Audi A1 Maintenance Guides - Common Audi A1 Repair Questions Answered
The Audi A1 is a popular premium compact car with a strong UK following. It’s well-designed but there are issues for owners.
Audi A1 Tyre Pressure
What is the recommended tyre pressure of an Audi A1?
It's important to set the correct tyre pressure for your Audi A1 to ensure it runs smoothly and tyres do not wear out prematurely. The details for the pressures are in the owner's manual and also on a plate that is stuck to the driver's door (near the bottom).
What should I do once I see a tyre pressure warning?
Should the tyre pressure warning light become illuminated on the dashboard, you'll need to slow down and then pull over to see what the problem might be. If it's a slow puncture, then you can take your car to a garage to have the puncture repaired or replaced. If you are losing pressure quickly from the tyre, then you'll need to have a professional come to you or replace the tyre yourself by the roadside.
How to check an Audi A1 tyre pressure?
There are several ways to check your Audi A1’s tyre pressure and the most accurate is to use a small hand-held gauge which attaches to the tyre valve to give the reading. You could also use the gauge on a foot pump or using an air pump on a garage forecourt.
How do I reset an Audi A1 tyre pressure light?
Should the tyre pressure warning light illuminate, and you need to reset it because you've either repaired or added air to the relevant tyre then this is the process. This method should also be detailed in the owner’s manual.
• On the centre console, press the ‘start engine stop’ button
• Then press the ‘Car’ button
• On the dashboard screen, select ‘Tyre pressure monitoring’
• There's an option to check if the pressure of the tyres has been corrected
• Select ‘Yes’ and the light should go out.
If your Audi A1 receives a tyre puncture, get it repaired or the tyre replaced by visiting a mobile tyre fitting specialist near you.
Audi A1 Warning Lights
Why do warning lights appear when I start the car?
When starting the Audi A1, most of the dashboard warning lights will illuminate and then go off as the system checks are carried out. Should one remain on, then it's highlighting a potential problem. However, it's always best to switch the engine off and then restart to see whether the light comes on once more. If it does, then you need to investigate what the potential problem might be, and possibly take your car to a garage.
While there are several warning lights specific to the Audi A1, the most important ones are detailed below:
Low oil pressure
Should the red oil can light become illuminated, then it's indicating that there is low oil pressure. Be warned that continuing to drive with this light illuminated could lead to serious engine damage. Essentially, you'll need to stop, turn off the engine as soon as possible and investigate further or call a professional for assistance.
Airbags warning light
In the Audi A1, the airbag warning light may be illuminated in red, which highlights a fault in the system, known as SRS, supplemental restraint system. This means that the airbags will probably not operate when needed. And you'll need to have this fault fixed quickly for safety reasons. It will also fail its MOT if you don't do so.
Coolant temperature
Should this coolant temperature warning light become illuminated it is highlighting that the engine may be overheating. This may be because you do not have enough coolant in the engine or there's another fault. You'll need to pull over, switch off the engine and let it cool down before checking the coolant levels. If it needs topping up then add coolant or call for assistance from a professional.
What does an Audi A1’s engine light mean?
The first thing you should do when the engine malfunction light becomes illuminated is not to panic. Since a fault has been detected within the engine, it's probably related to the Audi A1’s exhaust emissions or it could be a problem with a catalytic converter. The issue will need diagnostics equipment to find out what the specific fault is, and you will need to have this problem rectified as soon as possible.
WhoCanFixMyCar recommends that if your Audi A1 engine light appears, visit a engine management light specialist to get it checked.
Audi A1 Service Intervals
To keep your Audi A1 pristine and to preserve the warranty, you'll need to follow Audi’s scheduled maintenance intervals and here we explain more. Audi has set its maintenance intervals every 10,000 miles. So, what can drivers expect in addition to the usual checks?
10,000 miles
in addition to the visual checks, the oil and filter will be replaced
20,000 miles
along with the oil and filter being replaced the dust and pollen filter will be replaced too. The fuel filter on all TDI models will be replaced and the RS5 will need the gearbox oil changing too.
50,000 miles
Change oil and filter
100,000 miles
Replace the dust and pollen filter, all TDI models will have fuel filters replaced. The spark plugs will be replaced in the previous service and the timing belt is scheduled for replacement at 130,000 miles.
Visit the Audi full service specialist page to find the best garages in your area when your car hits a milestone mileage listed above.
Audi A1 Common Problems
While we would love our cars to be reliable, they are all susceptible to some faults, and that';s also true for the Audi A1. For example:
Turbo failure
The turbocharger in the A1 is prone to failure. If you see black smoke coming from the exhaust or hear a whistling noise from the engine bay, then it's likely to be the turbocharger you’re
your A1 is not under warranty, then this can be an expensive repair.
Diesel particulate filter
If you have a diesel Audi A1, then the diesel particulate filter (DPF) warning like might appear on the dashboard. The problem for those who drive around towns mainly is that the soot does not get burned off, so will clog the filter. You'll need to take your A1 onto an open road or motorway and drive quickly at high revs for at least 15 minutes to clear the particles and which should see the light being switched off. There’s also a problem with the automatic regeneration process for the filter which switches off part way through the process.
Clutch
In older versions of the A1, some owners complain about the manual gearbox wearing out after hearing strange noises. They believe there is a design flaw.
If your Audi A1 clutch should begin to wear out, visit a clutch specialist in your area to get it replacement.
Which problems may arise due to a lack of power steering fluid?
To continue enjoying the excellent steering and driving experience of the Audi A1 means you'll need to invest in quality power steering fluid. The owner’s manual will detail the relevant fluids that will meet Audi’s criteria and you should top up the system when required. Symptoms that you need more steering fluid may include encountering difficulty turning the steering wheel, the steering wheel being slow to respond and groaning noise when you turn the wheel
What are common engine problems that An Audi A1 suffers from?
While the Audi A1 offers drivers a range of strong and economical engines, some of them do have reported issues. Among them is the 1.5 litre TSi which reportedly has slow acceleration when mated to the DSG automatic gearbox and is prone on cold mornings to judder.
What issues can arise as a result of a faulty steering pump?
One of the common problems for the older models of the Audi A1 is power steering pump failure. When this happens, the steering will become heavy, so you'll need to have the pump replaced. In the worst instances, you may find that the steering wheel locks up while you're trying to drive because the pump has failed.