2008 AUDI A4 cooling

Heating and cooling113
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with auxiliary heating - under development at the time of printingRemote control
The auxiliary heating and auxiliary ventilation can also be
switched on or off with the remote control.Switching on
– Press the button for about 2 seconds to activate the
auxiliary heating/ventilation ⇒fig. 125.
Switching off
– Press the button for about 2 seconds to switch
off the auxiliary heating/ventilation.Changing the battery
– Push back and remove the battery cover on the remote
control ⇒fig. 126.
– Change the battery. The diagram in the battery compart-
ment shows how the battery should be fitted. The new
battery must be of the same type as the original one.
– Re-fit the battery cover.
When it is switched on, the auxiliary heating or auxiliary ventilation
starts immediately and remains on for the period set in the menu.
The maximum running time is 60 minutes.
If you want to switch the system on again after the end of the
programmed running time, press the button .
Transmitter indicator lamp
The transmitter indicator lamp will flash accordingly to show
whether the command you sent via the remote control was
successful.
When you switch the system on by pressing the button the
indicator lamp will flash green for about 30 seconds to confirm that
the heating/ventilation has been switched on. When you switch the
system off by pressing the button the indicator lamp will
flash red to confirm that the heating/ventilation has been switched
off.
If the remote control is outside the transmitting range the indicator
lamp will flash red slowly. If there is a fault in the system (e.g. fuel
level is down to reserve), the indicator lamp will flash red rapidly. In
both cases the command will not be executed.
When the battery of the remote control is almost completely flat, the
transmitter indicator lamp will not light up and no commands will
be executed.
Fig. 125 Remote
control for auxiliary
heatingFig. 126 Remote
control: Changing
battery

A1
OFF
A2

A1
A3

A1
OFF
A2
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Heating and cooling 114Transmitting range
The range of the remote control transmitter is about 600 metres.
However, this can be greatly reduced by obstacles (buildings, etc.)
between the remote control transmitter and the vehicle. Hold the
aerial upright when using the remote control.
You should not normally use the remote control at a distance of less
than 3 metres from the vehicle. If you are closer than this, or if you
use the remote control inside the vehicle, this can cause signal over-
load.
For the sake of the environment
Please dispose of old batteries in the proper manner so that they do
not harm the environment.Seat heatingApplies to vehicles: with front seat heating/ventilationSeat heating / ventilation
The seat cushions and backrests of the front seats can be
heated and ventilated* electrically.
Seat heating
– Press the control button for Seat heat. ⇒fig. 127.
– Turn the rotary control to the desired setting.
Seat heating/ventilation*
– Press the control button for Seat AC ⇒fig. 128.
– To adjust the seat ventilation, turn the rotary control anti-
clockwise to the desired setting.
– To adjust the seat heating, turn the rotary control clock-
wise to the desired setting.In setting 0, the seat ventilation and seat heating are switched off.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat heating, please
do not kneel on the seat or apply sharp pressure at a single point.
A4
Fig. 127 Display: Seat
heating
Fig. 128 Display: Seat
heating/ventilation
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Heating and cooling115
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with seat heating for rear seatsSeat heating for rear seats
The seat cushions and backrests of the two outer rear
seats can be heated electrically.– Turn the left thumbwheel (on the centre console) to
switch on and regulate the heating for the left rear seat.
– Turn the right thumbwheel (on the centre console) to
switch on and regulate the heating for the right rear seat.The heating is switched off when the thumbwheel is set to 0.
Possible settings range from 1 to 6.
The heating for the rear seats only operates when a sensor registers
the weight of the occupant in the seat. If nobody is travelling on the
rear seats, please switch off the rear seat heating to avoid activating
it unintentionally.
Caution
To avoid damaging the heating elements of the seat heating, please
do not kneel on the seat or apply sharp pressure at a single point.
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Towing a trailer 232Towing a trailerDriving the vehicle with a trailer or
caravanTechnical requirements
The towing bracket must comply with certain technical
requirements.Your car is intended mainly for transporting passengers and
luggage. However, if suitably equipped, it can also be used to tow a
trailer or caravan.
If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted towing bracket it will
already have the necessary technical modifications and meet the
statutory requirements.
A 13-pin socket is provided to make the electrical connection
between the car and the trailer. If the trailer has a 7-pin plug you can
use an adapter cable. This is available from Audi dealers.
WARNING
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be carried
out by a qualified workshop.•
In particular in high outside temperatures it is not possible to
drive up long steep gradients without a suitable cooling system.
The engine would then overheat.
•
Incorrect installation can result in a safety risk.
Points to check before towingTrailer weights
Never exceed the maximum permitted trailer weights ⇒page 323.If you do not load the trailer up to the maximum permitted trailer
weight, you can then climb correspondingly steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only applicable for altitudes
up to 1000 m above sea level. With increasing altitude the engine
power and therefore the car's climbing ability are impaired because
of the reduced air density, so the maximum trailer weight has to be
reduced accordingly. The weight of the car and trailer must be
reduced by 10% for every further 1000 m (or part thereof). This
figure refers to the combined weight of the (loaded) vehicle and
(loaded) trailer.
The figures for the draw bar weight that appear on the identification
plate of the towing bracket are for certification purposes only. The
correct figures for your specific vehicle, which may be lower than
these figures for the towing bracket, are given in the registration
documents. Also refer to ⇒page 323.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy objects are as near to the
axle as possible. Loads carried in the trailer must be secured to
prevent them slipping.
Where possible, operate the trailer with the maximum permitted
draw bar weight on the ball joint of the towing bracket, but do not
exceed the specified limit.
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your car and adjust for “full load” condi-
tions (refer to the sticker listing the tyre pressures on the end face
of the driver's door). It may also be necessary to adjust the tyre pres-
sures on the trailer according to the recommendations of the trailer
manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road behind the trailer
with the standard mirrors. If this is not the case you should have
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Towing a trailer 240Applies to vehicles: with towing bracketTowing bracket (retrofitting)
If required, the vehicle can be retrofitted with a towing
bracket.If a towing bracket is to be fitted after the car is purchased, this must
be done according to the instructions of the towing bracket manu-
facturer.
The securing points, which are marked by an in the illustrations
⇒fig. 245 and ⇒fig. 246, are located under the vehicle.
Audi dealers are familiar with the method of installation and any
modifications which may be required for the cooling system.
WARNING
•
If a towing bracket is retrofitted, the installation should be
carried out by a qualified workshop.
•
If the towing bracket is incorrectly fitted, this could cause a
safety risk.
•
For your own safety, please observe the instructions provided
by the manufacturer of the towing bracket.Caution
If the connector socket is not fitted correctly, this could cause
damage to the vehicle's electrical system.
Fig. 245 Positions of
securing points (side
view)Fig. 246 Positions of
securing points (from
above)AA
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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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Checking and topping up fluids 260
Caution•
The oil level must never be above area ⇒page 258, fig. 254,
as this may result in damage to the catalytic converter or to the
engine. On vehicles without an oil dipstick, you can check the oil
level via the sound system or MMI*. Contact a qualified workshop to
extract the engine oil if necessary.
•
No additives should be used with engine oil. Any damage caused
by the use of such additives would not be covered by the factory
warranty.For the sake of the environment
•
Never pour oil down drains or into the ground.
•
Always observe statutory requirements when disposing of
empty oil canisters.
Cooling systemCoolant
The purpose of the coolant is to carry heat away from the
engine. The correct amount of anti-freeze is important to
prevent the cooling system from freezing in winter.The cooling system is filled for life at the factory, so the coolant does
not need to be changed. The coolant consists of a mixture of water
and anti-freeze additive G12++. This is a glycol-based anti-freeze
with anti-corrosion additives.
Anti-freeze additive
The amount of anti-freeze additive required depends on the temper-
atures to be expected in the winter season. If the anti-freeze concen-
tration is too low the coolant can freeze, resulting in failure of the
cooling system and heater.The cooling system is filled at the factory with the correct amount of
anti-freeze for the country concerned.
In most cases the mixture consists of 60% water and 40% additive.
This mixture gives the required anti-freeze protection at tempera-
tures down to -25 °C and protects the alloy parts of the cooling
system against corrosion. It also prevents scaling and raises the
boiling point of the coolant.
Countries with warm climate
The coolant concentration must not be reduced by adding plain
water, even in the summer or in warm climates. The concentration
of the anti-freeze additive must always be at least 40%.
Countries with cold climate
If greater anti-freeze protection is required in very cold climates, the
proportion of the anti-freeze additive G12++ can be increased. A
concentration of 60% offers protection down to about - 40 °C. The
concentration of the anti-freeze additive must not be more than
60%, otherwise this would reduce the anti-freeze protection. In addi-
tion, the cooling effect will be adversely affected.
Vehicles for export to countries with a cold climate (such as Sweden,
Norway and Finland) are supplied with antifreeze protection down
to about -35 °C. The concentration of the antifreeze additive for
these countries should always be at least 50%.
Caution
•
It is advisable to have the cooling system checked before the
winter season to make sure that the antifreeze concentration is
adequate for the conditions to be expected. This applies particularly
if you intend to take the car into a colder climate zone. If necessary,
have the anti-freeze concentration increased to 50 - 60% as required.
•
Use only anti-freeze additive G12++, an additive meeting the
specification “TL 774 G”. Other additives may give considerably
inferior corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion in the cooling
system can lead to a loss of coolant, causing serious damage to the
engine.
Aa
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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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