2008 AUDI A4 Arm

Your vehicle and the environment 230Anticipate well in advance
A car uses most fuel when accelerating. If you anticipate hazards
and speed changes well in advance, you will need to brake less and
thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let the car slow down grad-
ually with a gear engaged, for instance when you can see that the
next traffic lights are red. This takes advantage of the engine
braking effect, reducing wear on the brakes and tyres. Emissions
and fuel consumption will drop to zero due to the overrun fuel cut-
off.
Change gear early to save fuel
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the
gears. Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an
unnecessary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: Shift up to second gear as soon as possible. If
possible, we recommend shifting up to the next gear at approx.
2,000 rpm.
Automatic gearbox: Press the accelerator slowly and avoid using
the “kick-down” feature.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed. Fuel consumption, exhaust emissions
and noise levels all increase very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Do not let the engine idle for longer than necessary
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic
jam, at level crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The
fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of
fuel needed to restart the engine.
The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at
idling speed. Mechanical wear and pollutant emissions are also
especially high during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best
to drive off immediately after starting the engine. Avoid running the
engine at high speed.Regular servicing
Regular servicing can establish a basis for good fuel economy
before you start driving. A well-serviced engine gives you the
benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maximum reliability
and an enhanced resale value. A badly tuned engine can consume
up to ten percent more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short trips
The engine and emission control system need to reach their proper
working temperature in order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions.
A cold engine uses disproportionately more fuel. The engine only
reaches its working temperature after about four kilometres, when
fuel consumption will return to a normal level. This is the reason
why we recommend avoiding short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures
⇒page 268 to save fuel. If the tyre pressures are just 0.5 bar too low,
this can increase the fuel consumption by as much as 5 %. Due to
the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also increases tyre
wear and impairs handling.
Do not use winter tyres all through the year; they will increase fuel
consumption by up to 10 %.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
Every kilo of extra weight will increase the fuel consumption, so it is
worth checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make
sure that no unnecessary loads are being transported.
A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even
when it is no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will
use about 12 % more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance
caused by the roof carrier - even when it is empty.
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Care of vehicle and cleaning 244Care of vehicle and cleaningGeneral notesRegular care helps to maintain the value of the vehicle.Regular and careful care helps to maintain the value of the vehicle.
This may also be one of the requirements for upholding any
warranty claims in the event of corrosion or paint defects.
Audi dealers and specialist retailers carry stocks of suitable car care
products. Please follow the instructions for use on the packaging.
WARNING
•
Cleaning products and other materials used for car care can
damage health if misused.
•
Car care products can contain toxic substances and must
always be kept in a safe place out of reach of children.For the sake of the environment
•
When purchasing car care products, try to select ones which are
not harmful to the environment.
•
Surplus cleaning materials should not be disposed of together
with ordinary household waste.
Care of exteriorWa s hi ng t he ve hi c l eThe longer substances like insects, bird droppings, resinous tree
sap, road dirt, industrial deposits, tar, soot or road salt and other
aggressive materials remain on the vehicle, the more damage they do to the paintwork. High temperatures (for instance in strong
sunlight) further intensify the corrosive effect.
After the period when salt is put on the roads it is important to have
the underside of the vehicle washed thoroughly.
Automatic car washes
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precau-
tions such as closing the windows and sunroof. If the vehicle has
special accessories such as spoilers or a roof carrier or two-way
radio aerial, etc., it is advisable to consult the car wash operator.
It is best to use a car wash without revolving bristles if possible.
Washing your car with a high-pressure cleaner
When cleaning the vehicle with a high-pressure cleaner, always
follow the operating instructions for the equipment. This applies
particularly to the operating pressure and the spraying distance. Do
not hold the spray nozzle too close to soft materials, such as rubber
hoses or seals.
Do not use a nozzle that sprays the water out in a direct stream or
one that has a rotating jet for forcing off dirt.
Washing the car by hand
When washing the car by hand, use plenty of water to soften the dirt
first, and rinse off as well as possible.
Then clean the vehicle with a soft sponge, glove or brush, using only
slight pressure. You should start on the roof and work down. Special
car shampoo should only be used for very persistent dirt.
Rinse the sponge or glove thoroughly and often.
Wheels, sills and similar should be cleaned last. Use a second
sponge for this.
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Care of vehicle and cleaning245
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
WARNING
•
Do not wash the vehicle with the ignition switched on – risk of
accident.
•
Do not clean the underside of the car or inside the wheel arches
without protecting your hands and arms. You may cut yourself on
sharp metal parts.
•
Take care when washing the car during the winter: moisture
and ice on the brakes may affect braking efficiency – this could
cause an accident.Caution
•
Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight – otherwise the paint
can be damaged.
•
Do not use insect sponges or abrasive household sponges, etc.
– they can damage the surfaces.
•
The headlights should only be washed with water – do not wipe
them with a dry cloth or sponge. It is best to use soapy water.
•
Never wash tyres with a jet that sprays the water out in a direct
stream. This could damage the tyres – even if the spray is kept at a
distance and only used for a very short time.For the sake of the environment
The car should only be washed in special wash bays. This prevents
oily water from getting into the public drains. In some districts,
washing vehicles anywhere else may be prohibited.Waxing and polishingWaxing
Waxing protects the paintwork. It is time to apply a good coat of wax
when water no longer forms droplets and rolls off the clean paint-
work.Even if a wax solution is used regularly in the car wash, it is advis-
able to protect the paint with a coat of wax at least twice a year.
In the summer, you will find it is much easier to remove dead insects
(which accumulate on the bumper and the front of the bonnet) if the
car has been waxed recently.
Polishing
Polishing is only necessary if the paint has lost its shine, and the
gloss cannot be brought back by putting on wax.
The car must be waxed after polishing if the polish used does not
contain wax compounds to seal the paint.
Caution
Matt painted and plastic parts must not be treated with wax or
polish.Ornamental trim and mouldingsThe metal brightwork on the body is made of aluminium rather than
chrome (for environmental reasons).
Dirt or marks on the trim mouldings should be removed with an
acid-free cleaning agent (do not use a chrome cleaner). Body polish
is also unsuitable for use on trim mouldings. The intensive cleaning
fluids often used before the car goes into a car wash may contain
alkaline substances, which can cause dull or milky patches when
they dry out.
Audi dealers carry stocks of cleaning products which have been
tested for use on your vehicle and are not harmful to the
environment.
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Care of vehicle and cleaning 246Plastic partsPlastic parts will come clean with regular washing. If this is not suffi-
cient, plastic parts should only be treated with a special solvent-free
plastic cleaning agent. Do not use paint cleaners, polishes or wax on
plastic parts.Paint damageMinor damage to the paint, such as scratches or stone chips, should
be touched up without delay before the metal starts to corrode. Suit-
able touch-up brushes or sprays for your car can be obtained from
an Audi dealer.
The number of the original paint finish on the vehicle is given on the
data sticker ⇒page 321.
If corrosion is already visible it must be thoroughly removed by a
qualified workshop.Windows
Clear vision is an essential safety factor.The windscreen must not be cleaned with insect remover or wax,
otherwise the windscreen wipers will not function properly
(juddering).
Traces of rubber, oil, grease or silicone can be removed with a
window cleaning solution or a silicone remover. Wax residue can
only be removed with a special cleaner. Your Audi dealer will be able
to provide you with more detailed information.
The windows should also be cleaned on the inside at regular inter-
vals.
Use a separate cloth or chamois to dry the windows. Cloths used for
waxing and polishing contain residues that will cause smears on the
glass.
WARNING
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad visi-
bility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.
Caution
•
Remove snow and ice from windows and mirrors with a plastic
scraper only. To avoid scratches caused by dirt on the glass, the
scraper should only be pushed in one direction and not moved to
and fro.
•
The heating element for the rear window is located on the inner
side of the window. To avoid damaging the heating element, do not
put stickers on the inner side of the window.
•
Never use warm or hot water to remove snow and ice from
windows and mirrors. This could cause the glass to crack!
Rubber seals (weatherstrips)The weatherstrips will remain pliable and last longer if they are
occasionally treated with a suitable care product (for example sili-
cone spray). This will also prevent premature ageing and leaks. The
doors will be easier to open as well. If they are kept pliable, the door
seals will be less likely to freeze up in the winter.WheelsThe wheels require regular attention to preserve their appearance.
It is important to remove road salt and brake dust by washing the
wheels at regular intervals, otherwise the finish will be impaired.
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Care of vehicle and cleaning 250Applies to vehicles: with Alcantara seat coversCleaning AlcantaraRemoving dust and dirt
– Moisten a cloth just a little and wipe down the seat
covers.
Removing stains
– Moisten a cloth with lukewarm water or diluted methyl-
ated spirits.
– Dab at the stain. Start at the outside and work inwards.
– Dry the area you have cleaned with a soft cloth.Do not use leather cleaning products on Alcantara seat covers.
You may use a suitable shampoo on dust and dirt.
Dust and grit in the pores and seams can have an abrasive effect
and damage the surface of the leather. If the car is left standing in
the sun for long periods, the leather should be protected against
direct sunlight to prevent it from fading. However, slight colour vari-
ations will arise in normal use.
Caution
•
Do not use solvents, wax polish, shoe cream, stain removers,
leather cleaning products or any similar products on Alcantara.
•
To avoid damage, stubborn stains should be removed by a qual-
ified workshop.
•
On no account use brushes, hard sponges or similar utensils.
Seat belts
Seat belts should be looked after properly to ensure that
they give the full protection.– Keep the seat belts clean.
– For cleaning, use a mild soap solution.
– Check the condition of the seat belts at regular intervals.Very dirty belts may not retract properly.
Make sure that the inertia reel seat belts are completely dry before
allowing them to retract.
Caution
•
Do not remove the seat belts from the vehicle to clean them.
•
Do not use chemical cleaning agents on the seat belts, as this
can damage the webbing. Ensure that the belts do not come into
contact with corrosive fluids.
•
If you find any damage to the belt webbing, belt fittings, the belt
retractor or the buckle, the belt in question must be replaced by a
qualified workshop.
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Fuel and filling the tank253
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data −Insert the filler nozzle as far as possible into the spare fuel
canister.
−If the spare fuel canister is made of metal, the filler nozzle
must be in contact with the canister during filling. This helps
prevent an electrostatic charge building up.
−Make sure you never spill fuel in the vehicle or in the luggage
compartment. Fuel vapour is explosive. Risk of fatal accident!
Caution
•
If any fuel is spilt onto the vehicle, it should be removed immedi-
ately, as it could otherwise damage the paintwork.
•
Never run the tank completely dry. If there is an irregular fuel
supply, misfiring can occur. As a result unburnt fuel can enter the
exhaust system and cause damage to the catalytic converter(s).
•
When filling the fuel tank after having run it completely dry on a
vehicle with a diesel engine the ignition must be switched on for at
least 30 seconds without starting the engine. When you then start
the engine it may take longer than normal (up to one minute) for the
engine to start firing. This is because air needs to be bled from the
fuel system while starting.For the sake of the environment
Do not try to put in more fuel after the automatic filler nozzle has
switched off; this may cause the fuel to overflow if it becomes warm.
Note
The tank flap is not locked when you lock the vehicle from the
inside.
Releasing the tank flap manually
The tank flap can be released manually if the central
locking system should fail to operate.The manual release mechanism is located behind the side
trim on the right of the luggage compartment.
– Open the right-hand side trim.
– Release the ring from its holder and pull the ring
⇒fig. 249. You should now be able to open the tank flap
in the usual way ⇒page 252.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 249 Luggage
compartment:
Releasing the fuel tank
flap manually
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Checking and topping up fluids 254Checking and topping up fluidsBonnetReleasing the bonnet
The bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.– Open the driver's door.
– Pull the lever under the dashboard in the direction indi-
cated (arrow) ⇒fig. 250.The bonnet springs out of its lock.
Opening the bonnetBefore opening the bonnet make sure that the windscreen
wiper arms are not lifted away from the glass. Otherwise the
paint may get damaged.
– Lift the bonnet slightly ⇒.
– Press the release catch under the bonnet upwards
⇒fig. 251. This will release the arrester hook.
– Open the bonnet.The bonnet is held open by two gas-filled struts.
WARNING
To avoid the risk of being scalded, never open the bonnet if you see
steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment. Wait
until no steam or coolant can be seen before opening the bonnet.
Fig. 250 Detail of foot-
well on driver's side:
Release lever
Fig. 251 Release catch
under the bonnet
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Checking and topping up fluids255
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Working on components in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components
in the engine compartment.Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the
risk of accident or fire when working in the engine compartment
(e.g. when checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warn-
ings listed below and follow all normal safety precautions. The
engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area. ⇒.
WARNING
•
Switch off the engine.
•
Remove the ignition key.
•
Apply the parking brake.
•
Put the gear lever in neutral or selector in P.
•
Wait for the engine to cool down.
•
Keep children away from engine compartment.
•
Never spill fluids on hot engine components. These fluids can
cause a fire (e.g. radiator anti-freeze).
•
Take care not to cause short circuits in the electrical system,
especially when working on the battery.
•
Do not touch the radiator fan when the engine is hot. The fan
may start running suddenly.
•
Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion tank when the engine
is hot. The cooling system is under pressure.
•
Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large,
thick rag to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
•
If any tests have to be performed with the engine running,
there is an extra safety risk from the rotating parts, such as the
drive belts, alternator and radiator fan, etc., and from the high-
voltage ignition system.
•
Vehicles with automatic gearbox: Never open the throttle inad-
vertently (for instance by hand from the engine compartment) if a
gear is engaged while the vehicle is stationary with the engine
running. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately
and possibly cause an accident.
•
Observe the following additional warnings if work on the fuel
system or the electrical system is necessary:
−Always disconnect the battery.
−Do not smoke.
−Never work near naked flames.
−Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately
available.Caution
When topping up fluids make sure the correct fluid is put into the
correct filler opening. This can otherwise cause serious malfunc-
tions or engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle regularly so that any
leaks are detected at an early stage. If you find oil spots or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected by a qualified workshop.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles* some of the containers / reservoirs
mentioned below are located on the other side of the engine
compartment.
WARNING (continued)
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