warning lights AUDI A4 CABRIOLET 2009 Owner's Manual

Clear vision
& WARNING
• Wiper blade s are cru cial fo r safe driving ! O nly when they are in
good cond it ion are they able to clear the window s properly to
p ro vi de un comp romi sed vis ibility . Worn or damaged wiper blade s
are a safety hazard
=> page 8 7, "In stalling new w ipe r blades "!
• The rain sen sor is onl y de signed to a ssis t and support the
driver. It remain s ent irely the driver' s re spon sibility to monitor
o ut side weather condit ion s a nd to manually acti vate the wipers a s
soon a s rain or drizzle reduces vi sibility through the wind shield .
• The wind shield mu st not be treat ed w ith water -repellent mate ­
rials. They can increase glare under poor visibility conditions such
a s w etne ss, darknes s, or when the sun i s lo w on t he horizon . In
addition , they can cause the windshield wipers to chatter .
0 Note
In freezing or near freezing conditions :
• Always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the g lass
before you turn the wipers on. Loosen a wiper b lade which is frozen
in place before operating the wipers to prevent damage to the wiper
b lade or the wipe r motor.
• Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted window . Using the
wipe rs as a convenient ice scraper wil l destroy the wiper blades .
• Before you take your vehicle to an automatic car wash , make sure
you have the wi ndshield w iper system switched off (lever in position
0), otherwise the windshield wiper system could get damaged in the
car wash if it should suddenly come on .
[ i ] Tips
• The rain sensor is part of the interva l wiping system . Turning off
the ignition will also deactivate the rain sensor. To reactivate the sensor, switch off the interva l wiping function, then switch it back
on aga in. • I
f you switch off the ignition with the windshield wiper lever sti ll
in the interva l wipe position and then come back a while late r and
drive off, the rain sensor will reactivate itself after the vehicle speed
has exceeded 4 mph (6 km/h) .
• Worn or dirty windshield wiper b lades cause smearing which
can affect the operation of the rain sensor . Check the condition of
your windshield wiper b lades regularly .
• Make sure the washer fluid reservoir in the engine co mpartment
is topped off before going on a long trip. Look up=>
page 266 for
checking and f illing the washer container .•
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlights.
Operate the w indshie ld wiper/washer system, leve r posi­
tion
© =>page 85, fig. 97, w ith the head lig hts switched
on
by h old ing the lever for longer than o ne second .
The washer jets extend forward out of the front bumper driven by
water pressure to s pray the front headlights with water .
You should inspec t the head lights regu larly (for examp le when refu ­
e ling) and c lean off any so lid dirt or insects from the lenses .
To ensure the sys tem works proper ly in winter, keep the washer jets
free of snow and
remove any ice using a de -icing spray .•

& WARNING
The glass of the inside rearview mirror is layered and contains an
electrolyte to achieve its properties. Be aware of liquid electrolyte
leaking from a broken mirror glass. This liquid can cause irritation
to skin, eyes, and respiratory system. If you get electrolyte in your
eyes or on your skin, immediately rinse with plenty of water. If irri­
tation persists, seek medical attention.
0 Note
Liquid electrolyte leaked from a broken mirror glass will damage any
plastic surfaces it comes in contact with. Clean up spilled electrolyte
immediately with clear water and a sponge.
[ i] Tips
• If you switch off the automatic dimming function on the inside
mirror, automatic dimming of the outside mirrors will likewise be
disabled.
• Check to make sure there are no objects preventing light from
reaching the inside mirror.
• Do not attach any stickers to the windshield in front of the light
sensor, as this would interfere with the automatic operation of the
headlights and the automatic dimming of the inside mirror.•
Controls and eq uip­
ment
Clear vision
Outside mirrors
The outside mirrors are electrically adjusted.
Adjusting the outside mirrors
Fig. 101 Forward
section of driver's
armrest: power mirror
controls
Turn the adjusting knob to position (D => fig. 101 to
adjust the outside mirror on the driver's side.
Turn the knob to position
@ to adjust the outside mirror
on the passenger side.
Press the knob in the appropriate direction to move the
mirror surface so that you have a good view to the rear.
Folding both outside mirrors in flush*
- Turn the knob to position @.
The mirror surfaces are heated whenever you switch on the rear
window defogger regardless of the outside temperature.
You are well -advised to fold the outside mirrors in when maneu­
vering in tight spaces or when leaving the car parked close to other
vehicles.
Automatic tilt-down of passenger side outside mirror*
With the knob turned to position@:::::, fig. 101, the mirror on the
front passenger door will tilt downward slightly when you move the .,_
~ehicle care Technical data

___________________________________________________ O_ n_ t_h _e_ r_o _a_ d _ ___,11111
Ignition lock and ignition switch
Ignition lock
T he i gnition k ey sta rts or st ops t he e ngin e.
0
Ignition off 0
Fig. 13 6 Ignition lock
positi ons
In position~ fig. 136 0 both the ignition and engine are off, and
t he stee rin g is locke d.
To
lo ck the steering after you have removed the ignit ion key, turn
t he stee rin g wheel in either direc tion un til you hear it loc k into
p lace . You should always lock the steering whenever you leave your
vehicle . This ma kes a vehic le theft even more difficult ~ & .
Ignition on 0
If it is difficult to turn the key afte r yo u have inserted it into the igni­
tion lock, turn the steering wheel back and forth. This will take the
load off the steering lock mechanism and you will be able to turn the
key free ly an d start the engine.
Starting the engine @
In th is position the engine starts . While the engine is starting, the
power supply to the headlights and other electrical consumers is
temporarily interrupted to conserve battery power. After the engine has started, release the key and it wi ll return to position
(v.
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Before the starter can be operated again the key must be turned
b ack to position
(D . Th e non -repeat lock p re vents y ou fr om
damag ing the starter when the engine is running .
& WARNING
• Never remove the key from the ignit ion lock while the vehicle is
moving. The steering wheel will lock causing loss of control .
• If you have to leave your vehi cle- even for just a minute- always
remove the ignition key and take it with you. This is especially
important if you are going to leave children behind in the vehicle.
The children could start the engine or use other vehicle controls. Unsupervised use of vehicle controls (for e xample , power
windows) can cause serious personal injuries.
[ i ] Tips
If the vehicle battery has been disco nnec ted and then recon nected,
then you must leave the key in position
0 for about 5 seconds
be fore you can start the eng ine .•
Ignition key safety lock
T he i gnit ion key ca n only be remove d when the se lector
lever is in the "P " (Pa rk) pos itio n.
A fte r swi tc h ing o ff th e ig nition, the ig nition key can only be
removed from the ignition lock when the selector lever is in the "P"
(Park) posi tio n. Af ter y ou h ave remo ved the key, the selec to r lever is
locked and cannot be moved. •
~ehicle care irechnical data

• .___T_ r_a _n_ s_ m_ is_ s_io _ n ______________________________________________________ _
R -Reverse
The transmission will automatically select the lowest gear ratio
when you shift into reverse.
Select
R only when the vehicle is at a full stop and the engine is
running at idle speed~
& in "Driving the automat ic transmission"
on
page 126 .
Before you move the selector lever to R, press both the button in the
handle of the selector lever
and the brake pedal at the same time.
When the ignition is on, the backup lights illuminate when the selector lever is moved into
R.
N -Neutral
The transmission is in neutral in this position. Shift to this position
for standing with the brakes applied~
page 128.
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the footbrake before and while moving the
lever out of
N.
D -Normal position for driving forward
Position Dis for normal city and highway driving. It ranges from zero
to top speed and all six gears shift automatica lly, depending on
engine load, driving speed and automatically selected shift
programs. The gear engaged is shown in the right of the display
~ page 127, fig. 140.
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the foot brake before and whi le moving the
lever to
D out of N .
In certain circumstances it may be advantageous to temporarily
switch to the manual shift program to manua lly se lect gear ratios to
match specific driving conditions~
page 130.
S -Sport position
Select this position for sportier performance. In this position, the
t ransmission will not upshift as soon, allowing the vehic le to use the increased power available at higher engine speeds
to achieve live­
lier accelera tion .
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the foot brake before and while moving the lever to
S out of N.
& WARNING
Read and follow all WARNINGS ~ & in "Driving the automatic
transmission" on
page 126.
(D Note
Coasting downhil l with the transmission in N and the engine not
running w ill result in damage to the automatic transmission and
possibly the catalytic converter. •
Applies t o veh icles: with 6-speed automat ic transmission
Automatic Shift Lock (ASL)
The Automatic Shift Lock safeguards you against acciden­
tally shifting into a forward or the reverse gear and
causing the vehicle to move unintentionally.
Fig. 141 Shift gate:
se lector leve r lock
position s and interlock
butt on highlighted
The selector lever lock is released as follows :

....... _T _r_a _ n_ s_m _ i_s _s _i_o _n ______________________________________________________ _
Engage P only when the vehicle is completely stopped=> & in
"Driving the multitronic®" on
page 132
To shift into or out of position P, you must first press and hold the
brake pedal
and then press the release button in the selector lever
handle while moving the selector lever to
P.
R -Reverse
The transmission will automatically select the lowest gear ratio
when you shift into reverse.
Select R only when the vehicle is at a
full stop and the engine is
running at idle speed=>
& in "Driving the multitronic®" on
page 132.
Before you move the selector lever to R, press both, the button in the
handle of the selector lever
and the brake pedal at the same time.
When the ignition is on, the backup lights illuminate when the
selector lever is moved into
R.
N -Neutral
Shift to this position for standing with brakes applied=> page 135.
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the footbrake before and while moving the
lever out of
N.
Do not use N for coasting downhill.
D -Normal driving position for forward
Depending on the load on the engine, vehicle speed and the
dynamic control program, the transmission will select the
optimal
gear ratio.
In certain circumstances it may be advantageous to temporarily
switch to the manual shift program to manually select gear ratios to
match specific driving conditions=>
page 136.
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the footbrake before and while moving the lever to
D out of N.
S -Sport position
Select this position for sportier performance. In this position, the
transmission will not upshift as soon, allowing the vehicle to use the increased power available at higher engine speeds to achieve live­
lier acceleration.
When the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 3 mph (5 km/h),
you must always apply the foot brake before and while moving the
lever to
S out of N.
& WARNING
Read and follow all WARNINGS=> & in "Driving the multitronic®"
on
page 132.
0 Note
Coasting downhill with the transmission in N and the engine not
operating will result in damage to the automatic transmission and
possibly the catalytic converter. •

________________________________________________ D_r_iv _ i _n...: g=--- S_ a_ fe--= ly'---------"'
- Make sure that all lights and signals are operating
correctly.
- Make sure that the tire pressure is correct.
- Make sure that all windows are clean and afford good
visibility to the outside.
- Secure all luggage and other items carefully~
page 107.
-Make sure that nothing can interfere with the pedals.
- Adjust front seat, head restraint and mirrors correctly for
your height.
- Instruct passengers to adjust the head restraints
according to their height.
- Make sure to use the right child restraint correctly to
protect children~
page 190, "Child Safety".
- Sit properly in your seat and make sure that your passen­
gers do the same
~ page 92, "General recommenda­
t ions" .
- Fasten your safety belt and wear it properly. Also instruct
your passengers to fasten their safety belts properly
~ page 159. •
What impairs driving safety?
Safe driving is directly related to the condition of the
vehicle, the driver as well as the driver's ability to concen­
trate on the road without being distracted.
The driver is responsible for the safety of the vehicle and all
of its occupants. If your ability to drive is impaired, safety
risks for everybody in the vehicle increase and you also
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
become a
hazard to everyone else on the road ~& .There ­
fore:
- Do not let yourself be distracted by passengers or by
using a cellular telephone.
- NEVER drive when your driving ability is impaired (by
medications, alcohol, drugs, etc.I.
- Observe all traffic laws, rules of the road and speed limits
and plain common sense.
- ALWAYS adjust your speed to road, traffic and weather
conditions.
- Take frequent breaks on long trips. Do not drive for more
than two hours at a stretch.
- Do NOT drive when you are tired, under pressure or when
you are stressed.
& WARNING
Impaired driving safety increases the risk of serious personal
injury and death whenever a vehicle is being used. •
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

___ S_a_ f_ e_ t-= y_ b_e_ l_ t _s _______________________________________________ _
- Make sure that your passengers also buckle up and prop­
er ly wea r th eir sa fe ty be lts.
Protect your children with a child restraint system appro ­
pria te for t he size and age o f the children.
The warning light~ in the instrument cluster lights up when the
ignition is switched on as a reminder to fasten the safety belts. In
addition, you will hear a warning sound.
After the ignition is switched on, the warning tone will come on for about 6 seconds a long w ith a-~ warning light in the instru ment
cluster if the driver has not fastened his safety belt . As soon as the
driver has fastened his safety belt, the warning tone will stop and
the warning light will go out .
I f the driver has not buckled -up within about 24 seconds after the
warn ing tone has stopped, the warn ing tone will sound again for
about 6 seconds. The warning tone will sound repeated ly for about
6 seconds at 24 second intervals unti l the driver has buckled-up . The
safety belt warning system is active for about 5 minutes and during
this time the wa rning light in the instrument c luster will stay on.
Fa sten you r safety belt no w and make sure that your pa ssengers
also properl y put on the ir saf ety belts. •
Why safety belts?
Frontal collisions and the law of physics
Frontal crashes create ve ry strong forces for pe ople ri ding
in vehicles.
Fig . 16 2 Unbel ted
occ upants in a ve hicle
h ead in g fo r a wall
F ig . 16 3 T he vehi cle
c ras he s in to t he wa ll
The physica l principles are simple. Both the vehicle and the passen­
gers possess energy which varies with vehicle speed and body
we ight . Engineers call this energy "kinetic energy ."
The higher the speed of the vehicle and the greater the vehicle's
we ight, the mo re energy that has to be "absorbed" in the crash .
Vehicle speed is the most significant factor. If the speed doub les
from 15 to 30 mph (25 to 50 km/h), the energy increases 4 times!
~

-Dri
ving and environm ent --=---------------
one half . Never drive faster than the posted speed limit and weather
conditions permit .•
Reducing unnecessary idling
Even when your car is just idling it burns up fuel.
- Shut the eng ine off when you are not driving the vehicle.
- Do not warm up the vehicle by letting the engine run at
idle.
It makes sense to shut off the engine in traffic jams, when waiting
for trains to pass at rai lroad crossings, or at traffic lights that have
long waits on red. Turning the engine off for just 30 -40 seconds
saves more fuel than is burned s tarting the engine again .
It takes a long time for the engine to warm up fully when it is
running at idle. However, wear and noxious emissions are especially
high when the engine is warming up. So you should drive away as
soon as you star t the engine and avoid running at high rpms while
the engine is still warming up.
0 Note
Do not leave engine idling unattended after starting . If warning
lights should come on to indicate improper operation, they would
go unheeded. Extended id ling also produces heat, which could
resu lt in overheating or other damage to the veh icle or other
property .•
Regu1ar maintenance
A badly tuned engine unnecessarily wastes a lo t of fuel.
- Have your ve hicle serviced at regular intervals . By having your vehicle regularly serviced by an Audi dealer helps to
ensure that it runs properly and economical
ly . The condit ion of yo ur
vehic le not only affects its safety and abi lity to hold its va lue, it also
affects
fuel consumpt ion .
C heck your oil each time you fill your tank .
The amount of oil used is related to engine load and speed.
I t is norma l for the oil consumption of a new engine to reach its
lowest va lue after a certain mi leage has been driven.
You must drive your vehicle about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) be fore you can properly assess oil consumption .
This also applies to fuel consumption and engine output .
0 Note
• Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet. Lack of proper maintenance as well as improper use of the
vehic le wi ll impai r the function of the em ission control system and
cou ld lead to damage.
• Do no t alter or re move any component of the Emiss ion Contro l
System unless approved by the manufacturer.
• Do not alte r or remove any device, such as heat shields,
switches, ignition wires, valves, which are designed to protect your
vehic le's Emission Control System and other important veh icle
components. •
Fewer short trips
Fu el consumption will alw ays be rela tively high o n short
trips.
- Try to avo id d riving short dista nces wi th a cold engine. _,

Trailer lights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations. Be sure to check with your autho rized Audi dealer for correct wiring , switches and relays .
Mirrors
If you are unable to see the traffic behind you using the regular
outside mirrors, then you
must install extended mirrors. It is impor ­
tant that you always have clear vision to the rear .
& WARNING
After removing the trailer hitch, do not store it in your vehicle. In
case of sudden braking, the hitch could fly forward and injure you
or your passengers .
.1
Operating instructions
Maximum trailer weight
A trailer for your vehicle is limited to a typical class 1 or class 2
trailer .
Trailer load distribution
Be sure the load in the trailer is held securely in place to guard
against shifting, be it forward, backward or sideways.
Never allow a passenger to ride in a trailer~&, in "Driving instruc­
tions".
Tire pressure
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of your vehicle to the cold tire
pressure listed under "Full load" on the sticker on the right door­
jamb. Inflate trailer tires to trailer and tire manufacturers' specifica­
tions.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Trailer towing
Lights
The
headlight settings should be checked with the trailer attached
before driving off. Adjust as necessary so that you can see the road
ahead but not blind on -coming traffic.
Check proper working of vehicle and trailer lights .
Safety chains
Be sure trailer safety chains are properly connected from the trailer
to the hitch on the vehicle. Leave enough slack in the chains to
permit turning corners. When you install safety chains, make sure
they will not drag on the road when you are driving.
The chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent it from
dropping in case of separation from the hitch .•
Driving instructions
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care and
consideration.
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle and trailer,
please note the following:
Do not tow a loaded trailer when your car itself is not
loaded.
- Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
Observe speed limits.
Do not drive at the maximum permissible speed.
- Always apply brakes early.
Monitor the temperature gauge.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

-Cleaning and protection P':ft':I _______________ _
& WARNING
• Do not clean the underside of the chassis, fenders, wheel
covers, or other hard to reach parts without protecting your hands
and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts.
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 230.
0 Note
• Never try to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle
is dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge, since this could scratch your
vehicle's paint or windows.
• Never wash your car in bright sunlight. Drops of water act as
magnifying lenses and may damage your paint .
• When you wash your car in the winter: if you rinse your vehicle
with a hose, be careful not to aim the stream of water directly at
locks, or at door or hatch openings - they can freeze shut.
• Never use sponges designed to remove insects, or any kitchen
scouring sponges or similar products. They can damage your paint
finish .
• Never use a dry cloth or sponge to clean the headlights. Only use
wet cloths or sponges to prevent scratches . It is best to use soapy
water.
<£> For the sake of the environment
In the interest of the environment, the vehicle should only be
washed in special wash bays. •
Washing your vehicle with a power washer
Cleaning the exterior of your car with a high-pressure
power washer is safe as long as you observe a few simple
rules.
- Before using the power washer, make sure you have read
and understood the WARNINGS~
& in "General infor­
mation" on
page 230.
Always follow the operating instructions for the power
washer.
Make sure that the jet on the spray hose produces a "fan
shaped spray".
Do
not hold the spray nozzle too close to soft materials.
When cleaning the vehicle with a power washer always follow the
operating instructions. This applies particularly to the
operating
pressure and the spraying distance. Maintain a sufficient distance
to soft materials such as rubber hoses and sound/vibration dead­ ening materials {particularly on the underside of the engine hood).
Do not use a jet which sprays water in a
direct stream or one that
has a
rotating jet.
Water temperature should not exceed 140
°F (60 °C).
& WARNING
Never wash tires with a jet that sprays water in a direct stream.
This could cause invisible damage to the tires and weaken them,
even if the spray is from a relatively long distance and for a short
time . Damaged and weakened tires can fail and cause accidents
and personal injury.
0 Note
• Never use a power washer to clean the power top itself.