2016 AUDI A3 coolant level

Instrumen ts and ind icator ligh ts
Instruments and indicator Lights
Instruments
Instrument cluster overview
The instrument cluster is the central information center for the driver.
Fig. 3 Instrument cluster overv iew
Plug-in hybrid drive*: the instrument cluster var­
ies:
~ page 101
CD Tachometer with indicator lights
- with
OFF status ind icator .... .
- with
READ Y status indicator .. .
@ Coolant temperatu re indicato r* or
Boost* (boost pressure ind icator)
@ Turn signal indicator lights
@ Display 11
80,82
80,82
1 2,30
- Indicator lights or . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
- Drive r informat ion system . . . . . 28
- Date and time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
- Mileage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
- Service interva l display . . . . . . . 252
® Speedome ter w ith ind icator lights
® Fuel level ...... ........... .. .
0 D isp lay for : centra l indicator light
or system displays ............ .
@ Trip odometer reset button 10.01
{D) Tips
12
13
11
The needles in the instrume nt cluster ill umi­
nate when the ign ition is swi tched o n. The di ­
als a lso illuminate when the lights are switch-
10
ed on. The instrument illumination dims au­
tomatica lly as the amount of light outside de­
creases. This helps to rem ind t he driver to
turn the head lights on as it becomes dar ker
outside.
Setting the time/date
Fig. 4 Instrument cluster : time and date
The date, time of day, time and date format can
be set in the MMI. Refer to the MMI owner's
manua l for instructions.
i 0 > a) m

Instruments and indicator lights
(+S °C), a snowflake symbol appears in front of
the temperature display.
If your vehicle is stationary or if you are driving at
very low speeds, the temperature displayed may
be slightly higher than the actual temperature
outside due to the heat radiating from the en­
gine.
A WARNING
Do not assume the roads are free of ice based
on the outside temperature display . Be aware
that there may be ice on roads even when the
outside temperature is around 41 °F (+S
0
()
and that ice can increase the risk of accidents .
@ Tips
You can change the measurement units, for
example for temperature or speed, in the
MMI.
Fuel level
The display @ q page 10, fig. 3 only works when
the ignition is switched on. When the display has reached the reserve mark, the bottom LED will
turn red and the
tj] indicator light turns on
q page 24. Th e bottom LED blinks red when
the fuel level is very low.
The on-board computer shows the range based
on the fuel level~
page 29, On-board comput­
er display.
For the tank capacity in your vehicle , refer to the
Technical Data
qpoge 303.
(D Note
Never drive until the tank is completely emp­
ty . The irregular supply of fuel that results
from that can cause engine misfires . Uncom­
busted fuel will then enter the exhaust sys­
tem. This can cause overheating and damage
to the catalytic converter.
Coolant temperature indicator
In vehicles without a coolant temperature indica­
t or, an indicator light . will turn on when the
12
coolant temperature is too high q page 20. Re­
fer to
q 0 .
The coolant temperature indicator @ q page 10,
fig. 3
only works when the ignition is switched
on. To prevent engine damage, please observe
the following notes about the temperature rang­
es .
Cold range
If only the LEDs at the bottom of the gauge turn
on, the engine has not reached operating tem­
perature yet. Avoid high engine speeds, full ac­
ce lerating and heavy engine loads.
Normal range
The engine has reached its operating tempera­
ture once the LEDs up to the center of the gauge
turn on under normal driving conditions. The
LEDs higher up may turn on if the engine is under
heavy load or the outside temperature is high.
T his is no cause for concern as long as the. in­
dicator light in the instrument cluster does not
turn on.
Hot range
If the LEDs in the upper area of the display and
the . indicator light in the instrument cluster
display turn on, the coolant temperature is too
high
q page 20 .
A WARNING
-Never open the hood if you can see or hear
steam or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment . This increases the risk of
burns . Wait until you no longer see or hear
steam or coolant escaping.
- The engine compartment in any vehicle can
be a dangerous area. Stop the engine and
allow it to cool before working in the engine
compartment. Always follow the informa­
tion found in¢
page 236, Working in the
engine comportment.
([) Note
-In vehicles with a boost pressure indicator*,
this indicator replaces the temperature dis­
play. To promote a long engine service life,
avoiding high engine speeds, full

Instruments and indicator lights
If the indicator light blinks and the message ap­
pears, there is not enough braking power to se­
cure the vehicle. The brakes have overheated. The
veh icle could roll away even on a small incline.
11J;J:t :);J;1:0 (USA models) / ¢@'A Parking b rake is applied
If this message appears, press the brake pedal
first and then release the parking brake if neces­
sary .
{D) Tips
For additional information on the parking
brake, refer to¢
page 85.
-L Cooling system
• Switch off engine and check coolant level!
• Park vehicle and check coolant level!
The coolant level is too low.
Do not continue driving and switch the engine
off.
Plug-in hybrid drive *: refer to
c!;> page 108.
Check the coolant leve l¢ page 244.
- If the coolant level is too low, add coolant
¢
page 245. Only cont inue driving once the in­
dicator light turns off.
• Coolant temperature too high! Let engine
run with vehicle stationary
Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to
coo l off, until the indicator light turns off.
- If the indicator light does not turn off, do not
continue driving the vehicle. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized A udi Service Faci lity
for assistance.
A WARNING
- Never open the hood if you can see or hear
steam or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. This inc reases the risk of
burns. Wait until you no longer see or hea r
steam or coolant escaping.
- The engine compartment in any veh icle can
be a dangerous area. Stop the engine and
20
allow it to cool befo re working in the engine
compartment. Always follow the informa­
tion found in ¢
page 236, Working in the
engine compartment .
Cl) Note
Do not continue driving if the . indicator
light turns on -this increases the risk of en­
gine damage.
"l=7: Engine oil pressure
• Switch off engine! Oil pressure too low
Stop the engine and do not continue driving.
Check the eng ine oil level¢
page 242.
-If the eng ine oi l level is too low, add engine oil
¢
page 240. Only continue driving once the in­
dicator light turns off .
- If the engine oi l level is correct and the indica­
tor ligh t still turns on, turn the engine off and
do not cont inue driving. See an authorized Aud i
dea ler or authorized Audi Service Facility for as­
sistance .
(D Tips
The oil pressure warning is not an oil level in­
dicator. Always check the oil level regularly.
D Alternator/battery
• Alternator fault : battery is not being charg­
ed
There is a ma lfunction in the a lternator or the ve­
hicle electrical system.
Drive to an authorized A udi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility immediate ly. Because the ve­
hicle battery is dra ining, turn off all unnecessary
electrical equ ipment such as the MMI. See your
authorized Aud i dealer or authorized Audi Serv ice
Facil ity if the battery cha rge level is too low.
(•) Low battery charge: Battery will be charged
while driving
The starting ability may be impaired .
If this message turns off after a litt le whi le, t he
battery ch a rged enough while driv ing.
liJJ,

e-tron
overhangs, carports or similar structures . Switch
the ignition
off. Have the problem corrected by
an author ized Audi dealer or authorized A udi
Serv ice Facility .
• Elec tric s ystem: o verheated. Safel y park ve­
hicle and check coo lant
The coolan t leve l is too low or the coolant tem ­
pera ture is too high .
S top the vehicle in the outdoo rs as soon as it is
safe ly possible . Switch the ignition off.
Read the important safety precautions ¢.&.
in
Coolant on page 109 and check the coolant level
¢page 108.
If the coolant level is OK, the malfunction may be
caused by the system overheating . Let the vehi­
cle's electric drive system cool down for some
time .
If the message turns
off after cooling down and
sw itching the ign ition back on, you ca n continue
driving. Contact an author ized Audi dealer or au­
thor ized A udi Se rvice Facility immed iate ly to have
the ma lf u nction co rrected.
If the indicator lig ht stays on, contact an author­
ized A ud i dealer or authorized Aud i Serv ice Faci li­
ty .
Bil Drive system : sys tem fault! Pleas e contact
work shop
There is a malfunction in the plug-in hybrid sys ­
tem. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au­
thor ized Audi Service Facility immediate ly to have
the ma lfunction corrected .
II Drive sy stem: system fault! Restart not po s·
sible. Ple ase contact wo rkshop
There is a mal func tion in the plug -in hybrid sys­
tem . Do not open the engine compartment lid .
Drive to an a uth orized Aud i dea le r or authorized
Aud i Serv ice Facility immediately to have the
malfunct io n corrected.
II Batter y temperature too low . Engine start
not possible . See owner's manual
The outside temperature is too low. The vehicle
can no longer start at temperat ures below -18 °F
102
(- 28 °C) . Contact your author ized Audi dealer or
autho rized Audi Service Facility.
POWER LIMIT Warning! Limited power
If the indicator l ight turns on and this message
appears , there may be an engine cont rol mal­
funct ion. The
(m ind icator light in t he instr u­
ment clus ter a lso turns on. The e ng ine o utput is
reduced. Dr ive to an a utho rized Audi dea ler or
autho rized Audi Service Facility immedia tely to
have the malfunction corrected.
II e -tron mode : EV curr ently unavailable
This message appears w hen the 1-,$ 1 button is
pressed and the conditions for e lectric drive
mode are no t me t.
IIJ Vehicle sound: malfunction! Pedestrians
cannot h ear vehicle. P lease contact Service
if the indicator light t urns on and this message
appears, pedestrians and bicyclists can no longer
hear the vehicle when it is driving in electric
mode. Turn off the veh icle and switch to dr iv ing
with the gasoline e ngine . To activate the gasoli ne
engine, select the
Charge batt ery mode
¢page 103 with the kl"I button. Drive to a n au­
tho rized Audi dea le r or a uthorized Audi Service
Facility immediate ly to have the malfunction cor ­
rected.
Range display
Applies to vehicles: wit h pl ug-in hy brid drive
Fig. 89 Ins trument cluster example image: range disp lay
The range can be d isplayed in the on -board com­
p uter ¢
page 29.
Depend ing o n the selected p lug-in hybrid mode,
the d isp lay disp lays the follow ing informa tion:
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Additional information about the vehicle tool kit may be found under
c::, page 280 and informa­
tion about the tire mobility kit under
c:> poge281 .
(D Tips
The vehicle must not be operated without the
tire repair set.
Vehicle transport
Applies to veh icles: w ith plug- in hybrid drive
The following contains information you should
know about transporting your vehicle.
The MQB-A lithium-ion battery system equipped
in your vehicle is composed of SANYO 12 U F 261
591 type batteries and has it passed test 38.3 in
accordance with the UN Tests and Criteria hand­ book. The vehicle may be transported with the
battery installed as conventional class 9 hazard­
ous materials without additional offic ial consent
for air and sea transportation (current law ICAO­
TI and IMDG-Code 01.01.2012) .
Jump starting and 12 volt battery
Applies to veh icles: with plug -in hybrid drive
Fig. 96 Engine compartment: connectors for a charger and
j ump start cables
The vehicle is equipped with one 12 vo lt battery
and one high-voltage battery.
If the 12 volt battery is drained, it can be charged
with a charger or you can jump start the vehicle
using another vehicle battery in the same way as
a conventional vehicle .
Note the information on charging the battery
¢
page 249 and for jump starting the vehicle
c:>poge297 .
108
.,. Open the hood¢ page 23 7.
.,. Remove the fuse box cover @ to access the
positive terminal
0 c::> page 239.
.,. Clamp the terminal clamps from the charging
device or jump start cable to the positive termi­
nal
0 and to the body ground point 0-
(D Note
You must not give a jump start with your vehi­
cle. This could cause s ignificant damage to
the electrical system in your veh icle.
Coolant
App lies to vehicles: with plug-in hybrid drive
Fig. 97 Engine compartme nt: coolant expa nsion tank
Your vehicle has two coolant expansion tanks
that are separate from each other:
@ : expansion tank for gasoline engine and elec­
tric motor.
@ : expansion tank for the high-voltage area .
The expansion tank@ must not be opened
c:>&_ .
.,. Switch the ignition off .
.,. Open the hood
c:> poge 237.
...
.,. Always check the coolant level in both coolant
expansion tanks @ and @ using the outer
markings.
.,. When you fill coolant in the expansion tank@,
please refer to
c::> page 244, Cooling system.
.,. Do not drive any farther if the expansion tank
@ is missing coolant. Contact an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately ¢&_ . ..,.

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,&_ WARNING
-Read and follow t he warn ings in
¢ page 236, Working in the engine com­
partment
before open ing the hood and
check ing t he coolant level.
- The expansion tank @ may only be opened
and filled by an a uthorized Aud i dea ler or
authorized Aud i Service Fac ility.
- Coo la nt can enter the inside of the battery
when f illing the expansion tank @ and
cause a short c ircuit, which inc reases the
risk of fi re .
Refueling
Opening the fuel filler flap
Appl ies to vehicles: with plug- in hybrid drive
Fig. 9 8 Driver 's doo r: button il
The ta nk sys tem must be ve nted be for e refueling
.. Pull on the
Iii switch.
.. The fue l filler door automatically opens w ith in
a few seconds afte r vent ing .
Read and fo llow the directions for inserting the
f u el pump noz zle
¢ page 109.
Read and fo llow the inst ruct io ns for refueling
¢ page 230.
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Inserting the fuel pump nozzle
Applies to vehicles: with plug- in hybrid
Fig . 99 Fue ling proce du re : in ser t the fuel pump nozzle co r­
r ect ly
M ake s ure w hen inse rting the f uel pu mp noz zle
t h at you do no t press o n the fuel filler door open ­
er (!) with the fue l pum p nozzle . See the labe l in
the f ue l fi ller door @. Otherwise, a va lve wi ll lock
in the fue l filler neck and stop the fueling , even if
t h e tank is not full. You must vent the tank sys­
tem again if yo u press on the fuel fille r doo r
opener. The f uel p ump nozzle can stay in the fue l
filler neck when doing this.
Vent the tank system by pulling the
Iii switch in
the d river's door
¢ page 109.
Driver messages
Applies to vehicles: with plug-in hybrid drive
ti Tank flap open . Please press button again
for fueling
Fueling is possib le for a certain amou nt of time
after press ing the
Iii button . Yo u m ust press the
Iii button again if th is time is exceeded .
ti Tank flap malfunction! Unlock tank flap
manually . See owner's manual
T he re is a ma lfunction. Yo u must man ually un­
lock the fue l fi ller door
¢ page 110.
ti Warning! Limited power
The fue l ta nk is almos t emp ty . You must ant ici­
p at e a sign ifi can t power loss. Drive i mmed iate ly
t o a ga s st at ion .
POWER LIMIT Warning! Limited power
109

Checking and Filling
CJ) Note
-Only use Ad Blue that conforms to the
standard ISO 22241-1. Do not mix any addi­
tives with the AdBlue and do not dilute it
with water.
- Only use refill bottles that are approved for your vehicle. Using other systems can cause Ad Blue to leak.
- Do not add Ad Blue to the diesel tank or add diesel fuel to the Ad Blue tank. Do not start
the engine under any circumstances if the
wrong fuel is filled in the tank . There is a
risk of damaging the fuel tank system and
the engine . See an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility for assis­
tance.
- AdBlue attacks surfaces such as painted ve­
hicle components, plastic and carpet. Re­
move the fluid as quickly as possible with a
damp cloth and plenty of cold water. If the
Ad Blue has already crystallized, use warm
water and a sponge. AdBlue residue that is
not removed will crystallize and can damage
the affected surface .
- Do not store the refill bottle in the vehicle.
If it leaks, the escaping Ad Blue could dam­
age the vehicle interior .
- Do not allow Ad Blue to come into contact
with clothing. If there is contact with the
fluid, flush immediately with plenty of wa ­
ter .
(D Tips
-You can obtain refill bottles from an author­
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility .
- Follow the Ad Blue manufacturer's instruc­
tions for use and storage .
- A permitted refill bottle contains approxi­
mately 1.9 liters of AdBlue .
- Ad Blue can freeze at very low temperatures.
If this happens, the system will not detect
that the Ad Blue was refilled and it will con­
tinue to inform you of the low AdBlue level.
The message turns off as soon as the tank
thaws out again.
236
Engine compartment
Working in the engine compartment
Special care is required if you are working in the
engine compartment
For work in the engine compartment such as
checking and filling fluids, there is a risk of in­
jury, scalding, accidents, and burns. For this
reason, follow all the following listed warnings
and general safety precautions. The engine
compartment is a dangerous area.
¢ .&. .
.8, WARNING
To reduce the risk of injuries, complete the
following steps before opening the hood:
- Turn the engine off.
- Switch the ignition off.
- Set the parking brake.
- Place the selector lever in the P position.
- Let the engine cool down.
- Never open the hood when you see that
steam or coolant drips from the engine
compartment- there is a danger of burns!
Wait until no steam or coolant flows out.
- Keep children away from the engine com­
partment.
- Never spill fluids on a hot engine. These flu­
ids (such as the freeze protection contained in the coolant) can catch fire.
- Avoid short circuits in the electrical system,
especially the battery.
- When working in the engine compartment,
remember that the radiator fan can switch
on even if the ignition is switched off, which
increases the risk of personal injury.
- Never open the cap on the coolant expan­
sion tank when the engine is warm . The
cooling system is under pressure.
- To protect your face, hands, and arms from
hot steam or coolant, cover the cap with a
large cloth when opening.
- Do not remove the engine cover under any
circumstances . This increases the risk of
burns.
- If tests need to be performed with the en-
-
gine running, there is additional danger due ~

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corrosion can cause a loss of coolant and
serious engine damage .
- Do not add any type of radiator leak sealant
to your vehicle's engine coolant . Adding ra­
diator repair fluid may adversely affect the
function and performance of your cooling
system and could result in damage not cov­
ered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Adding coolant
F ig . 198 Engine compa rtment: mark in gs on t he coo lant
expa nsion tank
Read and follow the WARNINGS before check­
ing anything in the engine compartment
¢ page 236, Working in the engine compart­
ment.
Checking the engine coolant level
• Park your vehicle on a level surface .
• Switch the ignition off .
• Read the coolant level on the coolant expansion
tank
¢ fig. 198 . The coolant level must be be­
tween the markings when the engine in cold .
When the engine is warm it can be slightly above the upper marking.
Adding coolant
Plug-in hybrid drive*: your vehicle has two cool­
ant expansion tanks that are separate from each
other. The smaller of the two expansion tanks
must not be opened
¢ page 108. Read and fol­
low the important safety precautions ¢
A in
Coolant on page 109.
Requirement: there must be a residual amount of
coolant in the expansion tank ¢(D .
• Let the engine cool down .
Checking and Filling
• Place a cloth over the coolant expansion tank
cap and unscrew the cap counterclockwise
¢ A .
• Add coolant mixed in the correct ratio
¢
page 244 up to the upper marking.
• Make sure that the fluid level remains stable.
Add more coolant if necessary.
• Close the cap securely .
A coolant loss suggests a leak. Immediately drive
your vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or au ­
thorized Audi Service Facility and have the cool­
i ng system inspected. If the cooling system is not
leak ing, a loss can come from the coolant boiling
through overheat ing and being pushed out of the
cooling system .
,&_ WARNING
-= -The cooling system is pressurized and can be­
come very hot. To reduce the risk of burns
from hot coolant:
- Do not open the coolant expansion tank cap
with the engine hot. There is a risk of burns.
- Stop the engine and allow it to cool.
- Protect your face, hands and arms from es-
caping coolant and steam by covering the
coo lant tank cap with a large, thick cloth.
- Turn the coolant tank cap counterclockwise
slowly and keep light pressure on the cap.
- To reduce the risk of burns, do not allow any
antifreeze or coolant to drip onto the ex ­
haust system or hot engine components.
The ethylene glycol in engine coo lant can
catch fire under certain circumstances .
- The coolant additive and the coolant can be
dangerous to your health . For th is reason,
keep the coolant in the original container
away from children. There is a risk of poi­
soning .
- When working in the engine compartment,
remember that the radiator fan can switch
on even if the ignition is switched off, wh ich
increases the risk of persona l injury.
(J) Note
Do not add coolant if the expansion tank is
empty . Air could enter the cooling system and
damage the eng ine.
If this is the case, do not ..,_
245