-offs that are going to need a change to my driving style to maximise the benefits from. It's so smooth and quiet, and feels like a larger car as a result, but with a similar lack of audible cues as to how happy the engine is with what I'm asking of it at some points. The gearchange is lovely and it's surprisingly torquey even at low revs, but I miss the TDI's sheer punch for mid-range overtaking (I've been spoilt on that score as they have all been remapped). I haven't had the proper chance to drop a cog or two and investigate the right-hand side of the rev-counter yet, I'd like it to be a lot better warmed up than just a 10-mile run for that
Back to the 'dark side' for this evening's commute back to Chesham, literally and metaphorically
A2Steve
A2OC Donor
Once you start to get used to using the Rev range more you will bond better and miss the TDI less.Today I ... drove a petrol A2 for the first time. With it having been dry and relatively mild for the last few days I felt it was about time to get the beautiful Cobalt FSI that I bought from @Darren C over a month ago, out of the garage for an inaugural run.
First impressions? Night-and-day difference from the TDI 75's I've been driving for almost 5 years now, but it's all in trade-offs that are going to need a change to my driving style to maximise the benefits from. It's so smooth and quiet, and feels like a larger car as a result, but with a similar lack of audible cues as to how happy the engine is with what I'm asking of it at some points. The gearchange is lovely and it's surprisingly torquey even at low revs, but I miss the TDI's sheer punch for mid-range overtaking (I've been spoilt on that score as they have all been remapped). I haven't had the proper chance to drop a cog or two and investigate the right-hand side of the rev-counter yet, I'd like it to be a lot better warmed up than just a 10-mile run for that
Back to the 'dark side' for this evening's commute back to Chesham, literally and metaphorically
I used to use the AA and needed them twice over several years, they got me home or to a garage near to home. Now with Green Flag but never needed them (touch wood)
PlasticMac
Member
The FSI needs a few revs when pulling away. No surprise, as max torque is around 4,000 rpm.Today I ... drove a petrol A2 for the first time. With it having been dry and relatively mild for the last few days I felt it was about time to get the beautiful Cobalt FSI that I bought from @Darren C over a month ago, out of the garage for an inaugural run.
First impressions? Night-and-day difference from the TDI 75's I've been driving for almost 5 years now, but it's all in trade-offs that are going to need a change to my driving style to maximise the benefits from. It's so smooth and quiet, and feels like a larger car as a result, but with a similar lack of audible cues as to how happy the engine is with what I'm asking of it at some points. The gearchange is lovely and it's surprisingly torquey even at low revs, but I miss the TDI's sheer punch for mid-range overtaking (I've been spoilt on that score as they have all been remapped). I haven't had the proper chance to drop a cog or two and investigate the right-hand side of the rev-counter yet, I'd like it to be a lot better warmed up than just a 10-mile run for that
Back to the 'dark side' for this evening's commute back to Chesham, literally and metaphorically
Same when accelerating through the gears, give it a few more revs in each gear. The reward is good fun. I do, and still get average of 43.5 mpg over the 3 years I've had it.
Mac.
Alan_uk
A2OC Donor
I'm also with Green Flag and only used them once in 10 years or more. They use independent garages rather than their own fleet. When I needed recovery they found a local garage that came out in 10 - 15 mins with a large recovery vehicle. I was blocking a garage forecourt so they hitched me to a lift bar at the back and we were soon back at their depot and it was quickly fixed.
I'm not on auto renewal and I find their renewal fee can always be beaten by going online and registering as a new customer. Saved about £8 last week.
Robthebank
Member
For the first time in a year or so, iv'e got my toolbox out for the A2 (Apart from std service stuff), heater blower had died, so had to pull out the glove box and change the fan, what a pain that job is! You need to be a gymnast with the ability to work blind, so thankful for all the info on this site, without it that would have been a trip to a garage as I would have never of spotted some of those fan fixings. But all working again now, and just for £30 (price of the used blower from eBay). Couple of extra little jobs the weekend before next weeks MOT, wish us luck!
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
I drove behind a Q4 e-tron today which does have a bit of A2 vibes coming from it, especially the top rear section when driving behind it.
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
It was the Q4 e-tron Sportback just to be clear
Sylvester
Member
Thanks for the reply, I've been driving for a long time so I was rather wondering how to reduce the unnecessary wear on the new parts, looks I'd just drive normally as I usually do then. Cheers!
Joga
A2OC Donor
Hmm, not too good. Cheap brand ( e.g. Biltema)?
Do not know; can be the original pads for all I know. The car is 19 years and 210’km. I have driven 90’km.
I have been waiting for the brakes to wear out so have new ATE pads and rotors, TRW calipers, and SKF bearing on the shelf for 5 years hehe. Will do everything at once both sides and forget about the brakes and bearings the next 15 years.
Sylvester
Member
So I've just got to the airport, well just about, because in the last few miles of 2.5 hours drive, the red (!) Abs and Eml came on at once I wasn't happy. At all.
I didn't stop, I was hoping it'll get me there, which it did. At least that. At the car park I've scanned for fault codes, always got the reader in the glove box, but there was no code?
All I've noticed, the handbrake sign doesn't show up anymore, but it still works. I'm gonna board the plane soon, so I've locked my A2 up and I'll see how things are, when I'm back next week.
I wasn't happy. At all.I didn't stop, I was hoping it'll get me there, which it did. At least that. At the car park I've scanned for fault codes, always got the reader in the glove box, but there was no code?
All I've noticed, the handbrake sign doesn't show up anymore, but it still works. I'm gonna board the plane soon, so I've locked my A2 up and I'll see how things are, when I'm back next week.
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CrispyEdd
Member
Could be an abs sensor fail happened to me, not sure about the handbrake, maybe the switch has broken for the light. Maybe that's the fault trigger also. In my experience of this happening about 3 times its been dirt into he abs ring or the sensor. Never anything drastic though. Hope all goes well.
Enjoy the hols. Whatever will be will be. If it got you there it will get you back home no doubt. Then you can sort it. Hope the car park guys doubt put 57 miles on it while you're away like they did with mine one year.So I've just got to the airport, well just about, because in the last few miles of 2.5 hours drive, the red (!) Abs and Eml came on at once
I didn't stop, I was hoping it'll get me there, which it did. At least that. At the car park I've scanned for fault codes, always got the reader in the glove box, but there was no code?
All I've noticed, the handbrake sign doesn't show up anymore, but it still works. I'm gonna board the plane soon, so I've locked my A2 up and I'll see how things are, when I'm back next week.
gangitano85
A2OC Donor
@timmus replaced mine as it was working intermittently. Indeed, as @Sylvester pointed out, the handbrake is still working as it should, it's just the car not getting the info that the brake is being applied, hence no light on the instrument cluster.