2009 AUDI S3 service interval

Driver informati on displ ay
Service Interval Display
The Service Interval Display is a reminder of the next
service due.
F ig . 9 Sect io n of
i n strum en t cl uster:
Se rv ice in terva l d isplay
The service interval display determines when a service procedure is
needed for your vehicle.
Di sp lay re main ing di sta nce/ tim e
By briefly pulling the knob,@~
page 8, fig. 2, the distance/time
remaining to the next service date is displayed with the ignition on.
The remaining distance/time is not displayed within the first 500 km of a new vehicle or after a service . It is updated every 500 km after
that.
A utom ati c re maini ng d ista nce/ tim e dis play
It operates in two stages:
• Service reminder: At a certa in distance before the next service
event is reached, the message
S ervice in 12 30 mi (2000 km ) 3 0 d ays
or Oil ch ange in 1 230 mi (2000 km ) 15 0 days is displayed when you
switch the ignition on.
• Service event : If the date for service is reached, the message
S ervic e due! appears and the wrench indicator light il luminates. It
is accompanied by an audib le signal. The type of service event is
a lso displayed. T
o r eset the disp lay
The dealership performing the service resets the display when the service has been completed. The display is resets as follows :
• Switch the ignition on .
• Pull the knob@)~
page 8, fig. 2, this message appears: S erv ice
du e!
• Pull the knob until the display Oil chang e in ----- mi (km )--- days
appears in the display . If the reset button is not pulled within 5
seconds, the disp lay reset mode c loses.
[ i ] Tip s
• If a malfunction is present (red symboll, the distance remaining
cannot be called up.
• Do not reset the display between service interva ls . Doing so will
resu lt in an incorrect display .
• If the battery is disconnected, the Service Interva l Display values
are retained.
• On vehicles with the Driver Information System, you can also call
up the service interval display~
page 23.
• If service was not performed at the correct time or the service
interva l display was not reset after service was performed, the addi­
tional mileage driven or the elapsed days will be shown as negative
numbers. •

-Turn off the engine.
- Check coolant level => page
233 .
-Add coolant if necessary => page 234 .
-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 generator warning/indicator light should also illuminate
=> page 14, then the fan belt may be damaged .
& 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 58, "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 off
the engine and allow it to cool . Follow the warning stickers
=> page 217, "Engine compartment" .
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the -IL symbol illuminates. There is a
malfunction in the engine cooling system -you could damage your
engine. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Engine oil pressure malfunction 'l=;:f.
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair.
If the 'l=::7-: symbol appears in the display and flashes, the oil
pressure is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following
message also appears in the display:
Switch off engine and check oil level
-Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
Shut the engine down.
Check the engine oil level=> page
229.
Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if
necessary.
Engine oil level too low
If the engine oil level is too low, top off oil to the proper level
=> page 230.
Engine oil level OK
If the ~ symbol star ts flashing again even though the engine oil
level checks OK on the dipstick,
do not start driving again and do not
let the engine run at idle .
Instead, contact your authorized Audi
dealer for assistance.
[ i] Tips
• The engine oil pressure symbol ~ 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
~ starts to flash before you respond to the ...
I • •

Warm and cold
Warm and cold
Climate controls
Description
The air conditioner is fully automatic and is designed to
maintain a comfortable and uniform climate inside the
vehicle.
We recomme nd the following s ettings:
- Select and set a temperature between 64
°F (+22 °C) and
84 °F (+28 °C).
- Press the !AUTO
I button.
With this setting, you attain maximum comfort in the least amount
of time . Change this set ting, as desired, to mee t your pe rsonal
needs.
The climate controls are a combination of heating, venti lation and
cooling systems, which automatica lly reduce humidity and coo l the
air inside your vehic le .
The air temperature, air flow and air distribution are automatically
regu lated to achieve and maintain the desired passenger compart ­
ment temperature as quick ly as possible.
The system automatically compensates for changes in the outside
temperature and for the intensity of the sun light entering the
veh ic le. We recommend you use the
Automat ic mode=> page 101
for year -round comfort.
P lease note the following :
Turn on the air conditioner to reduce humidity in the vehic le. This
a lso prevent the window s from fogging up. When the outside temperature is high and the air is very humid,
c
ondensat ion from the evaporator may drip under the vehicle . T his
is normal and does not indicate a leak.
I f the outside temperature is low, the fan normally only switches to
a higher speed once the engine coola nt has war med u p sufficiently .
T he air conditioner temporarily sw itches off when you drive off from
a standstill using fu ll throttle to save engine power.
The comp ressor also swi tches off if the coolant temperatu re is to o
high so that the engine can be adequate ly cooled under extreme
lo ads .
Air pollutants filt er
The air po llutants fi lter (a combined partic le filter and activated
charcoal fi lter) reduces or eliminates outside air pollution (dust, or
p ollen) from en ter ing the vehic le .
The air po llutants fi lter must be changed at the intervals specified
in your Warranty
& Maintenance bo oklet, so that the ai r conditioner
can proper ly work.
I f you drive your vehicle in an area with high air pol lution, the filter
may need to be changed m ore freque ntly tha n specified in your
Audi Warranty
& Maintenance booklet. If in doubt, ask your autho­
r iz ed Aud i Service Adviso r fo r a dvice .
& WARNING
Redu ced vi sibility i s dangerou s and can cause accidents .
• For saf e driving it is very important that all window s be free of
ice , sno w and conden sation.
• Fully familiarize yourself with the proper use and fun ction of
the heating and ventil ation sy stem and especially how to defog
and defrost the windows. ...

___ D_ r_i v_ in_... g"'- a_ n_ d_ e_ n_ v_i_r _ o _n_ m __ e_n _ t _______________________________________________ _
one half. Never drive faster than the posted speed limit and weather
conditions permit. •
Reducing unnecessary =citing
Even when your car is just idling it burns up fuel.
- Shut the eng ine off when you are not driving the vehicle .
- Do not warm up the vehicle by letting the engine run at
idle.
It makes sense to shut off the engine in traffic jams, when waiting
for trains to pass at rai lroad crossings , or at traffic lights that have
long waits on red. Turning the engine off for just 30 -40 seconds
saves more fuel than is burned starting the engine again .
It takes a long time for the engine to warm up fu lly when it is
running at idle. However, wear and noxious emissions are especially
high when the engine is warming up. So you should drive away as
soon as you start the engine and avoid running at high RPMs while
the engine is still warming up.
0 Note
Do not leave engine idling unattended after starting . If warning
lights should come on to indicate improper operation, they would
go unheeded. Extended idling also produces heat, which could result in overheating or other damage to the vehicle or other
property .•
Regu1ar ma1--.tenance
A badly tuned engine unnecessarily wastes a lot of fuel.
- Have your vehic le serviced at regular intervals . By having your vehicle regularly serviced by an authori
zed Audi
dea ler helps to ensure that it runs properly and economica lly. The
condition of your vehicle not only affects its safety and ability to
hold its value, it a lso affects
fu el con sumpti on.
C he ck your oil each time you fill your t ank .
The amount of oil used is related to engine load and speed.
It is norma l for the oil consumption of a new engine to reach its
lowest va lue after a certain mileage has been driven.
You must drive your vehicle about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) before you can properly assess oil consumption .
T his also applies to fuel consumption and engine output .
0 Note
• Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet. Lack of proper ma intenance as well as improper use of the
vehic le wi ll impair the function of the emission control system and
cou ld lead to damage.
• Do not alter or remove any component of the Emiss ion Control
System unless approved by the manufacturer.
• Do not alter or remove any device, such as heat shields,
switches, ignition wires, valves, which are designed to protect your
vehicle 's Em ission Control System and other important vehicle
components .•
Fewer short tr ips
Fuel consumption will always be relatively high on short
trips.
- Try to avoid driving short dista nces wi th a cold engine. _,

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c _ k_in -= g_a _ n_d _ f_il _li _n ..;::g =--____.•
© Brake fluid reservoir ( ) . ....... ... ............ .
© Battery .. ... ................................. .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS
~ & in "Working in the engine
compartment" on
page 225. •
3.2 liter , 6 -cylinder engine (250 hp)
Fig. 170 Engine compartment: 3.21 250-hp engine
G) Coolant expansion tank (-L ) ................. .... .
@ Windshield washer container (,$ ) . ... ... .. .... ... .
@ Engine oil dipstick (orange) ...... ... ... .... .. ... .
© Engine oil filler cap ("1::r.) ..... .... .............. .
© Brake fluid reservoir ( ) . ...... ...... .......... .
© Jump start points(+) under a cover,(-) bolt head ... .
235
236
233
241
229
230
235
290
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS
~ & in "Working in the engine
compartment" on
page 225.
[ i] Tips
The battery on vehicles with the 6-cylinder engine is located in the
luggage compartment. Have any work on this battery performed by
a qualified service facility.•
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The engine oil used in your Audi needs the right kind of
oil.
The engine in your Audi is a sophisticated powerplant 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 smoothly and reliably. Choosing the right oil and
changing oil within the time and mileage intervals printed in your
vehicle's Warranty
& Maintenance 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 lubrication 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 synthetic or petroleum-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
ti,,,
Vehic le care I I irechnical data

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
prevent the formation of harmful deposits, sometimes called
"sludge," that over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of printing, engine oils available in the U .S . and Canada
that meet the exacting specifications of Audi oil standard VW 502 00
are synthetic engine oils. This does not mean, however, that every
synthetic engine oil will meet Audi oil standard VW 502 00. So
always be sure that you use an approved oil.
To help prevent the formation of harmful deposits use only oil with
the following specifications printed on the oil container:
Audi oil standard VW 502 00
Oil container labels may carry the specification singly or in combi­
nation with other designations and oil quality standards.
Viscosity
Engine oils are graded according to their viscosity. The proper
viscosity grade oil for your engine depends on climactic or seasonal conditions where you drive. You can use oil with a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving condi­
tions .
However, if engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W40 is not available, you
can also use viscosity grade SAE 5W-30 or SAE 0W-40 as long as it
meets Audi oil quality standard VW 502 00 specifications.
Because engine oil that meets the Audi oil standard may not be
available everywhere when you need it, we strongly recommend
that you always carry with you an extra quart {liter) of oil that
expressly conforms to the VW 502 00 specification, in case you have
to top off the oil while on the road.
Only if the level of the oil is at or below the minimum mark on the
oil dipstick -and no oil that expressly conforms to Audi oil standard
VW 502 00 specifications is available -may you top off with a high
quality engine oil, preferably synthetic -based, that meets ACEA A3,
ACEA A5 or ACEA B5, API SL or ILSAC GF-3 specifications, but even
then, only in viscosity grades SAE 5W -40, SAE 5W -30, or SAE 0W -40 .
However, during the entire time between oil change intervals, never top off with more than a total of 0
.5 qt/liter engine oil that does not
conform to Audi oil specification VW 502 00.
For more information about engine oil that has been approved for
your vehicle, please contact either your authorized Audi dealer or
Audi Customer Relations at 1 (800) 822-2834 or visit our web site at
www.audiusa.com or www.audicanada.ca. Here you will also find a
current list of oils (manufacturers, brand names etc.) that conform
to Audi oil standard VW 502 00.
Changing the engine oil
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed according to the
mileage (kilometers) and time intervals specified in your vehicle 's
Warranty
& Maintenance booklet. Do not exceed these intervals -
harmful deposits from old engine oil can reduce engine perfor­
mance and can lead to expensive engine repairs.
Changing the oil at the recommended intervals is so very important
because the lubricating properties of oil decrease gradually during
normal vehicle use. If you are not sure when you have your oil
changed, ask your authorized Audi Service Advisor.
Under some circumstances the engine oil should even be changed
more frequently . Change oil more often if you drive mostly short
distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or mostly under stop ­
and-go traffic conditions, or when you use your vehicle where
temperatures stay below freezing point for long periods.
Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time. This is normal and is not
a reason to change the oil more often than recommended .
Damage or malfunctions due to lack of maintenance
It is essential that you change your oil at the recommended intervals
using only engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW 502 00 . Your New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not cover
damage or malfunctions due to failure to follow recommended
maintenance and use requirements as set forth in the Audi Owner's
Manual and Warranty & Maintenance booklet. Your dealer will have
to deny warranty coverage unless you present to the dealer proof in
~

___ T_ i_ r_e _s_ a_ n_ d_ w_ h_ e_ e _ ls _________________________________________________ _
Tire service life
The service life of tires depends on a Jot of different things
including proper installation and balancing, correct tire
pressure and driving style .
(r
l \._ _____ ;)
Tread Wear I nd ica tor ( TWll
Fig. 182 Tire tread:
tr ea d wea r ind ica tors
( TWIJ
Fi g. 1 83 Ro tati ng tir es
for mor e even wea r
The or iginal tires on your vehicle have 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) high "wear
indicators":::::, fig. 182 running across the tread . Depending on the
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. Dif ferent figures may apply in other countries:::::,&.
Tir e p re ss ure
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 250.
Drivin g sty le
Driving fast around curves, heavy acce leration 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
r emember the following:
• Tire rotation interva ls may differ from the vehic le 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 mo re tread wear on
the front wheels compared to all-wheel drive (quattro®) .
• Please rotate tires as shown :::::, fig . 183.
• Extra care must be taken when rotating direction -specific tires
:::::, page 279.
Whe el b ala n cing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various situa­
tions during everyday driving can cause them to become unba l­
anced, resulting in vibrations you can usual ly feel through the
steering wheel.
Unba lanced whee ls must be rebalanced to avoid excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tires. A wheel must a lso be reba lanced
when a new tire is installed.
~

__ _.:C~ o'...'..n~ s~ u'..'..m ~ e~ r~ ln'....'...'.. f.::: o '...'..r ~m ~ a:_: t:.:. i.:::o '...'..n..:__ _____________________________________________ _
Maintenance
General
Your vehicle has been designed to help ke ep maintenance require­
ments to a mi nim um .
Ho weve r, a certain a mount of regu lar maintenance is still necessary
to assure your vehicle's safety, economy and reliability.
For detailed vehicle maintenance consult your Warranty
& Main te­
nance booklet.
Under d iffi cult op erating cond ition s, for example at extremely low
outside temperatures, in very dusty regions, when tow ing a trailer
very frequently, etc., some service work shou ld be performed
between the intervals specified. This app lies particularly to :
• oil changes, and
• clean ing or replac ing the air filter .
By regularly ma intaining your vehicle, you help make sure that emis­
sion standards are maintained, thus minimizing adverse effects on
the environment .•
Important considerations for you and your
vehicle
The increasing use of electronics, sophisticated fuel injection and emission control systems, and the general ly increasing technical
complexity of today's automobi les, have steadily reduced the scope
of maintenance and repairs which can be carried out by vehicle
owners .
Also , safety and environm ental concerns p lace very s trict
limits on the nature of repairs and adjustments to engine and trans­
mission parts which an owner can perform . Maintenance, adjustments and repairs usually require special tools,
t esting devices and other equipment availab le to special ly trained
workshop personne l in order to assure proper performance, reli ­
abi lity and safety of the vehicle and its many systems .
I mproper maintenance, adjustments and repa irs can impa ir the
operation and re liability of your vehicle and even void your vehic le
wa rranty. Therefore, proof of se rvic ing in accordance w ith the ma in­
tenance schedule may be a condition for upholding a possible
war ranty claim made within the warranty period.
Above all, operational safety can be adverse ly affected, creating
unnecessary risks for you and your passengers .
I f in doubt about any servicing, have it done by your authori zed Audi
dea ler or any other properly equipped and qualified workshop . We
strongly urge you to give your authorized Audi dealer the opportu­
nity to perform all schedu led maintenance and necessary repairs.
Your dealer has the facilities, origina l parts and trained special ists
to keep your vehicle running proper ly.
Performing limited ma intenan ce your self
The following pages describe a limited number of procedures which
can be performed on you r vehicle wi th ordinary too ls, should the
need arise and trained personnel be unavailab le . Before performing
any of the se procedu res, a lways thorough ly read a ll of the appli ­
cable text and carefu lly fo llow the instructions given . Always rigor ­
ous ly observe the
WARNINGS provided .
Before you check anything in the engine compartment , alway s re ad
and heed all WARNINGS=>
& and=> & in "Wo rking in the engine
compartment" on
page 225.
& WARNING
• Seriou s per son al injury may oc cur as a result of improperly
performed maintenan ce, adjustment s or repairs .