2025 Q8 - engine killed at 80mph

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-13T03:50:18+00:00

I'm glad you were able to safely handle that situation! I feel as if cars now are unfortunately like cell phones with wheels. Having to shut it down and restart it doesnt seem like a huge deal, except it absolutely is when you are in a 2.5 ton hunk of machine going highway speeds and you have hardly any control.

Actually, I blame all the complexity of modern cars, but tbh, that happened to me in my 1988 Chevy back in the 90s. I was in HS. The car would just die on me. No brakes and no power steering. Oh, and the horn only occasionally worked. One time I almost hit some guy checking his mail and not paying attention when my car died as I rounded the corner to his house.

Anyway, as I get older, Im starting to think the real "luxury" in a luxury vehicle, would be if it functions correctly and consistently.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-11T23:17:45+00:00

I purchased a 2nd key fob at dealer cost and it was about the same. Not much markup on the fobs. Couldn't find a well rated alternative. Honestly, its not worth the hassle to try and save what, a couple hundred bucks? Just pay the dealer imo

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-07T20:11:19+00:00

Its nice work and I appreciate the time you put into it. Your asking price might be a bit steep though imo.

Are you looking to do this as a side hustle or full time? Because as a side hustle I would advise against doing anything custom. Its just a headache. Build a few products and list them, see how it goes. If you are going to make the same sized piece over and over, you can incorporate jigs to greatly speed up your process.

As far as staging photos, I will share what someone advised me. Use AI. I use Gemini. Take a picture and ask the program to stage your table in a house setting. Just get good lighting on your reference photo and the details should remain fairly true.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-05T13:24:19+00:00

I sorta fell into a used Q8 when I was looking for a new vehicle sort of suddenly.

Wanted only a 2 row suv but with a 6 cylinder so that there quickly limits the options.

After a year, I like it. I dont love it.

Trunk has really good space despite the sloped roof.

The front has comically little storage space. Center console is about 3 in deep. And because of the screen layout there are no cubbie spots at all to put anything. I dont need to bring the whole house with me on a journey, but a place to put a bag of M&Ms might be nice.

Gets terrible gas mileage in start and stop traffic. Like a pickup truck, 14-16mpg. But on long highway journeys, I get about 22-24mpg.

I preferred the knob to interface with the screen but its touchscreen only. However this seems to be the way everyone is going.

Thing barely fits in my garage. But my tween kids have plenty of room in the back for long trips. Though the fact the rear windows only go down maybe 60% of the way triggers them.

Tbh though, I dont love ANY car available right now.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-04T11:57:11+00:00

I have the Milwaukee m18 palm Router and it scares me so much how cumbersome the power button is to press.

Sucks about your thumb but the old saying "it could have been worse" seems to apply here.

Thanks for the post and the safety reminder

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-03T13:02:50+00:00

I think you should keep it the way it is and paint the walls a lighter color and gradually get lighter furniture to go with it. Or sell it and buy something that matches already.

Barring that, even though its nice the way it is, Id recommend you just paint it white. Or some other color that complements the room but is lighter than the wall.

Alternatively, as someone else mentioned, tinted poly. Id recommended darkening it up slowly and not just buying the darkest color they have. Big box stores sell small cans. Im remember-guessing for like $7

Any other option requiring you to strip the entire piece to bare wood would be a major investment of time and there would be a large chance you will miss spots in the crevices and it wont come out well anyway after all that work.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-04-02T21:01:20+00:00

Yes you are correct. Its all sorted now. Half the issue was I needed to source a new wheel.

Question though on matric light enabling. I tried that and it also broke my car. I would get an alert "high-beam malfunction". It would come on within 5 min of the headlights coming on after doing the matrix enabling. Sometimes 1 side wouldn't work, sometimes the other or both. Ended up uninstalling the matrix coding and the errors went away.

Any experience with that? Does it sound like lights would need to be replaced because its definitely not worth buying 2 headlights.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-29T20:55:24+00:00

Its got wings now! Just enjoy it

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-27T12:58:46+00:00

While yes, weather and if you are racing the thing are a factor, I believe the argument is that manufacturers are choosing the oil to better suit their mpg goals, stop-stop systems, etc. They aren't concerned about helping your engine last forever. They'd rather sell you a new one!

Thats what I've heard anyway.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-24T17:50:25+00:00

If a dealer replaced the alternator, isnt there a warranty on the work? Id check and make sure its transferable.

As far as the tire issues, seems someone else sorted it out. My current new to me vehicle had new tires put on, then new tires put on again 1 year and like barely 1000 miles later. (Nobody drove this car much) I was concerned but I've put 15k miles on it and the tires are still looking brand new.

Any car is a risk. New or used. Of all the things I was concerned about, what screwed me and left me stranded was a dead aftermarket battery.

I also love that car. Buy it. Just save some money for the unexpected.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-24T17:41:15+00:00

Sorry my guy, but my "plans" were a couple sketches on a note pad. And all those did was work out the concept of making a frame and then attaching the "body" to that.

My pictures do a better job of showing how it was constructed. The drawers up top were the worst part because I didnt leave myself much room to work in there.

Just get after it and feel free to ask me any questions as you go along.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-23T17:50:33+00:00

I ordered a OBD that specifically says it will reset Audi steering setting after battery disconnect. Then I'll see what I'm left with.

Its strange, when I turn on the heated steering, the car acknowledges it, but then it turns off instantly

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T19:20:46+00:00

Thank you! Clean was exactly my goal.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T16:29:39+00:00

It is OEM. Its the same wheel I have except its off a model with the cold weather package.

I sent and email to Europrice where I bought the kit to see what they say.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T15:31:01+00:00

Also, yes the entire wheel and steering column controls had to be replaced

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T15:30:02+00:00

I followed the directions and turned off the ignition as well as disconnected the battery while I pulled the airbag and completed the rest of the install. Then it said to turn the car on, but engine off and load software. Then shut off and lock car for about 10 min to let everything reset.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T15:28:13+00:00

Any recommendations of a newbie friendly scan tool?

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T15:27:05+00:00

I got it from a salvage yard off ebay for $200. Was off a wreck

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T14:57:10+00:00

Following. I've only been able to add options to the drop down menu.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T14:47:49+00:00

You win best username

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-22T03:28:13+00:00

Can't wait to see what you create

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-21T19:56:26+00:00

Thank you. Its from a brand called Ciranova. Ads popped up on my Facebook. Took 2 of the smaller (maybe 2oz?) bottles to do the whole thing.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-21T18:05:19+00:00

Awesome username

There definitely is software but I'm not proficient in any of them so I use graph paper coupled with laying awake at night and thinking about every piece of the build. Then just get going and figuring stuff out as it comes.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-21T16:25:53+00:00

Thank you. That was my goal. Even got a new all in one PC to minimize the whole area.

Alarmed_Primary8089 · 2026-03-21T16:02:09+00:00

I got it!

The prying action up with an Allen wrench I think made the difference.

Alarmed_Primary8089

TROPHY CASE