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. .,_
Cleaning and protection -
----------------
•
Under certain circumstances, weekly washing may be necessary.
Under other conditions , a monthly washing and waxing may be
adequate .
After the winter, the
underside of the vehicle should be thoroughly
washed, preferably in a professional car wash.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 312. •
Automatic car wash
The vehicle can be washed in almost any modern auto
matic car wash.
The vehicle paint is so durable that the vehicle can normally be
washed without problems in an automatic car wash . However, the
effect on the paint depends to a large extent on the design of the
facility, the filtering of the wash water , the type of wash and care
material, etc. If the paint has a dull appearance after going through
the car wash or is scratched , bring this to the attention of the oper
ator immediately . If necessary, use a different car wash .
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precau
tions such as closing the windows and the Panoramic sliding
sunroof. Factory installed antennas must not be removed.
If you have installed additional accessories on the vehicle - such as
spoilers, roof rack, etc. -it is best to ask the car wash operator if
these should be removed .
& WARNING
Please take note of the following points before going through an
automatic car wash with your vehicle, so that you can avoid
damage to your vehicle.
& WARNING (continued)
• Compare the track of your vehicle with the distance between
the guide rails of the facility -there is a risk of damage to the
wheels and tires .
• Compare the height and width of your vehicle with the height
and width of the tunnel at the facility.
• Fold the exterior mirrors flat -there is a risk of damaging the
exterior mirrors. Power folding exterior mirrors* must not be
folded in or out by hand. Use the power function!
• Do not allow the wiper blade to fall onto the windshield after
the vehicle is dried -there is a risk of damaging the paint on the
hood.
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page312. •
Washing the vehicle by hand
A lot of water is needed when washing a vehicle by hand.
Before you start washing, make sure you have read and
understood the WARNINGS ::::>
& in "General informa
tion" on page 312.
- First soak all dried dirt until it is soft, then rinse it off.
- As you clean your vehicle, start with the roof and work
your way down to the bottom, using a sponge, a sponge
glove or a clean brush.
Rinse the sponge or the sponge glove often, flushing it
clean each time.
- Use special car shampoo only for very persistent dirt.
Rinse the car thoroughly with water.
Use a chamois leather to gently wipe the exterior dry.
Vehicle care I t •
Cleaning and protection IJI
----------------=-----=------
•
Applie s to vehicles: with natural leather
Natural leather
Audi makes great efforts to maintain the properties,
natural look and feel of interior leather.
General
We offer many different types of leather on our vehicles. Most are
different types of nappa leather, which has a smooth surface and
comes in various colors.
The intensity of the color determines the visua l characteristics and
appearance. If the surface of the leather has a typica l natural look,
then the leather is a nappa leather that has been left in a re latively
natural condition. This leather offers particular ly good comfort and
breathes well. Fine veins, closed grains, insect bites, skin folds, and
subtle variations in color remain visible. These characteristics
demonstrate that the material is natural.
Natura l nappa leather is not covered by a color finish. It is therefore
more sensitive to soiling and wear, which is something you need to
consider if children, animals or other factors might prove to be
particularly hard on the leather .
By contrast, leather types that are covered by a colored finish layer
are more durable. This has a positive effect on the leather's resis
tance to wear and soiling in daily use . On the other hand, the typical
characteristics of natural leather are barely or not apparent.
However, this does not mean that the leather itself is of inferior
quality.
Care and handling
Because of the exclusive nature of the types of leather that Audi
uses and their unique properties (such as sensitivity to oils, grease,
soiling, etc.l, you will need to be somewhat careful with these
leathers, and a certain type of care is required. For example, dark
clothing materials can discolor leather seats (especial ly if such
clothing is damp and was not dyed correctly) . Dust and dirt particles in pores, folds, and seams can have an abrasive effect and can
damage the leather surface as well as weaken seams
.
The leather should be cleaned regularly as needed . After having
been used for a relatively long time, your leather seats will acquire
a rich aged finish. This is a characteristic of natural leather and a
sign of true quality.
In order to maintain the value of this natural product over the life of
your vehicle, you should follow the recommendations below:
0 Note
• To keep your leather from bleaching out, do not allow it to be
exposed to bright sun light for long periods of time. If you have to
leave the vehicle parked outside for long periods, cover the leather
to protect it from direct exposure to sunlight.
• Sharp objects on clothing, such as zippers, rivets or sharp pieces
on belts can leave permanent scratches or scrape marks on the
surface of the leather.
[ i ] Tips
• After each time you clean the leather and at regular intervals, use
a leather preservative creme that contains UV -blockers and that
works into the leather . This creme wil l nourish and moisturize the
leather, helping it to breathe and stay supple. It also helps to build
up a protective coating on the surface .
• Clean the leather every 2 -3 months, and clean any areas that get
soiled.
• Remove fresh marks made by ballpoint pens, ink, lipstick, shoe
polish, etc. as soon as possible .
• Preserve the color of the leather as needed by using a special
colored leather care creme to touch up areas of uneven color. •
Vehicle care I t •
-Checking and filling PW---=---------------
& WARNING (continued )
-Always u se extreme caution to prevent cloth ing , jewelry, or
long hair from getting caught in the radiator fan , V-belt s or
other moving parts , or from contacting hot parts . Tie back hair
before starting , and do not wear clothing that will hang or
droop into the engine .
• Minimize exposure to emis sion and chemical hazards
::::> & .
& WARNING
California Proposition 65 W arn ing :
• Engine exhaust , some of its constituents , and certain vehicle
c omponents cont ain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cali
fornia to cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive harm. In addition , certain fluids contained in vehi cles and certa in products
of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defect s or other reprodu c
tive harm.
• Battery posts , terminals and related ac cessories conta in lead
and lead compounds , chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms. Wash hands after
handling.
0 Note
When adding f luids, always make sure that they are poured into the
proper container or filler ope ning, otherwise serious damage to
vehic le systems wi ll occur.
ci> For the sake of the environment
To detect leaks in time, inspect the vehicle floor pan from under
n eath regu larly. If you see spots fro m oil o r o th e r v eh icle flu ids, hav e
your vehicle inspected by an author ized Audi dea ler. •
Engine compartment
These are th e m ost im porta nt items th at you can ch ec k.
Fig. 283 Typical layout for containe rs, engine oi l d ipstick and engine oil filler
cap
0 W indsh ield/headligh t was her conta iner ( 9 ) . . . . . . . . 346
0 Coolant e xpansion tank (- L l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 338
G) Engin e oil fi ller cap ("l::r.) . . . . • . . . . . . • • • • . . . • . . • . . 336
© Engine oil d ips tick (orange) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
© Brake fluid reservo ir ( ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
© Pow er steer ing r eser voir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 93
0 Jump sta rt connector( +) u nder a cover,( -) w ith hex
head screw .... ... ..... .... ... .... ... ..... .... . 344 , 387
The positi on of t he e ngin e oil fi lling hole and t he engine oil dipstick
=> fig . 283 (position G) and ©l can vary according to the type of
eng ine. .,_
___ 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 •
________________________________________________ T_ i _r_e _s_ a_n_ d_ w_ h_ e_e _ l_s __ PII
•
Tires and wheels
Tires
General notes
Tires may be the least appreciated and most abused parts
of a motor vehicle.
Tires may be the least appreciated and most abused parts of a
motor vehicle. Tires are, however, one of the most important parts
of a vehicle, particularly considering the comparative ly sma ll patch
of rubber on each tire that assures that all- important contact
between you, your vehicle and the road .
Maintaining the correct tire pressure, making sure that your vehicle
and its tires do not have to carry more weight than they can safely
handle, avoiding damage from road hazards and regu lar ly
inspecting tires for damage inc luding cuts , slashes irregular wear
and overa ll condition are the most important things that you can do
to help avoid sudden tire failure including tread separation and
b lowouts .
Avoiding dama ge
If you have to drive over a curb or similar obstacle, drive very slow ly
and as close as possible at a right angle to the curb.
A lways keep chemica ls includ ing grease, oil, gasoline and brake
f luid off the tires.
I nspec t the tires regularly for damage (cuts, cracks or blis ters, etc.l.
Remove any foreign bodies embedded in the treads.
Storing tires
Mark tires when you remove them to indicate the direction of rota
tion . This ensu res you to be ab le to mount them correctly when you
reinstal l them. When removed, the wheels or tires shou
ld be stored in a coo l, dry
and preferably dark place.
St ore t ires in a vertical posit ion if they a re not mounted on rims, in
a horizontal position if they are mounted on rims.
New tire s
New tires have to be broken in~&.
The tread dep th of new tires may va ry, according to the type and
make of tire and the tread pattern.
Hidden d ama ge
Damage to tires and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice
unusua l vibration or the vehicle pul ls to one side, this may indicate
that one of the tires has been damaged . The tires must be checked
immed iately by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop .
Unidire ction al tir es
A unidirectio nal tire can be iden tif ied by arrows on the s idewa ll, that
point in the direction the tire is designed to rotate. You must follow
the specified direction of ro tation . This is necessary so that these
tires can deve lop their optimum characteristics regarding grip, road
noise, wear and hydroplaning resistance . For more information
~ page 379.
in. WARNING
Ne w tire s or tire s that are old , worn or damaged cann ot pro vide
m aximum cont rol and braking ability.
• New tire s tend to be slippe ry and m ust be broken in . To redu ce
the risk of losing control, a colli sion and seriou s per sonal injurie s,
drive with speci al care for t he fi rst 350 m ile s ( 560 km l.
• Driving with worn or damaged t ire s can lead to lo ss of co ntrol ,
s udd en tire failure , in clu ding a blowout a nd sudden deflation , .,,_
Vehicle care
I t •
-~_T_ ir_e_ s_ a_ n_d _ w_ h_ e_e _l_s _________________________________________________ _
make, there will be six to eight of them evenly placed around the
tire. Marks on the tire sidewall (for example "TWI" or other symbols)
indicate the positions of the tread wear indicators. Worn tires must
be replaced. Different figures may apply in other countries=>& .
Tire pressure
Incorrect tire pressure causes premature wear and can cause
sudden tire blow-out. For this reason, tire pressure must be checked
at least once a month =>
page 353.
Driving style
Driving fast around curves, heavy acceleration and hard braking
increase tire wear.
Rotating tires for more even wear
For all four tires on your vehicle to have the same service life, we
recommend that the front and rear tires are rotated according to the
tire manufacturer's suggested tire rotation intervals. Please
remember the following:
• Tire rotation intervals may differ from the vehicle service inter
vals outlined in your Warranty
& Maintenance booklet.
• The longer one tire is used in one location on the vehicle , the
more it wears at certain points; therefore, we recommend that you
follow the tire manufacturer's suggested tire rotation intervals .
• Vehicles with front-wheel drive experience more tread wear on
the front wheels compared to all-wheel drive (quattro ®l.
• Please rotate tires as shown =>
page 357, fig. 294.
• Extra care must be taken when rotating direction-specific tires
=>
page 379.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various situa
tions during everyday driving can cause them to become unbal
anced, resulting in vibrations you can usually feel through the
steering wheel. Unbalanced
wheels must be rebalanced to avoid excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tires. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tire is installed.
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment can cause excessive tire wear , impairing
the safety of the vehicle. If tires show excessive wear, have the
wheel alignment checked by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop.
All Wheel Drive
Vehicles with quattro® must always have tires of the same size,
construction and tread type. For details see=>
page 294.
& WARNING
Sudden tire failure can lead to loss of control, a crash and serious
personal injury!
• Never drive a vehicle when the tread on any tire is worn down
to the wear indicators.
• Worn tires are a safety hazard, they do not grip well on wet
roads and increase your risk of "hydroplaning" and loss of control.
• Always keep chemicals that can cause tire damage, such as
grease, oil, gasoline and brake fluid away from tires .
• Tires age even if they are not being used and can fail suddenly,
especially at high speeds. Tires that are more than 6 years old can
only be used in an emergency and then with special care and at
lower speeds .
• Never mount used tires on your vehicle if you are not sure of
their "previous history." Old used tires may have been damaged
even though the damage cannot be seen that can lead to sudden
tire failure and loss of vehicle control. •