check engine light AUDI Q2 2021 Owner´s Manual

Towing a trailer
Towing a trailer
Driving the vehicle with a
trailer or caravan
Technical requirements

The
towing bracket must comply with certain
technical requirements.
Your car is intended mainly for transporting pas­
sengers and luggage. However, if suitably equip­

ped,
it can also be used to tow a trailer or cara­

van.

If the car is supplied with a factory-fitted towing
bracket it will already have the necessary techni­
cal modifications and meet the statutory require­
ments.
A 13-pin socket is provided to make the electrical
connection between the car and the trailer. If the
trailer you wish to tow has a 7-pin plug, the nec­
essary adapter cable can be obtained from a spe­
cialist retailer.
If
a
towing bracket is to be fitted after the car is

purchased,
this must be done according to the in­
structions of the towing bracket manufacturer

^page
102.
A WARNING
If
a
towing bracket is retrofitted, the installa­
tion should be carried out by
a
qualified work­

shop.

- In particular in high outside temperatures it
is not possible to drive up long steep gradi­
ents without
a
suitable cooling system. The
engine would then overheat.
- Incorrect installation can result in a safety
risk.
Points to check before towing
There are a number of points which need to be
checked before towing a trailer or caravan.

*•
Observe the maximum permitted trailer
weights
^>page
342.
Trailer weights
Never exceed the maximum permitted trailer
weights.
If
you
do not load the trailer up to the maximum
permitted trailer weight, you can then climb cor­
respondingly steeper gradients.
The maximum trailer weights listed are only ap­
plicable for altitudes up to 1000 m above sea

level.
With increasing altitude the engine power
and therefore the car's climbing ability are im­
paired because of the reduced air density, so the
maximum trailer weight has to be reduced ac­
cordingly. The weight of the car and trailer must
be reduced by about 10% for every further
1000 m (or part thereof). This figure refers to
the combined weight of the (loaded) vehicle and
(Loaded) trailer.
The figures for the draw bar weight that appear
on the identification plate of the towing bracket
are for certification purposes only. The correct
figures for your specific model, which may be
lower than these figures for the towing bracket,
are given in the registration documents and in

•=>
page 343.
Drive select*
Please note that the
efficiency*
mode is not
available in towing mode.
Exterior lights
Before starting
a
journey, make sure that all the
lights for the trailer are working properly.
Distributing the load
Distribute loads in the trailer so that heavy ob­
jects are as near to the axle as possible. Loads
carried in the trailer must be secured to prevent
them slipping. A badly distributed load can also
affect handling. This can activate the trailer sta­
bilisation feature and cause the vehicle to reduce

speed.

Where possible, operate the trailer with the max­
imum permitted draw bar weight on the ball
joint of the towing bracket, but do not exceed the
specified limit. •
96

Towing a trailer
Tyre pressure
Check the tyre pressures on your car, and adjust
for "full
load"
conditions (refer to the sticker list­
ing the tyre pressures)
^>page
307. It may also
be necessary to adjust the tyre pressures on the
trailer according to the recommendations of the
trailer manufacturer.
Exterior mirrors
Check whether you can see enough of the road
behind the trailer with the standard mirrors. If
this is not the case you should have additional
mirrors fitted. Both exterior mirrors should be
mounted on hinged extension brackets. Adjust
the mirrors to give sufficient vision to the rear.
Headlights
Before starting
a
journey, check the headlight
beam settings with the trailer hitched up. Adjust
the headlight settings if necessary.
On vehicles with halogen headlights, the
head­

light range control must be adjusted, see

tapage
49.
The headlight range control will be adjusted au­
tomatically if your vehicle is equipped with LED
headlights*.
Power supply
To ensure that the engine can be started again
after the ignition is switched off, the power
man­

agement system
^>page
149 controls the distri­
bution of electrical power and gradually switches
off unnecessary electrical equipment. The trailer
is supplied with power during this period. The
power supply to the trailer is interrupted while
the engine is being started.
Removable ball joint coupling
Vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket are
equipped with a removable
ball
joint coupling.
This is stored in the spare wheel well or in a sepa­
rate bag on the floor of the luggage compart­
ment, together with the necessary fitting instruc­

tions.

We recommend having the car serviced be­
tween the normal inspection intervals if it
used frequently for towing a trailer.
Trailer stabilisation system
Applies to: vehicles with towing bracket
Trailer stabilisation helps to reduce the risk of
the vehicle skidding when towing a
trailer.

When is the trailer stabilisation
system1'

activated?
Trailer stabilisation is active when the following
requirements are met:
- The ESC must be switched on
^>page
146 and
fully functional (no ESC malfunction).
- The trailer connector must be properly secured
in the vehicle socket.
- The vehicle speed must be higher than approx.
60 km/h.
How trailer stabilisation works
In many cases, the driver can stabilise a swaying
trailer by manually braking the vehicle.
However, if the ESC detects that the trailer is
swaying and this is affecting the towing vehicle,
it will automatically brake the vehicle in order to
stabilise the trailer. The indicator
Lamp Hi
will
flash in the instrument cluster. If possible, do
not turn the steering wheel at this stage.
In order to warn traffic behind you, the brake
lights will come on during this automatic braking

operation.

A trailer may sway quite considerably without the
trailer stabilisation system intervening.
If the system for activating the trailer brake
lights is defective, this will be indicated in the in­
strument cluster display
opage
35,
:&
Bulb

monitor.
•

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Not available on vehicles for some markets.
97

Driver assist systems
Driver assist systems Cruise
control,
system
Speed warning function
Applies to: vehicles with speed warning function
The speed warning function can
help
you keep
below a pre-set maximum speed. It can be set,
changed and deleted on the infotainment sys­
tem.
The speed warning function will warn you if the
vehicle exceeds the pre-set maximum speed. The
system gives an audible warning signal if the set
speed is exceeded by a small amount. At the
same time, a warning lamp [5] and a message
will appear on the instrument cluster display.
The indicator Lamp [5] and the message will dis­
appear when the road speed drops below the set

value.

You are recommended to store this speed limit
warning if you wish to be reminded of a particu­
lar speed limit. This could be when driving in
countries with general speed limits, or if you
need to keep below a particular speed when
win­

ter tyres are fitted, etc.
Setting speed limit warning

•
Select the following on the infotainment sys­

tem:
IMENUI
button > Car > left control button
> Driver assist > Speed warning > manual.
© Note
- Please bear in mind that, even with the
speed warning function, it is still important
to keep a check on the car's speed with the
speedometer and to observe the statutory
speed limits.
- On vehicles for some markets, the speed
warning function warns you when you reach
a speed of 120 km/h. This speed limit warn­
ing is preset at the factory.
Switching on
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
The cruise control system allows you to drive at a
constant speed of 20 km/h or
higher.

Fig.
94 Control lever for cruise control system

• Pull
the lever to position
®
<^>Fig.
94 to switch
on the system.

•
Drive at the speed you wish to set the system

to.

• Press the button marked ® to store the speed.
The indicator lamp
[3]
in the instrument cluster
will light up. Information is also provided in the
head-up display*.
The instrument cluster display will briefly
indi­

cate the stored or
pre-selected
speed.
A constant speed is maintained by adjusting the
engine power or braking the vehicle accordingly.
WARNING
- Always direct your full attention to the
road,

even when you are using the cruise control

system.
It is always the driver who is re­
sponsible for determining the speed and for
keeping a safe distance to the other vehicles
on the
road.

- For safety reasons, the cruise control sys­
tem must not be used in city traffic, stop-
and-go traffic, on roads with a lot of bends
or in difficult or slippery driving conditions
(such as ice, fog, Loose grit or gravel, heavy

rain,
etc.) - risk of accident!
- When you take a turn-off, drive along a mo­
torway exit lane or pass through roadwork
104

Driver assist systems

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-The automatic brake application with in­
creasing brake force can be cancelled by ap­
plying the brakes yourself or by pressing the
accelerator firmly.
- In certain situations, a warning may be giv­
en by the rear cross-traffic assist even if
there is no traffic in the critical zone, for in­
stance when parking or manoeuvring the ve­
hicle in reverse.
- The rear cross-traffic assist is deactivated
automatically if you deactivate the
ESC.

-The rear cross-traffic assist is switched on/
off via the parking aid
^>page
134.
-The system is not available in towing mode.
Driver messages
Applies to: vehicles with Audi side assist
Should the side assist be deactivated automati­
cally, a driver message will appear in the instru­
ment cluster display.

O
Audi side assist: system fault!
The system cannot detect vehicles reliably and
will be deactivated. The sensors are out of align­
ment or defective. Have the system checked by a
qualified workshop soon.

O
Audi side assist: currently unavailable. No
sensor vision

O
Audi side assist: currently unavailable.
Sen­

sor view restricted due to surroundings. See
owner's manual
The radar sensors are blocked. The area in front
of the sensors must not be obstructed by bicycle

racks,
stickers, deposits or any other substances.
If necessary, clean the area in front of the
sen­

sors
^>page
128, Fig. 120.

O
Audi side assist: currently unavailable
The side assist is temporarily inoperative and
cannot be switched on (for instance if the battery
is not sufficiently charged).

O
Audi side assist: unavailable in towing mode

2
Audi side assist: unavailable in towing mode
The side assist function will be switched off auto­
matically after a short time when the electrical
connector for the trailer socket is plugged in on
vehicles with a factory-fitted towing bracket. If
the towing bracket is not factory-fitted the side
assist function may not be switched off automat­
ically. The side assist must not be used when
towing a trailer.

O Rear
parking aid: obstacle detection limited
The rear cross-traffic assist is not available. Ei­
ther the ESC is switched off or the radar sensors
may be obstructed by a bicycle rack, stickers,
leaves, snow or similar objects. Switch on the ESC
or, if necessary, clean the area in front of the
sen­

sors
<3page
128, Fig. 120. If this message re­
mains displayed, drive to a qualified workshop
soon and have the fault rectified.
Audi drive select
Introduction
Applies to: vehicles with Audi drive select
Audi drive select alLows you to use different set­
ups on your vehicle. The modes efficiency*, com­
fort, auto and dynamic allow the driver, for ex­

ample,
to change from a sporty mode to a more
comfortable one via the
&&
button in the centre
console or via the infotainment system. In
addi­

tion,
the individual* mode allows you to adapt
the vehicle set-up to
suit
your personal driving

style.
For example, you might choose to combine
a more dynamic engine set-up with a lighter
steering response.
Description
Applies to: vehicles with Audi drive select
The possible vehicle set-up in each mode de­
pends on which equipment is installed on your
vehicle. The engine and steering are basic parts
of your vehicle which are always included in the

set-up.

Engine and automatic gearbox*
The response of the engine and automatic
gear­

box* to accelerator pedal movements will be
more spontaneous or balanced, depending on
131

Checking and topping up fluids

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Checking and topping up
fluids
Fuel
Petrol grade
Applies to: vehicles with petrol engine

The
correct grade of petrol is listed inside the
fuel tank flap.
The vehicle is equipped with a catalytic converter
and must only be run on unleaded petrol. Petrol
must be sulphur-free and must comply with the
EN 228 standard. You can fuel your vehicle with
fuels containing a maximum of 10%
ethanol

(E10). The petrol grades have different octane
ratings (RON).
The following headings relate to the sticker on
the inside of your vehicle's tank flap:
Unleaded fuel only RON/ROZ
95
Super,
Premium or
min.
RON/ROZ 91 Normal
The use of premium petrol (95 RON) is recom­

mended.
If
that
type of fuel is not available,
reg­

ular petrol (RON 91) can be used with a slight
loss of power.
Unleaded fuel only, min. RON/ROZ
95

Super, Premium
Premium petrol (at least 95 RON) must be used.
If premium petrol is not available, the engine can
be run on regular petrol with 91 RON as an
emer­

gency measure. In this case only use moderate
engine speeds and a light throttle. Fill up with
premium or Super Plus petrol as soon as possi­

ble.

Unleaded fuel only RON/ROZ 98 Super Plus
or min. RON/ROZ 95 Super, Premium
The use of Super Plus petrol (98 RON) is recom­

mended.
If
that
type of fuel is not available, pre­
mium petrol (RON 95) can be used with a slight
loss of power.
If premium petrol is not available, the engine can
be run on regular petrol with 91 RON as an
emer­

gency measure. In this case only use moderate
engine speeds and a light throttle. Fill up with
premium or Super Plus petrol as soon as possi­

ble.

© CAUTION
- Do
NOT fuel
your vehicle with
high-ethanol

fuel blends (e.g. E50 or E85). This will dam­
age the fuel system.
- just one tank of leaded fuel or fuel with
metallic additives will permanently impair
the efficiency of the catalytic converter.
- You should use only petrol additives which
have been approved by Audi. Additives with
so-called octane boosters or antiknock
addi­

tives can contain metallic additives that
cause significant damage to the engine and
the catalytic converter. Do not use such ad­
ditives.
- Metal-based fuels, which can be identified
from the marking on the fuel dispenser,
must not be used. LRP fuel (lead replace­
ment petrol) also contains high concentra­
tions of metallic additive. Risk of engine
damage!
- High engine speed and full throttle can
damage the engine when using petrol with
an octane rating lower than the correct
grade for the engine.
- You can use higher octane fuel than your en­
gine requires.
- In countries where sulphur-free fuel is not
available, you may use low-sulphur fuel in­

stead.

Diesel fuel
Applies to: vehicles with diesel engine
Please note the information on the inside of the
fuel tank flap.
The use of sulphur-free diesel complying with
the EN 590 standard is recommended.
Diesel can thicken at very low temperatures,
which can result in problems starting the engine
or prevent the engine from running smoothly.
For this reason, filling stations in some countries
offer winter-grade diesel fuel during the cold
289

Checking and topping up fluids
Refilling AdBlue from a canister
Applies to: vehicles with selective catalytic reduction

#

Fig.
242 Canister with screw-on hose
• Take the cap off the refill canister
o^/n
Prep­
arations on page 293,
<=>(T)
in Preparations on
page 293.

•
Screw the end of the hose (î) clockwise onto
the opening on the canister®.

•
Remove the cap
@
from the other end of the
hose®.

•
Fit the end of the hose (2) onto the filler neck
on the vehicle and turn clockwise as far as the
stop to secure.
• Lift the canister and then tilt it. Keep it tilted
until empty or until no more fluid runs into the
tank.

•
Remove the canister and screw the tank cap
back on
^>page
294, After refilling.
CAUTIO
Use only refill canisters of the correct type ap­
proved for your vehicle. AdBlue may Leak out
if
you
use another system.
© Note
- Your qualified workshop can tell you which
refill canisters are approved
for
your
vehi­

cle.

- Approved refill canisters contain about 5 li­
tres of AdBlue.
Refilling AdBlue from a bottle
Applies to: vehicles with selective catalytic reduction

•
Take the cap off the refill bottle
<=>^
in Prepa­
rations on page 293,
•=>(?)
in Preparations on
page 293.

•
Screw the bottle clockwise onto the filler neck
as far as it will go.

•
To empty the bottle, lightly press the bottom
of the bottle. Keep pressing the bottom of the
bottle until the bottle is empty, or until no
more fluid runs into the tank.

•
Remove the bottle and screw the tank cap back
on
<=>page
294, After refilling.
(J) CAUTION
Use only refill bottles of the correct type ap­
proved for your vehicle. AdBlue may leak out
if
you
use another system.
- Refill bottles are available from qualified
workshops.
- Approved refill bottles contain about 1.9 Li­
tres of AdBlue.
After refilling
Applies to: vehicles with selective catalytic reduction
Closing the filler neck

•
Screw the AdBlue cap clockwise onto the filler
neck until the AdBlue cap clicks audibly
•=> /\
in
Preparations on page 293,
^>(T)in
Prepara­
tions on page 293.

•
Press the left side of the flap to close it (you
should hear it click into place).
After refilling
The vehicle must be driven so that the system
can detect the AdBlue which has been added.
This process can take several minutes.
• If the AdBlue tank had run dry and a range of
0 km was shown on the display, switch on the
ignition for approx. 30 seconds before starting
the engine.
© Note
AdBlue can freeze in the tank at very Low
tem­

peratures. In this case, the system will not
detect AdBlue when you refill and will contin­
ue to indicate a Low
AdBLue
Level. The mes­
sage will disappear as soon as the tank has

thawed.

294

Checking and topping up fluids

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Emission controL
systems
Catalytic converter
Applies to: vehicles with petrol engine
The vehicle must only be used with unleaded pet­

rol,
otherwise the catalytic converter will be ir­
reparably damaged.
Never allow the fuel tank to run completely dry,
as the irregular supply of fuel can cause misfir­

ing.
This allows unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust

system,
which can cause overheating and dam­
age to the catalytic converter.
Diesel particulate filter
Applies to: vehicles with diesel engine
The diesel particulate filter can filter out almost
all soot particles contained in the exhaust gas. In
normal driving conditions the filter is self-clean­

ing.
Should the self-cleaning function of the filter
not be able to operate, e.g. when the vehicle is
continuously used only for short trips, the filter
becomes obstructed with soot and the indicator

lampnf°r
the
diesel particulate filter Lights up

cépage
34.
A WARNING
The exhaust system is very hot when the
vehi­

cle is being driven and after the engine has
been switched off.
- Never touch the tailpipes when they are hot
- risk of burns!
- Because of the high temperatures which can
occur in the emission controL system, do not
park the vehicle where the exhaust can
come into contact with flammable materials
under the car (e.g. on grass or at the forest
edge) - risk of fire!
- Do not apply any underseal agents in the
area around the exhaust system - risk of

fire!

Engine compartment
Working on components in the engine
compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on com­
ponents in the engine compartment.
Always be aware of the danger of injury and
scalding as well as the risk of accident or fire
when working in the engine compartment (e.g.
when checking and refilling fluids). Always ob­
serve the warnings listed below and follow all
normal safety precautions. The engine compart­
ment of any motor vehicle is a potentially haz­
ardous area
oA-

A WARNING
- Switch off the engine.
-Switch off the ignition.

-Applythe
parking brake.
- On vehicles with manual gearbox place the
gear lever in neutral, on vehicles with auto­
matic gearbox move the selector lever to
position P.
- To avoid the risk of being scalded, never
open the bonnet if
you
see steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment.
Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen
before opening the bonnet.
- Wait for the engine to cool down.
- Keep children away from engine compart­
ment.
- Never spill fluids on a hot engine. These
flu­

ids can cause a fire (e.g. radiator
anti­

freeze).
- Take care not to cause short circuits in the
electrical system.
- When working in the engine compartment
be aware that the radiator fan may start
running suddenly, even if the ignition is
switched off - risk of injury!
- Do not unscrew the cap on the expansion
tank when the engine is hot. The cooling
system is under pressure.
- Protect face, hands and arms by covering
the cap with a large, thick rag to protect
against escaping coolant and steam.
295

Checking and topping up fluids
- Never remove the engine cover panel - risk
of burns!
- If any tests have to be performed with the
engine running, there is an extra safety risk
from the rotating parts, such as the drive

belts,
alternator and radiator
fan,
etc., and
from the high-voltage ignition system.
- Never touch the radiator fan. The electric
additional fan is controlled by temperature
and can start running without warning.
- Applies to vehicles with automatic gearbox:
Never open the throttle inadvertently (for
instance by hand from the engine compart­
ment) if
a
gear is engaged while the vehicle
is stationary with the engine running. The
vehicle will otherwise start moving immedi­
ately and could cause an accident.
- Observe the following additional warnings if
work on the fuel system or the electrical
system is necessary:
- Do not smoke.
- Never work near naked flames.
- Always keep an approved fire extinguisher
immediately available.
- Any work on the batteries and electrical sys­
tem in your vehicle entails a risk of injury
and chemical burns in addition to danger of
accident or fire.
For
this reason, you must
have the work carried out by
a
qualified
workshop.
© CAUTION
When topping up fluids make sure the correct
fluid is put into the correct filler opening. This
can otherwise cause serious malfunctions or
engine damage.
® For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground underneath your vehicle
regularly so that any Leaks are detected at an
early stage. If
you
find spots of oil or other

fluids,
have your vehicle inspected in the
workshop.
© Note
located on the other side of the engine com­
partment.
Opening/closing the bonnet

The
bonnet is released from inside the vehicle.

Fig.
243 Detail of footwell on driver's side: Release lever

I

On right-hand drive vehicles* some of the
containers / reservoirs mentioned below are

Fig.
244 Unlocked bonnet: Lever
The wiper arms should be resting on the
wind­

screen:
make sure they are not in a raised
posi­

tion.
Otherwise the paint may get damaged.
Opening the bonnet

•
With the driver's door open, pull the lever un­
der the dashboard in the direction indicated
(arrow)
^>Fig.
243.

*•
Lift the bonnet slightly
•=> A-
•
Press the Lever under the bonnet in the direc­
tion indicated by the arrow
^>Fig.
244. This will
release the arrester hooks.

•
Open the bonnet.
Closing the bonnet
• To close the bonnet, pull it down to overcome
the spring pressure.

•
Then let it drop into the catches; do not press
down
|=>^.
•
296

Checking and topping up fluids
Coolant additive
The coolant additive contains anti-freeze and cor­
rosion protection agent. Only use one of the
fol­

lowing coolant additives. It is possible to mix
these additives.
Topping up coolant
Coolant additive
G13
G12++
Specification

TL774J

TL 774
G

The amount of coolant additive which needs to
be mixed with the water depends on the temper­
atures to be expected in the winter season. If the
anti-freeze concentration is too Low, the coolant
can freeze and cause engine damage.
Hot regions
Cold regions
Coolant
additive

min.
40%
max. 45 %

min.
50%
max. 55 %
Frost protec­
tion

min.-25°C

max. -40 °C

(T)
CAUTION
- Have your qualified workshop check the
cooling system before the winter season to
make sure that the anti-freeze concentra­
tion is adequate for the conditions to be ex­

pected.
This applies particularly if
you
drive
into a colder climate zone.
- To prevent damage to the engine, do not
use a different type of anti-freeze additive if
the approved type of additive is not availa­

ble.
In this case use only water and bring
the coolant concentration back up to the
correct level as soon as possible by putting
in the specified additive.
- Always top up with fresh, unused coolant.
- Radiator sealants must not be added to the
coolant.

Fig.
248 Engine compartment: Markings on coolant ex­
pansion tank
Please refer to the safety notes
^page
295,

Working on components in the engine compart­
ment.
Checking coolant level

•
Park the vehicle on a level surface.

•
Switch off the ignition.

•
Read off the coolant level on the coolant ex­
pansion tank
^>Fig.
248. When the engine is

cold,
the coolant level should be between the
marks. When the engine is warm, it may be
slightly above the top mark.
Topping up coolant
Important: The coolant expansion tank must not
be empty
•=>([).

•
Wait for the engine to cool down.

•
Cover the cap on the expansion tank with a

cloth,
and carefully unscrew the cap
anti-clock­

wise
<=>
/K.

*-
Add coolant in the correct concentration

tapage
299 up to the top mark.

•
You should make sure that the fluid level re­
mains stable. If necessary, add more coolant.

•
Screw the cap on again tightly.
Any loss of coolant normally indicates a Leak in
the cooling system. Drive to a qualified workshop
without delay and have the cooling system

checked.
If there are no leaks in the system, a
loss of coolant can only occur if the coolant boils
and is forced out of the system as a result of
overheating.
300

Checking and topping up fluids
the reservoir in certain circumstances and
cause damage to the vehicle.
- Brake fluid must not be allowed to come in­
to contact with the vehicle's body, other­
wise it will attack the paintwork.

©
For the sake of the environment

1?
Batteries contain toxic substances including
sulphuric acid and
lead.
PLease contact a
qualified workshop if
you
have any questions.
Battery
General warnings for batteries
Because of the complexity of the power supply,
any battery work, such as disconnection, replace­
ment, etc. must be carried out by
a
qualified
workshop
^A-

The term "vehicle battery" refers to the 12 Volt
battery in your vehicle.
Explanation of warnings on vehicle battery:

m

Wear safety glasses!
Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear
protective gloves and safety glasses.

A

Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered
Lights and lit cigarettes away from the
battery!
A highly explosive mixture of gases may

~\
be given off when the battery is under
charge!
Keep children away from batteries and
battery
acid.

A WARNING
Any work on the batteries and electrical sys­
tem in your vehicLe entails a risk of injury and
chemical burns in addition to danger of
acci­

dent or fire. For this reason, you must have
the work carried out by a qualified workshop.
©
CA UTION

If the car is left standing for long periods,
protect the battery from frost. The battery
will be damaged irreparably if it is allowed to
freeze
^>page
303, Charging the vehicle
bat­

tery.

Vehicle battery

The
term "vehicle battery" refers to the 12 Volt
battery in your vehicle.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods
If
you
do not drive your vehicle for a period of
several days or weeks, the power management
will gradually shut off the on-board systems one
by one, or reduce the amount of current they are

using.
This limits the amount of power consumed
and helps to ensure reliable starting even after a
long period
^>page
149. Certain convenience fea­

tures,
such as interior lighting or electric seat ad­
justment, may not be available. These functions
will be restored when you switch on the ignition
and start the engine.
Even though some systems are deactivated auto­
matically, certain electrical equipment continues
to draw current even when the ignition is off. If
the vehicLe is left standing for long periods, this
can result in total battery discharge. If the
vehi­

cle battery is allowed to discharge completely, an
internal
chemicaL
reaction damages the battery
irreparably. To avoid this, the vehicle battery
should be recharged at Least once a month

^>page
303. PLease contact a qualified workshop
if
you
have any questions.
Winter conditions
Cold weather is very hard on the vehicle battery.
The starting capacity may be reduced as a result.
For this reason, you should have the vehicle bat­
tery checked by
a
qualified workshop before the
start of winter.
302