2008 AUDI A4 radiator

Checking and topping up fluids 256Closing the bonnet– To close the bonnet, pull it down to overcome the spring
pressure.
– Then let it drop into the catches; do not press down ⇒.
WARNING
•
For safety reasons the bonnet must always be completely
closed when the vehicle is moving. After closing it always check
that it is properly secured. The bonnet must be flush with the adja-
cent body panels.
•
Should you notice that the bonnet is not safely secured when
the vehicle is moving, stop the vehicle immediately and close the
bonnet properly, otherwise it could cause an accident.
Engine compartment layoutEngine compartment layout
Main components for checking and refillingFig. 252 Typical locations of fluid containers, engine oil dipstick and engine oil
filler cap
Jump-start terminal (+) under a cover . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid reservoir (
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil filler cap (

) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil dipstick* (orange) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator expansion tank () . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump-start terminal (-) with hexagon head . . . . . . . . .
Windscreen washer container (
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hydraulic fluid reservoir for power steering . . . . . . . .
A1
265, 294
A2
262
A3
259
A4
258
A5
261
A6
265, 294
A7
267
A8
225
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 256 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

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
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 261 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Checking and topping up fluids 262
WARNING
•
The cooling system is under pressure. Do not unscrew the cap
on the expansion tank when the engine is hot: you could be
scalded by escaping steam
•
The coolant and coolant additive can be a health hazard. Store
the coolant additive in the original container in a safe place out of
reach of children – risk of poisoning.For the sake of the environment
Drained off coolant should not be used again. Drain off the used
coolant into a suitable container and dispose of it in the proper
manner (observe environmental regulations).Radiator fan
The radiator fan can start running spontaneously.The radiator fan is driven by the engine via a poly V-belt. The speed
of the fan is varied by a viscous clutch according to the temperature.
There is also an auxiliary electric fan, which cuts in automatically
whenever the temperature of the coolant and the engine compart-
ment rises above a certain level.
The auxiliary fan can continue to run for as long as 10 minutes after
stopping the engine – even after the ignition is switched off. It may
also start running suddenly ⇒ after a while if•
residual heat raises the coolant temperature, or
•
the hot engine compartment is additionally heated up by the
sun.
WARNING
When working in the engine compartment be aware that the radi-
ator fan may start running suddenly – risk of injury.
Brake fluidChecking brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked at a glance.– Check the fluid level on the brake fluid reservoir
⇒fig. 258. It should always be between the “MIN” and
“MAX” marks.In right-hand drive vehicles the brake fluid reservoir is on the other
side of the engine compartment.
The fluid level may drop slightly after a period of time due to the
automatic compensation for brake pad wear. This is quite normal.
However, if the level goes down noticeably in a short time, or drops
below the “MIN” mark, there may be a leak in the brake system. If
the fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this will be indicated by the
brake warning lamp ⇒page 32. If this should happen, take the car
to a qualified workshop immediately and have the brake system
inspected.
Fig. 258 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on brake fluid
reservoir
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 262 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Checking and topping up fluids267
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Windscreen washerPlain water on its own is not sufficient for the windscreen
washer system.The container for the windscreen washer
 contains the cleaning
fluid for the windscreen and the headlight washer system*
⇒fig. 260. Container capacity: ⇒page 321.
Plain water on its own is not enough to clean the glass properly. It
is therefore advisable to add a suitable washer fluid additive (with
wax solvent) to the water. A washer fluid with freeze-resistant addi-
tive should be used in winter.
Caution
•
Never put in radiator anti-freeze or other additives.
•
Never use washer fluid which contains paint thinners or solvents
as it can damage the paintwork.
Fig. 260 Engine
compartment: Wind-
screen washer
container
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 267 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Index 332CCapacities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Car keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Care of vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Catalytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Central locking system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Boot lid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Deadlock mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Fuel tank flap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
Locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from
inside . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Manual locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Opening and closing windows . . . . . . 54
Sun roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Switches on driver's door . . . . . . . . . . 49
Unlocking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Cetane number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
Changing a wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 288
Changing bulbs
SeeBulbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Chassis number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
Child safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Side airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Child safety seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Child seat categories . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Fitting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
ISOFIX system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
On front passenger's seat . . . . . . . . . 211
Safety notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Child-proof catches
Rear doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Cigarette lighter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Cleaning Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Cleaning seat covers
Alcantara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Natural leather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
Textile covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 247
Cleaning textile covers and trim parts . . 247
Clock, setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Closing
Bonnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Sun roof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Coat hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Colour code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 321
coming home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Compact temporary spare wheel
SeeSpare wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 284
Compartment for (sun)glasses . . . . . . . . . 91
Compass in mirror . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Controls and displays
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Convenience open/close function . . . . . . 54
Cooling system
Anti-freeze additive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Checking coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260
Coolant temperature gauge . . . . . . . . . 11
Malfunction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Radiator fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Topping up coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261Cruise control system
Adjusting stored speed . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Pre-selecting a speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Switching off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Switching on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
See alsoadaptive cruise control . . . . 128
Cup holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Current fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
DDate display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Daytime running lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
DCP
SeeDynamic gear control program . 166
Deactivating front passenger's airbag . . 208
Deadlock mechanism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42, 48
Defrosting windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98, 106
Deluxe automatic air conditioner . . . . . . . 93
Air distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Air outlets for rear passengers . . . . . . 99
Air recirculation mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Automatic mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Basic settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Blower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Defrosting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Economical operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Heated rear window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Seat heating, front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 332 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09