2008 AUDI A4 checking oil

Checking and topping up fluids261
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
The coolant additive G12++ can be mixed only with additives
G12+ and G12.
Checking coolant level
The coolant level can be checked at a glance.– Switch off the ignition.
– Read off coolant level on radiator expansion tank
⇒fig. 257. When the engine is cold it should be between
the “MIN” and “MAX” marks. When the engine is hot it
may be slightly above the “MAX” mark.The coolant level should be checked with the engine switched off.
The coolant level is monitored by a warning lamp in the instrument
cluster ⇒page 33. However, we recommend that it should be
checked occasionally.
Coolant losses
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a leak in the cooling system.
In this case the cooling system should be inspected by a qualified
workshop without delay. It is not sufficient merely to top up the
coolant.If there are no leaks in the system, a loss of coolant can only occur
if the coolant boils and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating.
Caution
Radiator sealants must not be added to the coolant. Such additives
could seriously impair the function of the cooling system.Topping up the coolant
Be careful when topping up coolant.– Switch off the engine.
– Wait for the engine to cool down.
– Cover the cap on the expansion tank ⇒fig. 257 with a
cloth, and carefully unscrew the cap anti-clockwise
⇒.
– Add coolant.
– Screw the cap on again tightly.Make sure that the coolant meets the required specifications
⇒page 260, “Coolant”. Do not use a different type of additive if anti-
freeze additive G12++, G12+ or G12 is not available. In this case use
only water and bring the coolant concentration back up to the
correct level as soon as possible by putting in the specified additive.
Always top up with fresh, unused coolant.
Do not fill above the “MAX” mark. Excess coolant is forced out of the
system through the valve in the filler cap when the engine gets hot.
If a lot of coolant has been lost, wait for the engine to cool down
before putting in cold coolant. Failure to do so could result in
serious engine damage.
Fig. 257 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on radiator expan-
sion tank
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Checking and topping up fluids263
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Changing brake fluid
When required, the brake fluid should be changed by a
competent mechanic with the proper equipment.Brake fluid gradually absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If the
water content in the brake fluid is too high, this may cause corrosion
in the brake system over time. In addition, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will be considerably reduced. This could adversely affect
the braking ability in certain circumstances.
For this reason the brake fluid must be changed periodically.
Your vehicle's Service Schedule will tell you when the brake fluid has
to be changed.
It is advisable to have the brake fluid changed as part of a regular
Inspection Service at your Audi workshop. They are familiar with the
procedure and have the necessary special tools and spare parts as
well as the proper facilities for disposing of the old fluid.
Use only the genuine brake fluid specified by the factory Qualified
workshops know that the brake fluid “DOT 4” is approved by Audi.
The brake fluid must be fresh and unused.
WARNING
•
Brake fluid is poisonous; store it in the sealed original container
in a safe place out of reach of children.
•
Heavy use of the brakes may cause a vapour lock if the brake
fluid is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect
the efficiency of the brakes and the safety of the car – risk of acci-
dent.Caution
Please note that brake fluid will attack the paintwork on contact.
For the sake of the environment
If the fluid has to be drained out of the brake system, use an appro-
priate container to catch the used brake fluid and dispose of it in the
proper manner.BatteryGeneral notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The battery is virtually maintenance-free. It is checked as part of the
Inspection Service.
We recommend that you replace a battery once it is older than 5
years.
When an airbag is triggered, the battery will, under certain circum-
stances, be disconnected from the on-board power supply for
safety reasons ⇒ in “General notes on airbag system” on
page 201.
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will
become inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will
require resetting after the battery is reconnected. For this reason,
the battery should only be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical
system when absolutely necessary.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods
If you do not drive your vehicle for a period of several days or weeks,
the power management will gradually shut off the on-board
systems one by one, or reduce the amount of current they are using.
This limits the amount of power consumed and helps to ensure reli-
able starting even after a long period ⇒page 226.
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Index 334
Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Releasing and applying . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19, 20
Electronic differential lock
How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Electronic immobiliser . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 43
Electronic stabilisation program
How the system works . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Emergency braking function . . . . . . . . . . 123
Emergency key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Emergency release
Ignition key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Emission control systems
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Diesel particulate filter . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Emissions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Engine compartment
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Engine compartment layout . . . . . . . . . . 256
Engine data
SeePerformance, weights and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Engine hood
SeeBonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Engine management
(EPC) warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34, 257
Checking oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . 258, 259
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 258, 259
LongLife Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257Topping up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
See alsoPerformance, weights and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Engine oil capacity
SeePerformance, weights and
dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 323
Engine oil pressure
Warning lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Engine oil sensor
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Environmental compatibility . . . . . . . . . . 231
Environmental tips
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 106
Leaks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
Roof carrier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
EPC
SeeEngine management . . . . . . . . . . . 16
ESP
SeeElectronic stabilisation program . 17
Ethanol fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
FFastening rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79, 193
Filling the tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Releasing the tank flap manually . . . 253
Fire extinguisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
First-aid kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191, 192
Fog lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Four-wheel drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226Front passenger
SeeSitting position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Fuel
Biodiesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Current fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . 25
Diesel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Ethanol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Fuel level low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Petrol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Saving fuel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Fuel range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Fuse, changing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
GGarage door opener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Gear-change indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Generator
SeeAlternator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Glove box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Glow plug system
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16HHandbrake
SeeElectro-mechanical parking brake . . .
121
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