[V8] input is appreciated

[bob moy]

"While it was apart I sprayed contact cleaner on the back of the
dash to hopefully stop the low fuel warning from coming on intermittently."

Next time this occurs try hitting the check system button on the dash.  
Works for me.

"Every time I have to work on her car (with 285K), I think to myself, the 
trans is going to go-the
trans is going to go."

Yes but like the Engerizer Bunny it just keeps going and going and going.  
Replacing the transmission fluid helps alot, evern if Audi insist that the 
transmission fluid is lifetime.  Nice marketing ploy by Audi, knowing that 
most owners who could afford this car when new will trade it in before real 
problems start happening.