engine coolant AUDI A7 2021 Owner´s Manual

4K8012721BF
Trailer towing

Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
eT e e eeu)
Your vehicle is primarily intended for transport-
ing people and luggage. However, if you drive
with a trailer, follow the technical requirements,
the operation and driving tips, and the legal reg-
ulations.
Driving with a trailer affects the vehicle's energy
usage, performance, and wear. It also requires
higher concentration from the driver.

Z\ WARNING
Do not transport any people in a trailer due to
the risk of fatal injury.
Technical requirements
Trailer hitch

Only use a trailer hitch with a removable ball
hitch mount and ball hitch. The trailer hitch must
be permitted for the vehicle, the trailer and the
permitted total weight of the trailer being
pulled. Above all, it must be securely and safely
attached to the vehicle trailer.
Never mount a trailer hitch on the bumper. The
trailer hitch must be mounted in a way that does
not impair the function of the bumper. Do not
make any changes to the exhaust system and the
brake system.
Check regularly if the trailer hitch is securely
mounted. Always follow the instructions given by
the trailer hitch manufacturer.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer has its own brake system, then fol-
low the manufacturer specifications. However,
the brake system on the trailer must never be
connected to the vehicle brake system.
Engine cooling system
Driving with a trailer means a higher load on the
engine and the cooling system. The cooling sys-
tem must be designed for additional load and
contain enough coolant > @®.
CG) Note
Longer inclines cannot be driven without a
suitable cooling system, especially if the out-
side temperatures are high. Otherwise, this
increases the risk of engine damage.
Operating instructions
Towing capacity
Your vehicle can only be operated with class 1 or
class 2 trailers.
Load distribution
Poor cargo load and distribution can negatively
impact vehicle handling. Load the trailer based
on the following criteria as much as possible:
— Store objects in the vehicle luggage compart-
ment, if possible. The vehicle should always
carry the heaviest possible load and the trailer
should have the lightest possible load.
— Distribute the load in the trailer so that the
heavy objects are as close to the axle as possi-
ble.
— Secure objects so that they do not slide.
— Utilize the maximum permitted tongue weight
if possible.
Tires
Set the tire pressure on your vehicle for a “full
load”; see the tire pressure sticker > page 284. If
necessary, also adjust the tire pressure on the
trailer according to the manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
The trailer and the vehicle should be equipped
with winter tires when driving in winter tempera-
tures.
Outside mirrors
If you cannot see the traffic behind the trailer
with the standard exterior mirrors, then you
must attach additional exterior mirrors. Adjust
them so you have a sufficient visibility behind
you.
Exterior lighting
Follow the legal regulations for lighting on your
trailer that are applicable in the country where
135
>

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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.

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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


— 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.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: The coolant expansion
tank cap is equipped with a seal that must
never be removed under any circumstances
=> page 262, fig. 164. 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
only be opened by an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility.
— 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
— 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

components. Before any work, always re-
move any jewelry and/or ties, tie back long
hair, and make sure all clothing fits close
to the body to reduce the risk of anything
becoming caught in engine components.
— Pay attention to the following warnings list-
ed when work on the fuel system or on the
electrical equipment is required.
— Do not smoke.
— Never work near open flames.
— Always have a working fire extinguisher
nearby.
— All work on the battery or electrical system
in your vehicle can result in injuries, chemi-
cal burns, accidents, or burns. Because of
this, all work must be performed only by an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
— Limit your exposure to exhaust and chemi-
cals to as short a time as possible.


ZA WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning:
— Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain or
emit chemicals known to the State of Cali-
fornia to cause cancer and birth defects and
reproductive harm. In addition, certain flu-
ids contained in vehicles and certain prod-
ucts of component wear contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and birth defects or other
reproductive harm.
— Battery posts, terminals and related acces-
sories contain lead and lead compounds,
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms.
Wash hands after handling.


260
() Note
When filling fluids, be sure not to add any flu-
ids to the wrong reservoirs. Otherwise severe
malfunctions and engine damage will occur.
@) For the sake of the environment
You should regularly check the ground under
your vehicle in order to detect leaks quickly. If >

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Checking and Filling

there are visible spots from oil or other fluids,
bring your vehicle to an authorized Audi deal-
er or authorized Audi Service Facility to be
checked.
Opening and closing the hood
The hood is released from inside the vehicle.



RAZ-0016|

Fig. 163 Unlocked hood: lever
Make sure the wiper arms are not raised up from
the windshield. Otherwise the paint could be
damaged.
Opening the hood
> Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive:
Switch the ignition off before releasing the
hood so that the gasoline engine does not start
automatically.

2) The &> symbol is not available in all countries.
> With the door open, pull the lever 2 below
the instrument panel in the direction of the ar-
row > fig. 162.
>» Raise the hood slightly > page 259.
> Press the lever > fig. 163 in the direction of the
arrow. This releases the hooks.
> Open the hood.
Closing the hood
> Push the hood down until you override the
force of the strut.
> Let the hood fall lightly into the latch. Do not
press it in. > JX.
Messages
B Warning! Hood is not locked. Stop vehicle
and check the lock
The hood latch is not locked correctly. Stop im-
mediately and close the hood.

ZX WARNING
— 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.
— For safety reasons, the hood must always be
latched securely while driving. Because of
this, always check the hood after closing it
to make sure it is latched correctly. The hood
is latched if the front corners cannot be lift-
ed.
— If you notice that the hood is not latched
while you are driving, stop immediately and
close it, because driving when the hood is
not latched increases the risk of an accident.


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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.