Audi emission control system warning light - OK to keep driving for a few days?

Thoie · 10-10-2012 3:58pm #1

A family member is abroad at the moment with a borrowed (not rented) Audi. What sounds like the Emissions Control System warning light came on today. The car has some kind of servicing deal, but we don't know with what garage, and can't get in touch with the owner until Friday.

Obviously the ideal situation would be to stop driving it until the owner gets back, but the car is needed daily between now and then. From googling the warning light it seems it could be one of a thousand different things. Anyone know what the worst case scenario is if the car is driven for the rest of the week? Are we talking engine explosions/car dying on the side of the road, or "just" a new cat/exhaust system?

Noel Kinsella · 10-10-2012 4:08pm

In my opinion it is probably a blocked up cat the first thing I would try is to call into a filling station/ motor factors and get a product for cleaning the cat, over here it would be Cataclean or Redex etc I would then drive the car for a couple of hours or so and then disconnect the battery for 30mins this should reset everything. What can be very important is what colour the emissions light is if it is Amber you should be grand if it is RED then the car may be in Limp Home Mode which will leave it dangerously underpowered and should be driven very easy no overtaking etc I am not a mechanic I have a little experience with this type of problem myself and am trying to help thats all obviously to call into a garage and get a quick diagnostic on the vehicle would be the best option.
Good luck.

George Dalton · 10-10-2012 4:15pm

Model?
Year?
Engine?

Thoie · 10-10-2012 4:24pm

The light is orange, but the original description was that it's the emission control system, but now she's saying it's the engine management light. I've asked for a photo of the light, but that could take 6 months to arrive via carrier pigeon.

She can drive it into a garage and point at the appropriate light - problem is, she'll have no idea what they're telling her

Might try and arrange some kind of phone call with a garage if she can get it to one.

Thoie · 10-10-2012 4:32pm

George Dalton wrote: »

Model?
Year?
Engine?

It's an A8 station wagon, roughly 2 years old iirc, and with a "big" engine by Irish standards, so maybe around a 3-4 litre engine?

I'm afraid info is scarce and 2nd hand, so can appreciate that this thread may be more trouble than it's worth.

George Dalton · 10-10-2012 4:38pm

Where is the car located?

Thoie · 10-10-2012 4:46pm

Switzerland - about 10km up the mountains from Vevey.

George Dalton · 10-10-2012 4:50pm

Ah :pac:

Ok, the chances are it isn't a big problem. If the car is running ok I would say keep driving.

sunnysoutheast · 10-10-2012 9:17pm

If it's a petrol car maybe try a tank fill of super unleaded. Our car emissions light comes on in the mountains and locals told us to only use super at +1000 metres if it happens.

-Corkie- · 10-10-2012 9:24pm

Thoie wrote: »

It's an A8 station wagon, roughly 2 years old iirc, and with a "big" engine by Irish standards, so maybe around a 3-4 litre engine?

I'm afraid info is scarce and 2nd hand, so can appreciate that this thread may be more trouble than it's worth.

A A8 estate?? They are fairly rare allright..

Audi emission control system warning light - OK to keep driving for a few days?

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