2008 AUDI S6 check engine light

Table of contents
Table of contents
Vehicle literature ... ..... .
About this Owner's Manual .............. ...... . .
Controls and
equipment .. .. .... ..... ... . .
Inst rumen ts and con trols ..... .
Genera l ill ustration ............. .
Instruments and
warning/indica tor lig hts ....... .
Instruments .............. ..... .
Warning/indicator lights ... ..... .
Driver in forma tio n d isplay ..... .
Introduct ion ..... ...... ... ..... .
On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD)
Auto Check Control ............ .
Speed warning system ... ...... .
Trip computer ................. .
Tire pressure monitoring system ..
Op ening and closing .......... .
Keys ... ......... ... .. . ··· ·· ····
Powe r locking system .......... .
Rear lid ....................... .
Ch ild safe ty lock . ... ..... ... ... . 5 Advanced Key
..... ........ ... .
Ant i-theft a larm system ........ .
Power w indows ...... ... ... .. .
S lid ing/ti lt ing power sunroof ... .
6 Clear vision ... .... .. ... .. .... . .
9
11
1 1
1 3
1 3
17
25
25
29
30
38
40
42
48
48
52
58
59 Lights
................ ... ... .. .
Interior lights ...... .. ... .... .. .
V is ion ... .. ............. ... ... .
W iper and washer system ...... .
Mirrors .... ... ......... ..... . . .
Digital compass ............... .
Seats and sto rage .. ... ..... .. .
Genera l recommendat ions ..... .
Power seat ...... . .. ....... ... .
Seat memory .... ..... ........ .
Rear seats .. ... .......... .... . .
Head restrain ts ........ ..... .. .
Arm rest ..................... .
Luggage compartment ..... •.. .
Roof rack ....... .. ... ... ....• ..
Cupho lder .................... .
As htray . ... ... ... ......... ... .
Cigarette lighter/socket ......• ..
Storage ... .... .......... ..• ...
Wa rm and cold ............ ... .
Climate control .. .. ... .. .. .. .. .
Basic settings .... .... ...... ... .
O n t he road .... ...... .... ... .. .
Steering ... ..... .. ... ... .. ... . .
Ignition lock and ignition switch .
Sta rting and stopping the engine
Sta rting and stopping the engine
w it h Advanced Key ............ .
Elect romec hani cal pa rking b rake .
Cru ise control ......... ........ . 59
Adap
tive Cruise Contr ol . . . . . . . . 135
61 Speed and distance control system 135
63 Driver information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
66 System limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
7 0
Aud i lane assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
7 0
75
76
7 8
82
85
87
87
88
91
92
93
96
96
101
103
104
105
107
1 10
1 10
119
122
122
12 4
125
126
129
132 Lane assist
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Automatic transm ission ...... . .
tiptronic® (6 -speed automatic
transm ission) ................. .
multitron ic® .... ..... ...... ... .
A udi Parking Sy stem ......... . .
Park Assist Systems .......... . .
Audi Parking System (rear) .... .. .
Audi Parking System (rear, with rear -
view camera) .. .. ... ... .... ... .
Specia l parking situations ..... . .
Settings in the MM I ........... . .
Safety t ips .................... .
Adaptive Air Suspe nsion .. .. .. .
Adaptive Air Suspension and
Damp ing ...... ............... .
Homelink® ......... ..... ..... . .
Unive rsa l remote control ....... . 153
153
159
167
167
167
169
176
1
7 8
1 7 9
182
182
186
186

Safety first ........ ... ... .. .
Driving Safely ................. .
General notes ... .............. .
Proper occupant seating positions Peda l area ... ..... ....... .... . .
Sto\Ning luggage . .... .... .... . .
Reporting safety defects ....... .
Safety belts .......... ....... .. .
Genera l notes ...... ........... .
W hy safety belts? ............. .
Safety belts ............. ... .. .
Safety belt tensioners . ....• .. ..
Airbag system ........... ... .. .
Important things to kno\N ...... .
Front airbags . ... ... .......... .
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag
System ... .. ... .... ..... ..... .
Side airbags .......... ... ... .. .
Side curta in airbags (SIDEGUARD™l
Child Safety ................... .
191
192
192
194
198
199
201
202
202
203
206
210
212
212
216
223
228
231
234
Important things to kno\N . . . . . . . 234
Child safety seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Install ing a ch ild safety seat . . . . . 244
Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . 247
Lo\Ner anchorages and tether for
children (LA TCH) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
249
Vehicle operation . . . . . . . . 257
Intelligent technology . . . . . . . . . . 258
Notice about data recorded by
vehicle contro l modules . . . . . . . . .
258
Elect ronic Stabilizat ion Program
!ESP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
258
Braking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
Servotronic® -advanced po\Ner
steer ing system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
263
Driv ing \Nith your quattro® . . . . . . 264
Energy management . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Driving and environment . . . . . . . 267
The first 1,000 miles (1,500 km) and
after\Nards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
267
Cata lytic converter . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Avoid damaging the vehicle . . . . . 269
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution . . . . . . . . . .
269
Trailer towing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Driv ing \Nith a trailer . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Trai ler to\Ning tips . . . . . . . . . • . . . . 274
Table of contents
Vehicle care ....... ... ... ... 277
Cleaning and protection ........ 278
General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Care of exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 278
Care of inte rior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285
Fuel supply and filling your fuel
tank ... .... ... .... ... .. .... ... .. 291
Gasoline . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . 291
Fuel tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Checking and filling . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Engine hood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 299
Engine cooling syste1T1 . . . . . . . . . .
303
Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 306
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307
Windshield/headlight \Nasher
containe r .... .... .. ... .. .... ... 312
Tires and wheels ............... 313
Tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Warning light in the instrument cluster -t
When the _L warning light in the instrument cluster starts to flash,
this can mean one of two things: either the coolant
temperature is
too high, or the coolant
level is too low~ page 33.
If the needle is well in the upper area of the gauge, the coolant
temperature is too high.
Stop the vehicle, switch the engine off and
allow the engine to cool.
If the warning light comes on again after
driving a short distance, contact an authorized dealer.
& WARNING
• Always observe the warning in ~ page 289, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the hood and checking the engine coolant
level.
• Never open the engine hood if you see or hear steam, or if you
see engine coolant dripping from the engine compartment . You
could burn yourself. Let the engine cool off first so that you cannot
hear or see any steam or engine coolant.
0 Note
• Mounting additional lights or accessories in front of the air inlets
reduces the cooling effect of the radiator. At high outside tempera­
tures or high engine load, the engine could overheat.
• The front spoiler has been designed to properly distribute the
cooling air when the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged,
this could reduce the cooling effect and the engine could then
over­
heat. Ask your authorized Audi dealer for assistance. •
Tachometer (engine rev counter)
The tachometer indicates the engine RPM (revolutions per
minutes).
The tachometer 0 ~ page 13, fig. 2 is the left of the two large clock ­
type displays. The
engine turns at a speed
1,000 times the single digit in the
display, e.g. if the needle is pointing at the "2" the engine is turning
at 2,000 RPM.
If engine RPM drops below 1,500, you should downshift to the next
lower gear. The red area at the end of the scale indicates maximum
permissible engine RPM after the break -in period. Before reaching
this area, move the selector lever to position "D (Drive)" or ease your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
0 Note
The tachometer needle should not move into the red range. If it
does, then only for a
very short period of time. You could damage
your engine by driving at high RPM .
'£> For the sake of the environment
Upshifting early saves fuel and reduces engine noise.•
Digital clock with date display
Date and time of day can be set in the MM/.
Fig . 3 Instrument
cluster with digital
clock
The date, time of day, and time and date format can be set in the
MMI. You can find out more in the MMI manual. .,_

& WARNING (continued)
extreme caution when working under the hood => page 289,
"Engine compartment".
[ i ) Tips
Many functions are monitored by the Auto -Check system
=>
page 30. Malfunctions or faults wil l be identified either with a red
symbo l (pr ior ity 1 -Danger!) or with a yellow symbol (priority 2 -
Warning). •
Electronic power control r
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic
power control.
The warning/indicator light (E lectronic Power Control) illumi -
nates when you turn on the ignition as a function check.
[ i ) Tips
If this warning/indicator light illuminates while you are driving, then
there is a malfunction in the engine electronics . Have the malfunc ­
tion corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dealer or
qualified repair faci lity .•
Generator 0
This warning/indicator light detects a malfunction in the
generator or in the vehicle's electrical system.
The d warning/indicator light illuminates when you switch on the
ign ition and mus t go out after the engine has started .
If the
d warning/indicator light illuminates while you are driving,
you shou ld contact your authorized Audi dealer. Since the vehicle
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
battery is discharging, you shou ld switch off any unnecessary elec ­
trical consumers (for examp le, the air conditioner).
0 Note
If the _f_ warning/indicator light (malfunction in the engine coo ling
system) in the instrument cluster shou ld illuminate=>
page 33, stop
the vehicle and turn off the engine . The water pump is not work ing
- this can cause engine damage. •
Electronic stabilization program (ESP)
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic stabi ­
lization program.
The warning/indicator light has the following functions:
• I t blinks while you are driving when the ESP is working.
• It illuminates when you switch on the ignition for approximately
2 seconds as a function check.
• It il luminates when there is a malfunction in the ESP.
• It illuminates when ESP or ASR (Anti-S lip Regulation) is deacti­
vated .
• It illuminates if there is a malfunction in the ABS, since the ESP
is part of the ABS system.
If the battery terminals were disconnected and re-connected, the
vehicle was jump started or the battery is
very weak, the ESP sensor
system goes through a learning process for the first few yards. The
warning/indicator light i lluminates . The warning/indicator light
goes out as soon as the learning process is complete.
If the ESP warning/indicator light illuminates and stays on after you
have started the engine, this may mean that the control system has
te mporarily switched off the ESP. If this is case, you can reactivate
the ESP by turning the ignition off and then on again . The
warning/indicator light should go out to show that the system is
fully functional again.
~
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
For more information about the ESP=> page 258. •
Airbag system
~ (USA models) / !_q· (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
tensioner systems.
The I (USA mode ls) t!l (Canada models) warning light illuminates
for a few seconds each time you switch on the ignition .
If the m (USA models)
t!.! r (Canada models) warning light does not
go out, or if it illuminates while you are driving, or if it starts to blink,
then there is a malfunction somewhere in the system. If the light
does not illuminate when you switch on the ignition, this also
means there is a malfunction.
& WARNING
If you have a malfunction in the airbag system, contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer immediately. Otherwise the airbag or the belt
tensioner may not work properly in an accident . •
Tire pressure monitoring system -telltale
indicator lamp
J
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of air pressure.
The i warning/indicator light il luminates for a few seconds after
the ignition is turned on as function check and then goes out.
If the .., symbol appears, pressure is too low in at least one tire.
When the system detects a malfunction, the warning/indicator light
wil l flash for approximately one minute and then remain continu­
ously illuminated . This sequence wi ll continue upon subsequent vehicle starts up as long as the malfunction exists. Contact your
authorized Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected.
For more information =>
page 44. •
Turn signals ¢ ¢
The indicator light blinks when you use either turn signal.
Whenever you use the left¢ or the right¢ turn signal, the indicator
light blinks . When you use the emergency flashers, both indicator
lights flash.
If one of the turn signa l light bu lbs burn out, the turn signal wil l
blink twice as fast as normal. •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) U
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is part of the On-Board Diag­
nostic (08D Ill system . The symbo l lights up when the ignition is
turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has
settled at a constant idle speed. This indicates that the MIL is
working properly.
The warning light il luminates when there is a malfunction in the
engine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the malfunction corrected.
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to
illuminate
=> page 293 .
For more information => page 29. •

& WARNING (continu ed )
• USA model s: If the BRAKE warnin g light and the warning
light come on together , the rear wheel s could lo ck up first under
hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of veh icle control
and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop . Drive slowly and
avoid sudden , hard brake applications .
• Canada models : If the brake warning light
«D> and the ABS
warning light
le come on together , the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme ­
diately by your authorized Aud i dealer or a qual ified wor kshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake applications. •
Electromechanical parking brake
~[ (USA models)
/(®) (Canada models)
T he warnin g/in dic at or l ight mo nitors the ele ctromechan ­
i c a l pa rkin g brak e.
With the parking brake applied and the ignition turned on, the
warning/indicator light ill uminates . After the ignition ha s been
turned off, the warning/indicator light continues to i lluminate for
about 30 seconds . If the parking brake is applied with the ignition
turned o ff, t he wa rn ing/ ind icato r light illum inates fo r ab out 30
seconds.
Th e war nin g/ind ica tor light w ill g o out when th e p arking b rak e is
released .
I f the warning/indicator light f lashes continuou sly after applying the
par king brake, brakin g force is not suffic ie n t to prevent t he vehic le
from rol ling unintentional ly. Please note the fo llowing:
• I f the s lo p e of th e ground is too s teep to park t he veh icle, the
addit ional drive message appears Caution: Vehicle parked too
steep.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
• I n the event of a parking brake ma lfunction, the yellow symbo l
appea rs in the instru ment c luster display a nd the d rive r message
Parking brake malfunction! is displayed . Have the malfunction
r epai red a s soo n as possible by a qualified Audi dealership .•
Brake system BRAKE (USA models) / (CD) (Canada
models )
The warning/indi cator li ght flashes if b rake fluid level is
l o w, i f th ere is an ABS s ystem m alfunctio n or a pa rk ing
br ake malfun ction .
The light i lluminates when the ignition is turned on. It goes out after
t he eng ine has been sta rted. Th is indica tes that the brake warning
li g ht i s function ing properl y.
If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is
cranking , there may be a malfunction in the electrical system . In this
case , contact your Audi dealer.
If the brake syste m wa rn ing/indicator ligh t flashes, there is a b rake
system mal funct ion . By pr essin g the
I CHECK ] button, you can bring
u p a d rive r mes sage which e xplains t he m alf un ction in mo re de tail
=> page
32.
If the ABS fai ls, the ABS warning/indicator light , (USA
mo dels)/ .J (C an ada mode ls) flas hes toge ther wi th th e br ake sys tem
warning/ indicato r light=> &.
When the l igh t co mes on, an a udible warning signal is a lso given .
& WARNING
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light and the~ warning
light come on together , the rear wheels could lo ck up first under
hard braking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden , hard brake applications.
~
I • •

Driver information display
BRAKE
USA models: => page32
Brake system malfunction

Canada models: II => page32
Brake system malfunction
-~-
Engine coolant level too => page 33
low/engine coolant temperature
-too high
-
~ Engine oil pressure too low => page 34
i
Faulty steering => page 34
© Faulty ignition switch => page35
-4
[ i] Tips
• If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ ((j)) (Canada
models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a brake system
malfunction. By pressing the [
CHECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.
Please note=> page 32 .
• Speed warnings threshold 1
0 (USA modelsl/ 8 (Canada
models) and threshold 2
e , (USA models)/ 0, (Canada models) are
also shown as red symbols. The warning is always shown as a small
symbol in the upper area of the display=> page 38. •
Brake system malfunction
A malfunction in the broke system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ (©)
(Canada models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is
a brake system malfunction. By pressing the [CHECK] button, you can bring up a driver message which explains
the malfunction in more detail.
Stop vehicle and check brake fluid level
-Pull off the road.
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
- Check the brake fluid level
~ page 306.
-Contact your nearest authorized repair facility if neces-
sary.
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact
workshop
- Drive carefully to the nearest authorized repair facility
and have the malfunction corrected
~ & .
Parking brake! Please contact workshop
-If the warning/indicator light flashes when the vehicle is
stationary or after the ignition is turned on, check to see
if the parking brake can be released. Drive to an autho­
rized repair facility as soon as possible and have the
malfunction corrected. If the parking brake cannot be
released, contact your nearest authorized repair facility.
- If the warning/indicator light flashes while you are
driving, it is possible that the traction control or the
emergency brake has malfunctioned. It is possible that
the parking brake cannot be applied. It is also possible
that the parking brake cannot be released after it has
been applied. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer to have
the malfunction corrected. .,.

If the ABS system malfunctions, the ABS warning/indicator light illu­
minates together with the brake system malfunction warning/indi ­
cator light~
&-
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in ~ page 289, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the hood and checking the brake fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard . Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• USA models: If the
BRAKE warning light and the c~ warning
light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• Canada models : If the brake warning light
«D> and the ABS
warning light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme­
diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applications. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -L
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the -t symbol in the display blinks, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. An additional driver message can also be
displayed by pressing the [ CHECK] button:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
-Pull off the road .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
Check coolant level
=> page 304 .
Add coolant if necessary=> page 305.
Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/ind icator light goes out.
Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if necessary.
If the engine coolant level is correct, then the radiator fan may be
the cause of the malfunction.
If the generator warning/indicator light should also illuminate
~ page 79, then the fan belt may be damaged.
& WARNING
• If your vehicle should break down for mechanical or other
reasons, park at a safe distance from moving traffic, turn off the
engine and turn on the hazard warning lights
~ page 73, "Emer­
gency flasher
A".
• Never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment -you risk being scalded.
Wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant
escaping.
• The engine compartment of any vehicle is a dangerous area.
Before you perform any work in the engine compartment, turn of
the engine and allow it to cool. Follow the warning stickers
~ page 289, "Engine compartment" . .,_
I • •