2012 AUDI A3 load capacity

220 Tire s and wheel s
-Only when all tires on the vehicle are fi l­
led to the correct pressure, the tire pres­
sure monitoring system* can work correctly .
- The use of incorrect tire pressure values
can lead to accidents or other damage.
Therefore it is essential that the driver observe the specified tire pressure va lues
for the tires and the co rrect p ressu res fo r
the f unct ion of the tire pressure mo nitor­
ing system*.
- Always inflate t ires to the recommended
and co rrec t tire pressu re before d rivi ng
off.
- Driv ing with under inflated ti res bend
more, lett ing them get too ho t res ulting
in tread separation, sudden t ire fail ure
and loss of control.
- E xcess ive speed and/overloading can
cause heat bui ld -up, sudden t ire fail ure
and loss of control.
- If the tire press ure is too low or too high,
the tires wi ll wear prematu rely and the
vehicle will not hand le we ll.
- If the t ire is no t flat and you do not have
to change a wheel immediate ly, drive at
reduced speed to the nearest service sta­
t ion to check the tire pressure and add
air as required.
Driving without va lve stem caps can cause
damage to the tire va lves. To prevent this,
always make sure that facto ry installed
valve stem caps on all wheels are secure ly
mounted on the valve.
@) For the sake of the environment
Underinf lated tires will a lso increase t he
fue l consumption .
Tires and vehicle load limits
There are limits to the amount of load or
weight that any veh icle and any t ire ca n car ry .
A veh icle that is overloaded w ill not ha ndle
well a nd is more difficult to s top. Over load ing
c a n no t on ly lead to loss of veh icle con tro l, but can also damage important parts of the
vehicle and ca n lead to sudden tire fai lure, in ­
clud ing a b lowout and sudden deflation that
can cause the vehicle to crash.
Your safety an d that of your passengers also
depends on making sure that load limits are
not exceeded . Vehicle load includes everybody
and everything in and on the veh icle. These
load lim its are technically referred to as the
vehicle's
Gro ss Vehicle Weight Rating
("GVWR").
The "GVWR" includes the weight of the basic
vehicle, a ll factory installed accessories, a full
tank of fuel, o il, coolant and other fluids plus
maximum load. The max imum load incl udes
the number of passengers that the vehicle is
i ntended to car ry ("seat ing capac ity ") with an
a ss u med we igh t of 150 lbs (68 kg) for e ach
passenge r at a designated seating posi tion
and the total weight of any luggage in the ve ­
hicle . If you tow a trai ler, the weight of the
trai ler hitch and the tongue weight of the
loaded tra iler must be included as part of the
vehicle load.
T he
G ros s Axle Weight Rating ("GAWR") is
the maximum load that can be applied at each of the vehicle's two axles.
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and the Gross Ax le Weight Rating are listed on the
safety comp liance sticker label located e ither
on the dr iver's s ide B-pillar or on t he ins ide of
the fuel filler flap . Your Audi has 5 sea ting po­
s itions, 2 in the front and 3 in the rear for to ­
tal seating capacity of 5 . Each seat ing pos ition
has a safety belt
q page 113, Safety belts.
The fac t that there is a n upper limit to your
vehicle's G ross Vehicle Weight Rating means
that the total weight of whatever is bei ng car­
ried in the vehicle ( in cl ud ing the weight of a
t ra ile r hi tc h and the tongue we igh t of the
loaded trail er) is lim ite d. T he more p assen­
gers in the vehicle or passengers who are
heavier than the standard weights assumed
mean that less weight can be carried as lug-
gage.
~

222 Tires and wheels
and luggag e loa d cap acit y
c alcul ated in St ep 4.
6 . If your v ehi cle will b e towing
a trail er, load fro m your trail ­
er will b e tr ansferr ed to your
vehi cle. Con sult thi s manual
to determin e how thi s re­
d uces the available cargo
and luggage lo ad capacity of
y our vehicle.
..., Check the tire sidewall
(q page 223, fi g . 171) to de­
termine the d esignated lo ad
rating f or a specific tire.
Tire service life
The service life of tires depends on a lot of
different things including proper installation
and balan cing, correct tire pressure and driv­
ing style.
Fig. 16 9 Tire tread: trea d wea r in di cators (TWI)
fr
Fig. 1 70 Rotat ing t ires for more even wear
Tread Wear Indicator (TWI)
The or ig inal tires on you r vehicle have
1/ 16 inch ( 1.6 mm) hig h "wear indica tors"
c::> fig. 169 ru nning across the tread . Depend­
ing on the ma ke, there will be six to eight of
them even ly placed aro und the tire. Marks on
the tire sidewall (for example "TWI" or other
symbols) ind icate the positions of the tread
wear indica to rs. Wor n tires must be replaced .
Different figures may apply in other countr ies
c::> .&_ .
Tire pressure
Incor rect t ire pressure causes premature wea r
and can cause sudde n tire blow-out . For this
reason, tire pressu re must be checked at least
o nce a month
c::> page 218 .
Driving style
Driving fast around c urves , heavy accelerat ion
and hard braking increase tire wear .
Rotating tires for more even wear
F or all four tires on your ve hicle to have the
same service life, we recomme nd that the
front and rear tires are rotated accord ing to
the tire manufact urer's suggested tire rota­
tion intervals. Please remembe r th e follow­
i ng:
- T ire rotation intervals may differ from the
veh icle service intervals o utli ned in your
Warranty
& M ain tena nce Booklet .
- The longer one tire is used in one location
on t he vehicle, the more it wears at certain
points; the refore , we recommend that you
follow the tire man ufac turer's suggested
tir e rotat ion intervals.
- Vehi cles with front -wheel dr ive experience
more trea d wear on the fro nt wheels com­
pa red to all-wheel d rive (q uattro ®).
- Please rotate tires as shown
c::> fig . 170 .
-Extra care must be taken when rotating di-
rection -spec ific tires
c::> page 241 .
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new ve hicles are balanced .
However, various s ituations during everyday
driv ing ca n cause them to become
...

236 What do I do now?
-After installing the compact spare wheel,
the tire inflation pressure should be
checked and, if necessary, increased to
60 psi (4.2 bar).
- The load carrying capacity is marked on
the tire sidewalls and must not be ex ­
ceeded.
- After installing the compact spare wheel,
make sure that you remount the flat tire
in its storage area properly.
- The compact spare tire should be proper­
ly remounted in its storage area as soon
as the standard road tire can be re­ placed .
- Because the compact spare tire was spe­
cifically designed for your vehicle, it must not be used on any other vehicle .
Likewise, compact spare wheels from
other vehicles must not be used on your
vehicle.
- The compact spare tire must not be
mounted on any other wheels, nor must
standard tires, snow tires, wheel covers
or trim rings be used with the compact
spare wheel. If such use is attempted,
damage to these items or other vehicle
components may occur .
(D Tips
Check the inflation pressure of the com­
pact spare tire (60 psi/4.2 bar) periodically
to keep the tire ready for use.
Wheel change
Before changing a wheel
Observe the following precautions for your
own and your passenger's safety when chang­
ing a wheel .
.. After you experience a tire failure, pull the
car well away from moving traffic and try to
reach
level ground before you stop c:> ,&. .
.. All passengers should leave the car and
move to a safe location (for instance, behind
the guardrail)
c:> _&. .
.. Apply the parking brake firmly c:> _&. .
.. Move selector lever to position Pon an au­
tomatic transmission ; put manual transmis­
sion in
first gear c:> _&..
.. If you are towing a trailer : unhitch the trail­
e r from your vehicle.
.. Take the
tool and the spare tire c:> page 234
out of the luggage compartment .
.&, WARNING
You or your passengers could be injured
while changing a wheel if you do not fol­
low these safety precautions:
- If you have a flat tire, move a safe dis­
tance off the road. Turn off the engine,
turn the emergency flasher on and use
other warning devices to alert other mo­
torists.
- Make sure that passengers wait in a safe place away from the vehicle and well
away from the roadway and traffic .
- To help prevent the vehicle from moving suddenly and possibly slipping off the
jack, always fully set the parking brake
and block the wheel diagonally opposite
the wheel being changed. When one
front wheel is lifted off the ground, plac ­
ing the automatic transmission in "P"
(Park) , or engaging a gear in a manual
transmission will
not prevent the vehicle
from moving.
- Before you change a wheel, be sure the
ground is level and firm. If necessary,
use a sturdy board under the jack.
- After installing the spare wheel, make
sure that you remount the flat tire/wheel
in its storage area properly and tighten
the knurled retaining screw securely.
Changing a wheel
-
When you change a wheel, follow these­
quence described below step-by-step and ex­
actly in that order .
1. Remove the decorative wheel cover*. For
more details see also
c:> page 23 7, Deco­
rative wheel covers
or c:> page 238,
Wheels with cap-covered wheel bolts.

256 Genera l inform ation
Gro ss Axl e Weight Rating
The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maxim um
l oad that can be applied at each axle of the
vehicle ~&. .
Vehicle capacity weight
The vehicle capac ity we ight (max . load) is list ­
ed eithe r on the dr iver's side B-pillar o r inside
the fuel filler flap.
Roof weight
The maximum perm iss ible roof we ight is 165
lb (75 kg ). The roof we ight is made up of the
weight of the roof ra ck system and the weight
of the object bei ng transpo rted
~ page 73 ,
Loading the roof rack .
A WARNING
- The actual Gross Axle Weight Rating at
the front and rear axles sho uld not ex­
ceed the perm iss ib le weights, and their
combination must not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rat ing .
- Exceeding permissib le we ight ratings can
result in vehicle damage, accidents and
personal in jury.
(D Note
- The vehicle capacity weight figures app ly
when the load is distrib uted evenly in the
vehicle (passengers and luggage) . When
transporting a heavy load in the luggage
compartment , carry the load as nea r to
the rea r axle as possib le so that the vehi­
cle's handling is not impa ired .
- Do not exceed the maximum permissible
axl e loads or the max imum g ross vehicl e
weig ht. Always remembe r that the vehi­
cl e's handling will be affected by the ex­
tra load . Therefore, adjust your speed ac­
cordingly.
- Alw ays obse rve lo cal regulations.
Dimensions
-
The spe cifica tions refer to the basi c model.
D ifferen ces may oc cur depe nding on the mod- el type and options orde
red , fo r example , tire
siz es.
(D Note
When dr iv ing up steep ramps, on rough
r oads, over curbs, etc. it is important to re ­
member that some pa rts of your vehicle,
such as spo ile rs or exhaust system compo­
nents, may be close to the ground . Be
careful not to damage them .

Fastening
Booster seats .... ..... ... .. .. .. ... 151
Convertible ch ild safety seats ... .. .. . 149
Infant seat s ............. .... .. ... 148
F astening eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Flat t ire
Changing .. ................ ... ... 236
F loor mats . .. ............. .... .. ... 108
F og lights, fro nt ........... .... .. .. .. 49
Folding master key w ith remote contro l . . 34
F oot pedals . ... .... .... ... .. .. .. ... 108
F or the sake of the environment
Gasoline fumes and the envi ronment . . 19 2
L e tting you r engine w arm up . .. .. .. .. 90
Reducing engine noise by upsh ifting ear -
ly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 0, 11
Refueling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Saving fue l by upshift ing early . . . . 10, 11
Using the rear w indow defogger . .. .. .. 85
Fr ont airbags
Descr ipt ion .... .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... 126
How they work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Fr onta l co llisions and t he laws of physics 1 14
Front seats .. ............. .... .. .... 61
Adjusting .. ................ ... ... 105
Adjust ing the manual seats . .. .. .. .. .. 62
C hi ld restra ints in the front seat . .. .. . 123
H eated seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Fue l
Current fuel mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
F uel gauge .... .. .. ...... .. .. .. .. .. 12
Fue l supp ly too low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1
Fue l economy messages (eff iciency pro-
gram) . .... .. .. ............. .. .. .... 29
F ue l filler f lap
Un lock ing the fue l filler f lap by hand .. 193
F ue l gauge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Fue l range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
F ue l supp ly
A dditives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Blended gasoline . ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 189
F ue l filler neck ........... .... .. .. . 191
Fue l gauge . ............. .... .. .... 12
Fue l tank capac ity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 191
Gasoline . ............ ...... .... .. 189
Gasoline additives . ....... .. .. .. .. . 190
Octane rating ............ .... .. .. . 189
Inde x 269
Recommendation ... . .. ..... ... .. .. 189
Ref uell ing ... .. .... . ... ...... ... .. 192
U nlocking the fuel f iller flap by hand 193
Fuel tank Capaci ty .. .. .. .. ................. 191
Capacity (gallons/liters) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Fuse a rra ngeme nt ................. . 244
Fuses Rep lacing . .. .. .. .. ............... 243
G
Gas discharge lamps . .. ... .... ... .. .. 246
Ga uges
E ngine cool ant tempe ratu re . . . . . . . . . . 11
F uel ga uge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Speedometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Tachometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Tr ip odometer . .. ................. . 12
Gear recommend ation .. ......... .. .. . 24
Gearshift indicator ................. .. 24
Gearshift leve r .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 96
General illustration
Instr uments and controls ....... .. .. .. 8
Generator Warning/ind icator lights ........... .. 16
G lossary of tire and loading terminology 213
G love compa rtme nt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
CD-ch anger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Li ght ... .. .. .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 51
G low plug system
Ind icator light .... ............... .. 20
Warning light .. .. ... ............ .. . 20
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) . .. 255
H
Head lights . .. .. .. ................. . 47
defective . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Front fog lights .. .. ........... .... . 49
Switch ing off .. .. .. . .. .... .... .. .. . 47
Switching on ..... .. ..... ........... 47
Xenon headlights . .. . .. ....... ... .. . 4 7
Head restrai nts .. .. ................. 107
Adjusting ... .. ...... ............. 107
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
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----------------------------~I~n ~d ~e ~x 273
Remote control ..... .... ... .. .. .. .... 35
Resetting r emote control . ... .. .. .. .. 38
Un lock ing and locking .. ... .. .. .. .. .. 37
Remote master key Battery replacement ................ 35
Check light ..... .. .... ... .. .. .. .... 35
Repa ir manuals ..................... 259
Repairs Airbag system .................... 135
Replacing Wheel rims
... ... ..... ... .. .. .. ... 223
Replacing a sound system ........... . 262
Replacing light bulbs ............... . 246
Replacing tires and whee ls ... .. .. .. .. . 224
Replacing w indshield wiper blades ...... 57
Report ing Safety Defects . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 1
Reset b utton . ............. .. .. .. .. .. 12
Resett ing remote control .............. 38
Retractor
' . .. .... ...... ... .. .. .. .. . 1 16
Reverse Automatic t ransmission .. .. .. .. .. 97
R ims
Cast alloy .. ............. .... .. .. . 182
Replacing ........................ 223
Steel rims ................ ...... .. 182
Roof rack Attac hment points with separate roof
rack system ............. .... .. .... 72
Loading ........................... 73
M ou nti ng loca tions ......... .. .. .. .. 73
Safe mounting .......... .... ... .. .. 7 1
Roof weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
s
SAFE · .. · . .. .. .... .. .... ... .. .. .... 12
Safe d riving hab its .................. 103
Safety belt position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Safety belt he ight adjustment .. .. .. . 119
Safety belts worn by p regnant women . 118
Safety belt pretens ioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Service and disposal ............... 120
Safety belts .. .... ......... .... .. .. . 116
cleaning ... ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... 187
Danger to passengers who do not wear a
safety belt ... .. .. .... ... .. .. .. ... 114
Fastening .. .. ........... .. .. .. ... 116 height adjustment .
.. .. ..... ... .. .. 119
Improper ly worn ... . ... .... ... .. .. 119
Not worn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Safety belt pos ition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Safety instructions .... ............. 116
Securing child safety seats .......... 152
Spec ial considerations for pregnant
women .......................... 118
Un fastening . .. .. .. . .............. 118
W arning/ind icator light ............. 113
Why YOU MUSTwearthem ... .. 113,11 4
Wor n properly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Safety be lt warning light . . . . . . . . . 16, 113
Safety compliance sticker ........ .. .. 255
S afety equipme nt .. ................. 103
Safety features for occupant restraint and
protection .. ... .... ................ 103
Safety gu idelines
Seat adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Safe ty instr uctions
Engine compartment . ... .... ... .. .. 194
for side c urtain airbags . ..... ... .. .. 142
for using child safety seats .......... 146
for using safety belts ............... 116
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag Sys-
tem ............................. 135
Safety lock Ign it ion key, automatic transmission 89
Seat adjus tment
Drive r's sea t ... .. .... ............. . 61
F ront passenger's seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Front seats . ..... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 61
Head restraints
.. .. .. .. .... ... .. .. 107
Head restraints, front seat ........... 65
Lumbar support .. .. ........... .... . 64
Manua l controls .. .. . .. .. ..... ... .. . 62
Manual seats ...................... 62
Power s eat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Seat be lts
WhyYOU MUSTwearthem ..... 113,114
also refer to Safety be lts .. ..... ... .. 113
Seating capacity ...... .. ..... ... .. .. 113
Seating position Drive r ........................... 104
F ron t passenger .. ............. .... 105
How to ad just the front seats . ... .. .. 105
Incorrect seat position ... .... ... .. .. 107
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