2009 AUDI Q7 coolant level

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 324, "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 messages and yellow symbols
If a yellow symbol appears in the display, a driver message is also
displayed automatically.
For example, the symbol appears in the display, indicating low
windshield washer fluid level. The following message also appears:
Please top up washer fluid
The driver message disappears after a few seconds. The driver
message can be displayed again by briefly pressing the
I CH ECK]
button. •
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
-Pull off the road.
- Stop the vehicle.
Turn off the engine.
Fig . 18 Display: engine
coolant level warning
(priority 1)
- Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop for assistance.
Red symbols indicate a priority 1 malfunction -Danger!
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
With a priority 1 malfunction, a large symbol appears in the center
area of the display => fig. 18. When the symbol appears,
three
warning tones sound in succession. The symbol continues to blink
until the malfunction has been repaired.
If there are
more than one priority 1 malfunctions, the symbols
appear one after the other for about 2 seconds.
An additional driver message can also be displayed by briefly
pressing the
! CHECK ] button.
The red symbols mean:
0
BRAKE

[ i] Tips
Alternator malfunction
USA models:
Brake system malfunction
Canada models:
Brake system malfunction
Engine coolant level too
low/engine coolant temperature
too high
Engine oil pressure too low
Faulty steering
Faulty ignition switch
=> page32
=> page 32
=> page32
=> page33
=> page 33
=> page 34
=> page 34
• If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ © (Canada
models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a brake system
malfunction. By pressing the
I CH ECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.
Please note
=> page 32. ..
Vehicle care
I I irechnical data

Driver information display
• Speed warnings threshold 1 8 (USA modelsl/8 (Canada
models) and threshold
2 e , (USA modelsl/ 8 (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. •
Alternator malfunction 0
If the O symbol in the instrument panel display flashes, then there
is a malfunction in the alternator or the vehicle electronics. A
warning to the driver will appear, too. The driver warning goes out
after about
5 seconds, but it can be brought up at any time by
pressing the
( CHECK ] button again.
Usually, you can still drive to the next dealership. Turn off all but the
most necessary electrical consumers, since these drain the vehicle's
battery.
0 Note
If the _t warning symbol (coolant system malfunction) also lights
up on the instrument panel during the trip=>
page 33, then you
have to stop immediately and turn off the engine. The coolant pump
is not working anymore -danger of damage to the engine! •
Brake system malfunction
A malfunction in the brake 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 341.
-Contact your nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop if necessary.
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact
workshop
- Drive carefully to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or
qualified workshop and have the malfunction corrected
=> & .
If the ABS system malfunctions, the ABS warning/indicator light illu­
minates together with the brake system malfunction warning/indi­
cator light=>& .
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in => page 324, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the hood and checking the brake fluid .
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard. Stop the car and
get professional assistance .
• USA models: If the BRAKE warning light and the .-..-warning
light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• Canada models: If the brake warning light and the ABS
warning light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of _.,

& WARNING (continued)
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme­diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop.
Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applications. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -L
A mo/function in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the _ t symbol in the display blinks, then either the
engine coolant temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. An additional driver message can also be
displayed by pressing the [ CHECK] button:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
- Pull off the road .
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
- Check coolant level => page 338.
- Add coolant if necessary => page 339.
- Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/indicator light goes out.
- Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if
necessary.
If the engine coolant level is correct, then the radiator fan may be
the cause of the malfunction.
If the O warning symbol (alternator malfunction) also lights up on
the instrument panel~
page 32, then the fan belt may be damaged .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
& WARNING
• If your vehicle should break down for mechanical or other
reasons, park at a safe distance from moving traffic, turn off the
engine and turn on the hazard warning lights
~ page 76, "Emer­
gency flasher
A".
• Never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment -you risk being scalded.
Wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant
escaping.
• The engine compartment of any vehicle is a dangerous area.
Before you perform any work in the engine compartment, turn of
the engine and allow it to cool. Follow the warning stickers
~ page 324, "Engine compartment".
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the _f_ symbol illuminates. There is a
malfunction in the engine cooling system -you could damage your
engine. •
Engine oil pressure malfunction "l::;r.
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair. Driving with a low-oil -pres­
sure indication is likely to inflict severe damage to the
engine.
If the 'l::::11 symbol appears in the display and blinks, the oil
pressure is too low. An additional driver message can also
be displayed by pressing the [CHECK] button:
Switch off engine and check oil level
Immediate actions
- Pull off the road.
I • •

llffl!I Driving off road __ _...,______;, _____________________________ _
Driving off road
Driving in difficult road conditions
and offroad
General information
The operat ion o f the Elect ronic Stab ilizat ion Prog ram ( ESP) is
e x panded for operation away from paved roads . In situations where
s lip o r a di fferential lockin g function is required, the ESP o ffroad
mode can be activated~
page 288. Hill descent contro l is also avai l­
able in the ESP off road m ode, w hich a utomat ical ly bra kes t he
vehicle and thereby keeps speed constant when different whee l
speeds are de tected whe n descend ing a hill ~
page 289 . You r Audi
a lso has permanent all -wheel drive in add ition .
Howeve r, your Audi is not a pure offroad vehicle . It was n ot bu ilt fo r
dr ivin g und er ex tre me cond itions, e.g . for tr ips t hat ar e in t he n atu re
of an expedition.
Drive only on roads and offroad sections which match the design of
your vehicle and your abilitie s as a driver . Never take r isks!
Before driving offr oad
• Check the engine oil level, tire pressure, coolant level, and the
fl uid level in t he windshie ld wash er r eservo ir.
• Stow luggage items and other objects in the luggage compart ­
ment, and secure the m aga inst sl iding around .
After driving offroad • After trips offroad, remove any twigs and other forei gn ob jects
from the gri ll, the underbody and the whee ls. Pay special attention
t o foreig n objects (stones) which have become lodged in t he tire
tread.
• Clean the body and the vehicle underside, and inspect the
veh ic le for possible damage. •
Clean dirty windows, headlamp lenses, rea r lights, and license
plates.
• Perform a bra ke check (particularly af ter travel ling through
wa ter).
& WARNING
• Drive especially attentively and plan ahead in difficult road
c onditions and when offroad . Excessive speed or in correct maneu ­
vers can cause injuries and damage to the vehicle.
• Alway s adapt your speed and d riv ing style to road , offroad,
traffic, and weather conditions. Drive especially slowly offroad
when your v iew is restri cted .
• Please be aware that in ESP offroad mode , particularly on a
smooth and slippery road , the wheels may have an in creased
tendency to spin and the vehicle may break away -danger of skid ­
ding !
• Stability is limited in the ESP offroad mode.
Avo id dam age to the envir onme nt an d respect na ture .
[ i ] Tips
On ly dr ive where it is perm itted and s tay on marked roads a nd
paths.
Explanation of some technical terms
T he fol lowing data refer to idea l conditions. Depending on vehic le
lo ad and g round cond itions and the environ ment, t he num ber s may ...

___ C_h_ e_ c_k _in --== g'-- a_n _d_ f_il _li _n ..:::g:::..- ___________________________________________ _
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 coolant in the summer by
adding plain water.
Th e pro port io n of coo la nt additi ve mu st be at
lea st 50 % but n ot mor e th an 60 %
to maintai n ant ifreeze protection
and cooling efficiency. If the coolant frost protection is too low , the
coolant could free ze and damage the veh icle heating and engine
cooling system .
For year-round driving , antifreeze is added at the factory for temper ­
atures down to:
• -31 °F ( -35 °c1 usA
• - 40 °F ( - 40 °C) Canada.
You can mix the
Gl 2+ + coolant additive with other additives (G12+
or G12). Always check w ith your authorized Audi dealer.
& WARNING
B efo re you che ck anyt hing in th e eng ine compartmen t, alway s
re ad a nd he ed all WARN ING S~
& in " Working in the engine
c ompar tm ent " on
page 33 1.
0 Not e
• Before winter sets in, have the coolant checked to see if the
coo lant 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 proportion of
coolant additive to 60%.
• When adding coolan t 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
riz ed 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 coolan t. 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.
F ig . 287 E ngine
com partm ent : Cool ant
ex pans io n tank
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
alw ays read and h eed all WARNINGS ~
& in "Working in
the eng ine compartment" on page 331.
- Turn off the ignition.
- Let the engine coo l dow n.
Place a thick rag over the coola nt expansio n tank
~ fig . 287 and carefully twist the cap counter-c lockwise
~ & - .,

___________________________________________ C_ h_e _c_ k_ i_n _g _ a_n _d_ f_il _li _n _g __ lR
•
- Read the engine coolant level in the open coolant expan­
sion tank :::::>
page 338, fig. 287. 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 332.
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 level is too low, the warning light in the Auto­
Check System~
page 33will 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.
& WARNING
The cooling system is 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.
& WARNING (continued)
• 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
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 radiator repair fluid may adversely affect the func ­
tion and performance of your cooling system and could result in
damage not covered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Adding coolant
Be very careful when adding engine coolant.
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS:::::> & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 331.
- Turn off the engine.
Let the engine cool down.
Place a thick rag over the coolant expansion tank
=:> page 338, fig. 287 and carefully twist the cap counter­
clockwise :::::>& .
Add coolant.
- Twist the cap on again
tightly.
Replacement engine coolant must conform to exact specifications
~ page 337, "Coolant". Even in an emergency, if coolant additive .,,
Vehicle care I t •

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c _ k_in -= g_a _ n_d _ f_il _li _n ..;::g =-- ____.•
& WA RNING ! continued )
• The auxiliary ele ctric fan is temperature controlled and can
s w itch on suddenly even wh en t he engine is not runn ing .
• The auxiliary radiator fan swit ches on automatic ally when the
engin e coolant rea che s a cer tain temperature and will con tinue to
run until the coolant temperature drop s. •
Brake f luid
Checking brake fluid level
The brake fluid level c an be checke d with a quick gl ance .
Fig. 288 E ngine
comp artm ent: B ra ke
flui d rese rvoir
Be fore you check a nything in th e en g in e co mpart ment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=> & in "Working in
t h e eng ine compartment" on
page 331.
- Read the brake fluid l eve l from the brake fluid reservoir
=> fig. 288. The brake flu id level mus t be between the
"MIN" and "MAX" markings.
The brake fluid reservoir is locate d at the rear partition of the engine
compartment on the left side=>
page 332.
The fluid level may drop slightly after some time due to the auto ­
ma tic adjustment of the brake pads. This is not cause for alarm .
If the brake fluid leve l falls
considerably below the "MIN" mark , the
brake warning/indicator light (U.S. models:
BRAKE , Canadian models:
«D> l will come on=>
page 23 and=> page 32 . Do not continue to
operate the vehicle. The complete brake system should be thor ­
oughly checked
by an author ized Audi dealer or qua lif ied workshop
and the cause corrected . If th e brake fluid level is too low, the brake
warning/indicator light w ill illumi nate. Contact an authorized Audi
dea ler
immedi ately .
[ i ] Tips
The brake fluid reservoir is located underneath the cover .•
Changing brake fluid
Have the brake fluid changed by an experience d techni ­
cian.
Brak e fluid absorbs mois ture from the air. If the wate r conten t in the
brake fluid is too high, corrosion in the brake sys tem may res ult
after a period of time . The boiling point of the brake fluid will also
decrease conside rably and decrease braking performance .
Therefore , the brake fluid mus t be changed
every two year s. Always
use new brake fluid which conforms to Federal Motor Vehicle S tan ­
da rd "FMVSS 116 DOT 4".
The brake fluid reservoir can be difficul t to reach, therefore , we
recommend that y ou have the brake fluid changed by your autho ­
rized
Audi deal er. Your dealer has the correct tools, the right brake
fluid and the know -how to do this for you .
& WARNING
• Brak e fluid is poi sonou s. It mu st be stored only in the clo sed
o riginal conta iner out of the rea ch of children! ..,.
Vehicle care I I irechnical data