2021 AUDI A7 coolant level

4K8012721BF
Trailer towing

Hill
When you start driving uphill or downhill, trailers
may tilt or sway sooner than when driving ona
level surface. If small swaying movements have
already occurred, you can stabilize the trailer by
firmly braking immediately. Never attempt to
“straighten out” the trailer by accelerating.
Conventional drive system: Downshift before
driving on hills to utilize the engine braking ef-
fect SA.
Plug-in hybrid drive system: Reduce the speed
and use the recuperation braking effect
=> page 101 to relieve the brakes > A\.
Brakes
When using a trailer with overrun brakes, first
brake gently then quickly. This reduces the risk of
jerking while braking if the trailer wheels lock up.
Engine coolant temperature
Pay attention specifically to the coolant tempera-
ture display when there are high outside temper-
atures, and when driving on long inclines
=> page 14. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-
ner.

Z\ WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to over-
heat and can substantially reduce braking per-
formance, increase braking distance, or cause
complete failure of the brake system.

137

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Checking and Filling

Emissions control
system
General information
ZA\ 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
Observe the safety precautions > page 259, Gen-
eral 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\.
Explanation of warnings (sticker in the engine
compartment):

Hot engine components!
Rotating parts!

The radiator fan can switch on at any
time!

High voltage! Switch off the engine be-
fore coming into contact with any igni-
tion system components!

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid
drive: High voltage! The voltage in the
high-voltage system is high enough to
cause fatal injuries. Touching a damaged
high-voltage component can result ina
fatal electric shock.

The catalytic converter can be damaged
"271 if the oil level is too high!
oy
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.

Always follow the instructions in the op-
erating manual.



259

Checking and Filling


Engine compartment overview
The most important check points.


RAZ-1051


Fig. 164 Typical location of the reservoir and the engine oil filler opening (example)
Observe the safety precautions > page 259, Gen-
eral information.
© @
®©®©
© @
Washer fluid reservoir (>) 9 page 272
Jump start point (+) under a cover, (-) with
hex head screw > page 272, Charging the 12
Volt vehicle battery > page 311, Jump start-
ing
Engine oil filler opening (S27) > page 264
Version 1: coolant expansion tank for com-
bustion engine (=f) under a cover
=> page 267
Brake fluid reservoir (OC) under a cover
=> page 269
Version 2: coolant expansion tank for com-
bustion engine (-£) > page 267
Plug-in hybrid drive: coolant expansion tank
for the high-voltage system ( page 267
Sticker* for engine oil specifications
=> page 262
262
The coolant expansion tank and the engine oil
filling opening may be located in different places
within the engine compartment, depending on
the engine version.
Gi) Tips
Plug-in hybrid drive*: read the information re-
garding the coolant expansion tank under
= page 267 and the jump start under >@ in
Preparation on page 312.
Engine oil
If the engine oil level is too low
If you need to add engine oil, use an oil that is
listed on the sticker. The sticker is located at the
front of the engine compartment > page 262,
fig. 164. When using the engine oil listed on the
sticker, you can adjust the oil level as often as
needed.

Checking and Filling


— Maintain enough distance when you are re-
moving the oil drain plug. While doing this,
keep your forearm parallel to the ground to
reduce the risk of hot oil dripping down your
arm.
— Drain the oil into a container designed for
this purpose that is large enough to hold the
full amount of oil in your engine.
— Engine oil is poisonous. Always store out of
reach of children.
— Prolonged contact of used engine oil with
the skin may cause skin damage. Always
wash oil off immediately with soap and wa-
ter to protect your skin.
@) Note
Do not mix any additives with the engine oil.
Additives may cause engine damage that is
not covered by your New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty.

@ For the sake of the environment
— Before changing the engine oil, make sure
you can dispose of the used engine oil cor-
rectly.
— Engine oil must always be disposed of cor-
rectly. Do not dump it in the yard, in the for-
est, or in open water, river channels, or sew-
ers.
— Have your used engine oil recycled by bring-
ing it to a used oil collection site or contact
a gas station.
Cooling system
The engine cooling system is filled with a mixture
of purified water and coolant additive at the fac-
tory. This coolant must not be not changed.
The coolant level is monitored using the g indi-
cator light. However, occasionally checking the
coolant level is recommended.
Messages
& Turn off engine and check coolant level. See
owner's manual
266
The coolant level is too low.
Stop driving and switch the engine off. Check the
coolant level > page 267.
— If the coolant level is too low, add coolant
=> page 267. Only continue driving once the in-
dicator light turns off.
|_| Coolant temperature: too high. Please let
engine run while vehicle is stationary
Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to
cool 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 Audi Service Facility
for assistance.
|| Coolant system: malfunction! Please turn
off engine
Do not continue driving, shut the engine off, and
switch the ignition off.
— See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
B Electric drive: malfunction! Cooling system.
Please contact Service
There is a malfunction in the cooling system.
Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility immediately.
Coolant additive
The coolant additive is made of anti-freezing and
corrosion protection agents. Only add the follow-
ing coolant additives mixed with distilled water.

Coolant additive Specification

G12evo TL774L

The amount of coolant additive that needs to be
mixed with water depends on the climate where
the vehicle will be operated. If the coolant addi-
tive percentage is too low, the coolant can freeze
and damage the engine.

Checking and Filling







4K8012721BF


additive tion 3
Warm min. 40% min. -13 °F @) mae s
regions max. 45% (-25 °C) =]
Cold min. 50% max. -40 °F |
regions max. 55% (-40 °C)
@) Note |
— Before the start of winter, have an author- MIN
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility check if the coolant additive in your Fig. 166 Engine compartment - Coolant expansion tank:
vehicle matches the percentage appropriate @ cover with release button; @) markings
for the climate. This is especially important
when driving in colder climates. Observe the safety precautions > page 259, Gen-
— If the G12evo coolant additive is not availa- eral information.
ble in an emergency, do not add any other Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive:
additive. You could damage the engine. If Your vehicle has two coolant expansion tanks
this happens, only use distilled water and that are separate from each other > page 262,
restore the correct mixture ratio with the fig. 164. One expansion tank for the combustion
specified coolant additive as soon as possi- engine and one tank for the high-voltage system.
ble. The coolant expansion tank for the high-voltage
— Only refill with new coolant. system is sealed and must not be opened > /\
— Radiator sealant must not be mixed with and> /\.
the coolant. .
— You can continue driving if the permitted Checking/the:coolantilevel
G12evo coolant additive was not added. > Park the vehicle on a level surface.
However, go to an authorized Audi dealer or > Switch the ignition off.
authorized Audi Service Facility immediately > Open the hood & page 261.
to have the coolant replaced to reduce the
risk of engine damage.
— 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.
The coolant expansion tank for some engines is
located in the water drip tray under a cover. Slide
the cover that is located below the windshield
wiper on the front passenger's side toward the
windshield and remove the cover.
> Check the coolant level in the coolant expan-
sion tank > page 262, fig. 164 using the outer
markings @) > fig. 166. 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.
> Conventional drive system: When you add cool-
ant to the expansion tank, please refer to
=> page 266, Cooling system.
> Plug-in hybrid drive: If you add coolant to the
coolant expansion tank for the combustion en-
gine, see > page 266, Cooling system.
> Plug-in hybrid drive: If coolant is missing from
the high-voltage system coolant expansion >
267

Checking and Filling

tank, do not continue driving. Contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately > A\.
Adding coolant
Applies
to: coolant expansion tank for combustion engine
When adding coolant to the combustion engine
expansion tank, please observe the following in-
structions.
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. Audi recommends mixing
the coolant additive with distilled water.
> Allow the engine to cool.
> Place a large, thick towel on the coolant expan-
sion tank cap.
> Push the release button (@) © fig. 166 on the
cap and carefully turn it to the left until you
feel resistance > /\.
> Push the release button again and remove the
cap completely.
> Add coolant mixed in the correct ratio
=> page 266 up to the MAX marking.
> Make sure that the fluid level remains stable.
Add more coolant if necessary.
> Turn the cap to the right to tighten it until you
feel resistance a second time.
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.

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.


ZA WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The coolant expansion tank for the high-volt-
age system may only be opened or filled by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
— The coolant expansion tank cap is equipped
with a seal that must never be removed un-
der any circumstances > page 262, fig. 164.
If the coolant expansion tank for the high-
voltage system is not sealed, please contact
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility.
—When adding coolant, it may leak into the
inside of high-voltage components and
cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of
fire.


ZX WARNING
— The engine compartment in any vehicle is a
potentially dangerous area. Stop the engine,
switch the ignition off, and allow the engine
to cool before working in the engine com-
partment. Always follow the information
found in > page 259, General information.
— Never open the hood if you can see or hear
steam or coolant escaping from the engine

compartment. This increases the risk of

268
@) Note
Do not continue driving if the coolant expan-
sion tank is empty. Do not add any coolant,
because air could enter the cooling system
and damage the engine. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
for assistance.