2008 AUDI TT ROADSTER engine coolant

___________________________________________________ O _n_ t_h _ e_ r_ o _ a_ d __ ,n
Starting and stopping the engine
Starting the engine
The engine can only be started with on original Audi key
and the clutch pedal* depressed.
- Set the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to the neutral position (automatic
transmission: selector lever in P or N)
~ & .
- On vehicles with manual transmission, fully depress the
clutch pedal.
- Turn the ignition key to position
G) ~ page 106, fig. 101
- do not depress the gas pedal when starting the engine!
- Let go of the key as soon as the engine starts.
A cold engine may at first be loud after it has been started. This is
due to the hydraulic valves building up the oil pressure . This normal
and no need for concern.
If the engine does not star t immediately, stop trying after 10
seconds and then try to restart the engine about 30 seconds later.
& WARNING
Never start or let the engine run in a confined or enclosed area.
Exhaust fumes from the engine contain carbon monoxide, a color­
less and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can be fatal if inhaled .
• Never leave the engine idling unattended. An unattended
vehicle with a running engine poses a danger of personal injury or
theft.
Controls and equip ­
ment
0 Note
• Avoid high engine speeds, fast acceleration or heavy engine
loads while the engine is still cold. This could damage the engine.
• The engine cannot be started by pushing o r towing the vehicle.
~ For the sake of the environment
To avoid unnecessary engine wear and to reduce exhaust emis­
sions, do not let your vehicle stand and warm up. Be ready to drive
off immediately after starting your vehicle. Maintain moderate
speed until the engine is completely warm. Remember, the engine
performs best at operating temperature. •
Stopping the engine
-Turn the ignition key to position G) ~ page 106 , fig. 101.
& WARNING
• Never turn off the engine until the vehicle has come to a
complete stop.
• The brake booster and servotronic only work when the engine
is running . With the ignition turned off, you have to apply more
force when steering or braking. Since you cannot steer and stop
normally, this can lead to accidents and serious injuries.
• The radiator fan can continue to run for up to 10 minutes even
after you have turned off the engine and removed the ignition key.
The radiator fan can also turn on again if the engine coolant heats
up because of intense sunlight or heat build-up in the engine
compartment. .,
I • •

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c _ k_in -= g_a _ n_d _ f_il _li _n ..;::g =-- ____.ffllll
Checking and filling
Engine hood
Releasing the engine hood
The engine hood is released from inside the vehicle.
- Open the driver's door .
Fig. 147 Driver's side
footwell: engine hood
release lever
- Pull the release lever on the left under the instrument
panel => fig. 147 in the direction of the arrow.
The hood pops up slightly under spring pressure. •
Opening the engine hood
Fig. 148 Release lever
under the engine hood
Before opening the engine hood, make sure that the wind­
shield wipers are flat against the windshield. Otherwise,
they could damage the paint on the hood.
Lift the hood slightly =>& .
Pull up on the release under the hood=> fig. 148. This
releases the catch.
- Open the hood all the way.
The hood is kept in the open position by two gas struts.
& WARNING
Hot engine coolant can burn you.
• To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart­
ment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefully opening the hood. •
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
Closing the engine hood
- Pull the hood down until the pressure from the struts is
reduced.
- Let the hood
drop down and latch in place. Do not try to
push it shut;
it may fail to engage~& .
& WARNING
A hood that is not completely latched could fly up and block your
view while driving.
• When you close the engine hood, check it to make sure the
safety catch has properly engaged. The hood should be flush with
the surrounding vehicle body parts.
• If you notice while driving that the hood is not secured prop­
erly, stop at once and close it. •
Working in the engine compartment
Be especially careful whenever you work in the engine
compartment!
Whenever you must perform any work in the engine compartment,
for example checking and filling the different fluids, there is a risk of injury, burns and accidents. To prevent personal injury always
observe the following WARNINGS. The engine compartment of any
vehicle is a hazardous area!
=> &
& WARNING
To help avoid injury, before you check anything under the hood :
• Switch off the engine.
• Remove the ignition key.
• Apply the parking brake.
& WARNING (continued)
• Move selector lever of automatic transmission to "P" {Park);
put manual transmission in Neutral.
• Always let the engine cool down. Hot components will burn
skin on contact.
• To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart­
ment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefully opening the hood .
• Keep children away from the engine compartment.
• Never spill fluids on hot engine components. They can cause a
fire.
• Never touch the radiator fan. The auxiliary electric fan is
temperature controlled and can switch on suddenly.
• Never open the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is still
warm. The coolant system is pressurized and hot coolant could
spray out.
• Protect your face, hands and arm from steam or hot engine
coolant by placing a thick rag over the cap when you open the
coolant reservoir.
• If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary:
- Always disconnect the battery .
- Never smoke or work near heaters or open flames. Fluids in
the engine compartment could start a fire.
- Keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available.
• To avoid electrical shock and personal injury while the engine
is running or being started, never touch :
- Ignition cables
- Other components of the high voltage electronic ignition
system.
• If you must perform a check or repair with the engine running: .,_

-Checking and filling P'll:I ---=---------------
© Jump start points(+) under a cover, ( -) bolt head
© Windshield/headlight washer container ( O ) .. ... .. .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS
~ & in "Wo rking in the engine
compartment" on page
220. •
Applies to v ehi cles: with 3,2 1 250 -h p eng in e
3 .21 250 -hp engine
279
236
These are the most important it ems that you can check.
Fig . 150 Engine compartment: 3.21 250-hp engine
G) Coolant expansion tank (J -) ..... ... .. ..... .. ... .
0 Engine oil dipstick (orange) . ... .. ...... ........ . .
© Engine oil filler cap ( © Brake fluid reservoir ( ) ............. .... .. .. .. .
228
224
225
230
© Jump start points(+) under a cover,( -) bo lt head ... .
© Windshield/headlight washer container (O ) .. .... . .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS
~ & in "Working in the engine
compartment" on page
220. •
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
279
236
The engine oil used in your Audi needs the right kind of
oil.
The engine in your Audi is a sophisticated powerp lant 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 smoo thly and re liably. Choosing the right oil and
changing oil wi thin the time and mileage interva ls 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
the lubrica tion it needs for proper operation.
Modern engine lubrication has taken a quantum leap in the last few
years. Many synthetic oils available 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 synthe tic or petro leum-based engine oil, the oil
that you use must conform to Audi's oil quality standard VW 502 00
to help keep your vehicle's engine running smoothly and help prevent the formation of harmful deposits, sometimes called
"sludge,' ' that over time can lead to expensive repairs. •

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c_k _in ____ g_ a_n _d_ f_il _li _n __ g ____ fflllll
•
0 Note
Never mix oil additives with your engine oil. These additives can
damage your engine and adversely affect your Audi Limited New
Vehicle Warranty .
W For the sake of th e environm ent
• Before changing your oi l, first make sure you know where you
can properly dispose of the used 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 oi l 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
freez ing in the winter.
The coo ling system is sealed and generally requires little attention.
T he coo ling system has been filled at the factory with a permanent
coolant which does not need to be cha nged . The coolant consists of
a mixture of water and the manufacturer's glycol-basedcoolant
addit ive G 12 + antifreeze with an ticorrosi on addit ives (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 a lso raises
the boiling point of the coo lant .
Do not reduce t he concentration of the coolant in the summer by
adding plain water.
The prop ort ion of coolant additi ve mu st be at le
as t 50 % but not more th an 60 %
to maintain antifreeze protection
and co oling effic iency . If the coo lant fros t protect ion is too low, the
coolant could freeze and damage the vehic le heating and engine
coo ling system.
For year-round driving, antifreeze is added at the factory for temper ­
atures down to:
• - 31 °F ( - 35 °C) USA
• -40 °F ( -40 °C) Canada.
You can mix the G12 + coo lant additive with other additives (f or
examp le G11 or G12l. Always check with your authorized Audi
dea ler .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment , alway s
read and heed all WARNIN GS
=:> & in "Working i n the engine
c ompartment " on
page 220.
0 Note
• Before winter sets in, have the coolant checked to see if the
coolant additive in your vehicle is sufficient to meet the climate
conditions . This is especia lly important if you live in a region where
the winter is extremely cold. If necessary, increase the proport ion o f
coo lant additive to 60%.
• When adding coolant additive to your coo ling system,
remember :
- We recommend using only coolant additive G12+ (check the
label) for your vehicle. This coolant additive is avai lable at autho ­
rized Audi dealers. Other types of antifreeze can significantly
reduce corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion can cause a
loss of coolant and serious engine damage.
• Do not add any type of radiator leak sea lant to your vehicle's
engine coolant. Adding radiator repair fluid may adverse ly affect the _.,
Vehicle care I t •

___ C_h_ e_ c_k _in --== g'-- a_n _d_ f_il _li _n ..:::g:::..- ___________________________________________ _
function and performance of your cooling system and could result
in damage not covered by your New Vehicle Limi ted Warranty .•
Checking the engine coolant level
The engine coolant level can be checked with a quick
g lance .
Fig. 154 Engin e
co mpartment : coo lan t
e xpansio n tank
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS =>
& in "Working in
the engi ne compa rtment" on
page 2 20.
- Switch t he ignition off.
- Rea d the coo lan t leve l at th e co ola nt e xpansion tank
=> fig . 154. Wit h a c old engine , it must be a b ove the
"min" mark . With a hot engine, it can be a little a bove t he
indicated range .
The location of the coo lant expansion tank can be seen in the
engine compartment i llustration.
To obtain an accurate reading, the engine must be switched off .
The expans io n tank in your vehicle is equipped with an electric
coo lant level sensor . When the coolant leve
l is too low , the warning light in the Auto­
Check System ~
page 32will blink un til you add coolant and the
level has been restored to normal. Even though there is an electric
coo lant level sensor, we still recommend you check the coolant level
from time to time .
Coolant los s
Coolant loss may indicate a leak in the cooling system . In the event
of coo lant loss, the cooling system should be inspec ted i mmedi ­
a tely by your authorized Audi dealer . It is no t enough mere ly to add
coolant.
In a
sealed system, losses can occur only if the boi ling point of the
coolant is exceeded as a result of overheating.
0 Note
Do not add any type of radiator leak sea lant to your vehicle's engine
coo lant. A dding ra diator repair fluid may adversely affec t the func ­
tion and performance of your cooling system and could result in
damage not cove red by your New Veh icle Limi ted War ranty. •
Adding coolant
Be very careful when adding en gine coolant.
Before you c heck anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS =>
& in "Working in
the eng ine compa rtment" on
page 220 .
-Turn off the engine.
- Let the engine coo l dow n.
- Place a t hick rag
over th e coola nt expansio n tank
=> fig . 154 and carefully twist the cap cou nter -c lockwise
=> & .
- Add coolant .

___________________________________________ C_ h_e _c_ k_ i_n _g _ a_n _d_ f_il _li _n _g __ ffllll
•
- Twist the cap on again tightly.
Replacement engine coolant must conform to exact specifications
=>
page 227, "Coolant ". If in an emergency coolant additive G12 + is
not avai lab le, do
not use a d ifferen t addit ive. Use p lain water
instead until you can get the correct additive and can restore the
correct ratio . This should be done as soon as possib le .
If you have lost a considerable amoun t of coolant, then you should
add cold antifreeze and cold water only when the engine is cold.
Always use
new engine coolan t when refilling .
Do not fi ll coolant above the "MAX" mark. Excess coo lant will be
forced out through the pressure relief va lve in the cap when t he
engine becomes hot.
& WARNING
• The cooling system is under pres sure a nd can g et very hot.
Reduce the ri sk of scald ing from ho t co olant b y following the se
s tep s.
- Turn off the engine and allow it to cool d own .
- Prote ct your fa ce , hand s and arm s from e scaping fluid and
st eam b y covering the cap with a l arge , thick rag .
- Turn the cap slo wly and very carefully in a count er-c lockw ise
dire ction while applying light , do wnward pres sure on th e top
o f the cap.
- To avoid b eing burned , do not spill antifre eze or coolant on
th e ex haus t syste m or hot e ngine parts . Under cert ain co nd i­
tion s, the eth yle ne gly col in en gine co ola nt can cat ch fire .
• Antifr ee ze is poison ous. Alw ay s s tore antifr ee ze in its origi nal
c ontainer and well out of the re ach of children.
• If you dr ain th e coola nt , it mu st be caught and safe ly stored in
a proper contain er cle arly m ark ed "p oison ".
0 Note
• Coolant po llutes the env ironment and could cause an engine
fire . Excess coo lant wil l be forced out through the pressure relief
valve in the cap when the engine becomes ho t.
• I f, in an emergency, only water can be added, the correct ratio
between water and antifreeze=>
page 227must be restored as soon
as possib le .
<£> For the sake of the environment
Drained coolant should not be reused . Always dispose of used
coolant while observi ng all environmental regulations. •
Radiator fan
The radiator fan switches on automatically by itself.
The electric radiator fan is controlled by thermoswitches that switch
on and off depending on coolant and engine compartment temper­
atures.
An auxiliary electric radiator fan * switches on and off depending on
coolant temperature and other vehic le operation conditions .
After you switch the eng ine o ff, the aux iliary fan can continue
running for up to 10 minutes -even with the ignition off. It can even
switch on again later by itself=>& , if
• the temperature of the engine coolant rises due to the heat
build -up from the engine in the engine compar tment, or
• the engine compartment heats up because the vehicle is parked
in intense sunlight.
& WARNING
• To reduc e the ri sk of per sonal in jur y nev er t ouch t he radiato r
f a n . .,_
Vehicle care
I t •

___ C_h_ e_ c_k _in --== g'-- a_n _d_ f_il _li _n ..:::g:::..- ___________________________________________ _
& WARNING (continued)
• The auxiliary electric fan is temperature controlled and can
switch on suddenly even when the engine is not running.
• The auxiliary radiator fan switches on automatically when the
engine coolant reaches a certain temperature and will continue to
run until the coolant temperature drops. •
Brake fluid
Checking brake fluid level
The brake fluid level can be checked with a quick glance.
Fig. 155 Engine
compartment: brake
fluid reservoir
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS =>
& in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 220.
- Read the brake fluid level from the brake fluid reservoir
~ fig. 155. The brake fluid level must be between the
"MIN" and "MAX" markings.
The brake fluid reservoir is located behind the rear partition of the
engine compartment on the left side~
page 221 .
The fluid level may drop slightly after some time due to the auto­
matic adjustment of the brake pads. This is not cause for alarm.
If the brake fluid level falls
considerably below the "MIN" mark, the
brake warning/indicator light (U .S. models:
BRAKE , Canadian models:
ill) will come on~ page 20 and~ page 32. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle . The complete brake system should be thor­
oughly checked by an authorized Audi dealer or other qualified
facility and the cause corrected. If the brake fluid level is too low, the
brake warning/indicator light will illuminate. Contact an authorized
Audi dealer
immediately .•
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fluid changed by an experienced techni­
cian.
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. If the water content in the
brake fluid is too high, corrosion in the brake system may result
after a period of time. The boiling point of the brake fluid will als o
decrease considerably and decrease braking performance.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be changed
every two years. Always
use new brake fluid which conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Stan ­
dard "FMVSS 116 DOT 4".
The brake fluid reservoir can be difficult to reach, therefore, we
recommend that you have the brake fluid changed by your autho­
rized
Audi dealer . Your dealer has the correct tools, the right brake
fluid and the know -how to do this for you.
& WARNING
• Brake fluid is poisonous. It must be stored only in the closed
original container out of the reach of children!
• Brake failure can result from old or inappropriate brake fluid.
Observe these precautions : .,,_