2008 AUDI A4 AVANT coolant level

® Reset button for Service indicator .... ... .. .... ... .
@ Reset button for trip odometer .... .... .... ...... .
17
18
The instrument cluster illuminates whenever you switch on the ign i­
tion with the
vehicle headlights off. The instrument cluster illumina­
tion dims automatically as the daylight begins to fade away . It goes
out completely when the outside light is very dim . The reason for
this is to remind you to turn on the headlights when the light condi ­
tions become poor.
•
Engine coolant temperature gauge
The engine coolant gauge 0~ page 12, fig . 2 only works when the
ignition is on. To prevent damage to your engine, please note the
f o llowing important points:
Engine cold
As long as the needle remains at the left end of the gauge, the
engine still has not reached its operating temperature. Avoid high
engine speeds, heavy engine loads and heavy throttle .
Normal temperature
When the engine has reached its operating temperature, the needle
wi ll move into the midd le of the gauge and remain there. If the
engine is working hard at high outside temperatures, the needle
may turn further to the right. This is no cause for concern as long as
the
J_ warning light in the instrument cluster does not illuminate.
When the
_t_ warning light starts to flash, this can mean one of two
th ings : either the coolant
temperature is to o high, or the coolant
level is too low~ page 31 .
& WARNING
• Always observe the warning in ~ page 265, "Engine compart­
ment" before opening the engine hood and checking the engine
c oolant level .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indicator lights
& WARNING (continued )
• Never open the engine hood if you see or hear steam, or if you
see engine coolant dripping from the engine compartment . You
could burn yourself. Let the engine cool off first so that you cannot
hear or see any steam or engine coolant.
0 Note
• Mounting additional lights or accessories in front of the air inlets
reduces the coo ling effect of the radiator . At high outside tempera ­
tures or high engine load, the engine cou ld overheat.
• The front spoi ler has been designed to properly distribute the
cooling air when the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged,
this could reduce the cooling effect and the engine could then over ­
heat. Ask your author ized Audi dealer for assistance .•
Tachometer {engine rev counter)
The tachometer indicates the engine RPM (revolutions per
minutes).
The tachometer 0 ~ page 12, fig. 2 is the left one of the two large
c lock -type displays.
The engine turns at a speed
1,000 times the sin gle digit in the
display, e .g . if the needle points at the "2", the engine turns at
2,000 RPM.
If the engine RPMs drop below 1,500, you shou ld downshift to the
next lower gear. The red area at the end of the scale indicates
maximum permissible engine RPMs after the break-in period.
Before reaching this area, you should either shift into the next
higher gear or ease your foot off the accelerator pedal.
.,_

Driver information display
If one or more faults exist, the driver information disappears
approximately 15 seconds after the engine has been started and the
appropriate fault symbol appears in the display.
If neither the OK message nor a malfunction message appears in
the display, have the Auto-Check Contro l inspec ted by your autho­
rized Audi dealer. •
Function test: automatic transmission
Fig. 18 Dis play: func ­
tion test automatic
transmission, ignition
ju st turned on
The Auto-Check Contro l will automatically perform a test each time
you switch on the ignition . When the selector lever in
P or N , the
following message appears in the display:
When stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear.
When you a select a different gear (for example : R, D, etc.), the
message will disappear and the Auto-Check function is displayed. If
there are no ma lfunctions, the OK message illuminates for a few
seconds => fig. 18.
If there is a malfunction, then the malfunction message wil l appear
about 15 seconds after the you start the vehicle. At the same time
you will hear a warning tone . If
neither the OK message nor a malfunction message appear in the
display, have the Auto -Check Control inspected by your authorized
Audi dea ler .•
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
-Pull of the road and stop the vehicle.
Turn off the engine.
Fig. 19 Display: engine
coolant level warning
( p rio rity 1 )
-Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop for assistance.
The red symbols mean:

BRAKE
(Ci))
BRAKE
_j_
COOLANT
~
OIL
PRESSURE USA
models:
Malfunction in the brake system
Canada models:
Malfunction in the brake system
Engine coolant level too low/
engine coolant temperature too
high
-
Engine oil pressure
too low =>
page 31
=> page 31
=> page 31
=> page 32
Red symbols indicate a priority 1 malfunction -Danger!
When a red symbol appears , a warning tone will sound consecu­
tively three times. The symbol continues to flash until the malfunc ­
tion has been repaired. If there are more than one priority 1 malfunc­
tions, the symbols appear one after the other for about two
seconds .a
Brake system malfunction BRAKE (USA models)/
(CD) (Canada models)
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as soon as possible.
When BRAKE/ (CD) (Canada models) appears in the display
and flashes, this means there is a malfunction in the brake
system. In addition to the symbol, one of the following two
messages also appears in the display:
Stop vehicle, check brake fluid and hydraulic fluid levels
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact workshop!
- Pull of the road and stop the vehicle.
- Check the brake fluid
level :::;, page 284.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
USA models : if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the ABS
warning/indicator light illuminates along with the BRAKE system
malfunction warning/indicator
light=> ,&..
Canada models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the 0
warning/indicator light illuminates together with the ((l)) brake
system malfunction warning/indicator
light =>,&. .
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in => page 265, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the engine hood and checking the brake
fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard! Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• If the brake system warning/indicator light illuminates
together with the ABS warning/indicator light, then the ABS
system is malfunctioning. The rear wheels could quickly lock up
when you apply the brakes. This could lead to loss of control and
your vehicle could slide! Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -L
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the - L symbol in the display flashes, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following message
also appears in the display:
Switch off engine, check coolant level
- Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.

Driver information display
-Check coolant level :::> page 281.
-Add coolant if necessary=> page 282.
-Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/indicator light goes out.
-Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if
necessary.
If the engine coolant level is correct, then the radiator fan may be
the cause of the malfunction.
I f the generator warning/indicator light should also illuminate
=> page 22, then the fan belt may be damaged.
& WARNING
• If your vehicle should break down for mechanical or other
reasons, park at a safe distance from moving traffic, turn off the
engine and turn on the hazard warning lights
=> page 79, "Emer­
gency flasher
A" .
• Never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment -you risk being scalded .
Wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping.
• The engine compartment of any vehicle is a dangerous area.
Before you perform any work in the engine compartment, turn of
the engine and allow it to cool. Follow the warning stickers
=> page 265, "Engine compartment" .
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the-~-symbol illuminates. It indicates a
cooling system malfunction likely to result in serious damage to the
engine. •
Engine oil pressure malfunction ~
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair. Driving with a low-oil-pres­
sure indication is likely to result in serious damage to the
engine.
If the 9=::;,. symbol appears in the display and blinks, the oil
pressure is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following
message also appears in the display:
Switch off engine, check oil level
Immediate actions
-Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
-Shut the engine down.
-Check the engine oil level with the dipstick=> page 277.
Dipstick reading checks too lovv
-Top off oil to the proper level => page 278.
-Make sure that the oil pressure warning symbol 9=::;f.
appears no longer in the display before you start driving
again.
Dipstick reading checks OK
-If the 9=::;f. symbol starts flashing again even though the
engine oil level checks OK on the dipstick,
do not start
driving again and do not let the engine run at idle .
Instead, contact your authorized Audi dealer for assis-
tance.
.,_

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c
_ k_in -= g_a
_ n_d _ f_il _li _n ..;::g ;;.___..
le as t 50 % but not more th an 60 % to maintain antifreeze protection
and cooling efficiency . If the coolant frost protection is too low, the
coolant could freeze and damage the vehic le heating and engine
cooling system.
For year -round driving, antifreeze is added at the factory for temper­
atures down to :
•
-31 °F (- 35 °C) USA
•
-40 °F ( -40 °C) Canada.
You can mix the G12 + coolant additive with other additives (for
examp le G11 or G12) . Always check with your authorized Audi
dea ler.
& WARNING
Bef ore you check anything in the eng ine comp artm ent , a lw ays
re ad and h eed all W ARNING S
=> & in "Worki ng in the engine
c ompartm en t" on
page 273.
0 Note
• Before winter sets in, have the coolant checked to see if the
coolant additive in your vehicle is sufficient to meet the climate
conditions. This is especially important if you live in a region where
the winter is extremely cold. If necessary, increase the proportion of coolant additive to 60%.
• When adding coolant additive to your cooling system,
remember :
-We recommend using only coolant additive G12 + (check the
label) for your vehicle. This coo lant additive is avai lable at autho ­
rized Audi dealers . Other types of antifreeze can significantly
reduce corrosion protect ion. The resulting corrosion can cause a
loss of coolant and serious engine damage.
• Do no t add any type of radiator leak sealan t to you r vehicle's
engine coolant . Adding radiator repair fluid may adversely affect the function and performance of your cooling system and could result
in damage not covered by yo ur New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Checking the engine coolant level
The engine coolant level can be checked with a quick
glance.
F ig . 211 E ngine
co mpa rtm ent: Co olan t
e xp an sion tan k
Before you che ck a ny thing in the e ng ine compar tmen t,
alway s read and heed all
WARNINGS => & in "Working in
t h e engine compartment" on
page 273.
Turn off the ignitio n.
Let the engine cool down.
P lace a t hick rag over the coo lant expans ion tank
=> fig. 211 and carefully twist the cap counter-clockwise
=>& . ...
Ve hic le care irechnical data

___ C_ h_ e_c _k _ i_n ~g _ a_n_ d_ f_il _li _n_ g~--------------------------------------------
-Read the engine coolant level in the open coolant expan­
sion
tank => fig. 211. With a cold engine, the coolant level
should be between the "min" and "max" markings. When
the engine is warm, the level may be slightly above the "max" marking.
The location of the coolant expansion tank can be seen in the
engine compartment
illustration=> page 275 .
To obtain an accurate reading, the engine must be sw itched off.
The expansion tank in your vehicle is equipped with an electric
coolant level sensor.
When the coolant level is too low, the warning light in the Auto ­
Check System
=> page 31 will blink until you add coolant and the
level has been restored to normal. Even though there is an electric
coolant level sensor, we still recommend you check the coolant level
from time to time.
Coolant loss
Coolant loss may indicate a leak in the cooling system . In the event
of coolant loss, the cooling system should be inspected immedi­
ately by your authorized Audi dealer . It is not enough merely to add
coolant.
In a
sealed system, losses can occur only if the boiling point of the
coolant is exceeded as a result of overheating.
& WARNING
The cooling system is under pressure and can get very hot. Reduce
the risk of scalding from hot coolant by following these steps.
• Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
• Protect your face, hands and arms from escaping fluid and
steam by covering the cap with a large, thick rag.
& WARNING (continued)
• Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counter-clockwise
direction while applying light, downward pressure on the top of
the cap.
• To avoid being burned, do not spill antifreeze or coolant on the
exhaust system or hot engine parts. Under certain conditions, the
ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
0 Note
Do not add any type of radiator leak sealant to your vehicle's engine
coolant. Adding radiator repair fluid may adversely affect the func ­
tion and performance of your cooling system and could result in damage not covered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Adding coolant
Be very careful when adding engine coolant.
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS => & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 273.
-Turn off the engine.
-Let the engine cool down.
-Place a thick rag over the coolant expansion tank
=> page 281 , fig. 211 and carefully twist the cap counter­
clockwise
=> & .
-Add coolant.
-Twist the cap on again tightly.
Replacement engine coolant must conform to exact spec ifications
=> page 280, "Coolant". If in an emergency coolant additive G12 + is .,,

___ A_l-=- p _h_ a_ b_e _t_ic _ a_l _in _ d_e _x ____________________________________________ _
Starting .. .. .. ...... .... .... 135, 136
Starting with jumper cables ... .... 330
Stopping . .... .... .... ... .... ... 137
Engine compartment ... .. .... .... ... 274
Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 273
Working the engine compartment .. 273
Engine coolant system . ...... ...... . 280
Adding coolant .. ...... .......... 282
Checking coo lant leve l .. .. .... .... 281
Checking the engine coo lant leve l .. 281
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Engine coolant temperature Gauge ...... ...... .... ........... 13
Engine cooling system Ma lfunction .. .... ..... .. .... .... . 31
Engine data ...... .... .... .......... 343
Engine hood Closing . ...... ..... .. .... ...... . 273
How to release the hood . . . . . . . . . . 272
Engine oil ...... .... .... .... ... .... 275
Adding ... .... ... .... .... ...... . 278
Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Changing ... .. .... .... ...... .... 279
Checking the engine oi l level .. .... . 277
Indications and conditions requiring extra
checking ..... .. .... .... ... .... 277
Oil consumption .. .... .... ... .... 277
Oil grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Recommended o il check interva ls .. 277
Specification and viscosity . . . . . . . . 275
Engine oil level .. .... .... .... ... .... . 34
Engine oil pressure Malfunction ...... ..... .. .... .... . 32 Engine oil sensor defective
....... .... . 34
Environment Break -in period .. ...... .... .... .. 243
Catalytic converter .. ...... .... ... 244
Disposing of your vehicle battery ... 291
Driving at high speeds .. .... .... .. 245
Driving to minimize pollution and noise . 245
Fuel ... ...... .... ... .. .... .... .. 269
Fuel economy ....... ...... .... .. 245
Leaks under your vehicle ... .... ... 273
Letting the vehicle stand and warm up .. 246
Proper disposa l of drained brake fluid
284
Proper disposal of drained engine
coo lant ...... ............. ..... 282
Proper disposa l of drained engine oil
278 ,279
Recycling used eng ine oil .. .... ... 278
Un leaded fuel ..... .... ... .... ... 267
What should I do with an old battery?
291
EPC
See Electronic power control .. ... .. . 23
ESP
See Electronic stabi ll ization program
(ESP) . ... .... .... ........ ... 22, 236
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .. ....... .. 236
Expansion tank .. .... ... .... .... .... 281
F
Fahrenheit
Switching between Fahrenheit and Centigrade . ...... .... ...... .... 128
Fan Adjusting the fan speed .. ...... ... 129
Climate controls ................. 129
Radiator ...... .... .... ...... .... 283
Fastening eyes ... .... .... .... .... .. 108
Flat tire ............................. 50
Changing .. .... .... ... .... .... .. 318
Flat tire changing .. ...... .... .... .... 50
Floor mats .. ... ... .... .... .... .... . 172
Fog lights ........................... 76
Fo lding master key with remote control . 52
Foot pedals .. .. .. .... .... .... ...... 17 2
For the sake of the environment Gaso line fumes and the environment 269
Letting your engine warm up ....... 136
Reducing engine noise by early upshifting .... .... ... .... .... ... 13
Reducing engine noise by upshift ing
early . .... .... .... ... .... .... ... 13
Refueling .... .... .... ....... .... 269
Saving fuel by early upshifting . .... . 13
Saving fuel by upshifting early .. .... 13
Using the rear window defogger 131, 132
Front airbags
Description . .... .... ... .... .... .. 191
How they work .. .... ... .... .... .. 196
Front ashtray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Front fog lights .... .... .... .... .... .. 76

-Alphabetical index _ _e ____________________________________ _
Waxing .... .... ....... .... .... ... .. 257 Why safety belts? ....... .... .... 176, 177 y
Wear indica tor ..................... 303 Windows
Weatherstrips .... ... .... .... .... ... 259 Cleaning ........................ 258 Yellow symbols ... .... .... ...... ..... 33
Weights ........................... 341 Convenience close/open feature ..... 59
What happens if you wear your safety be lt too Defogging · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
...... 131
loose? ........................ 182 Defrosting ...................... 131
What happens to unbelted occupants? . 178 Rapid defrosting/defogging ........ 131
What impairs driving safety? .. ...... . 167
What should I do after changing a wheel? .. 300
What should I do after replacing whee ls? ...
300
Wheel bolts Torque ......................... 311
Wheel change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 318
Wheels .. .... .... .... ....... .... ... 293
Cast a lloy ... .. .... .... .......... 260
Checking tire pressure ............ 299
Cold tire inflation pressure ...... .. 297
Genera l notes .... .... .... ...... . 293
G lossary of tire and loading terminology
294
New tires and whee ls . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305
Stee l whee ls .......... .......... 259
Tires and vehicle load limits . . . . . . . 301
When must a safety belt be replaced? .. 180
When must the airbag system be inspected? 198
When should I adjust the tire pressures?
300
When should I check the tire pressures? 300 Windshield washer fluid
Low level .... ....... ...... .... ... 34
Windshield wipers Installing new wiper b lades ......... 88
Washer reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 291
Winter driving Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258
Winter operation
Battery .. .... ....... ...... .... .. 285
Coolant system .................. 280
Ti res ....... .. .... .... .... ... ... 242
Winter tires .............. .......... 310
All -whee l drive ... .... ....... ..... 310
Wiper and washer system .. .... .... ... 85
Intermittent wiping ...... ....... ... 85
One-tap wiping ...... ...... .... ... 85
Rear window wiper .......... .. .... 86
Wiper blades Installing new wiper blades ....... .. 88
Replacing rear window wiper blades . 89
Worn brake pads .. ........ ... .... .... 34
X
Where can I find the tire pressures for my Xenon headlights ..... .... .... .... ... 79
car? ...... ... .... .... .... .... . 299 Xenon-L ights ... .. ...... .... ... .. ... 328