air condition AUDI A5 CABRIOLET 2011 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: AUDI, Model Year: 2011, Model line: A5 CABRIOLET, Model: AUDI A5 CABRIOLET 2011Pages: 364, PDF Size: 86.48 MB
Page 254 of 364

Driving and environment
- Never put too much motor oil in your engine=> page 284,
"Adding engine oil~".
- Never try to pus h- or tow-sta rt your vehicle.
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" dev ice built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle. The catalytic converter burns many of
the pollutants in the exhaust gas before they are released into the
atmosphere.
T he exclusive use of unleaded fuel is c riti cal ly import ant for the life of
the catalytic converter and proper funct io ni ng of the eng ine.
& WARNING
• Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot
exhaust sy stem may come in conta ct with dry gras s, brush, fuel
spill or other material which can cause a fire.
• Do not apply addit ional undercoat ing or rustproofing on or
near the exhaust manifold , exhau st pipes , catalytic converte r or
heat shield s. During driving, the sub stan ce u sed f or under coating
c ould o ve rheat and cause a fire.
0 Note
• Be aware that just one tank filling with leaded fuel w ill already
ser iously degr ade the performance of the ca talytic co nve rter.
• Do not exceed the correct engine oil level =>
page 284.
• Do not dr ive until the f uel tank becomes com plete ly empty . T he
engine could misfire . Unburned fuel cou ld also get into the ex ha ust
system and t his co ul d cause t he ca talyt ic converter to ove rheat .
• Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
• Do not continue to operate your vehicle u nder these conditions, as
otherwise f uel can reac h the c ata ly tic conve rter. This co uld res ult in
over heat ing of the converter, requir ing its replacement.
• T o ass ure eff icien t operat ion of the Emission Cont rol System: -
Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
th e se rvice reco mmend ations in your W arran ty
& M ain ten ance
booklet.
- Lack of prope r main ten anc e as well as imp roper use of the
veh icle w ill impair the fu nction of the emission control system and
c o uld l ead to d amage.
~ For the sake of the environment
Even when the Emission Contro l System is operat ing proper ly, the
exhaust gas can have a sulfur-like exhaust gas smell u nder some
operating states. This depends on t he sulfur content of the fue l being
used . Using a different brand of fuel may help , o r fil lin g the tank with
lead-free supe r grade gasoline. •
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution
General
Yo ur person al sty le of drivi ng will determine the e cono my
of your vehicle, as well as e xhaust and noise levels .
Fuel economy, environmenta l impact, and wear on your engine,
bra kes and tires large ly depe nd on three fa ctors:
• your perso nal driv ing style
• operat ing cond itions
• technical lim itations
If you an ticipa te wh at yo u nee d to do nex t and drive e co nom ically,
you can easily cut your fuel consumption by 10- 15 percent. This
se ct io n w ill give you so me tips on how you ca n he lp the env ironment
and your pocketbook .
9>
Page 259 of 364

Observe speed limits. In some areas, speeds for vehicles towing
t railers are lowe r than for regular veh icles.
Always apply brakes early. When dr iv ing downh ill, sh ift in to a lower
gear to use the engine braking effect to slow the vehicle. Use of the
brakes alone can cause them to overheat and fail.
Coolant temperature
The coolant temperature gauge~ page 8 must be observed care
fully. If the needle moves close to the upper end of the scale, reduce
speed immediately and/or turn off the air conditione r.
If the coolant temperature warning light in the instrument cluster
star ts flashing
-t- , pull off the road, stop and let the engine idle for
about two minutes to prevent heat bu ild-up.
& WARNING
Anyone not properly restrained in a moving vehicle is at a much
greater risk in an accident. Never let anyone ride in your car who is
not properly wearing the restraints provided by Audi. u
Trailer towing tips
Important to know
------------
Your vehicle handles differently when tow ing a tra iler because of the
additiona l weight and different weight distribution. Safety, perfor
mance and economy will greatly depend on how carefu lly you load
your trailer and operate your rig .
Before you actua lly tow your trailer, practice turning, stopping and
backing up in an area away from traffic. Keep pract icing until you have
become completely familiar with the way your vehicle-t railer combi
nation behaves and responds.
Controls and equip
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Backing up
is d iff icult and requ ires practice . Backing up with a trailer
generally requires steering action opposite to that when backing up
your vehicle without a trailer.
Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle and the one in front
of you. You will need more room to stop . To compensate fo r the
trailer, you will need a larger than norma l turning radius.
When passing, remember that you cannot accelerate as fast as you
normally would because of the added load. Make sure you have
enough room to pass. After passing, allow plenty of room for you r
trailer before changing lanes again.
Avoid jerky starts, sharp turns or rapid lane changes .
[I) Tips
• Do not tow a trai ler during the break-in per iod of your vehicle.
• If you tow a tra iler, your Audi may requi re more frequent mainte
nance due to the extra toad~
page 343. •
Parking on a slope
Do not park on a slope with a trailer. If it cannot be
avoided, do so only after doing the following:
When parking:
-Apply the foot brake.
- Have someone place chocks under both the vehicle and the
trailer wheels.
- With chocks in place, slowly release the brakes until the
wheel chocks absorb the load.
- Turn the wheels towards the curb.
- Apply the parking brake .
- Move the se lector lever to
P.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data
Page 262 of 364

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Cleaning and protection
General information
Regular care preserves vehicl e val ue.
Any automobile is exposed to industria l fumes, co rrosive road salt,
e tc. A well ca red for Audi c an look lik e new many ye ars after pur cha se.
Regu lar and correct care w ill contribute to mai nta in ing t he bea uty
a nd valu e of your Au di.
Furthermore, good care may be a condition for substantiating a
warranty claim should corrosion damage or paint defects occur.
Yo ur au thori zed Audi d eale r h as a var iety of dedicated vehicle-care
products
and can advise w hich ones to use for clea ning the exterior
a n d inter io r of your ve hicle.
W het her you use products recommended by Aud i or other comme r
cia lly availab le cleaning agents , please make sure yo u appl y them
co rrectly .
& WARNING
• Cleaning agents may be poisonous . Keep them out of the reach
of children.
• Heed all caution labels .
• Always read directions on the container before using any
product. Follow the directions carefully.
• Most chemical cleaners are concentrated and have to be
diluted .
• Use spot removing fluids only in well ventilated areas.
• Do not use gasoline, kero sene , diesel fuel , nail polish remover
or other volatile fluids . They may be toxic, flammable or
hazardous in other ways. Do not wash, wax or dry the vehicle with
the ign ition on or the engine running .
& WARNING (continued )
• Do not clean the under sides of chassi s, fenders , wheel covers,
etc. without protecting your hands and arms. You may cut your
self on sharp-edged metal parts.
• Moisture and ice on brakes may impair braking efficiency
~ page 243, "General information ". Test the brakes carefully
each time you wash the vehicle .
'£> For the sake of the environment
Select only envir onmenta lly fr iendly clea ning produc ts . Leftover
cleaning pro ducts sho uld not dis posed of i n the household waste .•
Care of exterior
Washing
F re quent w ashin g protec ts th e vehicle.
T he best protection aga inst env ironmental influences is frequent
w ashi ng and w ax ing. How oft en thi s is requ ired depen ds on :
• How m uch the vehicle is used
• Whe re the ve hicle is parke d (gar age, in the o pen un der tr ees, etc.)
• The seasona l and weather conditions
• Environ mental influences
T he longer bird droppings , insects , tree resin, road and industria l
gr ime, t ar, soo t, road sa lt and o ther ma ter ia ls remain on t he veh icle
body, the more lasti ng their destructive effects w ill be. H igh temper
atu res cause d by ex pos ure to intense s unlight int ensify the co rrosive
effect, part icu larly when humid ity is high as we ll.
~
Page 268 of 364

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Never dry windows with the same chamois that you use to dry painted
surfaces. W ax res idue o n the chamois can impair vision t hrough the
w indows .
& WARNING
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=> page 260 .
• The windshield must not be treated with water-repellent
materials. They can increa se glare under poor vi sibility condition s
such as wetness, darkness, o r when the sun is low on the horizon.
In addition, they can cause the wind shield wipers to chatter .
0 Note
• Never use warm or hot water to rem ove snow and ice from
w indows and mirrors . This cou ld cause the glass to crack.
• T o preven t dam age to the wi re s of t he rear defogge r, d o not p lace
any adhesive stickers on the inside of the rear window over the w ires .
• T o help p revent dirt from scr atching the w indow, always scr ape in
a forward direction - pushing t he scraper away from yo u - never back
and fort h.
• Water leaking from the ins ide of the rear windows may damage
sen siti ve e lectr ica l components loc ated ei ther unde r the rea r parce l
shelf or in the rear trunk area. Always ens ure that water never leaks
t hrough the body section o f th e veh icle. Yo u can do th is by usin g
waterproof protection over the vehicle 's electrical components (e.g.,
w hen installing w indow t int ing).
• Damage or ma lfunct ion of elect rical components due to water
damage or any other outs ide infl uen ce is not cove red by t he Aud i New
Vehicle Limited Warranty. See your Warranty
& M aintenance booklet
for addit io nal detai ls about your wa rranty. •
Weatherstrips
Complete car c are include s the weatherstrips as well .
- Apply a suitable rubb er condit ioner to t he weatherst rips
from ti me to ti me.
T o be able se al prope rly, the weathe rst rips a round the hood, doors,
rear lid, etc. must remain pliable . Spray the weatherstr ips w ith sili
c one or coa t them wi th ta lcum powder o r gly cerin to reta in the flex i
bility of the rubber and to protect them against freezing in the
w inte r.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=> page 260 .
[I) Tips
Keep silicone sprays off the w indshield to avo id wiper smear in rain. •
Cast (light} alloy wheels
Cast (light) alloy wheels require special care .
- Wash the whe els with a sp ong e or h ose b rush every o th er
w ee k.
- For deep cleaning afterwa rds, use only a ded icate d
acid
free cast alloy wheel c leaner.
- Rub a coat of
liquid wax onto t he rims every three mo nth .
Be sure to reach and treat all parts o f the rim.
To preserve the decorative appearance of the cast alloy wheels, some
special care is necessary. In addi tion t o ro ad dirt and sal t, br ake dust
is a lso corrosive. If left on for too long, brake dust can cause pitting . ..,_
Page 284 of 364

lffl) __ C_ h_ e_c _k _i _ n _g ~ a_n _d_ f_il _l_in _ g _________________________________________ _
in. WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS~
& in "Working in the engine
compartment" on
page 280. •
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The engine oil used in your Audi needs the right kind of oil.
The engine in your Audi is a sophisticated power plant that was built
to exacting specifications. This engine needs the right kind of engine
oil that meets specifications regarding quality and viscosity so that it
can run smoothly and reliably. Choosing the right oil and changing oil
within the time and mileage intervals printed in your vehicle 's
Warranty
& Maintenance booklet matters a lot more today than it did
years ago. Audi has developed a special quality standard for engine oil
that will help assure that your vehicle 's engine will get the lubrication
it needs for proper operation .
Modern engine lubrication has taken a quantum leap in the last few
years. Many synthetic oils available today provide better engine lubri
cation that can outlast traditional petroleum-based oils, making
them a smart choice for use throughout the life of your Audi.
Whether you use synthetic or petroleum-based engine oil, the oil that
you use must conform to Audi's oil quality standard VW 502 00 to
help keep your vehicle's engine running smoothly and help prevent
the formation of harmful deposits , sometimes called "sludge", that
over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of printing, engine oils available in the U.S. and Canada
that meet the exacting specifications of Audi oil standard VW 502 00
are synthetic engine oils. This does not mean, however, that every
synthetic engine oil will meet Audi oil standard VW 502 00. So always
be sure that you use an approved oil. To help prevent the formation of harmful deposits
use only oil with
the following specifications printed on the oil container:
Audi oil standard VW 502 00
Oil container labels may carry the specification singly or in combina
tion with other designations and oil quality standards.
Viscosity
Engine oils are graded according to their viscosity. The proper
viscosity grade oil for your engine depends on climactic or seasonal
conditions where you drive. You can use oil with a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving condi
tions.
However, if engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W40 is not available, you
can also use viscosity grade SAE 5W -30 or SAE OW -40 as long as it
meets Audi oil quality standard VW 502 00 specifications.
Because engine oil that meets the Audi oil standard may not be avail
able everywhere when you need it, we strongly recommend that you
always carry with you an extra quart (liter) of oil that expressly
conforms to the VW 502 00 specification, in case you have to top off
the oil while on the road.
Only if the level of the oil is at or below the minimum mark - and no
oil that expressly conforms to Audi oil standard VW 502 00 specifica
tions is available - may you top off with a high quality engine oil, pref
erably synthetic-based, that meets ACEA A3, ACEA AS or ACEA BS or
API SL specifications, but even then, only in viscosity grades SAE 5W-
40, SAE SW-30, or SAE OW-40 . However, during the entire time
between oil change intervals, never top off with more than a total of
0.5 qt/liter engine oil that does not conform to Audi oil specification
vw 502 00.
For more information about engine oil that has been approved for
your vehicle, please contact either your authorized Audi dealer or
Audi Customer Relations at 1 (800) 822-2834 or visit our web site at
www.audiusa.com or www .audicanada.ca. Here you will also find a
current list of oils (manufacturers, brand names etc.) that conform to
Audi oil standard VW 502 00. ._
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_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c_k _in --= g=--- a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _i_n __.g=-- -•
Changing the engine oil
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed according to the mileage
(kilometers) and time intervals specified in your vehicle's Warranty
&
Maintenance booklet. Do not exceed these intervals -harmful
deposits from old engine oil can reduce engine performance and can
lead to expensive engine repairs.
Changing the oil at the recommended intervals is so very important
because the lubricating properties of oil decrease gradually during
normal vehicle use. If you are not sure when you have your oil
changed, ask your authorized Audi Service Advisor .
Under some circumstances the engine oil should even be changed
more frequently. Change oil more often if you drive mostly short
distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or mostly under stop
and-go traffic conditions, or when you use your vehicle where temper
atures stay below freezing point for long periods.
Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time. This is normal and is not a
reason to change the oil more often than recommended.
Damage or malfunctions due to lack of maintenance
It is essential that you change your oil at the recommended intervals
using only engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW
502 00 . Your Limited New Vehicle Warranty does not cover
damage or malfunctions due to failure to follow recommended main
tenance and use requirements as set forth in the Audi Owner's
Manual and Warranty
& Maintenance booklet. Your dealer will have
to deny warranty coverage unless you present to the dealer proof in
the form of Service or Repair Orders that all scheduled maintenance
was performed in a timely manner. •
Safety first
Engine oil consumption
The engine in your vehicle depends on an adequate
amount of oil to lubricate and cool all of its moving parts.
In order to provide effective lubrication and cooling of internal
engine components, all internal combustion engines consume a
certain amount of oil. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine
and may change significantly over the life of the engine. Typically,
engines with a specified break-in period (see~
page 250) consume
more oil during the break-in period than they consume after oil
consumption has stabilized.
Under normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on the
quality and viscosity of the oil, the RPM (revolutions per minute) at
which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature and road
conditions. Further factors are the amount of oil dilution from water
condensation or fuel residue and the oxidation level of the oil. As any
engine is subject to wear as mileage builds up, the oil consumption
may increase over time until replacement of worn components may
become necessary.
With all these variables coming into play, no standard rate of oil
consumption can be established or specified. There is no alternative
to regular and frequent checking of the oil level, see
Note.
If the yellow engine oil level warning symbol in the instrument
cluster _ lights up, you should check the oil level as soon as possible
~ page 284. Top off the oil at your earliest convenience~ page 284.
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment, always
read and heed all WARNINGS~
& in "Working in the engine
compartment" on page
280.
Vehicle care Technical data
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___________________________________________ C_ h _ e_c _k _ i_n -=g .._ a_n _ d_ f_i _ll _i _ n -=g '--- ........ 11'1
0 Note
• Before winter sets in, have the coolant checked to see if the
coolant additive in your vehicle is sufficient to meet the climate
conditions. This is especially important if you live in a region where
the winter is extremely cold. If necessary, increase the proportion of
coo lant additive to 60% .
• When adding coolant additive to your cooling system, remember:
-We recommend using only coolant additive G12++ (check the
label) for your vehicle. This coolant additive is available at autho
r iz ed Audi dealers. Other types of antifreeze can s ignificantly
reduce corrosion protection. The resulting corrosion can cause a
loss of coolant and serious engine damage.
• Do not add any type of radiator leak sealant to your vehicle 's
eng ine coolant. Adding radiator repair fluid may adversely affect the
function and performance of your cooling system and could result in
damage not covered by your New Vehicle Limited Warranty. •
Checking the engine coolant level
The engine coolant level can be checked with a quick
glance.
Fig. 223 Engine
compartment: Coolant
expansion tank
Vehicle OP-eration
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=:> & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 280.
-Turn off the ignition.
- Let the engine cool down .
- Place a thick rag over the coolant expansion tank
=:> fi.9. 223 and carefully twist the cap counter -clockwise
=> & .
- Read the engine coolant level in the open coolant expan
sion tank=:> fig. 223. With a cold engine, the coolant level
should be between the "min" and "max" markings. When
the engine is warm, the level may be slightly above the
"max" marking.
The location of the coo lant expansion tank can be seen in the engine
compartment illustration =>
page 281.
To obtain an accurate reading, the engine must be sw itched off.
The expansion tank in your vehicle is equipped with an electric coolant level sensor.
When the coolant level is too low, the warn ing light in the Auto-Check
System =>
page 31 will blink until you add coolant and the level has
been restored to normal. Even though there is an electric coolant
level sensor, we st ill recommend you check the coolant leve l from
t ime to time .
Coolant loss
Coolant loss may indicate a leak in the cooling system . In the event of
coolant loss , the cooling system should be inspected immediately by
your authorized Aud i dealer . It is not enough merely to add coolant .
In a
sealed system, losses can occur only if the boiling point of the
coo lant is exceeded as a result of overheating . .,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourselt service iTechnical data
Page 290 of 364

___ C_ h_ e_c _k _i _ n _g ~ a_n _d_ f_il _l_in _ g _________________________________________ _
in. WARNING
The cooling system is under pressure and can get very hot. Reduce
the ri sk of scalding from hot coolant by following the se steps .
• Tu rn off the engine and allow it to cool down .
• Protect your face, hands and arms from e scaping fluid and
steam by covering the cap with a large , thick rag.
• Turn the cap slowly and very c arefully in a counter-clockwise
direction while applying light , downward pressure on the top of
the cap.
• To avoid being burned, do not spill antifreeze or coolant on the
exhaust system or hot engine parts. Under certain conditions, the
ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire.
0 Note
Do not add any type of radiator leak sealant to yo ur vehicle 's engine
coo lant. Adding radiator repair fluid may adverse ly affect the func
tion and performance of your cooling system and could result in
damage no t c ove red by y our New Vehi cle Limited Warr anty. •
Adding coolant
Be very careful when adding engine coolant.
Before you check anyt hing in th e eng ine compartment ,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=> & in "Wor king i n
t h e e ngine compa rtment" on page
280.
-Tur n off the e ng ine.
- Let t he engi ne co ol d ow n.
- Place a t hick rag over the coolant expans ion tank
=> page 2 87, fig . 223 a nd carefully turn the ca p cou nte r
clo ckwise
=> & .
- Add coo lant .
- Tw ist t he cap o n agai n
tightly.
Replacement eng ine coolant must conform to exact specificat ions
~ page 28 6, "Coolant" . Even in an emergency, if coolant a dditive
Gl2 ++, Gl2+ or Gl2 is not available, do not use a d ifferent add it ive.
Use plain water instead until you can get the correct additive a nd can
restore the co rrect ra tio. This s hould be done as soon as possib le.
If you have lost a considerable amount of coolant, then you shou ld
add co ld a ntifree ze and cold wa ter only when t he e ngine is cold.
Always use
new engine coo lant when refilling .
Do not fill coolant above the "M AX" mark. Excess coo lant wi ll be
for ced out through t he p ress ure relief va lve in t he cap w hen the
eng ine becomes hot .
& WARNING
• The cooling system is under pressure and can get very hot.
Reduce the risk of scalding from hot coolant by following these
steps.
-Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
- Protect your face , hands and arms from escaping fluid and
s team by covering the cap with a large, thi ck rag.
- Turn the cap slowly and very carefully
in a counter-clockwise
direction while applying light , downward pre ssure on the top
of the cap.
- To avoid being burned, do not spill ant ifreeze or coolant on
the exhaust system or hot engine parts. Under certain condi
tions, the ethylene glycol in engine coolant can catch fire .
• Antifreeze is poisonous. Always store antifreeze
in its original
container and well out of the reach of children .
• If you drain the coolant , it mu st be caught and safely stored in
a proper container clearly marked "poison ".
~
Page 310 of 364

-~_T_ i_ re _ s_ a_n _ d_ w_ h _e_ e_ ls _________________________________________________ _
(j)
®
®
@
@
U.S . DOT tire identification number
Audi Original tire
Sever snow conditions
Tire ply composition and materials used Ma ximum load rating
Treadwear, traction and temperature grades M axi mum pe rmissib le inflation pressure
The tires and rims are essential parts of the vehicle's design . The tires
and rims approved by Audi are specially matched to the characteris
tics of the vehicle and can make a major contribution to good road holding and safe handling when in good condition and properly
inflated
~ & .
We recommend that all work on tires and wheels be performed by an
authorized Audi dealer . They are familiar with recommended proce
dures and have the necessary special tools and spare parts as well as
the proper facilities for disposing of the old tires.
Authorized Audi dealers have the necessary information about tech
nical requirements for installing or changing tires and rims.
Replacing tires and wheels
Tires should be replaced at least in pairs and not individually (for
example both front tires or both rear tires together) .
Be sure to read and heed the information to the tire pressure moni
toring system*.
Always buy replacement radial tires that have the same specifications
as the tires approved for your vehicle by Audi. Replacement tires must
always have the same load rating specification as the original equip
ment or approved optional tires listed in the table~
page 300.
Audi-approved specification tires are specially matched to your
vehicle and its load limits, and can contribute to the important road- holding, driving characteristics, and safety of the vehicle
. The table
(~ page 300) lists specifications of the tires approved for the Audi
models covered by your Owner's Literature.
The tire pressure label located on driver's side B-pillar (~
page 300,
fig. 228) lists the specifications of the original equipment tires
installed on your vehicle at the time it was manufactured.
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized infor
mation on the sidewall of all tires~
page 307, fig. 231. This infor
mation identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics, the
quality grade of the tire and also provides a tire identification number
for safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
Tire specifications
Knowledge of tire specifications makes it easier to choose the correct
tires . Radial tires have the tire specifications marked on the sidewall,
for example:
P255 / 35 R19 96Y XL
This contains the following information:
P Indicates the tire is for passenger cars (where applicable)
255 Nominal tire width in mm of the tire from sidewall edge to side-
wall edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire
35 Height/width ratio in percent (aspect ratio)
R Tire construction : Radial
19 Rim diameter code (in inches)
96 Load rating code
Y Speed rating letter code
XL (or "xl", "EXTRA LOAD", or "RF" Indicates that the tire is a"Rein
forced" or an "Extra Load" tire
M+S (or "M/S") Indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capa
bility
The tires could also have the information of direction of rotation
~page 296.
Page 311 of 364

________________________________________________ T_i_re _ s_ a _ n_d_ w_ h_ e_ e_l_s __ _
Tire manufacturing date
The manufacturing date is also indicated on the tire sidewall
(possibly on ly on the
inner s ide of the wheel):
"DOT ... 2210 ... " means, for example, that the tire was produced in
the 22nd week of 2010.
Speed rating (letter code)
The speed rat ing letter code on the wheels ind icates the maximum
permissible road speeds =>
& in "Winter tires" on page 311.
P up to 93 mph (150 km/h)
Q up to 99 mph (158 km/h)
R up to 106 mph (170 km/h)
S up to 110 mph (180 km/h)
T up to 1 18 mp h (190 km/h)
U up to 124 mph (200 km/h)
H up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
V up to 149 mph (240 km/h)3>
Z over 149 mph (240 km/h)3>
W up to 168 mph (270 km/h)3>
Y up to 186 mph (298 km/h)3>
Your vehicle is normally factory equipped with t ires, which possess
excellent driving characterist ics and give you r A udi optimum driv ing
comfort. An electronic speed limiter=>
page 26will normally prevent
your vehicle from going faster than the tire speed rating =>
&-
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN) and tire
manufacture date
This is the tire's "serial number". It begins with the letters "DOT" and
indicates that the tire mee ts all federal standa rds. The next two
numbers or letters indicate the plant where it was manufactured, and
the last four numbers represent the week and year of manufacture .
For example, the numbers 2210 mean that the tire was produced in
3
l For tires w ith a maxim um speed capabi lity ove r 149 mph (240 km/h), tire
manufacture rs sometimes use the letters "ZR."
Safety first
the 22nd week of 2010 . The other numbers are marketing codes that
may or may not be used by the tire manufacturer . This i nformation is
used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Audi Original tire
Tires with the identification "AO" or "RO" have been specially
matched w ith your Audi. We recommend using only these tires
because they meet the highest standards regard ing safety and
driving characteristics when used correct ly. Your authorized Audi
dealer will gladly provide you with more information .
Tire ply composition and materials used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated
fabric in the tire. In general, the greater the number of plies, the
more weight a tire can support . Tire manufacturers also must indi
cate the materials in the tire, which include steel, nylon, polyester,
and others .
Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds
that can be carried by the tire.
Tire quality grading for treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance
Tread wear, traction and temperature grades=> page 311.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
Th is number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever
be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.
& WARNING
• Using incorrect or unmatched tires and/ or wheels or improper
tire and wheel combinations can lead to loss of control, collision
and serious personal injury. _,.
Vehicle care Technical data