2008 AUDI A5 ignition

Checking and topping up fluids 236otherwise this would reduce the antifreeze protection. In addition,
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 spec-
ification “TL-VW 774 F ”. Other additives may give considerably infe-
rior corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion in the cooling
system can lead to a loss of coolant, causing serious damage to the
engine.
•
The coolant additive G12+ can be mixed only with additives G11
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. 227. 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 32. 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. 227 with a
cloth, and carefully unscrew the cap anti-clockwise
⇒.
Fig. 227 Engine
compartment: Mark-
ings on radiator expan-
sion tank
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Checking and topping up fluids237
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Add coolant.
– Screw the cap on again tightly.Make sure that the coolant meets the required specifications
⇒page 235, “Coolant”. Do not use a different type of additive if anti-
freeze additive G12+, G12 or G11 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.
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.
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Checking and topping up fluids239
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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 176.
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 202.Please note that certain convenience features, such as the Audi
advanced key*, the remote control key or the electrical seat adjust-
ment may not be available when you unlock the vehicle. These func-
tions will be restored when you switch on the ignition and start the
engine.
Winter conditions
At low temperatures the battery has to work very hard. It also
provides only a fraction of the starting power it has at normal
temperatures.
For this reason, we recommend having the battery checked and
charged if necessary before the start of winter ⇒page 241.
WARNING
•
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge. For queries
regarding the vehicle battery please contact an Audi dealership or
other qualified workshop (risk of chemical burns / risk of explo-
sion).
•
The battery must not be opened. Do not attempt to make any
changes to the electrolyte level of the battery. Otherwise, there is
a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate
and cause an explosion.Note
If the vehicle is to be left standing for a period of several weeks at
extremely low temperatures, the battery should be removed from
the vehicle. This ensures that it cannot “freeze up” and be
damaged.
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Checking and topping up fluids 240Important safety warnings for handling a car battery
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The vehicle battery is located under the floor panel in the luggage
compartment.
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as
well as the risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and
the electrical system.•
Wear safety glasses. Do not allow acid or lead particles to come
into contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
•
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protective gloves and
safety glasses. Do not tilt the battery - acid can leak out of the
vapour vent. If electrolyte should splash into the eyes rinse at once
for several minutes using clear water. Then seek medical care
immediately. Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or clothing
with soap solution, and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid is
swallowed by mistake, consult a doctor immediately.
•
Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and lit cigarettes
away from battery. Avoid sparks (including those from static charges) when handling cables and electrical equipment. Never
cross the battery poles. The resulting high-energy sparks can
cause injury.
•
A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off when the
battery is under charge. Only charge battery in a well ventilated
area.
•
Keep children away from the battery and battery acid.
•
Switch off all electrical equipment before starting any work on
the vehicle electrical system. Remove the ignition key. The minus
cable of the battery must be disconnected. When changing a light
bulb, it is sufficient to only turn off the light.
•
Before disconnecting the battery, turn off the anti-theft
system! Otherwise, the alarm will sound.
•
When disconnecting the battery from the vehicle's electrical
system, first disconnect the minus cable and then the plus cable.
•
Before reconnecting the battery, turn off all electrical equip-
ment. First connect the plus cable, then the minus cable. The
battery cables must not be connected to the wrong battery poles
- serious risk of cable fire.
•
Never charge a frozen or thawed out battery - risk of explosion
and chemical burns! A battery must be replaced once it has been
frozen. When it is discharged the battery can freeze at tempera-
tures around 0°C.
•
Make sure that the vapour hose is always attached to the
battery.
•
Never use a damaged battery - risk of explosion! Replace a
damaged battery immediately.Caution
•
Never disconnect the car's battery with the engine running or
with the ignition turned on, otherwise the electrical system or elec-
trical components will be damaged.

Wear safety glasses!

Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protec-
tive gloves and safety glasses.

Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and
lit cigarettes away from battery!

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off
when the battery is under charge!

Keep children away from the battery and battery
acid.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and topping up fluids241
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
Do not expose the battery to direct sunlight over a long period of
time, as the intense ultraviolet radiation can affect the battery
housing.
•
If the car is left standing for long periods, protect the battery
from extreme cold temperature so that it does not “freeze up” and
become damaged.
Charging the battery
Terminals for charging the battery are fitted in the engine
compartment.– Note the warnings ⇒ in “Important safety warnings
for handling a car battery” on page 240 and ⇒.
– Switch off all electrical equipment. Remove the ignition
key.
– Open the bonnet ⇒page 230.
– Open the red cap on the positive terminal ⇒fig. 229.
– Follow the correct procedure for connecting the charger
cables to the jump-start terminals (terminal with red cap
= “positive”, terminal with hexagon = “negative”).– Now connect the battery charger to the mains and switch
on.
– After charging the battery: switch off the battery charger
and disconnect the mains cable.
– Now disconnect the charger cables.
– Refit the red cap onto the positive terminal.
– Close the bonnet ⇒page 232.
When it is discharged the battery can freeze at temperatures
around 0°C. A frozen battery must be thawed before charging ⇒.
However, it is advisable to replace the battery if it has frozen,
because the ice can crack the battery casing and allow the battery
acid to escape.
Charging the battery
Important: Before you charge the battery make sure you read the
manufacturer's instructions for using the battery charger.
When charging with a low current (for instance with a small battery
charger) the battery does not have to be disconnected. The battery
must not be opened while you are charging it.
Fast-charging the battery
For technical reasons it is not permissible to fast-charge the battery
using charging devices with an output voltage higher than 14.8 V.
WARNING
Never charge a frozen battery – it could explode.
Note
Use only the terminals in the engine compartment to charge the
battery.
Fig. 229 Engine
compartment: Termi-
nals for jump leads and
battery charger
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Self-help267
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data terminal must not touch metal parts of the vehicle: this can cause
short circuiting.
•
Do not bend over the batteries – risk of acid burns.
•
The screw plugs on the battery cells must be screwed in firmly.
•
Keep sparks, flame and lighted cigarettes away from batteries:
the gases given off can cause an explosion.
•
If jump-starting another vehicle, position the jump leads in
such a way that they cannot come into contact with any moving
parts in the engine compartment of the other vehicle.Caution
Please note that the above method of connecting the leads is meant
for jump-starting your vehicle. If jump-starting another vehicle, you
should not connect the negative lead (–) to the negative terminal of
the discharged battery, but directly to the engine block or a solid
metal part bolted to the engine block. If the battery of the other
vehicle does not have a gas vent, there is a risk that a mixture of
oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate and cause an
explosion.Tow-starting and towing awayGeneral notes
Points to observe when tow-starting or towing awayIf you use a towrope:
Notes for the driver of the towing vehicle
– The towrope must be taut before driving off.– Engage the clutch very gently when starting to move; on
vehicles with automatic gearbox press the accelerator
slowly.
Notes for the driver of the towed vehicle
– The ignition should be switched on so that the turn
signals, horn, windscreen wipers and washers can be
used. Please ensure that the steering wheel is unlocked
when you switch on the ignition, and that it moves freely.
–Put gear lever in neutral (manual gearbox) or move
selector lever to position N (automatic gearbox).
– The brake servo and power steering only work when the
engine is running. Considerably more effort is required
on the brake pedal and steering wheel when the engine
is switched off.
– Ensure that the towrope remains taut at all times when
towing.
Towrope or towbar
It is easier and safer to tow a vehicle with a towbar. You should only
use a towrope if you do not have a towbar.
A towrope should be slightly elastic to reduce the loading on both
vehicles. It is advisable to use a towrope made of synthetic fibre or
similar material.
Attach the tow-rope or tow-bar only to the towing anchorages
intended for this purpose ⇒page 268 or ⇒page 269.
Driving technique
Towing requires some experience – especially when using a
towrope. Both drivers should be familiar with the technique required
for towing. Inexperienced drivers should not attempt to tow-start or
tow away another vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Self-help269
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Rear towline anchorage
Vehicles which do not have a factory-fitted towing
bracket* have a towline anchorage on the right side of the
rear bumper.Vehicles with towline anchorage
– Take the towline anchorage out of the vehicle's tool kit.
– To detach the cover cap from the bumper, firmly press
the lower part of the cap inwards to release it ⇒fig. 252.
– Screw the towline anchorage firmly all the way into the
screw connection.
Vehicles with towing bracket*
– Fit the towing bracket if it is not already in place.
– Attach the towbar or the towrope to the towing bracket.After use, unscrew the towline anchorage and put it back in the
toolbox. Replace the cap in the screw connection. The towline
anchorage should always be kept in the vehicle.
Vehicles which have a factory-fitted towing bracket* do not have a
screw connection at the rear for the towline anchorage.
WARNING
•
If the towline anchorage is not screwed in as far as the stop,
there is a risk of the screw connection shearing off during towing
(accident risk).
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special tow
bars with suitable attachments (i.e. tow bars which are specially
designed for use with towing brackets) to avoid damage to the
coupling equipment.
•
If your car has a towing bracket*, please use only special
towing ropes (risk of accident).
To w - s t a r t i n g
As a general rule, tow-starting is not recommended.– Engage 2nd or 3rd gear before moving off.
– Press the clutch and hold the pedal down.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Once both vehicles are moving, release the clutch.
– As soon as the engine starts: press the clutch and put the
gear lever in neutral.If the engine will not start, it is best to try starting it using the
battery of another vehicle ⇒page 265 before attempting to tow
start. You should only try to tow-start the engine if jump-starting is
not successful. Tow-starting is an attempt to start the engine via the
movement of the wheels.
When tow-starting a vehicle with a petrol engine, do not tow it more
than a short distance, otherwise unburnt fuel can enter the catalytic
converter and cause damage.
For technical reasons, it is not possible to tow-start a vehicle with
automatic gearbox.
Fig. 252 Rear bumper:
Fitting the towing eye
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Fuses and bulbs 272Fuses and bulbsFusesChanging a fuse
If a fuse has blown it must be replaced.– Identify the fuse for the failed component.
– Switch off the ignition and the component concerned.
– Remove the fuse box cover ⇒fig. 253.
– Take the plastic clip from inside the fuse cover, fit it onto
the blown fuse, and pull the fuse out.
– Replace the blown fuse (which will have a melted metal
strip) with a new fuse of the same amp rating.The various electrical circuits are protected by fuses. The fuse boxes
are located behind covers on the left and right sides of the dash
panel and in the compartment on the right side of the boot.
A plastic clip for removing the fuses is provided in the fuse cover on
the left side of the dash panel. There is also a sticker listing the fuses
in each of the fuse boxes in the dash panel.
Caution
Never attempt to “repair” a fuse or replace it by fitting a fuse with a
higher rating - risk of fire! It could also cause damage to other parts
of the electrical system.
Note
If a newly replaced fuse blows again after a short time, the electrical
system must be checked by a qualified workshop as soon as
possible.Fuses on the driver's sideSome of the items listed are only fitted on certain models or are
optional extras.
Please note that the following list, while correct at the time of
printing, is subject to alterations. If discrepancies should occur,
please refer to the sticker on the inside of the fuse cover for the
correct information for your vehicle.
Fig. 253 Left side of
dash panel: Fuse cover
Fig. 254 Diagram of
fuse box (left-hand
drive vehicle)
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