2019 AUDI Q3 light

Checking and Filling

The starting ability may be impaired.
If this message turns off after a little while, the
vehicle battery charged enough while driving.
If this message does not turn off, drive immedi-
ately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility.

ZA WARNING
When there is an electrical system malfunc-
tion, vehicle functions may not work and driv-
ing stability may be limited, which increases
the risk of an accident. Stop driving and
switch the engine off. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for
assistance.


Battery
rae Le cel)
Because of the complex power supply, all work on
batteries such as disconnecting, replacing, etc.,
should only be performed by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility > A.
Multiple batteries with different technologies
may be installed in your vehicle:
— Vehicle battery (for example, for starting the
engine, basic power supply) > page 213, Lead
battery or > page 213, Other battery types
— Auxiliary battery (for example, for recuperation
or optional equipment) > page 213, Other bat-
tery types
Not running the vehicle for long periods of
time
The battery will gradually drain if the vehicle
does not run for long periods of time. To ensure
that the vehicle can still be started, the electrical
equipment will be reduced or switched off
= page 87. Some convenience functions, such as
interior lighting or power seat adjustment, may
not be available under certain circumstances.
These convenience functions will be available
again once you switch the ignition on and start
the
engine.
Even when electrical equipment is switched off,
the equipment can still drain the battery if the
212
vehicle is not driven for long periods of time.
Deep draining results in a chemical reaction that
destroys the inside of the battery. The battery
must be charged every month to prevent this
= page 213. Contact an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility for more infor-
mation.
Winter operation
Cold weather places higher demands on the bat-
tery. This results in reduced starting ability. Have
the battery checked by an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility before cold
weather begins.

ZA\ WARNING
All work on the battery or electrical system in
your vehicle can result in injuries, chemical
burns, accidents, or burns. Because of this, all
work must be performed only by an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility.

ZA WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning:
— Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms.
Wash hands after handling.
C) Note
— If the vehicle will be parked for long periods
of time, protect the battery against the cold
so that it will not be destroyed by “freezing”
= page 213, Charging the battery.
— There are electrical components under the
cargo floor behind a trim panel that warm
up during operation. To reduce the risk of
the components overheating, do not store
objects such as blankets under the cargo
floor. If the components overheat, they will
switch off temporarily. This will be indicated
by a message that will be displayed in the
instrument cluster until the temperature re-
turns to normal.

Checking and Filling

> Open the cover on the positive terminal
> fig. 147.
> Clamp the terminal clamps on the charger cor-
rectly onto the ground point ©) and the positive
terminal @).
> Insert the power cable for the charging device
into the socket and switch the device on.
> At the end of the charging process, switch the
charger off and pull the power cable out of the
socket.
> Now remove the charging device terminal
clamps.
> Close the cover on the positive terminal.
> Close the hood > page 204.

Z\ WARNING
— A highly explosive mixture of gases can form
when charging batteries. Only charge the
battery in well-ventilated areas.
— A drained battery can freeze at tempera-
tures around 32 9F (0 2C). Do not charge or
use a frozen or thawed battery. If ice forms,
the battery housing can crack and battery
electrolyte can leak out, which increases the
risk of an explosion and chemical burns.
Contact an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for more informa-
tion.
— Do not connect or disconnect the charging
cable while charging because this increases

the risk of an explosion.

@ Tips
Read all of the manufacturer's instructions
for the charger before charging the battery.
214
Windshield washer
system

RAZ-0362



Fig. 148 Engine compartment: windshield washer fluid
reservoir cap
Follow the safety precautions > page 203, Gener-
al information.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir <> contains
the cleaning solution for the windshield and the
headlight washer system > fig. 148, > page 205.
The reservoir capacity can be found in
=> page 264.
To reduce the risk of lime scale deposits on the
spray nozzles, use clean water with low amounts
of calcium. Always add window cleaner to the wa-
ter. When the outside temperatures are cold, an
anti-freezing agent should be added to the water
so that it does not freeze.
Messages
ES Please add washer fluid
Fill the washer fluid for the windshield washer
system and the headlight washer system* when
the ignition is switched off.
C@) Note
— The concentration of anti-freezing agent
must be adjusted to the vehicle operating
conditions in the respective climate. A con-
centration that is too high can lead to vehi-
cle damage.
— Never add radiator anti-freeze or other addi-
tives to the washer fluid.
— Do not use a glass cleaner that contains
paint solvents, because this could damage
the paint.

Wheels

Wheels Wheels
and Tires
General information
> Check your tires regularly for
damage (punctures, cuts, cracks
and bulges). Remove foreign ob-
jects from the tire tread.
>If driving over curbs or similar
obstacles, drive slowly and ap-
proach the curb at an angle.
>Have faulty tires or rims re-
placed immediately.
>Protect your tires from oil,
grease and fuel.
>Mark tires before removing
them so that the same running
direction can be maintained if
they are reinstalled.
>Lay tires flat when storing and
store them in a cool, dry location
with as little exposure to light as
possible.

AN WARNING
—Never drive faster than the
maximum permitted speed for
your tires. This could cause the
tires to heat up too much. This
increases the risk of an acci-
dent because it can cause the
tire to burst.

216


—Always adapt your driving to
the road and traffic condi-
tions. Drive carefully and re-
duce your speed on icy or slip-
pery roads. Even winter tires
can lose traction on black ice.

() Note
—Please note that summer and
winter tires are designed for
the conditions that are typical
in those seasons. Audi recom-
mends using winter tires dur-
ing the winter months. Low
temperatures significantly de-
crease the elasticity of summ-
er tires, which affects traction
and braking ability. If summer
tires are used in very cold tem-
peratures, cracks can form on
the tread bars, resulting in
permanent tire damage that
can cause loud driving noise
and unbalanced tires.
—Burnished, polished or
chromed rims must not be
used in winter driving condi-
tions. The surface of the rims
does not have sufficient corro-
sion protection for this and
could be permanently dam-
aged by road salt or similar
substances.

83A012721BA
Wheels


ZA\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened or repaired in-
correctly can become loose and result in loss
of vehicle control, which increases the risk of
an accident. For the correct tightening specifi-
cation, see > page 245, Finishing.
— Always keep the wheel bolts and the threads
in the wheel hub clean and free of grease.
— Only use wheel bolts that fit the rim.
— Always have damaged rims repaired by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility. Never repair or disassemble
rims yourself, because this increases the risk

of an accident.
Loose wheel warning
Applies to: vehicles with loose wheel warning

Within the limits of the system, the loose wheel
warning in the instrument cluster warns you if
one or more wheels are loose.
Using the ABS sensors, the loose wheel warning
system compares the vibration characteristics of
the individual tires. If one or more wheels are
loose, it will be indicated in the instrument clus-
ter display with the fi indicator light and a mes-
sage. If only one wheel is affected, the location
of that wheel will be indicated.
Messages
fi Wheel bolts loose. Please safely stop the ve-
hicle and check all wheel bolts!
Loose wheel warning for at least one wheel > A\.
Check the wheel bolts on all wheels with the
wheel wrench (vehicle tool kit). Have the tighten-
ing specification checked as soon as possible with
a torque wrench. Drive carefully until then. For
the correct tightening specification, see
=> page 245, Finishing.
fi Wheel assessment active. Please continue
driving carefully
After this message appears and you have checked
the wheel bolts, the assessment phase begins
when the vehicle is in motion. This may take sev-
eral minutes.
fi Loose wheel warning: malfunction! See
owner's manual
There is a system malfunction. Drive immediately
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

Z\ WARNING
Wheel bolts that are tightened incorrectly can
become loose and result in loss of vehicle con-
trol, which increases the risk of an accident.
— If a message appears, reduce your speed im-
mediately and avoid any hard steering or
braking maneuvers. Stop as soon as possible
and check the wheel bolts.
— Check your wheels for damage. Have the
damaged wheels checked and/or replaced
immediately by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— Under certain conditions (such as a sporty
driving style, winter conditions, or unpaved
roads), the message may be delayed.
— The driver is responsible for ensuring that

the wheels are attached correctly.
(i) Tips
— The loose wheel warning system can also
stop working when there is an ESC malfunc-
tion.

— Using snow chains may result in a system
malfunction.
Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be-
cause of their construction (width, compound,
tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction
on ice and snow.
> Use winter tires on all four wheels.
> Only use winter tires that are approved for your
vehicle.
>» Please note that the maximum permitted
speed may be lower with winter tires > A\ in
General information on page 216. An author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility can inform you about the maximum per-
mitted speed for your tires.
231
>

Wheels

check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping
ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pres-
sure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS
malfunction indicator to indicate when the sys-
tem is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions
may occur for a variety of reasons, including the
installation of replacement or alternate tires or
wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS
from functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure
that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
If the tire pressure monitoring indicator
appears
The tire pressure indicator in the instrument
cluster informs you if the tire pressure is too low
or if there is a system malfunction.
Using the ABS sensors, the tire pressure monitor-
ing system compares the tire tread circumference
and vibration characteristics of the individual
tires. If the pressure changes in one or more
tires, this is indicated in the instrument cluster
234
display with an indicator light @ and a message.
If only one tire is affected, the location of that
tire will be indicated.
The tire pressures must be stored again each
time you change the pressures (switching be-
tween partial and full load pressure) or after
changing or replacing a tire on your vehicle
=> page 235. The tire pressure monitoring system
only monitors the tire pressure you have stored.
Refer to the tire pressure label for the recom-
mended tire pressure for your vehicle
=> page 226, fig. 152.
Tire tread circumference and vibration character-
istics can change and cause a tire pressure warn-
ing if:
—the tire pressure in one or more tires is too low
— The tires have structural damage
— the tire was replaced or the tire pressure was
changed and it was not stored > page 235
— Tires that are only partially used are replaced
with new tires
Indicator lights
@ - Loss of pressure in at least one tire > A\.
Check the tires and replace or repair if necessary.
Check and correct the pressures of all four tires
and store the pressure again > page 235.
/TPMS| (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Tire pres-
sure: malfunction! See owner's manual. If i
appears after switching the ignition on or while
driving and the @ indicator light in the instru-
ment cluster blinks for approximately one minute
and then stays on, there is system malfunction.
Try to store the correct tire pressures
= page 235. In some cases, you must drive for
several minutes after storing the pressures until
the indicator light turns off. If the indicator light
does turn off or turns on again after a short peri-
od of time, drive to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the malfunction corrected.

ZA\ WARNING
— If the tire pressure indicator appears in the
display, reduce your speed immediately and
avoid any hard steering or braking

Care and cleaning

Care and cleaning
General information
Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehi-
cle's value. It can also be a requirement when
submitting warranty claims for corrosion damage
and paint defects on the body.
The required cleaning and care products can be
obtained from an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Service Facility. Read and follow the in-
structions for use on the packaging.

ZA\ WARNING
— Using cleaning and care products incorrectly
can be dangerous to your health.
— Always store cleaning and care products out
of reach of children to reduce the risk of poi-
soning.

@ For the sake of the environment
— Preferably purchase environmentally-friend-
ly cleaning products.
— Do not dispose of leftover cleaning and care
products with household trash.
Car washes
The longer that deposits such as insects, bird
droppings, tree sap or road salt remain on the ve-
hicle, the more the surface can be damaged. High
temperatures such as those caused by sunlight
increase the damaging effect.
Before washing, rinse off heavy deposits with
plenty of water.
Stubborn deposits such as bird droppings or tree
sap are best removed with plenty of water anda
microfiber cloth.
Also, wash the underside of your vehicle once
road salt stops being used for the season.
Pressure washers
When washing your vehicle with a pressure wash-
er, always follow the operating instructions pro-
vided with the pressure washer. This is especially
important in regard to the pressure and spraying
distance. Do not aim the spray directly at the
236
seals on the side windows, doors, lids or the sun-
roof* or at tires, rubber hoses, insulating materi-
al, sensors* or camera lenses*. Keep a distance of
at least 16 in (40 cm).
Do not remove snow and ice with a pressure
washer.
Never use cone nozzles or high pressure nozzles.
The water temperature must not be above 140 °F
(60 °C).
Automatic car wash
Spray off the vehicle before washing.
Make sure that the windows and roof* are closed
and the windshield wipers are off. Follow instruc-
tions from the car wash operator, especially if
there are accessories attached to your vehicle.
If possible, use car washes that do not have
brushes.
Washing by hand
Clean the vehicle starting from the top and work-
ing down using a soft sponge or cleaning brush.
Use solvent-free cleaning products.
Washing vehicles with matte finish paint by
hand
To avoid damaging the paint when washing, first
remove dust and large particles from your vehi-
cle. Insects, grease spots and fingerprints are
best removed with a special cleaner for matte
finish paint.
Apply the product using a microfiber cloth. To
avoid damaging the paint surface, do not use too
much pressure.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with water. Then
clean using a neutral shampoo and a soft micro-
fiber cloth.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly again and let it air
dry. Remove any water residue using a chamois.

ZA WARNING
— Only wash the vehicle when the ignition is
off and follow the instructions from the car
wash operator to reduce the risk of acci-
dents.

83A012721BA
Care and cleaning


—To reduce the risk of cuts, protect yourself
from sharp metal components when wash-
ing the underbody or the inside of the wheel
housings.
— After washing the vehicle, the braking effect
may be delayed due to moisture on the
brake rotors or ice in the winter. This in-
creases the risk of an accident. The brakes
must be dried first with a few careful brake
applications.

@) Note
— If you wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash, you must fold the exterior mirrors in
to reduce the risk of damage to the mirrors.
Power folding exterior mirrors* must only
be folded in and out using the power folding
function.
—To reduce the risk of damage to the rims
and tires, compare the width between the
wheels on your vehicle with the distance be-
tween the guide rails in the car wash.
—To reduce the risk of damage, compare the
height and width of your vehicle with the
height and width of the inside of the car
wash.
—To reduce the risk of paint damage, do not
wash the vehicle in direct sunlight.
—To reduce the risk of damage, do not wash
decorative decals* with a pressure washer.
—To reduce the risk of damage to the surface,
do not use insect removing sponges, kitchen
sponges or similar items.
— Matte finish painted vehicle components:
—To reduce the risk of damage to the sur-
face, do not use polishing agents or hard
wax.
— Never use protective wax. It can destroy
the matte finish effect.
— Do not place any stickers or magnetic
signs on vehicle parts painted with matte
finish paint. The paint could be damaged
when the stickers or magnets are re-
moved.
@) For the sake of the environment
Only wash the vehicle in facilities specially de-
signed for that purpose. This will reduce the
risk of dirty water contaminated with oil from
entering the sewer system.
Cleaning and care information
When cleaning and caring for individual vehicle
components, refer to the following tables. The
information contained there is simply recommen-
dations. For questions or for components that
Exterior cleaning
are not listed, consult an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility. Also follow
the information found in > A.





Component Situation Solution
Windshield wiper | Deposits Soft cloth with glass cleaner > page 50
blades
Headlights/ Deposits Soft sponge with a mild soap solution®
Tail lights
Sensors/ Deposits Sensors: soft cloth with solvent-free cleaning solution
Camera lenses Camera lenses: soft cloth with alcohol-free cleaning solu-
tion
Snow/ice Hand brush/solvent-free de-icing spray
Wheels Road salt Water
Brake dust Acid-free special cleaning solution >

237

83A012721BA
Care and cleaning



Water-based deposits
such as coffee, tea,
blood, etc.
Component Situation Solution
Textiles
Deposits adhering to | Vacuum cleaner
artificial leather, | the surface
Alcantara Absorbent cloth and mild soap solution®

Oil-based deposits
such as oil, make-up,
etc.
Apply a mild soap solution ®), blot away the dissolved oil or
dye, treat afterward with water, if necessary

Special deposits such
as ink, nail polish, la-
tex paint, shoe pol-
ish, etc.
Special stain remover, blot with absorbent material, treat
afterward with mild soap solution, if necessary ®

Natural leather Fresh stains Cotton cloth with a mild soap solution®

Water-based deposits
such as coffee, tea,
blood, etc.
Fresh stains: absorbent cloth
dried stains: stain remover suitable for leather

Oil-based deposits
such as oil, make-up,
etc.
Fresh stains: absorbent cloth and stain remover suitable
for leather
dried stains: oil cleaning spray

Special deposits such
as ink, nail polish, la-
tex paint, shoe pol-
ish, etc.
Spot remover suitable for leather



Care Regularly apply conditioning cream that protects from
light and penetrates into the material. Use special colored
conditioning cream, if necessary.
Carbon parts Deposits clean the same way as plastic parts

a) Mild soap solution: maximum two tablespoons of neutral soap in 1 quart (1 liter) of water

Z\ WARNING

The windshield must not be treated with wa-
ter-repelling windshield coating agents. Un-
favorable conditions such as wetness, dark-
ness, or low sun can result in increased glare.
Wiper blade chatter is also possible.
— Never use any paint polish or other abra-
sive materials.
— Damage to the protective layer on the
rims such as stone chips or scratches must
be repaired immediately.
— Camera lenses
— Never use warm or hot water to remove
@) Note
— Headlights/tail lights
— Never clean headlights or tail lights with a
dry cloth or sponge.
— Do not use any cleaning product that con-
tains alcohol, because they could cause
cracks to form.
— Wheels
snow or ice from the camera lens. This
could cause the lens to crack.
— Never use abrasive cleaning materials or
alcohol to clean the camera lens. This
could cause scratches and cracks.
— Door windows
— Remove snow and ice on windows and ex-
terior mirrors with a plastic scraper. To
239