The days of the full-service gas station are gone, and modern cars can go 30,000 miles or more without a tune-up. So it's up to YOU to check the little things before they become big, expensive problems by checking under the hood of your Audi on a regular basis.

Following these simple monthly checks will alert you to potential problems that can be dealt with before you get stranded or end up paying for expensive auto repairs.

First a word of caution on fluids - particularly for import cars. Car manufacturer's are required to specify in their owner's manuals all the fluids to be used in your Audi and the manufacturer's OE specifications for each. Make sure to check here first - BEFORE adding any fluids to your Audi. It is also required that OE oils and coolants must be mixable with "off the shelf" products to allow for emergency service. It may not be the best thing for your engine long-term, but you can add plain old 30W oil to $5 a quart synthetics and the same goes for coolants and water. On the other hand, however, are the hydraulic oils (i.e., power steering, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential/axle, etc.). These must be at certain specifications for viscosity and liquid type (petroleum vs. mineral vs. synthetic). Hence, it's critical that you know what products to be adding to your Audi according to the specifications given in your owner's manual.

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This Audi probably would have never happened had Porsche gained control of the Volkswagen Group five years earlier. But now the Audi R8 5.2 is out, larger than life and even better than expected. True, the Gallardo is sharper. The SL63 AMG is wilder. And the 911 Turbo is all that in a more compact package. But in terms of total dynamic balance; anyone-can-do-it, A-to-B ground-covering ability; and that all-important blend of confidence, compliance, and comfort, the 5.2-liter V-10-powered R8 is the new leader of the pack.

Audi signaled its intention to build an ultra-high-performance, mid-engine sports car with its Le Mans Quattro concept back in 2003. That car proved to be a dead ringer for today's R8, and yet how many people took it seriously at the time? It's safe to say that no one would make that mistake today. The R8 is not only a thrilling new sports car, but it's a rolling testament to a company that's stronger than it's ever been, one that's entering its golden age right now.

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On the Quattro version of the A4, the gas tank is not flat. It is shaped and mounted in the A4 like an upside down U. This allows room for the drive shaft to meet the rear differential. The fuel pump is only on one side of the tank. So, how does the fuel get from one side of the tank to the side that has the fuel pump?

According to Shumburg Audi, there is an injector that picks up the fuel and sends it over to the other side of the tank (where the fuel pump is).

Shumburg stated that the injector (not to be confused with a pump according to Shumburg) is probable making this sound and if the car starts and runs fine, do not worry about it.

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Audi Additional Troubleshooting: When inspecting brakes, check calipers, wheel cylinders, hoses and fittings for any hydraulic fluid leakage.

Inspect the master cylinder, reservoir and proportioning valve assemblies as well. Replace or rebuild as required.

A "spongy" brake pedal or one that's gotten lower underfoot also needs looking into. It could be caused by sticking calipers, worn pads, low fluid or hydraulic system problems.

If you can't "pump them up", then you definitely have hydraulic problems that need work. If you always have to pump them up, at the very least your hydraulic fluid needs replacement.

To check brakes by sound, know how your brakes should sound and listen for out-of-the-ordinary noises.

Most cars have a slight brushing sound from the pads lightly touching the rotors. This is perfectly normal. Sounds to beware of include:

Squeaking may be caused by dust or dirt on the brakes, loose pads vibrating when applied or worn pads.

Rhythmic noise might mean you have a warped rotor. Instead of a solid squeaking noise, it pulsates. In extreme cases, the brake pedal will also pulsate underfoot.

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By being more aware of the way they drive, every individual can do their bit to conserve resources and protect the environment. The general equation is quite simple: the less fuel consumed, the fewer emissions produced. But driving with greater awareness not only helps the environment, but is also easy on the purse strings. With this is mind, Audi has devised a short environmental guide which is designed to make it easier for every driver to drive in a way that is both ecologically and economically sound.

• Avoid running the engine warm when idling.
• Rapid acceleration and changing up early has a positive effect on energy consumption.
• Release the accelerator as soon as possible if the flow of traffic requires you to slow down.
• Reduce rolling resistance by checking tyre pressure regularly.
• Improve aerodynamics, for example by removing roof racks not in use.
• Be careful to keep your revs down in city traffic.
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight in the car in city traffic.
• Switch off the power consumers in your car as soon as you have stopped using them.
• An on-board computer is very useful for monitoring how economically you are driving.

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Replace coolant at or before factory recommended intervals with the proper type, mixture and volume of coolant. Always allow the coolant system to rid itself of air before installing the radiator cap.

Replace the thermostat with the original temperature setting equivalent. The electronics in your vehicle may use that setting for other controls. Do not substitute under any circumstances.

Adjust or replace the water pump drive belt (external) at recommended intervals or more frequently, if required. Check belts whenever you're working on any coolant system components.

Replace the fan clutch and/or fan blade as needed (if applicable). Your Volkswagen's temperature gauge is often your best guide as to when your fan clutch needs attention.

Keep your entire vehicle properly maintained because of the effect timing, idle speed, exhaust and other systems have on your engine's temperature. Your Volkswagen's cooling system is designed to function with all other systems operating properly. It cannot make up for a poorly operating or overheating engine condition.

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Keep your engine and engine compartment, as well as your radiator fins and grill, as clean as possible. A clean engine runs much cooler - and it's much easier to work on.

Replace all cooling system hoses - upper and lower radiator hoses, bypass hoses, heater hoses, manifold coolant hoses and any other hoses on your vehicle - whenever you even suspect there may be a problem.

Replace the radiator/expansion tank cap with the original pressure setting and OE-type equivalent. Some aftermarket substitutions do not seal and hold pressure properly on foreign-manufactured cars. Again, don't substitute.

Replace your water pump with an OEM/OES pump at the first signs of trouble or when your timing belt and tensioner are replaced.

Replace temperature sensors as required by diagnosis. Leave troubleshooting of your sensors to Volkswagen experts who have the proper equipment and diagrams.

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AUDI is one of the eldest car manufacturers in Germany. Since 1932 when Audi merged with Horch, DKW and Wanderer, to form Auto Union, the Audi emblem is four overlapping rings that represent the four marques of Auto Union. The Audi emblem symbolizes the amalgamation of Audi with DKW, Horch and Wanderer: the first ring represents Audi, the second represents DKW, third is Horch, and the fourth and last ring Wanderer.

Today with its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Germany AUDI is one of the biggest manufacturers of automobiles and engines world wide. AUDI is part of Volkswagen Group which is a German automobile manufacturing group, currently the third largest automobile maker in the world, and the largest in Europe.

Volkswagen was founded in 1937 as a public concern by the then German government to sell the Volkswagen Beetle. Volkswagen means "people's car" in German.

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