2009 AUDI S6 Owners Manual

gallons (7-9 liters) of fuel left. Th is message is meant to remind you
to
refuel.
The tota l tank capacity of your vehicle is listed in => page 369.
0 Note
Never run the tank completely dry . An irregular supp ly of fuel can
cause engine misfiring and fuel could enter the exhaust system . The
cata lytic converter could then overheat and be damaged. •
[ CHECK] button
You con perform different functions with this button.
Fig. 5 C HECK button in
the instrument cluster
The [ CHECK I button performs the following functions:
Switching on the clock and odometer
With the ignition turned o ff, the odometer reading and the digital
clock with date display can be switched on for about 30 seconds by
pressing the
(CHECK I button ~ fig. 5.
Starting the Auto-Check sequence
The Auto -Check system=> page 28 constantly monitors certain indi­
vidual functions and components of the vehicle when the ignition is
turned on and when the vehicle is moving.
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Instruments and warning /indicator lights
With the ignition turned on, you can start the "Auto-Check
sequence" by pressing the
[CHECK ] button. You can perform an
Auto-Check sequence when the vehicle is stationary and the ignition
is turned on or when the vehicle is moving not faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h).
The number of keys programmed to the vehicle is also displayed.
The display
3\3 indicates that three keys have been programmed.
This allows you to make sure you have received al l of the keys when
you purchase a used vehicle.
For example, if you only receive two keys, you should take those
keys to your authorized Audi dealer to have the missing key deacti­
vated so it cannot be used. You should also report the missing key
to your insurance company .
Calling up the driver information
A yellow or red symbol appears in the instrument cluster display,
usually with a driver message . The driver message display disap­
pears after about 5 seconds . The driver message can be displayed
again by briefly pressing the
I CHECK I button.
Setting the speed warning
By pressing the [ CHECK] button briefly, you can set threshold 1 of
the speed warning while you are driving=>
page 37. By maintaining
pressure on the [
CHECK] button, you delete the warning
threshold .•
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Inst rum ent s a nd warning /indi cato r li ghts
Instrument cluster illumination
The basic brightness of the illumination for the instru­
ments, the center console and the display can be
adjusted .
Fig. 6 Instrume nt
c lu ster illu minat io n
Press the"+" button to increase the brightness during the
hours of darkness.
- Press the" -" button to decrease the brightness during the
hours of darkness.
A light sensor in the instrument cluster controls the illumination for
the instrument cluster, the center console and the displays. In a
bright environment, using the buttons to change the brightness has
no effect.
[ i J Tip s
The illumination for the instrument cluster lights up whenever you
switch on the ignition with the vehicle headlights off . As the
daylight fades, the instrument cluster illumination likewise dims
automatically and will go out completely when the ou ts ide light is
very low. This feature is meant to remind you to switch on the head ­
lights when outside light conditions become poor .•
Warning/indicator lights
Overview
The warning/indicator lights indicate different functi ons
or a possible malfunction.
F ig. 7 Instr um ent clu ste r wi th w arnin g/indica tor lights
Your vehicle is equipped with several important warning and indi­
cator lights to he lp you monitor the continued reliab le operation of
your vehic le => & .
AIR
BAG
E lectronic power contro l
=> page 18
Electronic Stabili zation Program (ES P) => page 18
U SA model s: => page 18
Airbag system

.o. Canada models: ,;:;..{/
Airbag system
Tire pressure monitoring system
-
¢ Left turn signal
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU
/: Lane assist (system is ready)
Lane assist (system is not ready)
~
Safety belt
Adaptive Air Suspension*
-
~ Adaptive Air Suspension*
D High beam
--
Q Right turn signal
CRUISE
USA models:
Cruise control activated
A~ Canada models:
Cruise control activated
USA models:
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defec -
tive
Canada models:
Anti- lock brake system (ABS) defec-
tive
Controls and equip ­
ment
=> page 18
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page20
=> page20
=> page20
=> page 19
=> page20
=> page 20
=> page 21
=> page 21
-
-
-
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
PARX USA models : => page 21
BRAKE Electromechanical parking brake
(® ) Canada models: => page 21
Electromechanical parking brake
BRAKE
USA models: => page 22
Brake malfunction
((D ) Canada models: => page22
Brake malfunction
Vehicles with the Adaptive Cruise Control* have the following addi­
tional check lamps:
11,,C::, Open road
C::, 1111 C::, Driving in traffic
c::, 111 1 c::, Request for driver to
assume control
& WARNING
=> page 135
=> page 135
~ page 135
• Failure to heed warning lights and other important vehicle
information may result in serious personal injury or vehicle
damage .
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe
distance off the road, stop the engine, and turn on the emergency
flasher
=> page 67.
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area. Before you check anything in the engine compart ­
ment, stop the engine and let it cool down . Always exercise
extreme caution when working under the hood
=> page 293,
uEngine compartment". .,,
I • •

Inst rum ents and w arnin g/indi cat or li ghts
[ i ] Tip s
Many functions are mon itored by the Auto -Check system
=> page 28. Malfunctions or faults wil l be identified either with a red
symbol (priority 1 - Danger!) o r w ith a yel low sy mbol (priority 2 -
Warning). •
Electronic power control I'
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic
power control.
The warning/indicator light (Electronic Power Control) i llumi -
nates when you turn on the ignition as a function check.
[ i ] Tip s
If this warning/indicator light illuminates whi le you are driv ing, then
there is a malfunction in the engine electronics . Have the malfunc ­
tion corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dea ler or
qualified repair facility. •
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) at.
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic stabi­
lization program .
The warning/indicator light has the following functions:
• It blinks while you are dr iving when the ESP is working.
• It illuminates when you sw itch on the ignition for approximately
2 seconds as a function check.
• It illuminates when there is a malfunction in the ESP .
• It illuminates when ESP or ASR (Anti -Slip Regu lation) is deacti­
vated. • I
t illuminates if there is a malfunction in the ABS, since the ESP
is part of the ABS sys tem.
If the battery terminals were disconnected and re-connected , the
vehic le was jump started or the battery is very weak, the ESP sensor
system goes through a learning process for the first few yards. The
warning/indicator light illuminates. The warning/indicator light
goes out as soon as the learning process is complete .
I f the ESP warning/indicator light illuminates and stays on after you
have started the engine, this may mean that the control system has
temporarily switched off the ESP . If this is case, you can reactivate
the ESP by turning the ignition off and then on again . The
warning/indicator light should go out to show that the system is
fully functional again.
For more information about the ESP=>
page 262. •
Airbag system
~ (USA models) / !lr (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
pretensioner systems.
The ~ (USA models) IJ.!r (Canada mode ls) warning light illuminates
for a few seconds each time you switch on the ignition .
If the ~ (USA mode ls)
tJ.! r (Canada models) warning light does not
go out, or if it i lluminates whi le you are driving, or if it starts to b link,
t hen there is a malfunction somewhere in the system. If the light
does not il luminate when you switch on the ignition, this a lso
means there is a malfunction .
& WARNING
If you have a m alfuncti on in the airb ag sy ste m, cont act your autho ­
ri zed A udi dealer imm ed ia te ly. Othe rwise the airb ag or the belt
preten sioner may not work p roperly in an accident. •

Tire pressure monitoring system -telltale
indicator lamp
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of tire pressure or if there is a malfunc­
tion.
The indicator light' il lum inates to check the function when you
switch on the ignition.
If the
l symbol remains on or blinks after you switch on the igni ­
tion, there is a loss of tire pressure or a system malfunction . If there
is a system malfunction, see your authorized Audi dea ler as soon as
poss ible .
Detailed information on the tire pressure monitoring system can be
found in=>
page 336. •
Turn signals ¢ ¢
The indicator light blinks when you use either turn signal.
Whenever you use the left¢ or the right Q turn signal, the indicator
light blinks. When you use the emergency flashers, both indica tor
lights flash .
If one of the turn signa l light bu lbs burn out, the turn signal will
blink twice as fast as normal. •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) )
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU is part of the On -Board Diag ­
nostic (OBD Ill system. The symbol
~ lights up when the ignition is
turned on and wi ll turn off after the engine has started and has
sett led at a constant id le speed . This indicates that the MIL is
working proper ly.
Controls and equip ­
ment
In st rum ent s a nd w arnin g/indi cato r ligh ts
The warning light il luminates when there is a malfunction in the
engine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the malfunction corrected.
An imprope rly c losed fu el filler cap ma y als o ca use t he MIL light to
illuminat e
=> page 297.
For more information => page 27. •
Applies to vehi cles : wi th l ane ass ist
Lane assist (system is ready) Ii
The indicator light shows that the system is ready to use. A warn ing
a lerts the driver when the vehicle drives over detected lane
boundary lines .
More information about lane assist=>
page 143. •
Applies to vehi cles : wi th la ne a ssi st
Lane assist (system is not ready) /'
The indicator light shows that the system is turned on but unable to
send a warning.
More informat ion about lane assist=>
page 143. •
Safety belts ~-
This warning/indicator light reminds y ou to put on your
safety belt.
The t warning/indicator light i lluminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind the driver and (on USA models on ly) any front
passenger to put on the safety belt . Additiona lly, an acoustic
warning (gong) will also sound.
For more Information =>
page 205, "Safety belt warning light 4". •
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Adaptive Air Suspension
+>
This warning/indicator light has the fol lowing functions:
• It illumin ates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out.
• If th e warning/indicator light illuminates or blinks continuously,
there is a system fault in the Adaptive Air Suspension. A system
fault can result in limited ride comfort and
low ground clearance.
Drive safely to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified work­
shop, and have the fault corrected.
• If the warning/indicator light flashes, you should not drive the
vehic le. The flashing warning/indicator light points to an extreme
High level. A very
pronounced lifting of the vehicle (extreme High
level) can resu lt, for example, when a heavy load is removed from
the vehicle. As soon as the level has returned to normal, the
warning/indicator light stops flashing, and you can drive away.
• If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the
<::i:,
warning/indicator light, you should not drive off immedia tely in
order to prevent damage to the underbody. The two warning/indi ­
cator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level) can resu lt,
for example, from a heavy load. As soon as the level has returned to
normal, the warning/ind icator lights stop flashing, and you can
drive away.
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the <::i:,
warning/ indicator light, you should not drive the vehic le because
low -lying vehic le parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result. •
Adaptive Air Suspension ~
This warning/indicator light has the following functions: •
It illuminates for a few seconds after the ignition is turned on as
function check and then goes out.
• It comes on for approximately 15 seconds as a warning of
reduced ground clearance , if the dynamic mode is activated and if
the ignition is switched on~
page 185, "Chassis controls".
• If the warning/ind icator light flashes in conjunction with the
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle immedi ­
ately in order to prevent damage to the underbody. The two
warning/indicator lights flashing together points to an extreme Low level. A very
pronounced lowering of the vehicle (extreme Low level)
can resu lt, for example , from a heavy load . As soon as the level has
returned to normal, the warning/indicator lights stop flashing, and
you can drive away.
0 Note
If the warning/indicator light flashes in conjunction with the~
warning/indicator light, you should not drive the vehicle because
low-lying vehicle parts can bottom out as you drive over uneven
ground and be damaged as a result. •
High beam ~D
The ~D warning/indicator light illuminates when the high beams are
on or when you use the headlight flasher. For more information
about using the high beams, see~
page 67 . •
Cruise control
CRUISE (USA models) /Ari (Canada models )
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the cruise control is
activated. •

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
/ .J (USA models) / ~ (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monitors the ABS and the
electronic differenti al l ock (EDLJ.
T he warning/indicato r ligh t will come on fo r a few seconds whe n the
ignition is switched on . The light will go out after an automatic
check sequence is completed .
There is a malfunction in the ABS when:
• The war ning/indi cat or l igh t does no t illu minate w he n yo u swi tch
on the ignition.
• The war ning/i ndicat or light does not go out aft er a few seconds .
• T he warning/indicator light il luminates while driving.
The brake system will still respond even without the assistan ce of
the ABS system. See you r authorized Audi dealer as soon as
possible to restore full braking performance.
For mo re in form ati on
re garding the ABS~
page 266 .
The ABS warning light and the brake warning light come on
together. The ABS will not work and you will notice a change in braking response and performance.
Malfun ction in the brake system
If the brake warning light~ page 22and the ABS warning illuminate
together there may be a malfunction in the ABS, a nd there may also
be a ma lfunction in the bra ke system itself~& .
I n the even t of a
malfunction in the brake system th e wa rn in g/in di­
cator light
BRAKE (USA mode ls)/ (©) (Canada models) in the instrument
c lus ter flas hes . B y pres sing the [ C HE CK ] bu tton, you ca n bring u p a
driver message wh ich explains the malfunction in more deta il.
P lease note
~ page 30.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning /indi cator lights
Malfun ction in the electroni c differential lock (EDL )
The ED L wo rks toge ther wit h the ABS. T he ABS wa rn ing light w ill
come on if there is a ma lfunction in the EDL system~
page 263 . See
yo ur aut ho rized Aud i dea ler as soon as poss ib le.
& WARNING
• If the AU (USA models )/u (Canada models ) warning light
does not go out , or if it comes on while driving , the ABS system is
not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with
the standard brakes (without ABS ). You will not have the protec­
tion ABS provides. Contact your Audi dealer as soon as possible .
• USA models :
If the BRAKE warning light and the -warning
light come on together , the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard b raking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
autho riz ed Audi dealer or a qualified workshop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications .
• Canada models : If the brake warning light (CD) and the ABS
warning light ~ come on together , the rear wheels could lock up
first unde r hard braking . Rear wheel lock -up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an a ccident . Have your veh icle rep aired imme­
diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applications . •
Electromechanical parking brake
~E (USA models) / (®) (Canada models)
The warning/indicator li ght m onit ors the e lec tromech an­
i c al park ing brake.
W ith the parking brake a pplied and th e ignition tur ned on, the
warning/ indicator light i lluminates. After t he ignition has been
tu rn ed off , th e warni ng/ indicato r ligh t co ntin ues to i llu mina te fo r
about 30 seconds . If t he parking brake is applied with t he ignition _,,
I • •

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
turned off, the warning/indicator light illuminates for about 30
s e co nds.
The warnin g/indicator li ght wi ll go out when the par kin g brak e is
r e lea sed .
I f the wa rn in g/ind ica tor l ig ht flas hes co ntinu ously
after applying th e
par king brake, brakin g force is not sufficient to prevent the veh ic le
fr om r olling u nint enti onally. Ple as e n ote the foll owin g:
• If the s lope of the ground is too steep to park the vehicle, the
additio nal drive message appea rs
Caution: Vehicle parked too
steep .
• In the even t of a parking brake malf unc tion, the yel low I sym bol
appears in the instrument c luster display and the driver m essage
Parking brake malfunction! is displayed. Have the ma lfunct ion
repa ired as soo n as possible b y a qua lified Aud i deale rship. •
Brake system BRAKE (USA models) /(©) (Canada
models)
Th e warn ing/indicator light f lashes if brake fluid level i s
low, if there is an ABS sy stem malfunct ion or a par kin g
b ra ke malfun cti on.
The light illuminate s when the ignition i s turned on . It goes out afte r
the engine has been start ed. Thi s ind icates t hat th e bra ke w arni ng
light is functioning properly .
If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is
cranking , there may be a malfun ction in the electrical system . In this
case , contact your Audi dealer .
If the b rake system warni ng/ind icator l ight flas he s, t here is a b rake
system malfunction . By pressing the [
CH ECK ] button, you can bring
up a dr ive r m essage w hic h exp la in s the mal funct io n i n mor e deta il
=>
page 30 .
If the ABS fai ls, the A BS warning/indicator lig ht _. (USA
mod els)/ (Ca nada mode ls) flas hes toget he r w ith th e brake sys te m
warn ing/ indicator lig ht=>
& -
(U SA mode ls): If the warni ng light BRAKE and the warning light
illumin ate t oget her, im medi ate ly contact yo ur a uth orized Aud i
dea ler or qua lified workshop to have all brake pads ins pected
=>
p age 35.
When the l ig ht comes on, an aud ible warning signal is also giv en .
& WARNING
• USA models : If the BRAKE warning light and the Af'l~ 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 model s: If the brake warning light (Q)) 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
vehicle control and an accident . Have your vehicle repaired imme­
diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake applications.
• If the brake warning /indicator light does not go out after a few
seconds and the parking brake released, or lights up while you are
driving , the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low . If you
believe that it is safe to do so , proceed immediately at low speed
to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified repair facility and have the brake system inspected .
• Always keep
in mind that after several brake applications , you
will need greater pressure on the brake pedal to stop your vehicle. Do not rely on strained brakes to respond with maximum stopping
power in critical situations . You must allow for increased braking
distances . The extra di stance used up by fading brakes could lead
to an a ccident. •