2020 AUDI A3 ECU

Child safety


the front passenger seat > page 254, Child
restraints on the front seat - some impor-
tant things to know.

LATCH system (lower
anchorages and tethers
for children)
Child Restraint System anchors and how
ETc Baa Va Cem eRe CMT Lia]
To provide a simpler and more practicable way to
attach the child restraint on the vehicle seat, Fed-
eral regulations require special lower anchorages
in vehicles and devices on new child restraints to
attach to the vehicle anchorages.
In the United States, the combination of the
tether anchorages and the lower anchorages is
now generally called the LATCH system for
“Lower Anchorages and Tethers for Children”. In
Canada, the terms “top tether” with “lower uni-
versal anchorages” (or “Lower universal anchor-
age bars”) are used to describe the system.
In other countries the term “ISOFIX” is used to
describe the lower anchorages.
Forward-facing child restraints manufactured af-
ter September 1, 1999, are required by U.S. fed-
eral regulations to comply with new child head
movement performance requirements. These
new performance requirements make a tether
necessary on most new child seats.
Installing a child restraint that requires a top
tether without one can seriously impair the per-
formance of the child restraint and its ability to
protect the child in a collision. Installing a child
restraint that requires a top tether without the
top tether may be a violation of state law.
Child restraint manufacturers offer LATCH lower
anchorages on their child seats with hook-on or
push-on connectors attached to adjustable
straps.
In addition to the LATCH lower anchorages, these
child restraint systems usually require the use of
tether straps to help keep the child restraint
firmly in place.
292
Some child restraints may require both the LATCH
lower anchorages as well as the vehicle safety
belt for proper installation. This concurrent use is
allowed as long as it does not interfere with ei-
ther attachment system or the adjoining seating
positions’ vehicle safety belts, if so applicable.

Z\ WARNING
Improper installation of child restraints will
increase the risk of injury and death in a crash.
— Always follow the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the child restraint you
intend to install in your vehicle.
— Never install a child restraint without a
properly attached top tether strap if the
child restraint manufacturer's instructions
require the top tether strap to be used.
— Improper use of child restraint LATCH lower
anchorage points can lead to injury in a colli-
sion. The LATCH lower anchorage points are
designed to withstand only those loads im-
posed by correctly fitted child restraints.
— Never mount two child restraint systems on
one LATCH lower anchorage point.
— Never secure or attach any luggage or other
item to the LATCH lower anchorages.

Location


B8V-0406



Fig. 231 Schematic overview: LATCH anchorage point loca-
tions (example)
The illustration shows the seating locations in
your vehicle which are equipped with the lower
anchorages system.

8V2012721BK
Child safety

pred folacoy a)
The lower anchorage positions are marked for
quick locating.

Fig. 233 Rear seats: lower anchorage bracket locations
Lower anchorages
The circular markings on the rear seat help you to
identify the location of lower anchorages for the
two outboard seating positions > fig. 232. The
LATCH lower universal anchorage attachment
points are between the rear seatback and rear
seat cushion.
Remove the covers > fig. 232 to access the lower
anchorage attachment points.
The lower anchorage attachment points are visi-
ble > fig. 233.
Lower anchorages secure the child restraint in
the seat without using the vehicle's safety belts.
Anchorages provide a secure and easy-to-use at-
tachment and minimize the possibility of improp-
er child restraint installation.
All child restraints manufactured after Septem-
ber 1, 2002, must have lower anchorage attach-
ments for the LATCH system.
Please remember that the lower anchorage
points are only intended for installation and at-
tachment of child restraints specifically certified
for use with LATCH lower anchorages. Child re-
straints that are not equipped with the lower an-
chorage attachments can still be installed in
compliance with the child restraint manufactur-
er's instructions on using vehicle safety belts.

Improper use of LATCH lower anchorages can
cause serious personal injury in an accident.
— Always carefully follow the child restraints
manufacturer's instructions for proper in-
stallation of the child restraint and proper
use of the lower anchorages or safety belts
in your vehicle.
— Never secure or attach any luggage or other
items to the LATCH lower anchorages.
— Always read and heed the important infor-
mation about child restraints in this chapter
and WARNINGS & page 278, Child safety.
Installing a child restraint with LATCH
lower anchorages
Applies to: vehicles with Top Tether

Whenever you install a child restraint always fol-
low the child restraint manufacturer's instruc-
tions.

B4L-1434


Fig. 234 Lower anchorages: proper mounting
Mounting
> Make sure the seatback of the rear seat bench is
in the upright position and securely latched in
place.
> Attach both hook-on connectors with the spring
catch release on the child safety seat onto the
293

Child safety

LATCH lower anchorage so that the connectors
lock into place > fig. 234.
>» Pull on the connector attachments to make
sure they are properly attached to the LATCH
lower anchorage.
> Pull straps tight following the child restraint
manufacturer's instructions.
Releasing
> Loosen the tension on the straps following the
child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
> Depress the spring catches to release the an-
chorage hooks from the lower anchorages.
Remember: Use tether straps to help keep the
child restraint firmly in place.


ZA WARNING
Improper use of the LATCH system can in-
crease the risk of serious personal injury and
death in an accident.
— These anchors were developed only for child
safety seats using the “LATCH” system.
— Never attach other child safety seats, belts
or other objects to these anchors.
— Always make sure that you hear a click when
latching the seat in place. If you do not hear
a click the seat is not secure and could fly
forward and hit the interior of the vehicle, or
be ejected from the vehicle.


ZA WARNING
Improper installation of child restraints will
increase the risk of injury in an accident.
— Always follow the child restraint system
manufacturer's instructions for proper in-
stallation of the child restraint system and
proper use of tether straps as well as the
lower anchorages or safety belts in your ve-
hicle.
— Always read and heed the important infor-
mation and WARNINGS about child safety
and the installation of child restraint sys-
tems > page 278, Child safety.

294
Tether anchors and tether straps
5 S
zt 6
= o a
Applies to: Sedan
Fig. 235 Tether anchors: recess flaps behind the rear seat-
backs

B8V-0562

Applies to: Cabriolet/Sportback
Fig. 236 Tether anchors: recess flaps behind the rear seat-
backs
Applies to: Sedan: The tether anchors for the rear
seating positions are located in recesses in the
rear window shelf > fig. 235
Applies to: Cabriolet/Sportback: The tether an-
chors for the rear seating positions are located on
the backside of the rear seatbacks > fig. 236.
A tether is a straight or V-shaped strap that at-
taches the top part of a child restraint to special
anchorage points in the vehicle.
The purpose of the tether is to reduce the for-
ward movement of the child restraint in a crash,
in order to help reduce the risk of head injury that
could be caused by striking the vehicle interior.
Forward facing child restraints manufactured af-
ter September 1, 1999, are required by U.S. fed-
eral regulations to comply with new child head
movement performance requirements. These
new performance requirements make a tether
necessary on most new child safety seats.

8V2012721BK
Child safety


A WARNING
Improper installation of child restraints will
— Always follow the instructions provided by
the manufacturer of the child restraint you
intend to install in your Audi.
— Improper use of child restraint anchors (in-
cluding tether anchors) can lead to injury in
a collision. The anchors are designed to
withstand only those loads imposed by cor-
rectly fitted child restraints.
— Never mount two child restraint systems on
one LATCH lower anchor point.
— Never attach two child restraint systems to
one tether strap or tether anchorage.
— Never attach a tether strap to a tie-down
hook in the luggage compartment.
— Never use child restraint tether anchorages
to secure safety belts or other kinds of occu-
pant restraints.
— Never secure or attach any luggage or other
items to the LATCH lower anchorages or to
the tether anchors.
— If you must install a rearward facing child
safety seat on the front passenger seat be-
cause of exceptional circumstances and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does not
come on and stay on, immediately install
the rear-facing child safety seat in a rear
seating position and have the airbag system
inspected by your Audi dealer.

increase the risk of injury and death in a crash.
B8V-0565


Installing the upper tether strap on the
anchorage



B4L-1435

Applies to: Sedan
Fig. 237 Tether strap: proper routing and mounting


Applies to: Cabriolet/Sportback
Fig. 238 Tether strap: proper routing and mounting. @
center, @ outside
Installing the tether strap
Applies to: Sedan
> Release or deploy the tether strap on the child
restraint according to the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions.
> Guide the upper tether strap under the rear
head restraint (raise the head restraint if neces-
sary) > fig. 237. For child restraints with V-
tether straps, always make sure that the head
restraint guide rods do not interfere with any
part of the top tether strap.
> Tilt the recess flap up to expose the anchor
bracket.
> Attach the tether strap anchorage hook into the
opening of the tether anchorage.
> Pull on the tether strap hook so that the spring
catch of the hook engages.
> Tighten the tether strap firmly following the
child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Installing the tether strap
Applies to: Cabriolet/Sportback
> Release or deploy the tether strap on the child
restraint according to the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions.
295
>

Child safety

» Applies to: Sportback: Unlock the backrest and
fold it slightly forward > page 62, Increasing
the cargo area and locate the tether anchor be-
hind the rear seat backrest.
» Applies to: Cabriolet: Unlock the backrest and
fold it slightly forward > page 63, Pass-
through and locate the tether anchor behind
the rear seat backrest.
> Guide the upper tether strap under the rear
head restraint (raise the head restraint if neces-
sary) > fig. 238. For child restraints with V-
tether straps, always make sure that the head
restraint guide rods do not interfere with any
part of the top tether strap.
> Attach the tether strap anchorage hook into the
opening of the tether anchorage.
> Pull on the tether strap hook so that the spring
catch of the hook is engaged.
> Straighten the backrest back up into its upright
position and press it firmly into the locking
mechanism.
>» Tighten the tether strap firmly following the
child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
Releasing the tether strap
> Loosen the tension on the straps following the
child restraint manufacturer's instructions.
> Depress the spring catch on the hook and re-
lease it from the anchorage.
Remember: Use tether straps to help keep the
child restraint firmly in place.

ZA WARNING
Improper use of the LATCH system can in-
crease the risk of serious personal injury and
death in an accident.
— These anchors were developed only for child
safety seats using the “LATCH” system.
— Never attach other child safety seats, belts
or other objects to these anchors.
— Always make sure that you hear a click when
latching the seat in place. If you do not hear
a click the seat is not secure and could fly
forward and hit the interior of the vehicle, or
be ejected from the vehicle.


Z\ WARNING
Improper installation of child restraints will
increase the risk of injury in an accident.
— Always follow the child restraint system
manufacturer's instructions for proper in-
stallation of the child restraint system and
proper use of tether straps as well as the
lower anchorages or safety belts in your ve-
hicle.
— Always read and heed the important infor-
mation and WARNINGS about child safety
and the installation of child restraint sys-
tems > page 278, Child safety.

Using tether straps on rearward-facing
child restraints

Currently, few rear-facing child restraint systems
come with a tether. Please read and heed the
child restraint system manufacturer's instruc-
tions carefully to determine how to properly in-
stall the tether.

Z\ WARNING
A child in a rearward-facing child safety seat
installed on the front passenger seat will be
seriously injured and can be killed if the front
airbag inflates - even with an Advanced Airbag
System.
— The inflating airbag will hit the child safety
seat or infant carrier with great force and
will smash the child safety seat and child
against the backrest, center armrest, or
door.
— If you must install a rearward facing child
safety seat on the front passenger seat be-
cause of exceptional circumstances and the
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does not
come on and stay on, immediately install
the rear-facing child safety seat in a rear
seating position and have the airbag system

inspected by your Audi dealer.


296

Checking and Filling

> With the door open, pull the lever > below
the instrument panel in the direction of the ar-
row > fig. 246.
> Raise the hood slightly > A\.
> Press the rocker switch under the hood upward
> fig. 247. This releases the catch.
> Open the hood.
Closing the hood
> Push the hood down until you override the
force of the strut.
> Let the hood fall lightly into the latch. Do not
press it in. > /\.
Message
2 Warning! Hood is not locked. Stop vehicle
and check the lock
The hood latch is not locked correctly. Stop im-
mediately and close the hood.


AN WARNING
— Never open the hood when there is steam or
coolant escaping from the engine compart-
ment, because there is a risk that you could
be burned. Wait until no steam or coolant is
escaping.
— For safety reasons, the hood must always be
latched securely while driving. Because of
this, always check the hood after closing it
to make sure it is latched correctly. The hood
is latched if the front corners cannot be lift-
ed.
— If you notice that the hood is not latched
while you are driving, stop immediately and
close it, because driving when the hood is
not latched increases the risk of an accident.
— If the hood is not latched completely, it
could fly up while you are driving and ob-
struct your vision.


D) The &> symbol on the lever was still being designed at
the time this manual was printed.
306

Checking and Filling

Observe the safety precautions > A\ in General
information on page 304.
> Turn the engine off.
> Open the hood = page 305.
> Unscrew the cap %~ for the engine oil filler
opening > fig. 250.
> Carefully add 0.5 quart (0.5 liter) of the correct
oil > page 307.
> Check the oil level again after two minutes
=> page 308, Checking the engine oil level.
> Add more oil if necessary.
> Close the engine oil filler cap and push the dip-
stick
all the way in.
> Close the hood > page 305.

Z\ WARNING
—When adding oil, do not let oil drip onto hot
engine components. This increases the risk
of a fire.
— You must seal the cap on the oil filler open-
ing correctly so that oil does not leak out on-
to the hot engine and exhaust system when
the engine is running, because this is a fire
hazard.
— Always clean skin thoroughly if it comes into
contact with engine oil.
—
Engine oil is poisonous and must be kept out
of reach of children.
— Store the engine oil securely in the original
container.

() Note
— The New Vehicle Limited Warranty does not
cover damage or malfunctions if the recom-
mended intended use of the vehicle and
maintenance measures listed in the Audi
Owner's Manual and the Warranty & Main-
tenance Booklet were not followed.
— Only use high-grade engine oil that explicit-
ly meets the Audi oil quality standard for
your vehicle. Using another oil may cause
severe vehicle damage.
— Do not mix any additives with the engine oil.
Additives may cause engine damage that is
not covered by your New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
310
@) For the sake of the environment
— Oil should never enter the sewer system or
come into contact with the ground.
— Follow the legal regulations in the country
where you are located when disposing of
empty oil containers.
Changing engine oil
We recommend having the oil changed at an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility.
Follow the safety precautions > page 304, Gener-
al information.
The engine oil must be changed at the intervals
specified in the Warranty & Maintenance Book-
let. This is very important because the lubrication
function of the oil gradually declines during regu-
lar vehicle operation.
The engine oil should be changed more frequent-
ly under certain circumstances. Have the oil
changed more frequently if you often drive short
distances, your vehicle is predominantly in stop-
and-go traffic situations, is in very dusty environ-
ments, or is operated for long periods of time in
temperatures below zero.
Cleansing additives in the oil make fresh oil ap-
pear darker after the engine has run briefly. This
is normal and no reason to change the engine oil
more frequently than recommended.
Because correctly disposing of engine oil is diffi-
cult and special tools and technical knowledge
are needed for an oil change, having your engine
oil changed by an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility is recommended.
If you change the engine oil yourself, please note
the following important information:

ZA\ WARNING
If you change the engine oil on the vehicle
yourself, the following precautions must be
followed:
— Wear protective eyewear.
— Due to the risk of scalding, allow the engine
to cool down sufficiently.

8V2012721BK
Checking and Filling

> Check the coolant level in the coolant expan-
sion tank > page 307, fig. 248 using the outer
markings (2) > fig. 252. The coolant level must
be between the markings (2) when the engine is
cold. When the engine is warm it can be slight-
ly above the upper marking.
Adding coolant
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive:
Your vehicle has two coolant expansion tanks
that are separate from each other. The smaller of
the two expansion tanks must not be opened
= page 312. Read and follow the important safe-
ty precautions > A\ in Coolant on page 312.
Requirement: there must be a residual amount of
coolant in the expansion tank >@).
If you must add coolant, use a mixture of water
and coolant additive. Mixing the coolant additive
with distilled water is recommended.
> Allow the engine to cool.
> Place a large, thick towel on the coolant expan-
sion tank cover.
> Remove the cover (@) © fig. 252 carefully to the
left > AX.
» Add the correct mixture ratio of coolant
> page 311 up to the upper marking @
> fig. 252.
> Make sure that the fluid level remains stable.
Add more coolant if necessary.
> Close the cap securely.
Coolant loss usually indicates that there is a leak.
Immediately drive your vehicle to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
and have the cooling system inspected. If the
cooling system is not leaking, coolant loss can re-
sult from the coolant boiling due overheating
and then being forced out of the cooling system.

— Never open the hood if you can see or hear
steam or coolant escaping from the engine
compartment. This increases the risk of
burns. The cooling system is under pressure.
When you no longer see or hear steam or
coolant escaping, you may open the engine
compartment with caution.
—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 injury.
— Coolant additive and coolant can be danger-
ous to your health. For this reason, store the
coolant in the original container and away

from children. There is a risk of poisoning.

@) Note
Do not add coolant if the expansion tank is
empty. Air could enter the cooling system and
damage the engine. If this is the case, do not
continue driving. See an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility for assis-
tance.
Brake fluid

BFV-0229)



Z\ WARNING
— The engine compartment in any vehicle can
be a dangerous area. Stop the engine and al-
low it to cool before working in the engine
compartment. Always follow the informa-
tion found in > page 304, General informa-
tion.


Fig. 253 Engine compartment: cap on brake fluid reservoir
Observe the safety precautions > page 304, Gen-
eral information.
Checking the brake fluid level
Read the brake fluid level on the brake fluid res-
ervoir > page 307, fig. 248. The brake fluid level
must be between the MIN and MAX markings
>A.
The brake fluid level is monitored automatically. >
313