2010 AUDI S3 service indicator

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Instruments
Instrument cluster and controls
The ins trum ent cluster is your central source of informa­
ti on.
Fig . 2 Overv ie w of th e instrume nt clu ster
0
0
0
©
©
©
G)
©
T achometer with time and date display ......•.....
I ndicator lights (turn signals) ... ....... .... ..... .
Coo lant temperature gaug e .... ... ...... ...... .. .
Fuel gauge .. ... .... .. ...... .... ... ..... ... ... .
S pe edom eter wi th o do met er ..... .... ... .. .. ... .
Se t/Chec k button ..... ... ..... ..... ... ........ .
Warn ing/indicator l ights
Reset but ton for 8,9
1 1
9
1 0
1 0
9 , 29
1 1
- Trip odomete r 10
-Service i nterv al dis play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
(D Note
The instrument clu ste r and center c onsole i lluminati on (gauge s and
n eedles) comes on w hen you sw itch on the ignit ion and the vehicle
he adl ights are off . Be awa re of the following difference betw een
models built to US or Canad ian specificat io ns:
• USA models : illumination of the instrument cluster (gauges and
needles), dash and center con sole around the gear shift lever is
controlled by a light sensor located in the instrument panel. The
instrument panel illumination will automatically become dimmer
as the daylight fades away and eventually will go out completely
when outside light is very low . This is to remind you, the driver , to
sw itch on the headlights befo re it gets too dark .
• Canada models: instrument panel illumination will stay bright
regardless of the intensit y of ambient light . Always be aware of
changes in outside light conditions while you are driving . Respond
in time to fading dayl ight by turning the light swit ch to position
jD
(or" AUTO" if you r car i s equi ppe d with this feature) to turn on your
headlights . •
Tachometer (engine rev counter)
T h e ta chom eter ind icates the e ngine RPM (revo luti ons pe r
minut es).
The tachom eter 0 => fig . 2 is the left on e of the two large clock -type
dis plays .
The engine turns at a speed 1 000
times the single di git in the
display, e.g . if the needle p oints at the "2", the eng ine t urns at
2 000 RP M.

On-Board Diagnostic system (08D)
On-Board Diagnostics
Fig. 10 location of
Data Link Connecto r
( DL C)
On-Board Diagnostics monitors the components of your emission
control system . Each controlled component in your engine system
has been assigned a code. In case of a malfunction , the component
will be identified and the fault stored as a code in the control
module memory .
The Mil lamp may also illuminate if there is a leak in the on-board
fuel vapor recovery system . If the light illuminates after a refuelling,
pull off the road and stop the vehicle, then check that the fuel filler
cap is properly closed
=> page 220 .
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the stored data can only be
displayed using special diagnostic equipment (generic scan tool for
OBDl.
In order to connect the special diagnostic equipment, push the plug
into the Data Link Connector (DLC). The DLC is located to the right of
the engine hood re lease lever=> fig. 10.
Your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified service station can inter ­
pret the code and perform the necessary repair. •
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) (USA
models)/ (Canada models)
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU in the instrument cluster
=> page 11, fig . 5 is part of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) system .
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and goes out after the engine starts and the idle has
stabilized. This indicates that the Mil is working properly .
If the light does not go out after the engine is started, or illuminates
while you are driving, a ma lfunction may exist in the engine system.
If the light illuminates, the catalytic converter could be damaged.
Continue driving
with reduced power (avoiding sustained high
speeds and/or rapid accelerations) and have the condition
corrected . Contact your authorized Audi dealer.
If the light illuminates , the electronic speed limiter may also be
malfunctioning. For more information=>
page 21, "Electronic speed
limiter".
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to
illuminate
=> page 220. •
Electronic speed limiter
Your vehicle may be factory equipped with tires that are rated for a
maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) . This is less than the
maximum speed of your vehicle. To reduce the risk of sudden tire
failure and loss of control if the vehicle is operated at excessive
speeds, yo ur vehicle also has an electronic speed limiter. The elec­
tronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from going faster than the
tire speed rating. For more information
=> page 256, "Speed rating
(letter code)".
If the engine control unit receives faulty vehicle roadspeed signals,
the Malfun cti on Indicator Light (MIU will illuminate . If this
occurs, contact the nearest authori zed Audi dealer for assistance. _.,
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

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!

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. •

<£> For the sake of th e environm ent
Undeployed airbag modules and pretensioners might be classified
as Perchlorate Material -special handling may apply, see
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate . When the vehicle or
parts of the restraint system including airbag modules and safety
belts with pretensioners are scrapped, all applicable laws and regu­
lations must be observed . Your authorized Audi dealer is familiar
with these requirements and we recommend that you have your dea ler perform this service for you. •
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system can provide supplemental protection
to properly restrained occupants.
Fig. 143 Si de air bag
l oc ation in th e dri ver's
seat
The s ide airbags are located in the s ides of the front seat backrests
=> fig. 143 and the rear backrest * facing the doors. They are identi ­
fied by the word "AIRBAG".
T he sid e air bag sy stem b asica lly co nsis ts of :
• the electronic control module and external side impact sensors
• the two side airbags located in the sides of the front backrests
Safety first
Airb ag sy ste m
• two rear side airbags (as an ordered option)
• the airbag warning light in the instrument cluster.
The airbag system is monitored e lectronically to make certain that
it is functioning properly at all times. Each time you turn on the igni ­
tion, the airbag system indicator light will come on for a few seconds (self diagnostics).
The side airbag system supplements the safety be lts and can help
to reduce the risk of injury to the driver's, front and rear*
passenger's upper torso on the side of the vehicle that is struck in a
side collision . The airbag dep loys on ly in side impacts and only
when the vehic le acceleration registered by the control unit is high
enough . If this rate is below the reference value programmed into
the control unit, the side airbags will not be triggered, even though
the car may be badly damaged as a result of the collision . It is not
possible to define an airbag triggering range that will cover every
possible angle of impact, since the circumstances will vary consid­
erab ly between one collision and another. Important factors
inc lude, for examp le, the nature (hard or soft) of the impacting
object, the angle of impact, vehicle speed, etc.=>
page 163, "Impor ­
tant safety instructions on the side airbag system".
Aside from their normal safety function, safety belts work to help keep the driver or front passenger in posi tion in the event of a side
collision so that the side airbags can provide protection .
The airbag system is
not a substitute for your safety belt. Rather, it
is part of the overall occupant restraint system in your vehicle.
Always remember that the side airbag system can only help to
pro tect you if yo u are wearing your safety belt and wearing it prop ­
erly. This is another reason why you should always wear your safety
belts, not just because the law requires you to do so=>
page 135,
"General notes".
It is important to remember that while the supplemental side airbag
system is designed to reduce the likelihood of serious injuries, other
injuries, for example, swelling, bruising, and minor abrasions can
also be associa ted with deployed side airbags. Remember too, side •
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
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 oi l at the recommended intervals
using only engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW 502 00 (vehicles with gasoline engine) or VW 507 00 (vehicles
with diesel engine). Your Limited New Vehicle Warranty does not
cover damage or malfunctions due to failure to follow recom­
mended 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 the form of Service or Repair Orders that all scheduled
maintenance was performed in a timely manner .•
Engine oil consumption
The engine in your vehicle depends on an adequate
amount of oil to lubricate and cool all of its moving parts.
In order to provide effective lubrication and cooling of interna l
engine components, all internal combustion engines consume a
certain amount of oil. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine
and may change significant ly over the life of the engine. Typically,
engines with a specified break -in period (see=>
page 195) consume
more oil during the break-in period than they consume after oil
consumption has stabilized.
Under normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on
the quality and viscosity of the oil, the RPM (revolutions per minute)
at which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature and road
conditions. Further factors are the amount of oil dilution from water condensation or fuel residue and the oxidation level of the oil. As
any
engine is subject to wear as mileage builds up, the oil consump­
tion may increase over time until replacement of worn components
may become necessary .
With all these variables coming into play, no standard rate of oi l
consumption can be established or specified. There is no alternative
to regular and frequent checking of the oil level, see
Note.
If the yellow engine oil level warning symbol in the instrument
cluster lights up, you should check the oil level as soon as
possible
with the oil dipstick=> page 229. Top off the oi l at your
earliest convenience =>
page 230.
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS
=> &. in "Work ing in the engine
compartment" on
page 224.
0 Note
Driving with an insufficient oil level is likely to cause severe damage
to the engine.
[ i ] Tips
• The oil pressure warning display~ is not an indicator of the 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.
• If you have the impression your engine consumes excessive
amounts of oil, we recommend that you consu lt your authorized
Audi dealer to have the cause of your concern properly diagnosed .
Keep in mind that the accurate measurement of oil consumption
requires great care and may take some time. Your authorized Audi
dealer has instructions about how to measure oil consumption
accurately. •

Tires and wheels -_______________ _____.
Tire service life
The service life of tires depends on a lot of different things
including proper installation and balancing, correct tire
pressure and driving style.
(r
\'"-----JJ
Tread Wear Indicator (TWI)
Fig . 175 Tire tread:
tread wear indicators
(TWI)
Fig . 176 Rotating tires
for more even wear
The original tires on your vehicle have 1/16 inch (1.6 mm) high "wear
indicators":::::, fig. 175 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. Different figures may apply in other countries.:::::,&.
Tire pressure
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 249.
Driving style
Driving fast around curves, heavy acceleration 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
remember the following:
• Tire rotation intervals may differ from the vehicle 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 more tread wear on
the front wheels compared to all-wheel drive (quattro®l .
• Please rotate tires as shown .:::::, fig. 176.
• Extra care must be taken when rotating direction -specific tires
:::::, page 277.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are balanced. However, various situa­
tions during everyday driving can cause them to become unbal ­
anced, resulting in vibrations you can usually feel through the
steering wheel.
Unbalanced wheels must be rebalanced to avoid excessive wear on
steering, suspension and tires. A wheel must also be rebalanced
when a new tire is installed. _,,
Vehicle care I I Technical data