2008 AUDI S6 oil temperature

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. .,_

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. .,.

On th e road -_________________________________ __::..:....:.......;,;_;_;_ _ __;____,J
Switching the ignition on
- Press t he [ S TART] button once to the first stage to switch
on on ly the ignition.
Starting the engine
- Step on t he brake.
- Move the se lector leve r to t he P or N posit ion
~ & .
- Press the [ STA RT ] button to t he second s tage to star t the
engine.
After a cold engine is started, there may be a brief period of
increased noise because oil pressure must first bui ld up in the
hydraulic valve adjusters . This is norma l and not a cause for
concern.
If the engine does not start immed iately, stop trying after 10
seconds and then try to restart the engine about 30 seconds later.
& WARNING
Ne ver all ow the e ngine to run in confined spa ce s -danger of
asphyxi atio n.
0 Note
• Avo id high engi ne rp m, full throttle and heavy engine loads unti l
the engine has reached operating temperature -otherwise you risk
engine damage .
• T he engine cannot be started by pushing or towing the vehic le.
c£> For the sake of the environment
Do not allow the engine to warm up with the vehicle stationary . Start
driving right away . In this way you avo id unnecessary emissions .
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
[ i ] Tip s
If you open the driver's door when t he ign itio n is switched on, a
buzzer sounds and the message
Ign ition i s on appears in the instru ­
ment cluster display. P lease switch the ignition off. •
Applies to vehic le s: with Adva nced Key
Switching engine off with the [STOP] button
Bring yo ur vehicle to a comp le te sto p.
Fig. 12 5 Advan ced
Key: E NGIN E STO P
button
Move the se lector lever to the P o r N position .
Press the [
STOP I button ~ fig . 125.
Pressing the ( STO P] button once switches off the engine and the
ignition . If you press the ( S T OP! button again for more than 1
second, the steering is locked, provided that the selector leve r is in
the P position
~ & .
Emergency OFF function
If necessary , the engine can be switched off with the selector leve r
in the R, Dor S positions. To do so, step on the brake peda l and
press and hold the ( STOP] button (vehicle speed must be less than
6 mph/ 10 km /h. .,,_
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

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& WARNING
B efo re you c heck anythin g in th e engine comp artme nt, a lways
r e ad and heed all WARNING S
~ & in "Workin g in the en gine
co mp art m ent " o n page 297. •
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The engine oil used in your Audi needs the right kind of
oil.
The engine in your Audi is a sophisticated powerplant that was built
to exacting specifications. This engine needs the right kind of
engine oil that meets specifications regarding quality and viscosity
so that it can run smoothly and reliably . Choos ing the right oil and
changing oil within the time and mileage intervals printed in your
vehic le's Maintenance
& Warranty booklet matters a lot more today
than it did years ago. Audi has developed a special quality standard for engine oil that will help assure that your vehicle's engine will get
t he lubr ication it needs for proper operation .
Modern engine lubrication has taken a quantum leap in the last few
years . Many synthetic oi ls availab le today provide better engine
lubrication that can outlast traditional petroleum-based oils,
making them a smart choice for use throughout the life of your Audi.
Whether you use synthetic or petroleum -based engine oi l, the oi l
that you use must conform to Audi's oi l quality standard VW 502 00
t o help keep your vehicle's engine running smoo th ly and help
prevent the formation of harmful deposits, sometimes called
"s ludge," that over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of printing, engine oi ls avai lable in the U.S. and Canada
that meet the exacting specifications of Audi oil standard VW 502 00
are synthetic engine oils . This does not mean, however, that every synthetic engine oil will meet Audi oil standard VW 502 00
. So
a lways be sure tha t you use an approved o il.
To help prevent the formation of harmful deposits use only oil with
the fo llowing specifications printed on the oil container:
Audi oil standard VW 50 2 00
Oil container labels may carry the specification singly or in combi ­
nation with other designa tions and oil quality standards .
Viscosity
Engine oils are graded according to their viscosity. The proper
viscosity grade oi l for your engine depends on c limactic or seasona l
conditions where you drive. You can use oil with a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving condi ­
tions .
However, if engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W40 is not available, you
can a lso use viscos ity grade SAE 5W-30 or SAE 0W -40 as long as it
meets Audi oil qua lity standard VW 502 00 specifications .
Because engine o il that meets the Audi o il standard may not be
avai lable everywhere when you need it, we strongly recommend
that you a lways carry with you an extra quart (l iter) of oil that
express ly conforms to the VW 502 00 specification, in case you have
to top off the oil while on the road .
Only if the level of the o il is at or be low the minimum mark on the
oi l dipstick - and no oil that expressly conforms to Audi oi l standard
VW 502 00 specifica tions is avai lable -may you top off wit h a high
quality engine oi l, preferably synthetic-based, that meets ACEA A3,
ACEA A5 or ACEA 85, AP I SL or ILSAC GF -3 spec ifications, but even
then, only in viscosity grades SAE 5W-40 , SAE 5W -30, or SAE 0W -40 .
However, during the enti re time between oi l cha nge interva ls, never
top off with more than a total of 0.5 qt/ liter engine oi l that does not
conform to Audi oil specification VW 502 00.
For more information about engine oi l that has bee n approved for
your vehicle, p lease contact either your authorized Audi dea ler or
Audi C ustomer Relations at 1 (800) 822 -2834 or visit our web site at
www.audiusa.com or www.audicanada.ca . Here you will a lso find a .._
Vehicle care I t •

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
current list of oils (manufacturers, brand names etc.) that conform
t o Audi oi l standard VW 502 00 .
Changin g the engine oil
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed according to the
mi leage (ki lometers) and time intervals specified in your vehicle's
Maintenance
& Warranty booklet. Do not exceed these interva ls -
harmful deposits from old engine oil can reduce engine perfor­
mance and can lead to expensive engine repairs.
Changing the oi l at the recommended intervals is so very important
because the lubricating prope rties of oi l decrease gradual ly during
normal vehicle use . If you are not sure when you have your oil
changed, ask your author ized Audi Serv ice Advisor.
Under some circumstances the engine oil should even be changed
more frequently. Change oil more often if you dr ive mostly short
distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or mostly under stop ­
and -go t raffic conditions, or when you use your vehicle where
temperatures stay be low freezing point for long per iods.
Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time . This is normal and is not
a reason to change the oil more often than recommended.
Damag e or malfunctions due to lack o f mainten anc e
It is essentia l that you change your oi l at the recommended interva ls
using on ly engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW 502 00. Your Limited New Vehicle Warranty does not cover damage or ma lfunctions due to failure to follow recommended
main tenance and use requirements as set forth in the Aud i Owner's
Manual and Maintenance
& Warranty booklet. Your dealer wi ll have
t o deny warranty cove rage unless you present to the dealer p ro o f in
the form of Service or Repair Orders that all schedu led maintenance
was pe rformed in a timely manner. •
Engine oil consumption
The engine in your vehicle depends on an adeq uate
amount of oil t o lubric ate and c ool all of its m oving parts.
In order to provide effective lubrication and coo ling of interna l
engine components, al l interna l combustio n eng ines consume a
certain amount of oil. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine
and may change significant ly over the life of the engine . Typ ically,
engines with a specified break-in period (see=> page 267) consume
more oil du ring the break-in period than they consume after oil
consumption has stabi lized .
Unde r normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on
the quality and v iscosity of the oil, the RPM (revolutions per minute)
at which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature and road
cond itions. Fur ther factors are the amount of oil di lu tion from wate r
condensation or fue l residue and the oxidation leve l of the oi l. As
any engine is subject to wear as mileage bu ilds up, t he oil consump ­
tion may increase over time until replacement of worn components
may become necessa ry .
With all these variables coming into play, no standard rate o f oi l
consumption can be established or specified . There is no alternative
t o regula r and frequent checking of the oil level, see
Note .
If the yel low engine oil level warning symbo l in the instrument
clus ter lights up, yo u should check the oil level as soon as
possible with the oil dipstick=> page 301. Top off the oil at your
ea rliest convenience => page 302 .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment , always
read and heed all WARNING S
=> & in "Working in the engine
compartment " on
page 297.

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0 Note
Driving with an insufficient oil level is likely to cause severe damage
to the engine.
[ i] Tips
• The oil pressure warning display~ is not an indicator of the oil
level. Do not rely on it. Instead, check the oil level in your engine at
regular intervals, preferably each time you refuel, and always before
going on a long trip.
• If you have the impression your engine consumes excessive
amounts of oil, we recommend that you consult your Audi dealer to
have the cause of your concern properly diagnosed. Keep in mind
that the accurate measurement of oil consumption requires great
care and may take some time . Your Audi dealer has instructions
about how to measure oil consumption accurately. •
Checking the engine oil level
Fig. 232 Illustration of
principle 1: Markers on
oil dipstick Fig
. 233 Illustration of
principle 2: Markers on
oil dipstick
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=> & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 297.
Determining oil level
-Park your vehicle so that it is horizontally level.
- While at operating state temperature, briefly let the
engine run at idle and then shut it off.
- Wait approx. two minutes.
- Pull out the oil dipstick. Wipe off the oil dipstick with a
clean cloth, and slide it back in as far as it will go.
Pull it back out and read off the oil level=> fig. 232 or
=> fig. 233. Top off the engine oil, if applicable
=>
page 302.
Oil level within range @
- Do not add oil.
Oil level within range @
-You can add oil. Afterwards, the oil level should be within
range @. _,,,
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

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because the lubricating properties of oil diminish gradually during
normal vehicle use .
Under some circumstances the engine oil should be changed more
frequently . Change oil more often if you drive mostly short
distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or under predomi ­
nantly stop -and -go traffic conditions, or have your vehicle where
temperatures remain below freez ing for extended periods.
Detergent additives in the oi l will make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time. This is normal and is not
a reason to change the oi l more often than recommended .
Because of the problem of proper disposal, along with the specia l
tools and necessary expertise required, we strongly recommend
that you have your oi l changed by an authori zed
Audi dea ler or a
qual ified service stat ion.
If you choo se to cha nge yo ur oi l y ou rse lf, please no te the following
important information:
& WARNING
To reduce the risk of per sonal injury if you m ust change the engine
o il in you r veh ic le y our self :
• Wear eye protection.
• To reduce the ri sk of burn s from hot engine oil , let the engine
c ool down to the tou ch.
• When removing the oil drain plug with your fing ers , sta y as far
away as po ssi ble . Alw ay s k eep your f orearm par allel to the gr ound
to help pre vent hot oil from running down your arm .
• Drain t he oil int o a contain er de signed for thi s purpo se , one
large enough to hold at l ea st th e total amount of oil in your eng ine .
• Engine oil i s poi sono us. K eep it well out of the rea ch of ch ildr en .
• Continuou s contact with u sed engine oil i s harmful to your
sk in. Al wa ys prote ct you r ski n by washing oil off thoroughl y with
s oap and w ater.
0 Note
Never mix oil addi tives with your engine oil. These add itives can
damage your engine and adversely affect your Audi Limited New
Vehicle Warranty .
c£> For the sake of the environment
• Before changing your oi l, first make sure you know where you
can properly dispose of the us ed oil.
• Always dispose of used engine oil properly. Do not dump it on
garden soil , wooded areas, into open streams or down sewage
drains .
• Recycle used engine oil by taking it to a used engine oil collec ­
tion fac ility in your area , or contact a service station. •
Engine cooling system
Coolant
The engine coolant performs two functions: it keeps the
engine from overheating and it protects the engine from
freezing i n the winter.
The cooling system is sea led and generally requires little attention.
The coo ling system has been fi lled at the factory with a permanent
coolant which does not need to be changed . The coolant consists of
a mixture of water and the manufac turer's glycol-basedcoolant
additive G 12+ an tifreeze with anticorrosion additives (50% for USA
models; 60% for Canadian models). This mixture both assures the
necessary frost protection and protects metal components in the
engine 's cooling system from corrosion and scaling . It also raises
the boiling point of the coolant.
Do not reduce the concentration of the coo lant in the summer by
adding plain water.
The p ropo rt ion of co ola nt additiv e mu st be at .,_
Vehicle care
I t •

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T he fluid level may drop slightly after some time due to the auto­
m atic adjustment of the brake pads. This is not cause for alarm .
If the brake fluid level fal ls
considerably below the "MIN" mark , the
brake warning/indicator light (U.S. models :
BRAKE, Canadian models:
{(j))) will come on~ page 23 and ~ page 32. Do not continue to
operate the vehic le. The complete brake system should be thor ­
oughly checked by an authorized Audi dealer or other qua lified
facili ty and the cause corrected . If the brake fluid level is too low, the
brake warning/indicator l ight will illuminate. Contact an au thorized
Audi dea ler
immediate ly .•
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fl uid changed by an experienced techni­
ci an.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. If the water content in the
brake fluid is too h igh, corrosion in the brake system may result
after a period of time. The boiling point of the brake fluid will also
decrease considerab ly and decrease braking performance .
Therefore , the brake fluid must be changed
e v ery tw o year s. Always
use new brake fluid which conforms to Federal Motor Vehic le Stan ­
dard "FMVSS 116 DOT 4".
T he brake fluid res ervoir can b e difficult to reach, th erefore, we
recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by your autho ­
rized
Audi de aler . Your dealer has the correct tools, the right brake
fl uid and the know -how to do t his fo r you .
& WARNING
• Brake fluid is poi sonous . It mu st be stored onl y in the clo sed
o riginal cont ainer out of the rea ch of children!
• Brake failure c an re sult from old or inappropri ate br ake flu id .
Obs erv e the se pre caution s:
& WAR N IN G (c ontinued )
-Use only brake fluid that meet s SAE specification J 1703 and
c onfo rm s to Feder al Moto r Vehicle St andard 116 . Al wa ys check
w ith your authori zed Audi dealer to make sure you are u sin g
the corre ct b rake flu id. The cor rect type of br ake fluid is als o
indic ated on the brake fl uid reservoir .
- The brake fluid mus t be ne w. Heav y use of th e brake s can
ca use a vapor lock if the bra ke fluid i s left in the sy stem too
long . Thi s can seriou sly affect the efficiency of the brake s as
w ell as your s afety . This could r esult in an a ccident .
0 Note
Brake fluid will damage the paint of your vehicle .
Because of the p rob lem of proper disposal of brake fluid as well as
the special too ls required and the necessary expertise, we recom­
mend that you have the brake fluid changed by your authori zed Audi
dea ler .•
Battery
General information
Und er n ormal operating conditions, the battery in your Audi does
not need any maintenance. With
high outside temperatures or long
daily drives we recommend that you have the electrolyte level
checked by a se rvice facility . The e lectrolyte level should a lso be
checked each time the battery is charged~
page 310 .
Have the batte ry checked when you take your vehic le in for service.
You are well advised to replace a battery that is o lder than 5 years . _,,
Vehicle care I t •