
-~_T_ ir_e_ s_ a_ n_d _ w_ h_ e_e _l_s _________________________________________________ _
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, particu larly considering the comparatively small patch
of rubber on each tire that assures that all -important contact
between you, your vehic le 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 regularly inspecting tires for damage inc luding cuts, s lashes 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
blowouts.
A vo iding d am age
If you have to drive over a curb or similar obstac le, drive very slowly
and as close as possible at a right angle to the curb.
A lways keep chemica ls including grease, oi l, gaso line and brake
fluid off the tires.
Inspect the ti res regu larly for damage (cuts, cracks or b listers, etc.l .
Remove any foreign bodies embedded in the treads.
Storing tir es
Mark tires when you remove them to indicate the direction of rota
t ion. This ensures you to be able 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.
S tore tires in a vertical pos it ion if they a re not mounted on r ims, in
a horizonta l position if they are mounted on rims.
New tir es
New tires have to be broken in=>&.
The tread depth of new ti res may vary, according to the type and
make of tire and the tread pattern.
H idd en damage
Damage to tires and rims is often not readily visible. If you notice
unusual vibration or the vehicle pu lls to one s ide, this may indicate
that one of the tires has been damaged . The tires must be checked
immediately by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop .
Unidire cti ona l t ires
A unidirectional tire can be identif ied by arrows on the sidewa ll, that
point in the direction the tire is designed to rotate . You must fo llow
t he specified directio n of rotation . This is necessary s o that these
tires can develop their optimum characteristics regarding grip, road noise, wear and hydrop laning resistance . For more information
=>
page 359.
& WARNING
New t ires o r ti re s th at a re old , worn or d am aged cann ot pro vid e
maximum cont rol and braking ability .
• New tires te nd to be slippery and mu st be bro ken in . To redu ce
the ri sk o f lo sin g co ntro l, a collis ion and serious per sonal injurie s,
dri ve w ith special care f or the fi rst 350 m ile s ( 560 km l.
• Driving w ith w orn or damaged tire s can lead to lo ss of control ,
sudd en tir e fa ilure , inc ludi ng a blowout a nd sudden defl atio n, ..,_

Tires and wheels -
----------------
•
0 Note
Driving without valve stem caps can cause damage to the tire
valves. To prevent this, always make sure that factory installed valve
stem caps on all wheels are securely mounted on the valve .
W For the sake of the environment
Underinflated tires will also increase the fuel consumption. •
Tires and vehicle load limits
There are limits to the amount of load or weight that any vehicle and
any tire can carry . A vehicle that is overloaded will not handle well
and is more difficult to stop. Overloading can not only lead to loss
of vehicle control, but can also damage important parts of the
vehicle and can lead to sudden tire failure, including a blowout and
sudden deflation that can cause the vehicle to crash.
Your safety and that of your passengers also depends on making
sure that load limits are not exceeded. Vehicle load includes every
body and everything in and on the vehicle. These load limits are
technically referred to as the vehicle's
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
("GVWR"l.
The "GVWR" includes the weight of the basic vehicle, all factory
installed accessories, a full tank of fuel, oil , coolant and other fluids
plus maximum load. The maximum load includes the number of
passengers that the vehicle is intended to carry ("seating capacity")
with an assumed weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) for each passenger at a
designated seating position and the total weight of any luggage in
the vehicle. If you tow a trailer, the weight of the trailer hitch and the
tongue weight of the loaded trailer must be included as part of the
vehicle load.
The
Gross Axle Weight Rating ("GAWR"l is the maximum load that
can be applied at each of the vehicle's two axles. The
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Axle Weight Rating
are listed on the safety compliance sticker label located either on
the driver's side 8-pillar or on the inside of the fuel filler flap. Your
Audi has 5 seating positions, 2 in the front and 3 in the rear for total
seating capacity of 5. Vehicles with power individual rear seats*
have 4 seating positions, 2 in the front and 2 in the rear for total
seating capacity of 4. Each seating position has a safety belt
~ page 211, "Safety belts".
The fact that there is an upper limit to your vehicle's Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating means that the total weight of whatever is being
carried in the vehicle (including the weight of a trailer hitch and the
tongue weight of the loaded trailer) is limited. The more passengers
in the vehicle or passengers who are heavier than the standard
weights assumed mean that less weight can be carried as luggage.
The tire pressure label on your Audi also lists the maximum
combined weight of all of the occupants and luggage or other cargo
that the vehicle can carry. For the location of the label
~ page 330,
fig. 274.
& WARNING
Overloading a vehicle can cause loss of vehicle control, a crash or
other accident, serious personal injury, and even death.
• Carrying more weight than your vehicle was designed to carry
will prevent the vehicle from handling properly and increase the
risk of the loss of vehicle control.
• The brakes on a vehicle that has been overloaded may not be
able to stop the vehicle within a safe distance.
• Tires on a vehicle that has been overloaded can fail suddenly,
including a blowout and sudden deflation, causing loss of control
and a crash.
• Always make sure that the total load being transported -
including the weight of a trailer hitch and the tongue weight of a
loaded trailer -does not make the vehicle heavier than the
vehicle's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. •
Vehicle care
I t •

___ T_ i_ r_e _s_ a_ n_ d_ w_ h_ e_ e _ ls _________________________________________________ _
Incorrect wheel alignment
Incorrect wheel alignment can cause excess ive tire wea r, im pairing
the safety of the vehic le. If tires show excessive wear, have the
whee l alignment c hecked by an au th o rize d Audi deale r or qualifie d
wo rkshop.
All Wheel Drive
Vehicles with quattro® must always have tires of the same size, c ons truc tion and tread type. F or details see
~ p age 275 .
& WARNING
Sudden tire failure can lead to los s 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 dam age , such as
grease, oil , gasoline and brake fluid aw ay 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 los s of veh icle control. •
New tires and replacing tires and wheels
New t ires and wheels h ave t o be broke n in.
Fig . 278 T ir e specif ication cod es on the sidewall of a tir e
No.
©
0
©
©
©
©
Description
Passenger car tire (where applicable)
Nominal width of tire in millimeters
Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
Radial
Rim diameter code
L o ad in dex and s peed ra ting

______________________________________________ A_ l_,_ p _h_ a_ b_e _t_i c_ a _ l _in _ d_e _ x __ _
Weight-sensing mat .... .... . ... .. 246
When must the system be inspected?
231
Aircraft Transporting your vehicle .. .... .... 371
All Wheel Drive .. .... ....... .... .... 275
Alloy wheels ... .... .... .... ... .... .. 295
All -whee l drive
Winter tires .. ..... ... .... ..... .. . 343
A lternator
See Generator .... .... ... ..... ... . 18
Anti-freeze
See Engine coolant . ...... ..... .. . 316
Anti-lock brake system How the ABS system works . .... ... 274
Warning/indicator lights ... ... .... .. 21
Anti -Slip Regulation System (ASR)
How the system works ............ 272
An ti-t heft systems
Anti -theft ala rm system ...... .... .. 60
Electronic immob ilizer ... .. .... .... 49
Ashtray Front ... ...... ...... .... ..... ... 106
Rear .... ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 107
ASR How the Anti-Slip Regulation System works .. .... .... .... ... .... .... 272
Audi Service Repair Manua ls and Literature
382
AUTO mode AC climate con tro l .. .. .... ... .... . 1 17
Auto Safety Hotline . .... ........ .... . 209
Auto -Check Contro l .... ... .. .... .... .. 28
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
Automatic belt
retractor ... .. ...... ... 215
Automatic car wash
See Washing ..... .... .... .... .... 291
Au tomatic Shift Lock (ASU .... .... .... 168
Automatic transmission 6-speed automatic transmission .... 166
Automatic Shift Lock (ASU .... ... .. 168
Driving ............. ............ . 166
Dynamic sh ift program .... ........ 169
Emergency release for selector lever 171
Fa il- safe mode . ...... .... .... .... 171
I gnition key safety lock . ...... .... . 130
Kick -d ow n .... .... .... .... ... .... 169
Manual shift program ... .. .... .... 170
Selector lever .... .... .... .... .... 1 67
Shift buttons ... .. .... .... .... ... 1 71
Steering wheel with tiptronic .. .... . 171
Average speed . ...... .... .... .... ... . 38
Avoid damaging the vehicle .. ..... ... . 28 1
B
Background ligh ting . .... ...... ... .... 76
Battery ... .. .... ... .... .... .... .... 320
Battery location inside the luggage compartment ...... .... ... .. .... 32 1
Charging ........................ 323
I mpo rta nt warn ings when work ing o n the
battery . .... .... .... ........ ... 32 1
low ............................. 276
Replacing the battery ....... .... .. 324
State of charge ... .... .... .... .... 276
Winter operation . .... .... .... .... 320
Working on the battery .... .... .... 321 Battery vo
ltage . ... .... .. .... .... .... . 36
Before driving ... .... .... ..... .. .... 201
Blended gasoline . .... .... .... ...... . 303
Body cavity sealing .. .... .... .... ... . 296
Boos ter seat ... .. .... .... ... .... .... 253
How do I properly insta ll a b ooster sea t in
my vehic le? ............... ..... 253
Safety instructions .... .......... .. 253
Brake fluid Changing the brake fluid ... .... .... 320
Checking the brake fluid level .. ... . 319
What is the correct brake fluid level? 319
What should I do if the brake f luid warning
light comes on? ... .. .... .... .... 319
Brake system Ant i-lock brake system . ..... .. .... . 21
Brake assistant .... .... .... ....... 27 4
Brake booster ..... .... ... .... .... 274
Brake fluid .... .... .... ... .... .... 319
Brake f luid specificat ions for re fill and
replacement . .... .... .... ...... . 320
Brake light defective ... ...... ...... 26
Brake pads ....... .... .... .... ... 280
Electromechanica l parking brake .... 134
Fluid reservoir .. ...... ..... .. .... 319
How does m oisture or road salt affec t the
brakes? . .... .... .... ....... .... 272
Malfunction ............ ... .. ..... 30
Warning/indicator lights .... .... .... 22
Worn brake pads symbol ........... 34
Break -in period .. .... .... .... .... ... 279
Brake pads ... .... .... .... ...... . 280
Tires . .... .... .... .... ... .... .... 279
Bu lbs . ... .... .... .... ... .... ...... . 36 4
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

______________________________________________ A_ l_,_ p _h_ a_ b_e _t_i c_ a _ l _in _ d_e _ x __ _
Fuel economy ...... .... .... .... .. 281
Leaks under your vehicle ... .. .... . 309
Lettin g the vehicle s tand and warm up .
28 2
Pr oper disposal of drained brake fluid
320
Proper disposal of dra ined e ngine
coolant ........................ 318
Proper disposal of drained engine oil ...
314,3 15
Recycling used engine oi l ........ .. 314
Un leaded fuel ... .. ... .. ...... .... 303
What should I do with an old battery? 324
EPC
See Electronic power control ........ 18
ESP
See Electronic stabilization program
(ESP) ... ..... ......... ....... ... 18
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ... .... ..... 270
Expans ion tank ...... ... .. ........ .. 317
F
Fan
Radia tor .. ...... ........ ..... .. . 319
Flat tire changing .................... 45
Floor mats ..... .... .... .... ... .... . 207
Fog lights Front .. ... .. .... .... .... ...... ... 71
Rear .... ... .. ....... .. ....... ... . 71
Warning/indicator lights ...... .... .. 19
Fo lding master key with remote control . 47
Foot pedals ... ... .. .... .... .... .... 206
Controls and equip
ment Safety first
For the sake of the environment
Gaso line fumes and the environment 305
L etting your engine warm up .. .... . 130
Reducing engine noise by ear ly
upshifting . ...... .... .... ... .... . 12
Refueling . .... ... .... .... .... .... 305
Saving fuel by early upshifting .... .. 12
Using the rear window defogger .... 124
F ront a irbags
Description ... .... .... .... .... ... 224
How they work ................... 229
Front arm rest adjusting ..... ... .... .... .... .... . 93
Storage compartment ... ...... .... . 93
Front ashtray .... ..... .. ..... .... ... 106
Front fog lights ... .. .... .... .... .... . 71
Front seats ...... .... ........ ....... . 86
Adjusting .. ...... .... .... .... ... 203
Ch ild restra ints in the front seat ... . 222
Convenie nce side v iew .. ...... .... . 91
Poc kets ... .. .... .... .... .... .... 1 10
Symmetrica l seat positions . ...... .. 91
Fronta l collisions and the laws of physics
212
Fuel Additives ... .. ..... .. .... .... .... 303
Average c onsumption .... ...... ... . 38
Blended gasoline ... .. .... .... .... 303
F uel filler neck . ...... .... .... .... 304
Fuel gauge .. ....... .... .... .... .. 14
Gasoline ...... ... .... .... .... ... 303
Gaso line additives ................ 304
I nstantaneous fuel consumption ..... 38 Low
fuel level symbol .... ... .. ..... 35
Octane rating .... .... .... .... .... 303
Recommendation . .... .... .... .... 303
Refuelling . ... .... .... ...... ..... 305
Reserve .......................... 14
Tank capacity .. ...... .... .... . 14, 380
Un lock ing the fue l filler flap by hand 307
Fuse arrangement ... ....... ... .. .... 360
G
Garage door opener (Homelink®) ...... 194
Gas discharge lamps ...... .... .... ... 364
Gauges Engine coolant temperature . ...... .. 12
Fuel gauge ... .... .... ... .... .... . 14
Speedomete r ..... .... ... .... ..... 1 4
Tac hometer . ... ... .... ... .... .... . 13
Trip odometer ... .. .... .... ...... .. 14
General illustration Instruments and controls ......... .. 11
Generator Warning/indicator lights .... .... .... 18
G lossary of t ire and loading terminology . . .
327
G love compartment .. ....... .... .... 109
cd changer ... .... .... .... .... ... 109
Owner's Literature .... .... .... .... 109
Gross Vehic le Weight Ra ting (GVWR) ... 377
Vehicle operation Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data