Driver information system
[ i] Tips
• The engine oil pressure symbol 9:::r. is not an indicator for a low
engine 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.
• The yellow oil level warning indication · requires oil refill or
workshop service without delay. Do not wait until the red oil pres
sure warning symbol
9:::r. starts to flash before you respond to the
low oil level warning . By then, your engine may already have
suffered serious damage. •
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING.
Yellow symbols mean:
Low fuel level
Check engine oil level Engine oil sensor malfunction
-
Worn brake pads
USA models:
Speed warning 1
Canada models:
Speed warning 1
-
USA models:
Speed warning 2
-Canada models:
Speed warning 2 =>
pag
e35
=> page35
=> page35
-
=> page35
=> page35
=> page35
=> page35
-
=> page35
Dynamic headlight range con
trol* defective => page35
Windshield washer fluid level low
=> page 35
Battery voltage too high or too
low
Defective light bulb
USA models:
Defective brake light
Canada models:
Defective brake light =>
page35
=> page36
=> page36
=> page36
Light/rain
sensor defective (auto-=> page 36
matic headlights) * defective
Adaptive Light* defective =>
page 36
Tire pressure monitoring system * => page 37
Yellow symbols indicate a priority 2 malfunction -Warning!
When a yellow symbol appears, a warning tone will sound
once .
Check the displayed function as soon as possible . If more than one
priority 2 malfunction is detected, all symbols will appear one after
the other for about two seconds.
To display driver information
As an example, the[} symbol appears in the display . If you now
press the button =>
page 12, fig. 2 ©, the following driver message
appears in the display:
PLEASE REFUEL
The driver message in the display goes out after about 5 seconds.
You can display the driver message again by briefly p ressing the
button. •
Fuel supply too low [J
When the J symbol illuminates, this means there is about 1.8
gal lons
(7 l iters) o f fue l left in the fuel ta nk. T ime to re fuel!
=>
page 275.
I f the symbo l lights up, even when there is ample fuel in the tank,
and the text
TANK SYSTEM MA LFUN CTION! CON TACT WORKSHOP
appears in the display, there is a fau lt in the system. Contact a qual
ified workshop to have the fau lt rectified. •
Checking the engine oil level _,;.
When the -= symbol illuminates, check the engine oil leve l as soon
as possib le =>
page 224. Top off the oil at your ear liest opportun ity
=>
page 225. •
Engine oil sensor defective
-
If the _ symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer
and have the oil sensor inspected . Unti l you have this done, check
the oi l leve l each time you re fue l jus t to be on the sa fe s ide
=>
page 224 . •
Worn brake pads .)
If the symbo l illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dea ler to
have the front bra ke pads inspected (on that occasion have the rear
brakes inspected as wel l to be safe). •
Controls and equip
ment
Driver inform ation system
Speed warning 1
~ (USA models) / ~ (Canada
models)
I f the ~ symbo l illuminates, this means you are d riving faste r than
the set vehicle speed . Slow down!=>
page 37. •
Speed warning 2
-.... (USA models) /
l.,... (Canada models)
If the C) symbol il luminates, this means you have driven faster than
the sec ond set vehic le s peed. Slow d own! =>
page 37. •
Applies to veh icles : wi th dynami c he ad light r ange ad just ment
Headlight range control defective
If the il luminates, the dynamic head light range control is no
longer working pr ope rly. Have the syste m checked and repa ired at
your authorized Audi dea ler .•
Windshield washer fluid level too low .-_j
If the ~ symbol illuminates, add windshie ld washer fluid to the
washer sys tem =>
page 236 . •
Battery voltage low ~
If the C sy mb ol illu min ates, co ntact your au thori ze d Audi dealer
and have the following components inspected:
• drive belt
• generator
• b att e ry charge
I • •
-Intelligent t echnology
--- =---- ----"-!...!-------------------------------
After 15 cycles (deploy and retract), manual operation is suspended
fo r up t o 2.5 minutes . Above 75 mph (120 km/h), operation swi tches
to automatic mode .
& WARNING
Driving at higher speeds witho ut the re ar spoiler deployed can
impair handling characteri stics, making the vehicle harder to
c ontrol.
• Always make sure that the spoiler i s deployed when driving at
speeds over 85 mph (140 k m/h). If the rear spoiler warning /ind i
c ator light in the in strument clu ster come s on , the rear spoiler
may not have deployed .
• Never drive at speed s higher than 85 mph (140 km /h ) if the
spoiler is not deployed . Have the spoiler inspe cted as soon as
po ssible by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop.
• Always obey speed limits and other traff ic law s.
& WARNING
Improper operation of the rear spoiler can cause crushing injuries.
• Always make su re that nobody , especially children , is in the
way when the rear spoiler is deployed or retracted.
0 Note
Never push the vehicle or a pply force to the rear spoi ler -it cou ld be
damaged .
[ i ] Tips
Clean the spoi ler compartment every 2 to 3 months . The spoiler
compa rtment must always be free of ice, snow, leaves or other
debris. •
Braking
General "nformation
What aff ects braking effi cie ncy?
Operating condition s and driving habits
The brakes on today's automob iles a re sti ll sub ject to wea r,
depending large ly o n operati ng co nditions and driving habits~&.
On vehicles which are driven mostly in stop -and -go city traffic or
whic h are driven hard, the brake pa ds shou ld be checked by your
authorized Audi dea ler more often than specified in the
Mainte
nance
& Warranty booklet.
On steep slopes, you should use the braking effect of the en gine.
Th is way, you prevent u nneces sary wea r on the brake syste m. If you
must use your brakes, do not ho ld the brakes down continuous ly.
P ump the brakes at interva ls.
Moisture or road salt
U nde r certain co nditi ons, for example, when driving th rough water
or v ery heavy rain, or eve n after washing your vehicle, the braking
effec t can be red uced d ue to mo isture (o r in freezing c onditions ice)
o n the brake pads . A few cautious brake appl ica tions should dry off
the brake pads or remove any ice coat ings.
T he effe ctiveness of the brakes can be reduced when the ve hicle is
driven on a sa lt -covered road and the brakes are not used. Li kewise,
you clean off accu mulated sa lt co atin g fr om bra ke discs a nd pads
with a few cautious applications of the brake~&.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and
corr osi on to for m on the d iscs if the ca r is no t driven regu lar ly or
only for short trips with litt le use of the brakes .
I f the b ra kes a re not used frequently, or if co rros ion ha s formed on
the d iscs, it is adv isable to clean off the pads a nd discs by braking
firm ly a few times from a moderately high speed~& . .,_
Faults in the brake syst em
If you shou ld notice a sudden i ncrease in brake pedal travel, then
one of the two brake circuits may have failed=>
& -
Low brake fluid level
Ma lfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid leve l is
t oo low. The brake fluid level is moni tored e lect ronica lly .
Brake pow er assist unit
The brake p ow er assist un it increas es th e pressure that you
generate with the brake peda l. It works only when the engine is
running.
& WARNING
• You should perform braking maneuver s for the purpose of
c leaning the brake system only if road conditions permit . Other
road users must not be put at ri sk -you may cause an accident!
• Before des cending a steep grade , redu ce speed and sh ift trans
mi ssion into a lower gear or lower driving position . Do not ride the
br akes or hold the pedal down too long or too often . This could
cause the brakes to get hot and diminish braking efficiency .
• Do not "ride the brakes " by resting your foot on the pedal when
you do not intend to brake . Thi s may cause the brakes to overheat,
premature we ar and increased stopping distan ce .
• Under certain cl imatic and operating condit ions such as
pas sing through water , driv ing in heavy rain or after washing the
vehicle, the effectiveness of the brake s can be reduced . In winter ,
ice can ac cumulate on the brake pads , linings , discs and drums .
Cautiously apply brakes for a te st. Brakes will dry and ice coatings
will be cleaned off after a few cautious brake appli cations .
• Driving for an extended period of time on salt -covered road s
without using your brakes can also affect brak ing effic iency . Clean
off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads with a few
c autiou s brake applications .
Controls and equip ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
& W
ARNING (continued )
• If you damage the front spo iler , or if you install a different
s poiler , be sure the air flow to the front brakes is not obstructed.
Otherwise the brake system could overheat redu cing the effective
ness of the entire br ake system.
• Failure of one brake circuit will impair the braking capability
resulting in an increa sed stopping distance. Avoid driving the
vehicle and have it towed to the nearest Audi dealer or qualified
workshop.
• Never let the veh icle roll to a stop with the engine shut off .
• If the b rake booster is not working , for e xample when towing
your vehicle, or because the brake booster has somehow been
damaged , the brake pedal must be pre ssed considerably harder to
make up for the lack of booster assistance . •
Anti- lock brake system (ABS)
ABS p revents the wheel s from loc king unde r br ak ing.
The anti -lock brake sys te m (ABS) makes a major contri but ion to
i ncreasing act ive d riv in g sa fety . You should not expect that brakin g
distances wi ll be
shortened unde r all c ircums tances wi th ABS.
B rak in g distance may even become somewhat
longer , for e xa m ple ,
on gravel or in new snow on s lippery ground, even if you are driving
carefully and slowly.
ABS operation
W hen a veh icle speed o f about 10 mph (20 km/ h) is reac hed , an au to
matic test sequence is run. Some noise from the pum p may be
audible.
I f the speed of a wheel s lows down too much re lative to vehicle
speed and i t starts to lock, br ake pressu re to th is whee l is reduce d.
T his adjustment process can be felt as a
pulsing motion of the b rake
pedal ,
accompanied by some noises. Yo u as the d rive r are in tent io n
a lly being g iven the in fo rmation that the wh eels a re tendin g to lock
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
New brake pads
Remember that new brake pads do not have a full braking
effec t during the first 250 miles (400 kilometres) after they
are installed.
New brake pads have to be "burnished in" before they have optima l
grab=> &.
During the break -in period, you should avoid putting severe loads
on the brakes. Severe loads include, for example, sudden hard
braking, in particular at very high speeds or, for example, on moun
tain passes.
& WARNING
U ntil the y develop the m axim um "b ite " fo r be st stoppi ng p owe r,
th e s urfaces on new br ake p ads re quir e some " brea king -in " during
th e ini tia l 100 to 150 miles 1 150 to 200 k ilom etres) of nor ma l c ity
driving . You can comp ensa te fo r thi s by press ing the brak e ped al
more fi rml y. T his appl ie s w henev e r ne w pad s a re in sta lled . •
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission control system
(catalytic converter) is fu nctioning properly to ensure that
y o ur vehicle is running in an environmentally s ound
manner.
- Always use lead-free gasoline~ page 214, "Fuel supply".
- Never run the tank down a ll the way to empty.
- Never put too much motor o il in your engine~
page 225,
"Adding engine oi l 'l=:;r\11
•
- Neve r try to push -or tow -s tart your ve hicle.
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Dri
ving and environm ent
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" device built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle . The cataly tic converter burns many
of the pollutants in the exhaust gas before they are re leased into the
atmosphere.
The exclusive use of un leaded fuel is critica lly important for the l ife
of the catalytic converter and proper functioning of the engine.
& WARNING
• Do not park or oper ate th e ve hi cle in are a s whe re the hot
exha ust sys te m may c ome in conta ct wi th dr y grass, bru sh , fu el
s pill or other mat eri al which can cau se a fi re.
• Do not app ly a dditi onal u nder co at ing or ru stpr oofing on or
near the exhau st m anifold , exh au st pipe s, cata ly tic convert er or
he at shi elds. During dri ving, the s ubstance use d f or und ercoa ting
c ould ov erheat an d ca u se a fire.
0 Note
• Be aware that just one tank fi lling with
le ad ed fuel wi ll a lready
seriously degrade the performance of the catalytic converter.
• Do not exceed the correct engine oil level =>
page 225.
• Do not drive until the fuel tank becomes completely empty. The
engine could misfire . Unburned fuel could a lso get into the exhaust
system and this could cause the catalytic converter to overheat .
• Do not turn off the igni tion wh ile the vehicle is moving.
• Do not continue to operate your vehicle under these conditions,
as otherwise fue l can reach the cata lytic converter. This could resu lt
in overheating of the converter, requiring its replacement .
• To assure efficient operation of the Emiss ion Control System:
- Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Maintenance & Warranty
booklet.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
___ 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 : .,,_
______________________________________________ A_ l.:.. p _h_ a_ b_e _t_ic _ a _ l _in _ d_e _ x __ _
Automatic folding top
closing .. .... .... ....... ..... ... . 62
opening ... ... ... .... .... ... .... .. 62
Automatic headlight control .. ......... 70
Automatic transmission .. .... .... .... 113
Driving Notes ......... .... .. ..... 114
Emergency program .... ...... .... 119
Emergency release . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Ignition key safety lock . ...... ..... 106
Kick -down .. ... .. .... .... ...... .. 117
Launch Control Program ........... 117
Selector lever lock ........ .... .... 116
Selector lever positions .... ..... .. 115
Tiptronic ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 118
Tiptronic controls on the steering wheel
119
Average speed ... ... ..... ... .... .... . 39
Avoid damaging the vehicle ..... .... . 194
B
Battery .. ... .... .... .... ..... .. 231, 234
Battery location inside the engine
compartment . ...... .... .... 221, 222
Charging ........................ 235
Checking battery acid level .. .. 234, 235
Connecting ...................... 231
Disconnecting .... .... .... ...... . 231
Important warnings when working on the
battery ........................ 232
Replacing the battery .. .......... . 231
Winter operation ................. 231
Working on the battery ... .... .... . 232
Battery voltage . .... .... .... ... .... .. 35
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Before
driving . .... . .. ... ... ........ 128
Bi -Xenon headlights .................. 75
Blended gasoline . ... .... .... .... .... 214
Body cavity sealing ...... ...... ... .. . 207
Booster seats .. ...... .... .... .... ... 175
How do I properly install a booster seat in
my vehicle? . .......... .... ... .. 175
Safety instructions . .... .... ... .... 175
Brake fluid Changing the brake fluid .. ........ 230
Checking the brake fluid level ...... 230
What is the correct brake fluid level? 230
What should I do if the brake fluid warning
light comes on? ... .. .... .... .... 230
Brake fluid reservoir . ...... ...... .... 230
Brake light defective ........ .... .... .. 36
Brake system ... ... .. .... ........ 32, 230
Anti-lock brake system .. ....... .... 20
Brake Assistant ........ ... .. .... . 189
Brake fluid ................... .... 230
Brake f luid specifications for refill and
replacement .... ...... ...... .... 230
Brake pads ... ... .... .... .... .... 193
General information .............. 188
How does the moisture or road sa lt affect
the brakes? ..... ...... ...... .... 188
Warning/indicator lights .. ...... .... 20
Break -in period ...... ...... ... .. .... 192
Brake pads ...................... 193
Tires .. .... .... ... .... .... .... ... 192
Bulbs .... ... .... .. . .. .............. 277
C
California Proposition 65 Warning . .... 221
Battery specific .... ... .... .... .... 234
Capacities ... .... ........ ... .... .... 291
Car care ... .... ... .. .... .... .... .... 200
Interior ..... .... .. .... ........... 208
Plastic and vinyl .................. 204
Weatherstrips ..... .... ...... ..... 206
Care of exterior .. .... ....... ........ 200
Cargo area
See Luggage compartment . ... .... . 135
Catalytic converter ...... .... .... .... 193
CD changer ..... .... .... .... .... ..... 96
Certification ...... ... .... ...... ...... 45
Changing a flat tire ... .... .... ....... 267
Changing engine oil ............. .... 226
Chassis Undercoating .... ..... ... .... .... 207
See also Audi magnetic ride .... .... 112
Check ing
Battery acid level ......... ... . 234, 235
Engine coolant level .............. 228
Checking tire pressure . ... .... .... ... 244
Child restraint
Danger of using child restraints in the front seat .... ... .... .... .... ... 147
Child restraints Where can I get additional information
about chi ld restraints? ... ........ 180
Child safety ...... .... ... .... ... 168, 173
Booster seats .... .... .... .... ... . 175
Convertible child safety seats ... ... 174
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
Alphabetical index -
-------------=----
Where can I find the tire pressures for my X
car? ...... .. .... .... ......... .. 244
Why safety belts? ............... 137, 138 Xenon-Lights ....... .... ...... ...... 277
Wind deflector .... .... ... .. .... ...... 64
Cleaning .. ...................... 203
Y
Windows
Cleaning 205
Convenience close/open feature .. ... 58
Defrost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Windshield washer fluid Low level ... .. .... .... ......... ... 35
Windshield wipers Installing new wiper blades ....... .. 81
Service position ................... 80
Washer fluid reservoir ............ . 236
Winter operation
Batt ery .......................... 231
Coolant system .................. 227
Defrosting windows .. ........... . 101
Heated seats (climate control) ...... 104
Tires ...... .... ... .. ............ 191
Windows ........................ 205
Winter tires .. ... ..... ... .... ..... .. 254
All-wheel drive ................... 254
Wiper and washer system ............ . 78
Intermittent wiping ... .... .... .... . 78
One -tap wiping .......... .... .... . 78
Wiper blades Installing new wiper b lades ......... 81
Worn brake pads .... .... .... ..... .... 35
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Yellow symbols ..
..... ... ... .... .... . 34
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data