Audi Driver Select

**Eddo1968** · 14-10-2013,09:29 AM

Took the car in to change to winter tyres and repair some hail damage, and they said that the steering had to be updated. The steering is now much lighter than before. It's ok for comfort but on dynamic I really liked how heavy it was and now it just feels quite lifeless. I'm wondering if it's to do with the winter tyres or the update. For the winter I use the same 19" wheels, just replacing the tyres, so I wouldn't have thought it would have such a pronounced effect on the steering, and I don't remember this from last year. Anyone else had a similar update?

**daycartes** · 14-10-2013,08:43 PM

Yeah, I've had the update, now dynamic fells like comfort and comfort feels like...well comfort. The difference between the two settings has been much reduced. I liked the heaviness of the dynamic but the word is that it has been done to prevent notchiness when cold. I suppose that the tyre changing can also affect your steering.

Could you be more specific about the hail damage in that - what was damaged and what the remedy is going to be and whether it is covered under warranty etc. Thanks in advance.

**Eddo1968** · 15-10-2013,07:42 AM

I'm really *~#}% off with Audi about this. The dealer emailed me and said that this is a mandatory "upgrade" from Audi with no downgrade possible, and as you say it's to correct certain issues (none of which my car suffered from). I'm still going to call them and see if they can actually do something about increasing the weight of the steering, although I'm not holding my breath.

It seems like Audi are now becoming like Apple by forcing upon us upgrades that actually make the product worse!

if the dealer suggests this "upgrade" to you, I would really question whether you need it and be aware of what it will do to your steering.

Re re the hail damage. I was caught in a hail storm in February, which caused some barely visible dents in the bonnet. By the intensity of the stones (which were quite painful) I thought it would be much worse than it was. It's a regular occurrence here so the insurance coves it and it doesn't affect your NCB. It's definitely not covered by your warranty. The garage dealt with the damage and the insurance company.

**diecastsink** · 15-10-2013,10:21 AM

Do you have possibility to check (with VCDS) the version they upgraged? Original was J, and the first officially released L. There is another release "third" which version I do not know, rumours say that it is better than "second" L.

There is own topic for this as Steering Control Unit Recall

**rickerby** · 15-10-2013,07:49 PM

My car had the power steering software update at its last service. Feels exactly the same to me. For all its good points the A6 isnt blessed with decent steering feel.

**Passatier3** · 15-10-2013,08:33 PM

I've had the upgrade and like others wished I hadn't. The dealer rang me out of the blue to book the car in and as I'd only had the car a short time didn't give a thought to it being for the steering.

I'd done a couple of trips beforehand and really enjoyed driving the car as the steering and suspension felt just right for the mixture of roads, steering was in Auto.

After the "upgrade" I also found the steering to be too light. As suggested on here I've set it to Dynamic and whilst the weightier feel is better there is little feedback and it feels wooden.

As stated, wished it had been left as it was and would have seen if there was a problem in cold weather. I suppose they would have done it anyway at the first service and maybe used any refusal against you in the event of a warranty claim.

**Eddo1968** · 16-10-2013,08:07 AM

Originally Posted by Passatier3

As stated, wished it had been left as it was and would have seen if there was a problem in cold weather. I suppose they would have done it anyway at the first service and maybe used any refusal against you in the event of a warranty claim.

Thanks for your replies. Unfortunately I don't have access to vcds, but the other thread was quite interesting. Seems like the majority are not happy, although for others it's unchanged or better.

i went through the whole of last winter (and a Swiss winter at that) and didn't notice any problems. It seems to me that as this is a mandatory upgrade Passatier is right and they could impose it upon you otherwise voiding the warranty.

i'm driving to a conference in Germany on Sunday which will take about 3 hours so should have a better idea of what it's now like after that.

Unfortunately I don't read German but it would be interesting to know what the German forums are saying as I'm sure Audi checks those.

**Eddo1968** · 16-10-2013,12:18 PM

Been in touch with the dealer who says I should contact Audi Switzerland to give feedback. Incidentally the code for the upgrade that I've just had is 48K8

**Goal flag** · 16-10-2013,02:41 PM

I had the steering update applied on Monday and I can't feel any difference. When I've tried the Dynamic setting I found it to heavy for my liking.

The dealership also applied another recall notice while they had the car. Something to do with rotating a valve in the exhaust system. In the standard orientation there is a potential for coking to occur on the valve. The recall rotates the valve 180 degrees which prevent the coking apparently. My A6 is a 2.0TDI and from the recall notes, shown to me by the Service Rep. during hand over, it read like it was only an issue for that engine type.

**M1tchy** · 16-10-2013,07:02 PM

My wifes A5 is currently in the dealer for some rattles and they said there is this software recall to sort too. I read the upgrade details and basically at temperatures around 0 degrees C the steering can judder and cause an "issue". The dealer said I can sign a waiver and not have the upgrade as I have an aftermarket camera and the upgrade might wipe the camera off the cars memory. Its all OEM components, just fitted after I bought it so told them to go ahead and complete the upgrade. I will see if I notice any difference in the steering tomorrow.