GraemeB

Does anyone know anything about getting a software update applied to the car?

Note: for some folks, TerraClean may be an interesting option.

So here's a quick update. No resolution yet, though too earlier to tell. - So, i bought a product called CatAClean. It's a petrol treatment. I'm now on the follow up tank of fuel. I do not however believe this will solve the issue. - I believe replacing my sensors was a waste of time and a 'con' by my local garage / mechanic - Local mechanic now suggests taking car to an Audi dealer and getting a software update. He apparently spoke to a friend at an audi garage and they suggested that there are indeed software updates related to this fault code. - I've also just had the car serviced. Waiting to see if the light comes on again, before going to a dealer for a software update - but that is my next step.

Should I now bite the bullet and take it into a main dealer?

So, here's a quick update. Welcome any one else's thoughts / experiences on this. - Didn't bother with the cleaner; reviews online were less than convincing. - I've since had both the sensors replaced. Expensive job at roughly £500 for the pair. - After 400 miles, the EML has come back on again - though this time i've now got my own code reader. - Just spoken to a mechanic; he's advised me that it's a dealer only part (the cat) He also said a few other things, as follows: - Do some research online; consider cutting out the cat altogether and having the ecu re-mapped - Speak to a dealer; this may also be a software glitch (nice of him to tell me that after i've just paid for the sensors to be replaced) - I'd also spoken to someone else who advised on alternative methods of sorting my CAT So, to summarise. I'm no further forward; just £500 worse off :-( Any tips from anyone??

Thanks for the response Trevor. I've bitten the bullet with my mechanic and am going to replace the o2 lamda sensors initially. He reckons it's more than likely issue with the converter; and that fuel treatment unlikely to solve the issue (although he would say that wouldn't he). But doing the sensors would be a must-do when doing the convertor anyway. My fuel consumption also seems higher than it should be for motorway driving, so that would probably point to at least a sensor issue. Got some longish journeys coming up - so just want a 'sorted' car. One of those things when you can't really look for when you buy a used car privately.

Hello - I'm new to Audi's and need some help. I recently bought a lovely 2010 Audi S3 Sportback. Gorgeous car. I've not long had it and the engine management light has come on; took it into my local garage and they said it's showing this error code - P0420 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). [harsh to pay £60 just to get that info] From what I can deduce; it's either an issue with the Cat or Sensors or both. Although first off; I will use a Cat Cleaner petrol treatment. So I have a few questions: Any tips on a good cat cleaner petrol additive to use in an Audi? Halfords sell Cataclean; ECP sell TopCat? Any other tips on resolving the issue without replacing either Cat or Sensors? If I do have to replace either of these; any idea on likely average cost? Any tips on a good value code reader to buy? (i won't be shelling out £60 the next time a light comes on) Thanks in advance. I do very much appreciate any tips