A Check Engine Light Almost Ruined This Family’s Road Trip – We Saved It
Late last week, a new client called with a check engine light on his Audi. He and his family were planning a road trip the following weekend.
It was after hours when we first spoke, but thanks to our after-hours loaner car and key swap boxes, I was able to get him into a loaner right away so his plans wouldn’t be interrupted.
On Monday morning, we pulled his Audi into the shop, performed our full digital vehicle inspection, and got to work diagnosing the issue. I’m so glad he decided to bring it in before his long drive down south — it probably saved his trip.
Should You Get Your Audi or VW Serviced Before a Road Trip?
If you’re ever wondering, “Should I have my car checked before a long trip?” the answer is absolutely yes — and ideally, do it a couple of weeks before your departure. That way, if repairs are needed, we have time to order the correct parts and get your car ready without stress.
Years of Dealer Service… and So Many Problems
This customer had been servicing his Audi at the Southern New Hampshire Audi dealership since almost new. This is a pattern we see all the time — cars that have been at the dealer for years show up here needing obvious, overdue repairs.
The photos from our inspection speak for themselves. Why aren’t these things being addressed before they turn into major problems? I ask myself that all the time. Neglecting basic maintenance only leads to massive repair bills — or worse, forcing the owner to replace the car entirely.
The Real Issues Were More Than a Check Engine Light
During our diagnostic testing, we found multiple problems that wouldn’t show up with just a quick code scan — the kind of things you only catch with experience and a thorough road test.
In addition to the faulty turbocharger. The car felt sluggish, stumbled on acceleration, and idled roughly. Those symptoms weren’t all related to the turbo, so we dug deeper.
The Audi also needed:
Once we handled all of those, the car ran smooth and strong again.
Other Problems the Dealer Missed
Our digital inspection uncovered more issues — problems that should have been brought to the owner’s attention at least a year ago:
- Torn front upper control arm bushings
- Newer tires worn prematurely due to bad suspension bushings and poor alignments (more on why you shouldn’t go to tire shops for alignments in another blog post)
- Rear lower spring mount rotted out from corrosion
- Alternator pulley leaking grease — a seized alternator pulley waiting to happen
- Oil leak from the upper timing cover
- Transmission fluid leak from the transmission pan
- Air filter packed with mouse nests and leaves (still “up to date” according to Audi’s schedule… which is ridiculous)
We were able to complete all the critical repairs so this family could enjoy their trip with confidence.
Another “dealer-serviced” Audi saved by Reflex Tuning before it was too late.
If you own an Audi or Volkswagen in Southern New Hampshire — whether you’re in Hooksett, Manchester, Concord, Bedford, or Nashua — don’t wait for a dealership to tell you something’s wrong. Let us keep your car safe, reliable, and ready for whatever roads you take.