2020 AUDI A3 radiator cap

High-voltage system


— Store the Audi charging system or the spe-
cial charging cable* in the ski sack in the
luggage compartment.
— Always transport the ski sack in the luggage
compartment and never in the passenger
compartment (for example, on the seats or

in front of them).
©) Note
Always lift or transport the Audi charging sys-
tem as an entire unit and never by the cables.
Charging time
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

The length of the charging process using the Audi
charging system may vary based on the following
factors:
— The sockets that are used (household or indus-
trial* sockets)
— The system voltage and current strength that
are specific to a country
— The value set for the charging power level on
the control unit (50% or 100%).
— Fluctuations in the system voltage
— The temperature outside the vehicle
— The temperature of the high-voltage battery
— Settings for the climate control inside the vehi-
cle
— Current capacity of the charging connector
— Whether the ignition is on or off
Example charging times

Connection Charging time at
100% charge

Household socket
(100 V, 10 A)
approximately 10
hours

Household socket
(120 V, 10 A)
approximately 8.2
hours

Household socket
(220 V, 8A)
approximately 5.2
hours

Household socket
(230 V, 10 A)
approximately 3.8
hours

Industrial socket (200 V,
16 A)
approximately 2.3
hours

104


Connection Charging time at
100% charge
Industrial socket (220 V, | approximately 2.3
16 A) hours
Industrial socket (230 V, | approximately 2.3
16 A) hours
Industrial socket (240 V, | approximately 2.3
16 A) hours

@ Tips
— Multiple versions of charging cables are of-
fered due to the different power supply sys-
tems in different countries. The maximum
charging power may potentially be unavaila-
ble because of this. Contact an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility for more information.
— Charging may take longer when tempera-
tures are extremely high or low.
—The charging time at public charging sta-
tions may vary from the times given in the
table > table on page 104.
Before charging
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

B8V-0447



Fig. 103 Radiator grille: charging port cap

Checking and Filling

or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction corrected.
The indicator light can also turn on if the fuel fill-
er cap is not closed correctly > page 2991).

ZA\ WARNING
Incorrect use of the connection port for the
On Board Diagnostic System can cause mal-
functions, which can then result in accidents
and serious injuries.
— Only allow an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility to read out the
engine data.

Engine compartment
(ee eel)
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 warnings and general
safety precautions provided in the following in-
formation. The engine compartment is a dan-
gerous area. > /\.

Z\ WARNING
— Turn the engine off.
— Switch the ignition off.
— Set the parking brake.
— Select the “P” (Park) selector lever position.
— Allow the engine to cool.
— Keep children away from the engine com-
partment.
— Never spill fluids on a hot engine. These flu-
ids (such as the anti-freezing agent con-
tained in the coolant) can ignite.
— Avoid short circuits in the electrical system.
— Never reach into the radiator fan. The fan is
temperature-controlled and can turn on
suddenly, even when the ignition is switched
off.


1) Depending on the engine and country
304


— 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.
Plug-in hybrid drive: the coolant expansion
tank cap is equipped with a seal that must
never be removed under any circumstances
=> page 312, fig. 251. If the coolant expan-
sion tank for the high-voltage system is not
sealed, please contact an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility.
Plug-in hybrid drive: the sealed cap must on-
ly be opened by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
The cap on the coolant expansion tank must
never be opened as long as the coolant is
hot. The cooling system is under pressure.
There is a risk of burns
To protect your face, hands, and arms from
hot steam or coolant, cover the cap with a
thick cloth when opening.
Do not remove the engine cover under any
circumstances. This increases the risk of
burns.
Due to the risk of electric shock, never touch
the ignition cable or other components in
the electronic high-voltage ignition system
when the engine is running or is starting.
If a gear is engaged while the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the engine is running, do not
press the accelerator pedal inadvertently.
Pressing the accelerator pedal will cause the
vehicle to move, and this could result in an
accident.
If inspections or repairs must be performed
while the engine is running, moving compo-
nents (such as the ribbed belt, generator,
and radiator fan) pose an additional risk.
— Set the parking brake first and select the
“p” (Park) selector lever position.
— Always make sure that no parts of the
body, jewelry, ties, loose clothing, and
long hair can be caught in moving engine

Checking and Filling

Facility check if the coolant additive in your
vehicle matches the percentage appropriate
for the climate. This is especially important
when driving in colder climates.
— If the appropriate coolant additive is not
available in an emergency, do not add any
other additive. You could damage the en-
gine. If this happens, only use water and re-
store the correct mixture ratio with the
specified coolant additive as soon as possi-
ble.
— Only refill with new coolant.
— Radiator sealant must not be mixed with
the coolant.
— Due to the risk of engine damage, the cool-
ing system should only be refilled by an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility. An authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility can also pro-
vide you with important information about
the recommended coolant additive.
@® Tips
Applies to: RS models: In certain weather
conditions, moisture such as rain or snow may
evaporate on the radiator after stopping the
vehicle. This may cause steam to escape from
the front of the vehicle.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive


Fig. 251 Engine compartment: coolant expansion 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.
312
The expansion tank (@) must not be opened
oA.
> Switch the ignition off.
> Open the hood > page 305.
> Always check the coolant level in both coolant
expansion tanks (@) and @) using the outer
markings.
> When you fill coolant in the expansion tank (A),
please refer to > page 311, Cooling system.
> Do not drive any farther if the coolant level in
the expansion tank (@) is low. Contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately > A\.

ZA WARNING
— Read and follow the warnings in
=> page 304, General information before
opening the hood and checking the coolant
level.
— The expansion tank (8) may only be opened
and filled by an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Audi Service Facility.
— Coolant can enter the inside of the high-
voltage battery when filling the expansion
tank @) and cause a short circuit, which in-
creases the risk of fire.

Checking coolant

RAZ-0539


MIN

Fig. 252 Engine compartment - coolant expansion tank
(diagram): @ cover; @) markings
Observe the safety precautions > page 304, Gen-
eral information.
Checking the engine coolant level
> Park the vehicle on a level surface.
> Switch the ignition off.
> Open the hood > page 305.

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

8V2012721BK
Checking and Filling

» Applies to: vehicles with vehicle battery in the
engine compartment: Open the cover on the
positive terminal > fig. 254.
> Applies to: vehicles with jump start point (+):
Open the cover on the positive terminal
> fig. 255.
> 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.
> Remove the charging device terminal clamps.
> Applies to: vehicles with vehicle battery in the
engine compartment: Open the cover on the
positive terminal.
> Applies to: vehicles with jump start point (+):
Close the cover on the positive terminal.
> Close the hood > page 305.

ZA WARNING
— Applies to: vehicles with jump start connec-
tions in the engine compartment: The
charging cable must never be connected di-
rectly to the vehicle battery. Only use the
connections in the engine compartment
=> page 316.
— 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 °F (0 °C). 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.
Windshield washer
system

B8K-2123


Fig. 256 Engine compartment: windshield washer fluid
cover (example)
Observe the safety precautions > page 304, Gen-
eral information.
The windshield washer fluid reservoir & contains
the cleaning solution for the windshield and the
headlight washer system* > page 307, fig. 248.
The reservoir capacity can be found in
=> page 380.
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
gS Please add washer fluid
Fill the washer fluid for the windshield washer
system and the headlight washer system* when
the ignition is switched off.
@) Note
— The concentration of anti-freezing agent
must be adjusted to the vehicle operating
conditions and the climate. A concentration
that is too high can lead to vehicle 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.
317