Left for dead in my A4
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
"Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>
> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
> Fantastic!
>
> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>
> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>
> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
airport.
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
"Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>
> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
> Fantastic!
>
> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>
> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>
> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
airport.
#13
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
"Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>
> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
> Fantastic!
>
> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>
> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>
> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
airport.
#14
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
Yeah that's one question I had--how does AAA compare? I had AAA years
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
#15
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
Yeah that's one question I had--how does AAA compare? I had AAA years
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
#16
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
Yeah that's one question I had--how does AAA compare? I had AAA years
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
#17
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
Yeah that's one question I had--how does AAA compare? I had AAA years
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
and years ago but luckily never had to use it. I figured this Audi
roadside was just as good...but waiting 7 hours was out of control.
They also were giving me grief because they only pay for 90 miles of
being towed, and my dealer was around 140 miles away. They wanted to
tow me 80 miles in the complete other direction to Santa Barbara!
Otherwise, I was going to have to pay for 50 miles at $5 a mile! Then
the chick on the phone said they have a "Service Interruption" clause
where they pay for a rental and hotel for up to 5 days at $100 a day.
So I said why don't you just pay for the rest of the tow instead? (My
dealer gives me a free rental) They eventually paid for it, but the
fact that I had to argue about this with vultures circling overhead (ok
not really) was ridiculous.
Granted, I hear AAA has the same 90-100 mile tow policy?
All I had in my car was a pack of fig newtons and some old bottled
water. Just one man against the elements. Of course I didn't want to
drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
Newton because then I'd have to drink.
I should get a boy scout survival medal or something!
Keep on Plonkin' wrote:
> "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l
> a r b . c o m"> wrote in message
> newsZKdncice9gdof3YnZ2dnUVZ_vWdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Yeah--so I was driving home from SF to LA on the 5 freeway at 4 AM. All
>> of a sudden, the gas pedal stops working on my 2004 A4. I press the gas,
>> but there's no acceleration. I pull to the side of the road and stop the
>> car. The car won't start. But there's strong odor of gas inside the
>> cabin. I'm stranded...quite literally in the middle of nowhere.
>>
>> I know jack about cars, but I went on to google with my cell phone and
>> searched around--seems like it could be a broken fuel pump or fuel line.
>> Fantastic!
>>
>> My warranty is still in effect--but it took Audi 7 hours to get someone
>> out there to tow it to my dealer. Granted, it was 4 AM and like 150 miles
>> from civilization. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.
>>
>> Luckily the tow truck came before I was picked apart by vultures or some
>> strange chainsaw-wielding family in an abandoned house took me in.
>>
>> So the car is in the shop right now--what do you guys think? Fuel pump? I
>> guess I'll find out Monday when the service department opens again.
>
> I-5 between LA and Sacramento (it doesn't go directly through SF) passes
> through some pretty unpopulated areas, but it really is not "in the middle
> of nowhere." At most times of any day there is plenty of traffic, and it
> seems each exit has auto service facilities. It's the major highway between
> northern and southern California (and the only north-south freeway in that
> area) so it has the traffic much like an urban freeway. At most, a tow
> truck should have been about 30-45 minutes from wherever you were at. It
> sounds more like Audi's roadside service wasn't too good.
>
> Since owning Audis and VWs I've always had AAA roadside assistance. I've
> never waited more than 20 or so minutes for service to show up. Once when I
> was in friend's Ford that lost a timing belt (non-interference engine, btw)
> the freeway patrol was there within 5 minutes and towed us off the freeway,
> and the AAA tow was waiting for us at the end of the exit ramp. The
> breakdown added a total of 15 minutes or so to our trip home from SF
> airport.
>
>
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 10:34:42 -0800, "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 10:34:42 -0800, "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>
#20
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Left for dead in my A4
On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 10:34:42 -0800, "Ralph A. Barbagallo III" <""r a l
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>
p h \"@ n o p r o c e s s e d m e a t f l a r b . c o m"> wrote:
> Of course I didn't want to
>drink any water since there was nowhere to go to the bathroom (an
>infinite cotton field / desert!) and thus didn't want to eat my Fig
>Newton because then I'd have to drink.
Now I've lost all respect for you... The rest of us just stand beside
the car and let it fly! <GDR!>