158 Driving and en vi ro nm ent
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 dam
aged.
This is especially true for vehicles with low
slung chassis (sports chassis) and fully loaded
vehicles .
Driving through water
on roads
Note the following to avoid vehicle damage
when driving through water, for example on
flooded roads:
- T he water must not be any highe r tha n the
bottom of the vehicle body.
- Do not d rive faster than wa lking speed.
_& WARNING
After d riving through wate r, m ud, slush,
etc., the brakes may be slow to take effect
because o f wet brake rotors and pads . Dry
the brakes first by braking carefully to re
store the full braking effect.
(]) Note
Vehicle components such as the engine,
transmiss ion, suspension or electrical sys
tem can be severely damaged by driving
through water.
- Check the depth of the water before driv
ing through it.
- Do not stop the veh icle, drive in reverse
or switch the engine
off when driving
through water.
- Keep in mind that oncoming vehicles may create waves that raise the water
level and make it too deep for your vehi
cle to drive through safely.
- Avoid driving thro ugh salt water because
it can ca use corrosion.
-
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission con
trol system (catalytic converter) is function
ing properly to ensure that your vehicle is run
ning in an environmentally sound manner.
.. Always use lead-free gasoline ¢ page 17 4,
Fuel supply .
.. Never run the tank down all the way to emp
ty.
.. Never put too much motor o il in your eng ine
r::;> page 183, Adding engine oil~-
.. Never try to p ush- or tow-sta rt your vehicle.
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean
up" dev ice built into the exhaust system of
t h e vehicle. The cata lytic conve rter bu rns
many of the pollutants in the exha ust gas be
f ore they are re leased into the atmosphere.
T he exclusive use of unleaded fuel is critically
impor tant for the life of the catalyt ic convert
er and prope r funct ion ing of the engine.
A WARNING
- Do not park or operate the vehicle in
areas where the hot exha ust system may
come in contact with dry grass, brush,
fue l spill or other material wh ich can
cause a fire.
- Do not app ly additiona l undercoating or
rustproofing on or near the exhaust
manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic con
verter or heat sh ields. Dur ing driv ing, the
substance used fo r undercoating could
overheat and cause a fire.
(D Note
- Be aware that just one tank filling with
leaded fuel will already ser iously de-
grade the performance of the catalytic
converter .
- Do not exceed the correct engine oil level
¢page 183.
-Do not drive until the fuel tank becomes
completely empty . The engine could mis-
fire. Unburned fuel could also get into ..,.
the exhaust system and this could cause
the catalytic converter to overheat.
- Do not turn off the ignition while the ve
hicle is moving .
- Do not con tinue to operate yo ur vehicle
under these conditions, as otherwise fuel
can reac h the cata lytic converter . This
could result in overheating of the con
verter, requ iring its replacement.
- To assure efficient operation of the Emis
sion Control System:
- Have your veh icle ma inta ined properly
and in acco rdance with the service rec
ommendations in your Wa rranty
&
Ma intenance booklet.
- La ck of proper maintenance as well as
improper use of the vehicle will impa ir
t he funct ion of the emission control
system and cou ld lead to damage.
@ For the sake of the environment
Even when the Emission Contro l System is
operating p roperly, t he exhaus t gas can
have a s ulfu r- like exhaust gas smell under
some operating states. This depends on
the s ulfur content o f the fue l being used.
Using a different brand of fuel may help,
or filling the tank w ith lead-free super
grade gasoline .
Operate your vehicle
economically and
minimize pollution
General
Your personal style of driving will determine
the economy of your vehicle, as well as ex
haust and noise levels .
Fuel economy, environmental impact, and
wear on your engine, brakes and t ires largely
depend on three factors :
- your persona l driving style
- operating conditions
- technical lim itations
I f you anticipate w hat you need to do nex t and
d rive economically, you can eas ily cut your
Dri vin g and en vironm ent 159
fuel consumption by 10 -15 percent. This sec
tion w ill give yo u some tips on how you can
help the env ironment and your pocketbook .
(D Tips
The cons umption estimates as publishe d
by ENVIRONME NTAL PROTEC TION AGENCY
(EPA) and Transport Canada may not corre
spond to your actual consumption on the road, which will vary depending upon vehi
cle load and speed, road and weather con
dit ions, trip length, etc.
Drive smoothly and keep a lookout
ahead
Vehicles use the most fuel when they are ac
celerating.
Avoid unnecessary accelerat ing and braking .
Vehicles use the most fuel when they are ac
ce lerat ing . If you anticipate what is going to
happe n next, you will need to brake less and,
th us, accele rate less . Let the vehicle coast
whenever possible -for examp le when you see
that the next t raff ic 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 lerat ing gently reduces fue l consump
tion, eng ine wear, and does not disturb the
environment.
Fuel consumpt ion, exhaust emiss ions and en
gine noise increase disproportionately at high
speeds. If you drive at app roximately three
quarte rs of top speed, fuel consumption w ill
be reduced by one half. Nev er drive faster
t h an the posted speed limit and weathe r con
ditions perm it.
•
•
174 Fuel supply and filli ng your fuel tank
Fuel supply and filling
your fuel tank
Gasoline
Fuel supply
Using the right fuel helps keep the environ
ment clean and prevents engine damage .
Fuel recomm endation
The fuel recommended for your vehicle is un
lead ed pr emium
grade gasoline . See also
¢ page 239, Data . Audi recommends using
TOP TIER Detergent Gasol ine with a minimum
octane rating of 91 AK I (95 RON). For more
information on TOP TI ER Detergent Gasoline,
p lease go to the officia l website (www.toptier
gas.com).
The recommended gasoline octane rating for
your engine can a lso be found on a label locat
ed on the inside of the fuel filler flap . This rat
ing may be specified as AKI or RON.
Your veh icle may also be operated using un
leaded regular gasoline with a minimum oc
tane rating of 87 AKI/91 RON . However, using
87 AKI/91 RON octane fue l wi ll slightly re
duce engine performance.
U se unl ead ed gasolin e onl y. Unleaded gaso
line is available throughout the USA, Canada ,
and in most European countries . We recom
mend that you do not take your vehicle to
areas or countries where unleaded gasoline may not be available.
F or more informat ion on refue ling your vehi
cle, see
¢ page 175.
Octane rat ing
Octane rating ind icates a gasoline's ability to
resist engine damaging "knock" caused by
premature ign ition and detonation. Therefore,
buying the correct grade of gasoline is very
important to help prevent possible engine
damage and a loss of engine performance.
Gasoline most commonly used in the United
States and Canada has the following octane ratings that can us
ually be found on the fi ller
pump:
- Premium Grade: 91 -96 AKI
- Regular Grade: 87 - 90 AKI Explanation of the abbreviations:
AKI = Anti Knock Index = (R+M)/2 = (RON
+ MON)/2
RON= Research Octane Number
MON = Motor Octane Number .
(D Note
-Do not use any fuel w ith octane rat ings
lower than 87 AKI or 91 RON otherwise
expensive engine damage w ill occur.
- Do
not use leaded gasoline! The use of
leaded gasoline w ill severely damage
your vehicle's catalytic converter and its
ability to control exhaust emissions .
Blended gasoline
Use of gaso line co ntainin g alc ohol or
MTBE (m ethyl tertia ry butyl eth er)
You may use unleaded gasoline blended with
alcohol or MTBE (commonly referred to as
oxygenates) if the blended mixture meets the
fo llowing criteria:
Blend of gaso line m ethanol (wood alc ohol or
methyl alcohol )
-Anti -knoc k index must be 87 A KI or h igher.
- Blend must contain no more than 3% meth-
anol.
- Blend must contain more than 2% co-sol-
vents .
Blend of g asoline and etha nol (gra in alcohol
or eth yl alcohol )
-Anti -knock index must be 87 AKI or higher .
- Blend must not contain more than 10% ethanol.
Blend of g asoline a nd MTBE
-Anti-knock index must be 87 AKI or h igher . ll-
1 76 Fuel supply and filling your fuel tank
transport fuel to use for your lawn mower,
snow blower, etc., be very careful and al
ways observe local and state laws regard
ing the use, transportation and storage of
such fuel containers. Make certain the con
tainer meets industry standards (ANSI/
ASTM F852 - 86).
(D Note
Never drive your vehicle until the fuel tank
is completely dry. The irregular supply of
fuel can cause misfiring. Gasoline could
enter into the exhaust system and damage
the catalytic converter.
Refuelling
Fig. 132 Driver's door: Un locking fuel filler flap
Fig. 133 Fuel cap hooked on the opened fue l filler flap
When adding fue l, the ignition and any ce llu
lar phones in the vehicle must be switched
off .
Taking the fuel cap off
• To open the fuel filler flap, pull the button
9fig. 132.
• Unscrew fuel filler cap counter-clockwise
and hang it on the fuel filter flap¢
fig. 133 .
Refuelling procedure
• Insert the fuel nozzle from the gasoline
pump into the fuel filler neck as far as it will
go.
• Select a medium refuelling rate so that the
nozzle switches off automatically when the
tank is full.
Putting the fuel cap back on
• After filling your tank, twist the fuel filter
cap clockwise until you hear a definite click.
• Close the fuel filler flap.
To avoid fuel spilling or evaporating from the
fuel tank always close fuel filler cap properly and completely. An improperly closed fuel fill
er cap may also cause the MIL lamp¢
page 28
to come on.
A WARNING
Improper refueling or handling of fuel can
cause fire, explosion and severe burns.
- Fue l is highly flammable and can cause
severe burns and other injuries.
- Failure to shut the engine off while refu
eling and/or to insert the pump nozzle
fully into the fuel filter neck could cause
fuel to spray out of filler neck or to over
flow. Fuel spray and overflowing fuel can
cause a fire.
- Never use a cellular telephone while re
fueling. The electromagnetic radiation
can cause sparks that can ignite fuel va
pors and cause a fire.
- Never get back into your vehicle while re
fueling.
If in exceptional circumstances
you must get back in your vehicle while
refueling, make certain that you close
the door and touch metal to discharge
static electricity before touching the fill
er nozzle again. Static electricity can
cause sparks that can ignite fuel vapors
released during refueling .
- Never smoke or have an open flame any
where in or near your vehicle when refu
eling or filling a portable fuel container.
246 Index
Auto Safety Hotline ............ .... . 105
Average fuel mileage ........... .. .... 20
Average speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Avoid damaging the vehicle ...... .... . 158
B
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188, 191
Charging . .. ............. .. .. .. .. . 192
Check ing battery acid level ..... .... . 191
Connecting ............... ... .... . 188
Disconnecting ............... .... . 188
Important warnings when working on
the battery .................. .... .
190
Low . .. .. .. ............. .. .. .. ... 155
Replacing the battery .............. 189
State of charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
W inter operation ............... ... 188
Working on the battery ............. 190
Battery voltage ................ .... .. 33
Before driving .............. ... .... . .
Blended gasoline ..... ..... .. .. .. .. .
Body cavity sealing
Booster seats
Brake fluid 98
174
168
143
Changing the brake fluid ....... .. ... 188
Checking the brake fluid level .... .... 187
What is the correct brake flu id level? .. 187
What should I do if the brake fluid warn-
ing light comes on? ................
187
Brake fluid reservoir ......... ... .. .. . 187
Brake system ............... ... .... . 187
Anti-lock brake system ............. . 17
Brake Assistant .......... .. .. .... . 153
Brake fluid .................. ..... 187
Brake fluid spec ificat ions for refill and re-
placement .... .. ... ..... .. .. .. .. .
188
Brake light defective ................ 33
Brake pads .............. .... .... . 157
General information ............... 151
How does the moisture or road sa lt affect
the brakes? ............... ... .... .
151
Malfunction .............. ... .... . . 30
Warning/indicator lights ..... .. .. .. . . 16
Worn brake pads symbol ... .. .. .... .. 32
Break-in period .............. .. .... . 157
Brake pads ............... ... .... . 157
Tires .... .. ................ ..... . 157
Bulbs ..... ..... .. ............. .... 230
C
Cal iforn ia Proposition 65 Warn ing . ... .
Battery specific . ................. .
Capacities .. .. .. .. .. ...... ..... .. . . 179
191
239
Car care ... ..... .. ............. .... 162
Interior ..... .. .. ................. 168
Plastic and vinyl ................... 166
Weatherstrips 167
Care of exterior .... ................ . 162
Cargo area
refer to Luggage compartment ....... 103
Catalytic converter .................. 158
CD changer ..... .. .................. 73
Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Changing a flat tire .................. 222
Changing engine oil ............... .. 184
Chassis
Undercoating .. .. ... .... ...... .. ..
168
also refer to Audi magnetic r ide .. .. .. . 86
Checking
Battery acid level .................. 191
Engine coolant level ................ 185
Checking tire pressure .............. . 200
Child restraint
Danger of using child restraints in the
front seat . ................... ....
116
Child restraints
Where can I get additional information
about child restraints and the ir use? ..
147
Child safety . ....................... 136
Convertible locking retractor ......... 144
Important safety instructions for using
ch ild safety seats .... .... ...... .. ..
139
Important things to know when driving
with children .....................
136
Child safety seat .................... 141
Convertible locking retractor . .. ..... . 144
Installing ... .. .. ....... ...... .. .. 144
Child safety seats
Booster seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
143
Convertible child seats ............. 142
How do I properly install a child safety
· h' l ? 139 seat in my ve 1c e ...... ........... .
248 Index
Dipstick
Reading the dipstick prop erly ..... .. . 183
Distance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Driver information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Dr iver info rmation system
M enu button . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
M enu display .............. .. .... .. 21
Open door or front lid warning .. .... .. 19
Outside temperature display .. .. .. .... 19
Red symbols ....................... 29
Service interval d isplay ......... ..... 24
Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Sound system display ..... .. .. .. .. . . 19
Trip computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
ye llow symbo ls ........... .... .... .. 29
Driver seat
refer to Seat ing pos ition ........ ..... 99
Driving Run-flat tires ............ .. .. .... . 216
Driving saf ely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Driving through water ....... .... .... 158
Duplicate key .............. ... .... .. 35
Dust filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
E
Efficiency program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Fu el economy messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Memory levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Other equipmen t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Elapsed time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Electro-mechanical power assist . . . 18, 153
El ect ronic different ial lock (EDL)
How the system works ..... .. .. .. .. . 149
Warning/indicator lights ....... .... .. 17
E lect ronic immobilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 36
Electronic power control
EPC warning/indicator light .. .. .. .... 14
El ect ronic speed limiter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Electronic Stability Program ...... .... 148
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) Warning/indicator lights ... .. .. .... .. 15
Emergency flasher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Warning/indicator lights ....... .... . . 15
Emer gency locking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Emergency
operation
Convertible top .. .................. 49
Rear lid ... .. .. .. .. .............. .. 42
Emergency starting ............. .. .. 231
Emergency towing . ................ . 233
Energy management ................ 155
Battery power ... ................. 156
Driver notification ................. 156
Engine Check ing and filling locations ..... ... 180
Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Hood ......... .. .. .............. . 178
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80, 81
Starting with jumper cables ..... .... 231
Stopping .. .. .. .. .. ........... .... . 82
Eng ine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Safety instructions ................ . 178
Working in the engine compartment 178
Engine coolant system
Malfunction ... .. .................. 31
Radiator fan ..... ................. 187
T em perature gauge ............ .... . 11
Engine cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Adding coolant . .. ............. .. .. 186
Checking the engine coolant level ... .. 185
Engine data ..... ................... 239
Engine hood Closing ... .... ................... 178
How to release the hood ............ 178
Engin e oil . ..... .. .. .............. . 180
Adding ....... .. ............. .... 183
Additives . ..... .. .. .............. . 183
Changing . .... .. ............. .... 184
Checking the engine oil level ..... .... 183
Indications and conditions requiring ex-
tra checking ..... ................ . 183
Oil consumpt io n .. .. ..... ........ .. 182
Oil grades . .. .. .. ............. .. .. 180
Recommended oil check intervals ... .. 183
Specification and viscosity ........... 180
Engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Engine oil pressure (malfunction) ... ... . 31
Engine oil sensor defective . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Engine speed limitation .............. . 33
Environm ent
Break-in period ... ............. .... 157
Catalytic converter ................ . 158