-~_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:::..- ___________________________________________ _
& 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