These days, Audi cars are generally reliable, especially if well taken care of. But as with any brand, there are certain pain points that can make even a brand-new car a nightmare to live with. However, you can use these tips to improve the reliability of your Audi without breaking the bank or spending hours on maintenance.

Check your coolant level to ensure Audi reliability

Water pump issues can be some of the most common reliability problems for Audi engines. There was even a NHTSA recall to help remedy the issue.  And since most of the brand’s models are turbocharged, cooling is a particularly important factory in their long-term health.

Not only does the turbocharger generate heat inside the engine bay, but the exhaust gases and intercooler also receive high-temperature air throughout the combustion process. Since your Audi likely has a water-cooled exhaust, maintaining proper coolant levels and pressure is important to managing overall engine temperature.

A failing water pump can cause overheating as coolant begins to drain from the system. Therefore, checking your coolant at each fuel stop can help you detect and stay ahead of water pump leaks that can harm the reliability of your Audi.

Use high-quality engine oil

For many of the same reasons, using high-quality engine oil can help improve the reliability of your Audi as well. Dealing with the added friction and combustion pressures of a turbocharged engine means your oil has a lot of work to do.

As such, buying the cheapest oil is often a recipe for reduced reliability in the future. Using high-quality oil may cost a bit more up front, but it beats the thousands you’ll spend on a failed turbocharger or piston ring due to a poorly-lubricated engine.

Dual-clutch transmission service

The Volkswagen Audi Group’s Direct-Shift Gearbox (DSG) is one of the best in the business. But it isn’t without its faults, especially if poorly maintained. Failures of the mechatronic unit can cost thousands to remedy, and the part itself often takes weeks to arrive.

That’s why it is critical to perform the DSG service at the scheduled 60,000-mile intervals, if not a few thousand miles early. The DSG can handle a heap of torque, but it also generates a lot of heat as it sends that power to the wheels. Maintaining proper lubrication without contamination is important to the long-term health of the gearbox.

This can be a tricky service to perform yourself, but the video below goes over how you can perform your own DSG service without spending big bucks at the dealership. In doing so, you’ll learn yet another way to improve your Audi’s reliability so you can enjoy driving it for years to come.

Audi reliability is easy to improve by following the basics

All told, the Audi lineup is as reliable today as it has ever been. As such, it doesn’t take much to improve its overall longevity. By following these tips, you can improve the reliability of your Audi and keep it for well over 150,000 miles.