2010 AUDI S3 warning light

Driver information display
Driver information appears in the display when a defective light
bulb is reported by the defective light bulb warning~
page 34,
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 display .
To display Driver information
As an example, the~ symbol appears in the display. If you now
press the button~
page 29, fig. 21 , the following driver message
appears in the display:
Switch off engine and check oil level
The driver message in the display goes out after about 5 seconds.
You can display the driver message again by briefly pressing the
button. •
Brake system malfunction
BRAKE (USA models) /((D) (Canada models )
The indicator light flashes if the brake fluid level is too
low, if there is a malfunction in the ABS system or when
the parking brake is engaged.
If the BRA KE/(CD) symbol flashes in the display with the
parking brake released, there is a malfunction in the brake
system. 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 road and stop the vehicle.
- Obtain professional assistance.
USA models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the • c:::;
warning/indicator light illuminates along with the BRAKE system
malfunction warning/indicator light~
/.1.
Canada models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the
warning/indicator light illuminates together with the
CCD) brake
system malfunction warning/indicator light~
/.1.
Parking brake set
The parking brake warning light Brake /«D> (Canada models) illumi ­
nates when the parking brake is set . In addition, a warning tone will
sound after you have driven for longer than 3 seconds and faster
than 3 mph (5 km/h).
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in~ page 215, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the engine hood and checking the brake
fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard! Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• If the brake system warning/indicator light illuminates
together with the ABS warning/indicator light, then the ABS
system is malfunctioning. The rear wheels could quickly lock up
when you apply the brakes. This could lead to loss of control and
your vehicle could slide! Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected. •
Engine cooling system malfunction _t_
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the J_ symbol in the display flashes, then either the
engine coolant temperature is too high, or the coolant level
~

is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following message
also appears in the display:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
-Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
- 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 56, "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 215, "Engine compartment".
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the -F-symbol illuminates . There is a
malfunction in the engine cooling system -you could damage your
engine. •
Engine oil pressure malfunction "I=:,:
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair.
If the 't::r. 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 '1::7: symbol starts flashing again even though the engine oil
level checks OK on th e dipstick,
do not start driving again and do not
let the engine run at idle .
Instead, contact your authorized Audi
dealer for assistance . ..
I • •

Driver information display
[ i ] Tips
• The engine oil p re ss ure symbol 9:::r. is not an indicator for a low
engine oil level. Do not rely on it . In stead , check the oil level in your
engine at regular interval s, preferably each time you refuel , and
alway s before going on a l ong trip.
• The yellow oil level warning indication · require s oil refill or
workshop service w ithout delay . Do not wait until the red oil pres­
s ure warning symbol
9:::r. s tarts to flash before you respond to the
l ow oil level warning . By then , yo ur engine may already have
s uffered serious damage. •
Fuel supply too low f
When the symbol illuminates, t his mea ns there are about 2.6
gallons (10 liters) of fuel left in the fuel tank. Time to refuel!
~ page 279.
If the symbol lights up, even when there is ample fuel in the tank,
and the te xt
Tank system malfunction! Please contact workshop
appears in the disp lay, there is a fault in the syste m. Contact a qual ­
ified workshop to have the fault rectified .•
App lies t o vehic les: with engine sp eed lim itat ion
Engine speed limitation I
I Engine speed ma ximum XXXX RPM
The . symbo l illuminates when there is an engine control malfunc­
t ion. T he ind icat or l ight
'IC in the instrument cluste r also il lum i­
nates . T he engine speed is limited to the speed displayed in the
driver in for mation sys tem . Keep in mind tha t the engi ne s peed wi ll
not exceed the va lue d isplayed in the driver information system, for
exam ple when downshifting.
P lease go to an authorized Audi deale r or other qua lified workshop
to have the malfunction repaired. •
Applies to vehicles: with diese l engi ne and d iesel particu late filte r
Diesel particulate filter clogged
Particulate filter ! See owner's manual
If the indicator light in the instrument c luster comes on, the
diesel particulate fi lte r has become blocked with soot as the resul t
of constant short -distance driving . When the symbol illumi -
nates, you can alte r yo ur driving style to assist the filter self­
clean ing process. Drive for app roxi mately 15 m inutes in 4th or 5th
gea r (automatic transmission with the selector lever in the S posi ­
t ion) at a minimum s peed of 37 mph (60 km/h) and an e ngine speed
of approximately 2 ,000 R PM . T he temperature increase that wil l
r esu lt from this ca n burn o ff the soot in the fil te r. The symbo l w ill
switc h off when the cleaning is successful.
I f the sy mbo l d oes not swi tch off, see you r aut hor ized deale r or
other qua lif ied workshop to have the prob lem correc ted .
As long as the indicator light remains on (diesel particulate filter
plugged), you can e xpect i ncreased fue l co nsu mption a nd possibly
a lso a loss of engine performance.
A message may a lso be displayed in the ins tru me nt cluste r
informing you or prompting necessary act ion .
For more information on the diese l particulate filter, refer to
~ page 797.
& WARNING
Always adapt your speed to the current weather, road and traffic
conditions. You should never disobey traffic laws in order to follow
driving recommendation s. •
Checking the engine oil level ~
· Ple ase add max. 1 qt of engine oil!

If the '-" symbol comes on, add 1 quart (1 liter) of oil at the next
opportunity =>
page 230. •
Checking the engine oil level r.,
When the symbol illuminates, check the engine oil level as soon
as possible=>
page 229. Top off the oil at your earliest opportunity
=>
page 230. •
Engine oil sensor defective -;...
If the symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer
and have the oil sensor inspected.•
Worn brake pads ~ :;
rt. Brake pads!
If the warning light illuminates, immediately contact your autho ­
rized Audi dealer or qualified workshop to have all brake pads
inspected. On USA models the warning light? comes on together
with the warning light
BRAKE. Both sets of brake pads on an axle must
always be replaced at the same time.
& WARNING
Driving with bad brakes can cause a collision and serious personal
injury.
• If the warning light and the warning light
BRAKE11 with the
message Brake pads! comes on in the instrument cluster display,
immediately contact your authorized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop to have all brake pads checked or replaced if
necessary. •
11 BRAKE : USA models only
Controls and equip ­
ment
Speed warning
models) 1
· ,I'""'
Driver information display
(USA models> IP (Canada
If the ~ symbol illuminates, this means you are driving faster than
the set vehicle speed. Slow down!=>
page 26. •
Speed warning 2 r (USA models) /,.__, (Canada
models)
If the C) symbol illuminates, this means you have driven faster than
the second set vehicle speed. Slow down! =>
page 26. •
Applies to veh icles : wi th dynamic head light range ad justment
Headlight range control defective
If the illuminates, the dynamic headlight range control is no
longer working properly. Have the system checked and repaired at
your authorized Audi dealer. •
Windshield washer fluid level too low .-_j
If the ~ symbol illuminates, add windshield washer fluid to the
washer system =>
page 240. •
Battery voltage low ~
If the C symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer
and have the following components inspected:
• drive belt
• battery charge
Also see if the generator warning/indicator light illuminates
=>
page 14. •
I • •

Driver information display
Defective light bulb warning U
The defective light bulb warning tells you when a vehicle
light bulb has become defective.
If a defective bulb has been detected by the system or a light bulb
burns out, the symbol with a message appears in the display to
tell you which bulb is burnt out and where it is located. For example:
Rear left turn signal
After 5 seconds, the message disappears . If you want to recall the
message into the display, press the CHECK button=>
page 8, fig. 2
©-
There are three reasons why the defective bulb message would
appear in the display:
• The light bulb has burnt out=>
page 283.
• The fuse is "blown" => page 278, "Replacing a fuse".
• The wire connection to the light bulb is defective .
Have the bulb replaced or the connection repaired by your autho ­
rized Audi Service department.
& WARNING
• Light bulbs are pressurized and could explode while they are
being changed causing serious personal injury.
• Work with due care when handling the high-voltage section of
gas discharge (xenon) lamps. Failing to do so could result in death
or serious injury! •
Brake light defective " U'lf" (USA
models) / (Canada models)
In case of a malfunction or component failure, the symbol
(USA models)/ (Canada models) can appear . The following elec- trical components should be checked, repaired or replaced, as
necessary:
• Brake light bulbs
• All wiring connections
• Brake light switch
Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if necessary.
[ i] Tips
The brake light switch is only inspected as part of the functional
check after the engine is started .•
A pplies to vehi cles : w it h a uto mati c he adl ights
Light /rain sensor defective _,
The indicator light indicates a defect in the automatic
headlights/automatic wiper system.
If the symbol illuminates, the light sensor has failed. For safety
reasons, the low beams are turned on permanently with the switch
in
AUTO. However, you can continue to turn the lights on and off
using the light switch . In the case of a defect in the rain sensor, the
windshield wiper lever functions are still available. Have the
light/rain sensor checked as soon as possible at an authorized Audi
dealer. •
Applies t o vehi cles: with Ad aptive Ligh t
Adaptive Light defective ~{)
C: Adaptive light defective
When this symbol J illuminates, it means that Adaptive Light is
defective. Go to a qualified workshop to have the headlights or the
control unit for the Adaptive Light repaired. •

• Remote control feature=> page 37.
• Anti -theft alarm system => page 46.
All the doors and the rear lid are locked by the central locking
sys tem when you lock the veh icle.
Unlo cking th e ve hicle
You can un lock the vehicle from outside either by using the remote
control
o r by inserting and turning the key in the driver's door lock.
When you
unlock your vehicle :
• The anti -theft alarm system is deactivated briefly .
• T he vehicle i nteri or lights illuminate fo r approxi mate ly 30
seconds .
• All tu rn signal lights will flash twice when t he car is unl ocked .
• After un locking the vehicle, you have 30 seconds to open a door
or the rear lid. After 30 seconds, t he vehicle automatically locks and
the anti-theft a larm system activates again.
The rear lid can be locked o r unlocked either by u sing the remote
control
or by inserting and turning the key in the driver's door lock.
Un loc king the vehicle with the remote control
c::::::::5 wi ll only unlock
the rear lid, to open it, the l id handle needs to be pressed.
Lo cking the vehi cle
You can lock the vehic le from outside either by using the remote
control
or by i nserting and tu rning the key in the drive rs's d oor l ock .
When you
lock the vehicle:
• All doors and the rear lid are locked .
• All turn signal lights w ill flash once when the car is locked .
• T he anti -theft alarm sys tem is activated. The horn of the anti ­
theft alarm system wi ll sound and the anti -theft alarm system readi ­
ness light, loca ted in the center of the instrument pane l below the
w indshie ld on the right side of the a ir vent, wil l start to b link.
• The ve hicle interior l ights tur n off .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Opening and clo sing
Automati c locking *
The a utoma tic locking feature l ocks all the vehicle do ors and t he
rear lid when you drive faster than 9 mph (15 km/h).
You can unlock the vehicle from the inside by :
• removi ng the key from the igniti on swi tch (the vehicle wil l a uto ­
matically un lock itself) or
• pressing the unlock part o f the power lock switch
l!:)) or
• pul ling the inside handle for that door (once -the front doo r is
unlocked and opened at the same time, twice to open the rear doo r).
I f you wish, you can have an authorized Audi dea ler convert your
p ower d oor lock system to auto matic l ocki ng .
& WARNING
• When you lock your vehicle from out side , nobody - especially
c hildren - should remain inside the vehi cle . Re member , when you
lock the vehicle from the out side the window s cannot be opened
from the inside .
• When you leave the vehicle , alway s remove the ignition key and
t a ke it with you . This will prevent passengers (children , for
example ) from accidentally being locked in the vehicle should they
accidentally press the po wer locking swit ch on the center c onsole .
• Do not leave children ins ide the vehicle unsupe rvised. In an
emergen cy it would be imposs ible to open the doors from the
out side without th e key.
[ i ] Tips
• I n the eve nt of a crash with airbag deployment all locked do ors
wi ll be automatically un locked to give access to the vehicle occu­
p a nts from the outside.
• I f the power locking system should fail, you can still open the
f u el tank flap in an emergency =>
page 222 . ~
I • •

Opening and closing
• You are well advised not to keep valuables inside an unattended
vehic le , visible or not . Even a properly locked vehicle cannot provide
the security of a safe! •
Unlocking and locking the vehicle with the
remote control
How the remote control works.
Fig. 2 6 R em ote
c on tro l: func tion
button s
To unlo ck the vehi cle doors and rear lid !TI
Press button @ once to unlock driver' door.
- Press button @ twice to un lock all doors and the rear lid .
To lock the vehi cle doors and rear lid l'.D
- Press butto n ® => & in "General descrip tion" on
page 38.
- Watch tha t all turn signal lights flash once.
To open rear lid only ?::$
- Press button @for approx imate ly one seco nd.
PANIC Button
- Pus h the red butto n@ to activate the panic f unct ion. The
horn sounds a nd the turn signals flash .
- Pus h the button ® aga in to deactivate the panic f unc-
tion.
T he remote controls al lows you to :
• l ock or unlock the vehicle
• se lective ly unlock the rear lid.
T he tu rn signa ls will flash briefly whenever yo u lock or un lock the
vehic le. Also , the interior light will come on or go off whenever you
open or close the driver's door.
The transmitter and battery are located in the head of the remo te
control. The receiver is located inside the vehicle. The maximum
effective ra nge depends on several things. R emember, if the battery
is weak, the effective rang e decreases .
T he rem ote -contr ol key con tains a fo ld -ou t key tha t you can use to
manually lock or unlock the vehicle and to s tart the engine.
I f you need to replace the remote contro l, or if you need to have it
r epaired, you must see your authori zed Audi dealer. On ly then can
you use the key again.
& WARNING
Read and follow all WARNINGS => & in "Genera l description " on
page
38.
[ i ] Tips
• The remote control key is automa tically deactivated when the
ignition is switched on .
• Th e opera tion of the remote control key can be temporarily
disrupted by interference from transmitters in the vicinity of the .,.

Opening and closing
& WARNING
Always read and heed WARNING => & in "General description" on
page 38. •
Locking and unlocking the vehicle from inside
The vehicle can be locked or unlocked from the inside
using the power locking switches located in the driver's
and the front passenger's door.
Fig. 28 Driver's door:
power locking switch
In addition to the central locking switches in the doors,
there is a locking switch on the rear center console for the
rear -seat passengers ~
page 43.
How to lock all doors and the rear lid
simultaneously
- Press lower part of the power locking switch
G'.I ~ fig. 28
~& -
How to unlock all doors and the rear lid
simultaneously
- Press the upper part of the switch
m.
How to unlock/ open each front door separately
using the door handle
- Pull the door handle
once to release the lock and simul-
taneously open the door.
How to unlock/ open each rear door separately
using the door handle
- Pull the door handle
once to release the lock.
- Pull the handle
twice to open the door.
If you lock the vehicle using the power locking switch 1'.D, please note
the following:
• You cannot open the doors or the rear lid from the
outside
!increased security, for example when you are stopped at a red
light).
• The diode in the power locking switch illuminate when all the
doors and the rear lid are closed and locked.
• You can unlock and open the doors individually from the inside
by pulling once on the door handle for the front doors and twice for
the rear doors .
• If the driver's door is opened (after you have locked the vehicle
from the inside using the power locking switch), the door will
remain unlocked to prevent you from locking yourself out of your
vehicle. After you close the door, you have to lock the driver's door
again.
• If you have a crash and the airbag is activated , the doors auto­
matically unlock.
in. WARNING
• If you use the power locking switch with the doors closed,
remember that all the vehicle doors will lock.
• Locking doors from the inside can help prevent inadvertent
door opening during an accident and can also prevent unwanted
~