2009 AUDI A4 CABRIOLET check engine

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Before yo u check a nything in the e ngine compartmen t,
always read and heed all WARNINGS~
& in "Working in
the eng ine compartment" on
page 250.
Unscrew the ca p~ to the e ngine oil filling hole
~ page 255, fig . 200 or~ page 255, fig. 20 1.
- Carefully top off wi th the appropriate o il in 0.5 liter doses.
- C heck the oil level aga in afte r two minutes ~
page 254.
-Top off t he oi l aga in, if necessary .
- Sc rew the ca p back on the fi lling h ole a nd s lide the o il
d ips tic k in as far as i t will go .
& WARNING
• While topping off , the oil must not come in contact with hot
eng ine part s -fi re hazard!
• The oil filler cap mu st be prope rly secured to prevent o il from
being spra yed on the hot engine and exhaust sy stem when the
engine i s runnin g -fire hazard!
• If your skin has come in conta ct with the engine oil , you mu st
s ub sequently clean se it thoroughly .
0 Note
• The oil level must not be above range@-danger of converter or
engine damage! Contact an authorized dealership to draw off oi l, if
necessary.
• Audi do es not recommend the use of oil additives . They may
d amage the engine and adver sely affe ct your New Vehicle Warr anty.
ffi For th e sake of the environment
• Under no circumstances can the oi l come in contact w ith t he
sewage network or the soil. •
Observe and follow legal regulations when disposing of empty
o il con tainers .•
Changing the engine oil
We recommend that have your oil changed by an autho­
rize d Audi de aler or a qualified service s tation.
Before you check any thi ng in the engine compartment, alway s read
and heed all WARNINGS =>
& in "Working in the engine compart ­
ment" on
page 250.
The engine oil must be changed according to the intervals specified in you r War ranty
& Main tenance booklet . This is very important
because the lubricating properties of oil diminish gradually during
normal vehicle use .
Under some circumstances the engine oil shou ld be changed more
frequently . Change oil more often if you drive mostly short
distances, opera te the ve hicle in dusty areas or under predom i­
nant ly stop -and -go traffic conditions, or have your vehicle where
t emperatures remai n below freezing fo r extended periods .
Detergent add it ives i n the oil wi ll make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time . This is norma l and is not
a reason to change the oi l more of ten than recommended.
Because of the problem of proper disposal, along with the special
t ools and necessa ry expert ise required, we strong ly recommend
that you have your oil changed by an authorized
Audi dealer or a
qual ified se rvice sta tion .
If you choo se to change your oil yourself , please note the follow ing
important information :
& WARNING
To reduce the risk of personal injury if you must change the engine
oil in your vehicle you rself:
• We ar eye protection . _.,

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•
& W ARNING (conti nued )
• To reduce the ri sk of burns from hot engine oil , let the engine
c ool down to the tou ch.
• When removing the oil drain plug with your fingers , stay as far
a w ay as possible. Alway s keep your forearm parallel to the ground
to help prevent hot oil from running down your arm.
• Drain the oil into a container designed for thi s purpo se , on e
large enough to hold at least the total amount of oil in your engine.
• Engine oil is poisonous . Keep it well out of the reach of children .
• Continuous contact with used engine oil i s harmful to your
skin . Always prote ct you r skin by washing oil off thoroughly with
soap and water .
0 Note
Never m ix oil a ddi tives with yo ur engine oil. These additives can
damage your engine and adversely affect your Audi Limited New
Vehi cle Warranty.
~ For the sake of the environment
• Befo re c ha ng ing y our oi l, f irst make sure you k now w here y ou
can properly dispose of the used oil.
• Always dispose o f used e ngine oi l prop erl y. D o not dump i t 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 col lec ­
t ion facili ty in y our a rea, or co n tact a serv ice s ta tion .•
Engine cooling system
Coolant
T he e ngin e cool ant p erform s tw o functio ns: it k eep s th e
e ng ine f rom ov erh ea ting and it pro tects the engine fr om
freezing in the winter.
The cooling system is sealed and general ly requires little attention.
The coo ling syst em has been fil led at the fac tory with a perm an ent
coolant which does not need to be changed. The coo lant consists of
a m ix ture of wa te r and the manufacturer 's gl yco l- b ase dco olant
add it ive G 12++ antifreeze with anticorrosion additives (50% for USA
mode ls; 60% for Canadian mode ls) . T his m ixtu re bo th a ssure s the
n ecessary frost protectio n and p ro tects m etal co mponents in t he
eng ine's cooling system from co rrosion and scaling. It a lso raises
the boili ng poi nt o f the coolant.
D o not reduce the concentrat ion of the coo lant in the summer by
adding pla in wate r. The proportion of coolant additive must be at
least 50 % but not more than 60 % to maintain antifreeze protection
and coo ling eff iciency . If the c oolant frost p ro tecti on is t oo low, the
coo lant could freeze and damage th e vehic le heating and en gine
cool ing sy stem .
For year -rou nd driv ing, ant ifreeze is added at the facto ry fo r tempe r­
atures down to:
• -31 °F ( -35 °C) USA
• - 40 °F ( - 40 °C) Canada.
You can mix the G12 ++ coolan t add itive with othe r additives (G12 +
or G12). A lways check wit h your authorized Audi dea ler.
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine co m partment , always
read and heed all WARNINGS
=> & in "Working in the engine
c ompartment " on
page 250 .
Vehic le care

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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 especially important if you live in a region where
the winter is extremely cold . If necessary, increase the proportion of
coolant additive to 60% .
• When adding coolant additive to your cooling system,
remember:
-We recommend using only coolant additive G12+ + (check the
label) for your vehicle. This coolant additive is available 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 sealant to your vehicle's
engine coolant. Adding radiator repair fluid may adversely affect the
function and performance of your cooling system and could result
in damage not
covered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Checking the engine coolant level
The engine coolant level can be checked with a quick
glance.
Fig . 202 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS~ & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 250.
Turn off the ignition.
- Let the eng ine cool down.
Place a thick rag over the coolant expansion tank
~ fig. 202 and carefully twist the cap counter-clockwise
~& .
Read the engine coolant level in the open coolant expan­
sion tank~ fig. 202. With a cold engine, the coolant level
should be between the "min" and "max" markings. When
the engine is warm, the level may be slightly above the
"max" marking .
The location of the coolant expansion tank can be seen in the
engine compartment illustration=>
page 252.
To obtain an accurate reading , the engine must be switched off .
The expansion tank in your vehicle is equipped with an electric
coolant level sensor.
When the coolant l evel is too low, the warning light in the Auto ­
Check System :::::,
page 31 will blink until you add coolant and the
level has been restored to normal. Even though there is an electric
coolant level sensor, we still recommend you check the coolant level
from time to time .
Coolant loss
Coolant loss may indicate a leak in the cooling system. In the event
of coolant loss, the cooling system should be inspected immedi ­
ately by your authorized Audi dealer . It is not enough merely to add
coolant.
In a
sealed system, losses can occur only if the boiling point of the
coolant is exceeded as a result of overheating. ..,.

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•
& WARNING
The cool ing system i s under pre ssure and can get very hot . Redu ce
the risk of scalding from hot coolant by following these steps.
• Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down .
• Protect your face , hands and arms from escaping fluid and
steam by cover ing the cap with a large , thick rag .
• Turn the cap slowly and very carefully
in a counter -clockwi se
dire ction while applying light , downward pressure on the top of
the cap .
• To avoid being burned, do not spill antifreeze or coolant on the
exhaust system or hot engine parts . Under certain conditions, the
ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire .
0 Note
Do not add any type of radiator leak sealant to your vehicle's engine
coolant. Adding radiat or repa ir fl uid may adversely affect t he func ­
tion and performance of your coo ling system and could resu lt in
damage not cove red by y our New Vehicle Limi ted Wa rran ty .•
Adding coolant
B e very c are ful when addi ng engi ne cool ant.
Be fore you check a nything in the e ng ine comp artmen t,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=> & in "Work ing in
t h e eng ine compa rtment" on
page 250 .
-Tur n off th e engine.
- Le t th e eng in e co ol d ow n.
- Place a t hick rag over the coo la nt expansio n tank
~ page 258 , fig. 202 an d carefully tw is t th e cap coun te r­
cl ockw ise
~ & .
Add co o lant .
- Twist the cap on aga in
tig htly .
Replacement engine coolant must conform to exact specifications
~ page 257 , "C oola nt". Even in an eme rgency, if co ola nt addi tive
G 12 ++, G12+ or G1 2 is not availab le, do
not use a different additive .
Us e pla in wate r instead until you can ge t the co rrect add itive and
can res tor e th e correc t ra tio. T his shou ld be don e as soon as
pos sible.
If y ou have los t a co nsid era ble amount of coo la nt, t hen y ou should
add cold antifreeze and cold water only when the engine is cold.
A lways use
new engine c oo la nt whe n refil ling .
Do not fill coola nt a bove the "M AX" mark. Excess coo lant w ill be
forced out through the pressure relief va lve in the cap when the
eng ine beco mes hot.
& WARNING
• The cooling system i s under pressure and can get very hot.
Reduce the risk of scalding from hot coolant by following these
steps.
-Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down .
- Protect your face , hands and arms from escaping fluid and
steam by covering the cap with a large , thick rag .
- Turn the cap slowly and very carefully in a counter -clockwise
direction while applying light , downward pressure on the top
of the cap.
- To avoid being burned , do not spill antifreeze or coolant on
the exhau st system or hot engine parts. Under certain condi ­
tions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire .
• Antifreeze is poisonous . Always store antifreeze in its original
container and well out of the reach of children .
• If you drain the coolant , it must be caught and safely stored in
a proper container clearly marked "poison ". _,.
Ve hic le care

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0 Note
• Coolant pollutes the environment and could cause an engine
fire. Excess coolant will be forced out through the pressure relief
valve in the cap when the engine becomes hot.
• If, in an emergency, only water can be added, the correct ratio
between water and antifreeze~
page 257must be restored as soon
as possible.
<£> For the sake of the environment
Drained coolant should not be reused. Always dispose of used
coolant while observing all environmental regulations. •
Radiator fan
The radiator fan switches on automatically by itself.
The radiator fan is driven by the engine via the V-belt. The viscous
clutch regulates the speed of the fan according to the temperature
of the coolant.
An auxiliary electric radiator fan* switches on and off depending on coolant temperature and other vehicle operating conditions.
After you switch the engine off, the auxiliary 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 compartment, or
• the engine compartment heats up because the vehicle is parked
in intense sunlight.
& WARNING
• To reduce the risk of personal injury never touch the radiator
fan .
_& 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. 203 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 250.
Pull the rubber strip@ up partially and lift the cover @
slightly :::::, fig. 203.
- Read the brake fluid level from the brake fluid reservoir
©. The brake fluid level must be between the "MIN" and
"MA X" markings. _..

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•
The brake fluid reservoir is located at the rear partition of the engine
compartment on the left side~
page 252 .
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 :
(CD) ) wi ll come on
~ page 23 and ~ page 30. Do not continue to
operate the vehicle. The complete brake system should be thor ­
oughly checked by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop
and the cause corrected . If the brake fluid level is too low, the brake
warning/indicator light will illuminate. Contact an authorized Audi
dea ler
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 wil l also
decrease considerably and decrease braking performance.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be changed
every two years. Always
use new brake fluid which conforms to Federa l Motor Vehic le 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!
& WARNING (continued)
• Brake failure can result from old or inappropriate brake fluid.
Observe these precautions :
- Use only brake fluid that meets SAE specification
J 1703 and
conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle Standard 116. Always check
with your authorized Audi dealer to make sure you are using
the correct brake fluid. The correct type of brake fluid is also
indicated on the brake fluid reservoir .
- The brake fluid must be new . Heavy use of the brakes can
cause a vapor lock if the brake fluid is left in the system too
long. This can seriously affect the efficiency of the brakes as
well as your safety . This could result in an accident.
0 Note
Brake fluid wil l damage the paint of your vehicle .
ci> For the sake of the environment
Because of the problem of proper disposal of brake fluid as well as
the special tools required and the necessary expertise, we recom­
mend that you have the brake fluid changed by your authorized Audi
dealer. •
Battery
General information
Under normal operating conditions, the battery in your Audi does
not need any maintenance. With
high outside temperatures it is
advisab le however to check the fluid level at regular intervals
through the transparent battery housing. Also check the fluid level
each time you charge the battery . After charging the battery
~ page 265, you shou ld likewise check the battery acid level. ...
Vehic le care

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Have the battery checked when you take your vehicle in for service .
You are well advised to replace a battery that is older than 5 years.
Disconnecting the battery terminals
Some vehicle functions (power window regulators, for example) are
lost if the battery terminals are disconnected . Th ese functions have
to be relearned after the battery terminals are connected again. To
prevent this, the battery should only be disconnected from the
vehicle electrical system when absolutely necessary for repairs .
Vehicles not driven for long periods
If you are going to let your vehicle stand for a long time and not
drive it, you should remember there are electrical components
which are still functioning and they will draw energy from the
battery and drain it, for example, the engine immobilizer. To prevent
this, you can either charge the battery occasionally to keep it in
good working condition or you can disconnect the negative cable
on the battery.
Winter operation
During the winter months, battery capacity tends to decrease as
temperatures drop. This is because more power is also consumed
while starting, and the headlights, rear window defogger, etc., are
used more often.
Avoid unnecessary power consumption, particularly in city traffic or
when traveling only short distances . Let your authorized Audi dea ler
check the capacity of the vehicle battery before winter sets in
=>
page 265 . A we ll charged battery wil l not only prevent starting
problems when the weather is cold, but will also last longer.
Replacing battery
The new battery must have the same capacity, voltage (12 volts),
amperage, construction and plug sea ling, as the origina l battery.
Specifications are listed on the battery housing. Batteries specially
developed by Audi fulfill the maintenance, output, and safety
requirements. When installing the battery, make sure the ignition and all electrical
consumers are switched off=>
0.
We recommend that you use maintenance -free or cyc le-resis­
tant/leak-proof
batteries according to the standards TL 825 06 (from
December 1997) and VW 7 50 73 (from August 2001).
Replacing the battery should be carried by a qualified workshop.
Please follow the instructions on the battery cover.
0 Note
• All work on the battery requires technical knowledge. Please
contact an Audi dealership or another authorized facility for ques­
tions about the battery -danger of acid burns and exp losion hazard!
• Make sure the ventilation hose on the side of the battery is
connected, otherwise fumes or battery acid can leak out.
• Battery holder and terminals always have to be secured correctly.
• Before all work on the battery follow the
warnings below=> & in
"Working on the battery" on
page 263.
Because of the problem of proper disposal of a battery, we recom­
mend your authorized Audi dealer change the battery for you.
Batteries contain sulfuric acid and lead and must always be
disposed of properly in compliance with all environmental regula ­
tions . Disposing of vehicle batteries improperly is very dangerous to
the environment . Make sure that the removed battery cannot over ­
balance, otherwise sulfuric acid might escape!
[ i ] Tips
If your vehicle is left standing for several weeks at extremely low
temperatures, the vehicle battery should be removed and stored
where it will not freeze. This will prevent it from being damaged and
having to be replaced.•

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Working on the battery
Be especially careful when working on or near the battery.
•·•·•·•
Fig. 204 Engine
compartment, plenum
chamber : battery cover
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=>
& in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 250.
Removing the cover
-Push the cover in the direction of the arrow => fig. 204.
Always heed the safety warnings, when working on the vehicle
battery or the vehicle electrical system to prevent injury.
The following WARNINGS are very important when
working on the battery:
Always heed the following WARNING SYMBOLS and safety pre ­
cautions when working on the battery .
®
Always wear eye protection.
Battery acid contains sulfuric acid. Always wear
gloves and eye protection.
No
- sparks
- flames
- smoking.
When a battery is charged, it produces hydrogen
gas which is explosive and could cause personal
injury.
Always keep the battery well out of reach of chil­
dren.
& WARNING
Whenever working on the battery or on the electrical system,
there is the risk of injury, accident and even fire. Read and heed the
following WARNINGS:
• Always wear eye protection. Do not let battery acid or any lead
particles get on your skin or clothing. Shield your eyes. Explosive
gases can cause blindness or other injury.
• Battery acid contains sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid can cause
blindness and severe burns .
- Always wear gloves and eye protection. Do not tilt the battery because acid could leak out of the ventilation openings .
- If you get battery acid in your eyes or on your skin, immedi ­
ately rinse with cold water for several minutes and get medical
attention.
- If you should ingest any battery acid, seek medical attention
immediately.
• Do not expose the battery to an open flame , electric sparks or
an open light.
• Do not smoke.
• Do not interchange the positive and negative cables .
• When working on the battery, be sure not to short-circuit the
terminals with tools or other metal objects. This would cause the .,,.
Vehic le care irechnical data