2020 AUDI A7 stop start

4K8012721BC
Checking and Filling

cover. Keep in mind that a power cable for the
socket is located on the rear side.
> To unlock the fuel filler door, loosen the red
loop from the retainer and then pull on the
loop carefully > fig. 144 >@).
> Press on the left side of the fuel filler door to
open it > page 224, fig. 140.
©) Note
Only pull on the loop until you feel resistance.
You will not hear it release. If you continue to
pull, you could damage the emergency re-
lease mechanism.
Emissions control
system
General information
Z\ WARNING
The temperature of the exhaust system is
high, both when driving and after stopping
the engine.
— Never touch the exhaust tail pipes once they
have
become hot. This could result in burns.
— Do not park your vehicle over flammable
materials such as grass or leaves because
the high temperature of the emissions sys-
tem could start a fire.
— Do not apply underbody protectant in the
exhaust system area, because this increases
the risk of fire.
Catalytic converter
Follow the safety precautions > page 227, Gener-
al information.


The vehicle may only be driven with unleaded
gasoline, or the catalytic converter will be de-
stroyed.
Never drive until the tank is completely empty.
The irregular supply of fuel that results from that
can cause engine misfires. Uncombusted fuel
could enter the exhaust system, which could
cause overheating and damage to the catalytic
converter.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
If the S indicator light blinks or turns on, there
is a malfunction that is causing poor emissions
quality and that could damage the catalytic con-
verter. Drive slowly to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction corrected.
Engine compartment
General information
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 in the vehicle. > A\.

ZA\ 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 freeze protection contained
in the coolant) can catch fire.
— 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.
— 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.
— The cap on the coolant expansion tank must
never be opened when the coolant is hot.
The cooling system is under pressure. There
is a risk of burns

227

Checking and Filling

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|


Fig. 150 Engine compartment: cap on brake fluid reservoir
Follow the safety precautions > page 227, Gener-
al information.
Checking the brake fluid level
> Slide the cover that is located below the wind-
shield wipers on the driver's side toward the
windshield and remove the cover.
> Read the brake fluid level on the brake fluid res-
ervoir > page 230, fig. 147. The brake fluid lev-
el must be between the MIN and MAX markings
of.
The brake fluid level is monitored automatically.
Message
Ga / © Brakes: stop vehicle and check brake
fluid level
Stop the vehicle and check the brake fluid level.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
Changing the brake fluid
Brake fluid should be changed at regular inter-
vals. Have the brake fluid changed by an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty. The authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility will inform you of the replace-
ment intervals.
236

ZA WARNING
— If the brake fluid level is below the MIN
marking, it can impair the braking effect and
driving safety, which increase the risk of an
accident. Do not continue driving. See an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
— If the brake fluid is old, bubbles may form in
the brake system during heavy braking. This
could impair braking performance and driv-
ing safety, which increases the risk of an ac-
cident.
— The brake fluid in your vehicle must meet
the standard VW 501 14 and is available at
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility. If this brake fluid is not
available, another high-grade brake fluid of
equivalent quality may be used, and it must
meet
the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Stand-
ard (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4, Class 6.

@) Note
— If the brake fluid level is above the MAX
marking, brake fluid may leak out over the
edge of the reservoir and result in damage
to the vehicle.
— Do not allow any brake fluid to come into
contact with the vehicle paint, because it
will corrode the paint.
Electrical system
If the = i. B or fm] indicator light turns on,
there is a malfunction in the power supply, the
battery, or the vehicle electrical system.
/ BB Electrical system: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle
Do not continue driving and switch the ignition
off > A\. See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
= Electrical system: malfunction! Restart not
possible. Please contact Service
If you switch the ignition off, you will not be able
to restart the vehicle. Vehicle functions/driving
stability may be limited. Drive to an authorized >

4K8012721BC
Wheels

As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
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
Applies to: vehicles with Tire Pressure Monitoring System in-
dicator
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
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 260. 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 251, fig. 156.
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 260
— 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 260.
ia (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) Tire pres-
sure: malfunction! See owner's manual. if ie
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
259
>

4K8012721BC
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
— Purchase environmentally-friendly cleaning
products if possible.
— Do not dispose of cleaning and care prod-
ucts 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
seals on the side windows, doors, hood, luggage
compartment lid, or sunroof*, or at tires, rubber
hoses, insulating material, sensors*, camera
lenses*, or the laser scanner*. 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 downward using a soft sponge or cleaning
brush. Use solvent-free cleaning products.
Washing vehicles with matte finish paint by
hand
To reduce the risk of damaging the paint when
washing, first remove dust and large particles
from your vehicle. Insects, grease spots, and fin-
gerprints are best removed with a special cleaner
for matte finish paint.
Apply the product using a microfiber cloth. To re-
duce the risk of 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.
261
>

4K8012721BC
Emergency assistance

Raising the vehicle
Applies to: vehicles with vehicle jack





Fig. 165 Sill: positioning the vehicle jack
> Place the vehicle jack from the vehicle tool kit
ona firm surface. Use a flat, stable support if
necessary. On a slippery surface such as tile,
you should use a non-slip pad such as a rubber
mat > /\.
> Find the marking on the sill that is closest to
the tire that will be changed > fig. 164. Behind
the marking, there is a lifting point on the side
sill for the vehicle jack.
> Raise the vehicle jack under the lifting point on
the side sill until the bracket on the jack @
completely covers the notch on your vehicle.
> Align the vehicle jack so the bracket @ covers
the notch and the base (2) is flat on the ground.
The base @) must be directly under the mount-
ing point @.
> Mount the crank on the vehicle jack: insert the
crank into the opening on the handwheel. Turn
the crank to the left or right to secure it.
> Continue raising the vehicle jack with the crank
until the wheel lifts off the ground slightly.


ZX WARNING
—To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no
one is in the vehicle before raising it.
— Make sure the vehicle jack is stable. The risk
of injury is increased when the ground is
slippery or soft, because the vehicle jack
could slide or sink.
— Only raise your vehicle with the vehicle jack
provided by the factory. If you use a vehicle
jack designed for another vehicle, your vehi-
cle could slip and cause injury.
— Position the vehicle jack only at the desig-
nated mounting points on the side sill and
align the jack. Otherwise, the vehicle jack
could slip and cause an injury if it does not
have sufficient hold on the vehicle.
—To reduce the risk of injury, do not raise any
other vehicles or other loads using the vehi-
cle jack provided by the factory.
— Applies to: vehicles with air suspension:
Changes in temperature or load can affect
the height of the stopped vehicle.
— To reduce the risk of an accident, never start
the engine when the vehicle is raised.
—To reduce the risk of injury, no work should
be performed under the vehicle while it is
raised.

® Note
Do not lift the vehicle by the sill. Position the
vehicle jack only at the designated mounting
points on the side sill. Otherwise, your vehicle
could be damaged.
271

Emergency assistance


— Read the warnings when working in the en-
gine compartment > page 227.
— Handling the jump start cables incorrectly
may cause the vehicle battery to explode

and lead to serious injuries.

C) Note
Jump start cables can cause considerable
damage to the vehicle electrical system if
they are connected incorrectly.
G) Tips
— There must be no contact between the
vehicles, or else voltage could flow when
connecting the positive terminal and drain
the vehicle battery of the vehicle providing
the jump start.
— The drained vehicle battery must be con-
nected correctly to the electrical system.
— Switch off electrical equipment that is not
needed.
aT telat tle)
Both jump start cables must be connected in the
correct order.

Fig. 168 Engine compartment: connectors for jump start
cables or a charger
The jump start cable connections are located in
the engine compartment.
Follow the information about the vehicle battery
=> page 237.
Connecting the positive cable (red) to the
positive terminal
> Open the red cover on the positive terminal
> fig. 168.
1. Attach one end of the positive cable (red) to
the jump-start pin @ © fig. 169 on your vehi-
cle.
2. Attach the other end of the positive cable
(red) to the positive terminal @) on the pow-
er source.
Connecting the negative cable (black) to the
negative terminal
3. Attach one end of the negative cable (black)
to the negative terminal @) on the power
source.
4. Attach the other end of the negative cable
(black) to the jump-start pin @) on the vehi-
cle.
Starting the engine
> Start the engine in the vehicle giving the charge
and let it run at idle.
> Now start the engine in your vehicle, which has
the drained battery.
> If the engine does not start, stop the starting
procedure after 10 seconds and then repeat it
after approximately 30 seconds.
> Turn on the rear window defogger in your vehi-
cle in order to reduce any voltage peaks that
may occur when disconnecting the jump start
cables. The headlights must be switched off.
> With the engines running, remove the cables in
reverse order of the way they were installed.
> Close the red cover on the positive terminal.



Fig. 169 Connecting the jump start cables
274

Z\ WARNING
— Never connect the jump start cable directly
to your vehicle battery. Only use the connec-
tions in the engine compartment.
— Do not touch the non-insulated parts of the
terminal clamps. The cable must also not

come into contact with vehicle components |»

4K8012721BC
Emergency assistance


that conduct electricity when it is connected
to the positive vehicle battery terminal. This
can cause a short circuit.
— The plugs on the battery cells must not be
opened.
— Keep ignition sources (such as open flames,
burning cigarettes, etc.) away from the vehi-
cle batteries to reduce the risk of an explo-
sion.
— Route the jump start cables so they cannot
get caught in the moving parts in the other

vehicle's engine compartment.

@) Note
Please note that the connecting process previ-
ously described for the jump start cables is in-
tended for when your vehicle is being jump
started.
@) Tips
Make sure that the connected jump start ca-
bles have sufficient contact with metal.
Towing
General information
You should only perform the steps that follow if
you have the necessary tools and technical ex-
pertise.
Towing requires a certain amount of practice.
Audi recommends contacting a towing company
to have the vehicle transported.
You should only have your vehicle towed by an-
other vehicle when disabled in exceptional cir-
cumstances. Inexperienced drivers should not
tow.
Notes on towing
When the engine is stopped, the transmission
will not be sufficiently lubricated if traveling at
high speeds and long distances:
— The maximum permitted towing speed is 30
mph (50 km/h).
— The maximum permitted towing distance is 30
miles (50 km).
Additional information on towing with a tow
truck
The vehicle may only be towed with the front axle
raised. Do not wrap any chains or cables around
the brake lines.
Tow bar and towing cable
The vehicle can be towed with a tow bar or tow-
ing cable. Both drivers should be familiar with
the special considerations when towing, especial-
ly when using a towing cable.
Always make sure the traction force does not ex-
ceed the permitted level and there are no shock
loading conditions. There is always the risk of the
coupling becoming overloaded when driving off-
road.
For the most safety and security, drive with a tow
bar. You should use a towing cable only if a tow
bar is not available. Use a towing cable made of
synthetic elastic cable similar elastic material.

ZA WARNING
— Towing highly increases the risk of an acci-
dent, for example from colliding with the
towing vehicle.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, do not al-
low anyone to remain inside the vehicle
when it is being transported by a tow truck
or a special transporter.

CG) Note
— If normal towing is not possible, for exam-
ple if the transmission is faulty or if the
towing distance is greater than 30 miles
(50 km), then transport the vehicle on a
special carrier.
— If the vehicle is towed by a tow truck at the
axle that is not permitted, this can cause se-
vere damage to the transmission.
— The vehicle must not be tow started for
technical reasons.
(i) Tips
— If the power supply is interrupted, then it
will not be possible to move the selector
lever out of the "P" position. The parking
lock must be released using the emergency >
275

Emergency assistance

release before towing the vehicle
=>page 95.
— Switch Audi pre sense* off > page 146 when
loading the vehicle onto a vehicle carrier,
train, ship, or other type of transportation,
or when towing the vehicle. This can prevent
an undesired intervention from the pre
sense* system.
— Follow the local legal regulations for tow-
ing.
Read and follow the important information under
=>page 275.
Preparations
> Only secure the towing cable or tow bar at the
designated towing loops > page 276,
=> page 277.
> Make sure the towing cable is not twisted. Oth-
erwise it could disconnect from the towing loop
while towing.
> Switch the emergency flashers on in both
vehicles > page 52. However, do not do this if it
prohibited by law.
Towing vehicle (front)
> Only start to drive when the towing cable is
taut.
> Press the brake pedal very carefully.
> Avoid sudden braking or driving maneuvers.
Vehicle being towed (rear)
> Make sure the ignition is switched on so that
the steering wheel is not locked and so that you
can use the turn signals, the horn, and the
windshield wipers if needed > A\.
> Switching it off before the vehicle has stopped
may impair the function of the brake booster
and power steering. You would then need to
use more force to steer and brake the vehicle.
> Release the parking brake > page 101.
> Select the “N” selector lever position.
> Make sure the towing cable is always taut.
276

A WARNING
Never tow a vehicle using a tow bar or towing
cable if the vehicle does not have electrical
power.
Front towing loop




Fig. 170 Front bumper: installing the towing loop
The threaded opening for the towing loop is lo-
cated on the right side of the front bumper.
> Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit > page 267.
> Press the cap inward with brief, strong pressure
=> fig. 170. The cap will loosen from the bump-
er.
> Tighten the towing loop in the threaded open-
ing until it stops and then tighten it with a
wheel wrench.
> After using, place the towing loop back in the
vehicle tool kit.

ZX WARNING
If the towing loop is not tightened until it
stops when installing, the threads may be
pulled out when towing the vehicle and result
in an accident.
G) Tips
Depending on the model, the shape of the
cover can vary.