Instruments and warning/indicator lights
& WARNING
• Always observe the warning in =;, page 209 , "Engine compart
ment" before opening the engine 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
c ould burn your self. Let the engine cool off first so that you cannot
hear or see any steam or engine coolant .
0 Note
• Mounting additiona l lights or accessories in front of the a ir inlets
reduces the co oling effect of the radiat or. At high outside tempera
tures or h igh engi ne load , the eng ine could overheat.
• The fron t spoile r has been designed t o properly dist rib ute the
coo ling air when the veh icle is mov ing . If the spo iler is damaged,
this could red uce the coo ling effect and the engine cou ld then ove r
heat. Ask your authorized Audi deale r for assistance. •
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge wor ks only when the ignition is on .
When the needle reaches the red area, the warning light in the instrument cluster w ill illu m ina te =;,
page 35 . Thi s means yo u
have approx imate ly 1.9 gallons (7 litres) of fuel left in the tank.
Time
to refuel!
The tota l tank capacity of your vehicle is listed in=;, page 297. Be
awa re of the diffe rent ta nk capaci ties of front -wheel a nd q uat tro®
a ll- w hee l d ri ve models .
0 Note
Never run the tank comple tely dry! An irre gular suppl y of fuel can
cause engine m isf iring and fuel could enter into the exhaust system.
The catalytic converter could then overheat and be
damag ed. •
Speedometer with odometer
The speedometer shows y ou t he vehicle speed, and the
o dome ter sho ws you ho w ma ny m iles (kilo meters) yo u
hove dri ven.
Fig . 4 Speedomete r
close -up : odomet er
displ ay
T he od ometer an d trip odo mete r are locate d insid e th e spe edom
eter .
• USA model s - Miles
• Canada mode ls - Kilometers
Lower odometer
The lower odometer shows the total number of miles (kilometers)
d riven.
Upper odometer (trip odometer )
The upper o dometer shows the tota l number o f mi les ( kilom eters)
driven since you last reset the odometer bac k to ze ro . You can use
thi s odomete r w hen you want to keep track of how ma ny m iles ( kilo
meters) you have driven for a single trip or errand. The last digit indi
cates 1/10 of a m ile (10 0 meters). You ca n set th e tr ip od o meter back
to zero by pressing the reset button
=;, fig. 4 . ..,,
Driver inf orm atio n syst em
Warnings and symbols
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER
- Pull of the road a nd stop t he vehicle .
- Turn off the engine.
- Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho -
rized Audi dea ler or a qua lified workshop for assistance .
BRAKE
-
USA models:
Malfunction in the brake system => page 33
Ca
nada m odels : => page 33
Malfunction in the brake system
Engine coolant level too low/
=> page 34
engine coolant temperature too
high
Engine oil pressure too low
=> page 35
When a red symbol appears, a warning tone will sound three times
in succession. The symbol continues to flash until the malfunction
has been repaired . If there is
more than one malfunction, the
symbols appear one after the other for about two seconds.
[ i ) Tip s
• The message for a malfunction can be shown by pressing on the
left knob.
• During route guidance on vehicles with a navigation system, the
warning symbo l is shown in the field above .•
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING .
Low fuel level => page 35
l!check engine oi l level => page35
-
Engine oil sensor malfunction => page 35
-
IIWorn brake pads => page36
USA model s: => page 36 Speed warning 1
IIC an ada model s:
Speed warning 1 => page36
--
USA mod els: => page 36 Speed warning 2
C anad a m od els: => page 36 Speed warning 2
Dynamic headlight range con -
=> page 36 trol* defective
Winds hield washer fluid level low
=> page36
Battery voltage too high or too => page 36 low
Defective light bulb
=> page 36
U SA mod els: => page 36
Defective brake light
C an ada m od els: => page36
Defective brake light
Light/rain sensor defective (auto-~ page 37
matic headlights)* defective
Ad aptiv e Li ght* def ective
~ page37
Tire pressure monitoring system*
~ page 37
When a yel low symbol appears, a warning tone wil l sound once.
Check the displayed function as soon as possible . If more than one
malfunction is detected, all symbols wil l appear one after the other
for about two seconds .•
Driver info rmation
In addition to the warning/indicator lights and the
symbols in the instrument cluster display, driver informa tion is displayed.
F ig . 21 S ectio n of
instrum en t c luster :
Set/C hec k butt on
Driver information appears in the display when a defective light
bulb is reported by the defective light bulb warning ~ page 36,
when the brake pads are worn and before you engage a gear on
vehicles with S tronic .
In addition, driver information may appear when a red symbol
flashes in the driver disp lay .
Con tro ls and eq uip
ment
Dri ver in form ati on syst em
To d is pl ay Driver inf orm ati on
As an example, the
t he display :
Switch off engine and che ck oil level
The driver message in the display goes out after about 5 seconds.
You can display the driver message again by br iefly pressing the
button. •
Brake system malfunction
BRAKE (USA models) /((D) (Canada models )
The indicator light flashes if the brake fluid level is t oo
low, if there is a malfunction in the ABS system or when the parking brake is engaged .
If the BRAKE /
s y stem. In addition to the symbol , one of two messages
appears in the display:
STOP Vehicle and check brake fluid
ABS FAULT! SEE OWNER'S MANUAL
- Pull off the ro ad an d stop the vehicle.
- Obtain professional assistance.
USA models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the
warning/indicator light i llumina tes along with the BRAKE system
malfunction warning/indicator light~&.
Canada models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the
warning/indicator light i llumina tes together with the CCD> brake
system malfunction warning/indicator light~& .
Vehicle care I I irechnical data
Engine oil pressure malfunction 9=;r;
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair.
If the ~ 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 221.
-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 222.
Engine oil level OK
If the ~ symbol starts flashing again ev en 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 J 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
Controls and equip
ment
Driver information system
low oil level warning = . By then, your engine may already have
suffered serious damage. •
Fuel supply too low Jl
When the L symbol illuminates, this means there are about 2.6
gallons
(10 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank . Time to refuel!
=>
page 212.
If the symbol lights up , even when there is ample fuel in the tank,
and the text
Tank system malfunction! Please contact workshop
appears in the display, there is a fault in the system. Contact a qual
ified workshop to have the fault rectified. •
Checking the engine oil level .d'" ..
Please add max. 1 qt of engine oil!
If the symbol comes on, add 1 quart (1 liter) of oil at the next
opportunity=>
page 222. •
Checking the engine oil level -1.
When the _ symbol illuminates, check the engine oil level as soon
as possible =>
page 221. Top off the oil at your earliest opportunity
=>
page 222. •
Engine oil sensor defective • ...
If the symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer
and have the oil sensor inspected. •
I • •
If t he brakes ar e not used frequently , or if corrosion has for med on
th e d iscs, i t is adv isa ble to cl ean off the pads a nd disc s by braki ng
firm ly a f ew times from a moderate ly high speed=:> &.
Faults in the brake system
I f yo u shou ld notice a
sudden i ncrease in bra ke pedal trave l, then
o ne of th e two b rake c ircui ts may hav e fa iled =:>& .
Low brake fluid level
M alf unc tions ca n occu r in the br ake system if th e b ra ke flu id leve l is
too low . Th e brake fluid level is monitored e lectronica lly.
Brake lining wear status
B ra ke l inin g wea r may be c hec ked by v is u al inspection of the condi
tion o f the b rake pads t hrou gh the ope ning s in th e wheel. If neces
sary, the wheel may be removed for this inspection=:> page 268,
' 'W hat s hou ld I be aw are o f wh en ch ang ing a ti re ?".
Brake power assist unit
T he bra ke po wer assist unit increas es the pressure that you
generate with the b ra ke peda l. It work s only when the engine is
r u n nin g.
& WARNING
• You should perform braking maneuvers for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system only if road conditions permit . Other
road users must not be put at risk -you may cause an accident!
• Before descending a steep grade , reduce speed and shift trans
mission into a lower gear or lower driving position . Do not ride the
brakes or hold the pedal down too long or too often. This could
cause the brakes to get hot and diminish braking efficiency .
• Do not "ride the brakes " by resting your foot on the pedal when
you do not intend to brake . This may cause the brakes to overheat ,
premature wear and increased stopping distance .
• Under certain climatic and operating conditions such as
passing through water , driving in heavy rain or after washing the
Controls and equip ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
& WARNING
(continued )
vehicle, the effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced . In winter ,
ice can accumulate on the brake pads , linings , discs and drums .
Cautiously apply brakes for a test. Brakes will dry and ice coatings
will be cleaned off after a few cautious brake applications.
• Driving for an extended period of time on salt-covered roads
without using your brakes can also affect braking efficiency. Clean off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads with a few
cautious brake applications.
• If you damage the front spoiler , or if you install a different
spoiler, be sure the air flow to the front brakes is not obstructed.
Otherwise the brake system could overheat reducing the effective
ness of the entire brake system.
• Failure of one brake circuit will impair the braking capability
resulting in an increased stopping distance. Avoid driving the
vehicle and have it towed to the nearest Audi dealer or qualified
workshop.
• Never let the veh icle roll to a stop with the engine shut off .
• If the brake booster is not working, for example when towing
your vehicle , or because the brake booster has somehow been
damaged , the brake pedal must be pre ssed considerably harder to
make up for the lack of booster assistance . •
Anti- lock brake system CABS)
ABS preve nts th e wheels from lo cking under br aking.
The anti -loc k brake syste m (ABS) makes a major contribution to
i nc reas ing active d rivi ng sa fety . You s ho ul d not e xp e ct that braki ng
distances wi ll be
shortened und er all circumstances with ABS .
B ra kin g dis tance may even become s omewhat lon ger, for exa mple,
on gravel or in new snow on s lippery ground, even if you are driving
c aref ully a nd s lowly .
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
New brake pads
Remember that new brake pads do not have a full braking
effec t during the first 250 miles (400 kilometres) after they
are installed.
New brake pads have to be "burnished in" before they have optima l
grab=> &.
During the break -in period, you should avoid putting severe loads
on the brakes. Severe loads include, for example, sudden hard
braking, in particular at very high speeds or, for example, on moun
tain passes.
& WARNING
U ntil the y develop the m axim um "b ite " fo r be st stoppi ng p owe r,
th e s urfaces on new br ake p ads re quir e some " brea king -in " during
th e ini tia l 100 to 150 miles 1 150 to 200 k ilom etres) of nor ma l c ity
driving . You can comp ensa te fo r thi s by press ing the brak e ped al
more fi rml y. T his appl ie s w henev e r ne w pad s a re in sta lled . •
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission control system
(catalytic converter) is fu nctioning properly to ensure that
y o ur vehicle is running in an environmentally s ound
manner.
- Always use lead-free gasoline~ page 211, "Fuel supply".
- Never run the tank down a ll the way to empty.
- Never put too much motor o il in your engine~
page 222,
"Adding engine oi l 'l=:;r\11
•
- Neve r try to push -or tow -s tart your ve hicle.
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Dri
ving and environm ent
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" device built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle . The cataly tic converter burns many
of the pollutants in the exhaust gas before they are re leased into the
atmosphere.
The exclusive use of un leaded fuel is critica lly important for the l ife
of the catalytic converter and proper functioning of the engine.
& WARNING
• Do not park or oper ate th e ve hi cle in are a s whe re the hot
exha ust sys te m may c ome in conta ct wi th dr y grass, bru sh , fu el
s pill or other mat eri al which can cau se a fi re.
• Do not app ly a dditi onal u nder co at ing or ru stpr oofing on or
near the exhau st m anifold , exh au st pipe s, cata ly tic convert er or
he at shi elds. During dri ving, the s ubstance use d f or und ercoa ting
c ould ov erheat an d ca u se a fire.
0 Note
• Be aware that just one tank fi lling with
le ad ed fuel wi ll a lready
seriously degrade the performance of the catalytic converter.
• Do not exceed the correct engine oil level =>
page 222.
• Do not drive until the fuel tank becomes completely empty. The
engine could misfire . Unburned fuel could a lso get into the exhaust
system and this could cause the catalytic converter to overheat .
• Do not turn off the igni tion wh ile the vehicle is moving.
• Do not continue to operate your vehicle under these conditions,
as otherwise fue l can reach the cata lytic converter. This could resu lt
in overheating of the converter, requiring its replacement .
• To assure efficient operation of the Emiss ion Control System:
- Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
___ D_ r_ iv _i_ n-' g"'""'- a_ n_d_ e_ n _ v_i_r _ o _n_ m_ e_ n_t _____________________________________________ _
- Lack of proper maintenance as well as improper use of the
vehicle will impair the function of the emission con trol system
and could lead to damage.
Even when the Emission Control System is operating properly, the
exhaust gas can have a su lfur -like exhaust gas smell under some
operating states . This depends on the su lfur content of the fuel
being used. Using a different brand of fuel may he lp, or filling the
tank with lead-free super grade gasoline. •
Avoid damaging the vehicle
When you are driving on poor roads, or over curbs, steep ramps,
etc., make certain that low-lying parts such as spoilers and exhaust
system parts do not bottom out and get damaged.
This is especially true for vehicles with low-slung chassis (sports
chassis) and fully loaded vehicles. •
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution
General
Your personal style of driving will determine the economy
of your vehicle, as well as exhaust and noise levels.
Fuel economy, environmental impact, and wear on your engine,
brakes and t ires largely depend on three factors:
• your personal driving style
• operating condit ions
• technical limitations If
you anticipate what you need to do next and drive economically,
you can easily cut your fuel consumption by 10-15 percent . This
section will give you some tips on how you can he lp the environ
ment and your pocketbook .
[ i ] Tips
The consumption estimates as published by ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) and Transport Canada may not corre
spond to your actua l consumption on the road, which will vary
depend ing upon vehicle load and speed, road and weather condi
tions, trip length, etc. •
Drive smoothly and keep a lookout ahead
Vehicles use the most fuel when they are accelerating.
Avoid unnecessary accelerating and braking.
Vehicles use the most fue l when they are accelerating . If you antici
pate what is going to happen next, you will need to brake less and,
thus, accelerate less. Let the vehicle coast whenever possible -for
example when you see that the next traffic light is red. •
Avoid full throttle
Driving at moderate speeds saves fuel and improves your
mileage.
- Try and keep well below your car's maximum speed.
Acce lerating gently reduces fuel consumption, engine wear, and
does not disturb the environment.
Fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and engine noise increase
disproportionately at high speeds. If you drive at approximately
three quarters of top speed, fuel consumption wil l be reduced by
9J,,
-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
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 follow ing 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
e xpr ess ly 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 oi l standard
VW 502 00 specifications is available -may you top off with a high
quality engine oi l, 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 oi l 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 oi l 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.
Deterge nt 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 ma intenance
It is essential that you change your oil at the recommended interva ls
using only engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW 502 00. Your Limited New Vehicle 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 dea ler will have
to deny warranty coverage unless you present to the dealer proof in
the form of Service or Repair Orders that all schedu led maintenance
was performed in a timely manner. •