warning AUDI Q7 2009 Owner´s Manual

If an individual wheel begins to rotate too slowly in relation to
vehicle speed and tends to lock, the ABS automatically reduces
brake pressure to prevent that wheel from locking.
This automatic adjustment process will cause a
slight vibration of
the brake pedal and some noises to alert you that vehicle speed
must be adapted to existing road and traffic conditions .
_& WARNING
Although the ABS is very effective, always remember that braking
capability is limited by tire traction. Always adjust your driving
speed according to the road and traffic conditions. Do not let the
extra safety afforded by the ABS tempt you into taking extra risks.
The ABS cannot overcome the laws of physics.
[ i] Tips
• If ABS is not functioning properly , a warning light will come on .
See
=> page 22.
• If a fault occurs in the ABS, the EDL is also not functioning. This
is indicated by the ABS warning light.•
Brake assistant
The brake assistant is designed to achieve the optimum
braking effect.
The brake assistant helps to increase the effective braking power
and thus to achieve
a shorter stopping distance . If the driver
presses the brake pedal very quickly , the brake assistant automati­
cally boosts the braking force to the maximum level, up to the point
where the anti-lock brake function (ABS) intervenes to stop the
wheels from locking. You should then keep th e brake pedal pressed
until the vehicle has braked to the required speed. The brake assis­
tant swi tches its elf off as soon as you release the brake pedal.
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
Automatic full braking assist
This function allows full braking
in spite of high brake pedal forces
(e.g . when the brakes are severely stressed because the vehicle is
fully loaded) . The driver notices this function through a reduction of
pedal force and increased pedal travel. When the brake pedal is
released, full braking assist switches off again automatically.
If there is an ABS failure, the brake assistant and automatic full
braking assist ar e not available .
The brake assistant will not be operative if there is a malfunction in
the ABS.
_& WARNING
Please remember that the accident risk always increases if you
drive too fast, especially in corners or on a slippery road, or if you
follow the vehicle ahead of you too closely . Increased risk of an
accident cannot be compensated for even by the brake assistant,
so always maintain a safe speed. iJ
Servotronic® -advanced power
steering system
The power steering systems uses the power of the
running engine to allow precise steering with little effort.
The advanced Servotronic ® power steering system senses the road
speed and electronically adjusts power assistance to provide
comfortable and safe steering response exactly matched to the
vehicle speed.
Power steering will not work if the engine is off. As a result, the
s teering whe el will be hard to turn.
The power steering fluid level is checked during the scheduled
maintenance services .
•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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0 Note
If there is an electronic malfunction, servotronic will still function
like a conventional power steering system, providing a constant
steering support force that is no longer proportionate to the vehicle
speed. This is most noticeable when turning the steering wheel at
low speeds ( for example when parking), - more effort will be
required than usual.
• Be aware of the different than usual steering response and
adjust your steering force accordingly.
• Have the problem checked and set right by an Audi dealer as
soon as possible.
[ i] Tips
• When the engine is running, never hold the steering wheel
turned all the way to the right or to the left for longer than 15
seconds . Th e power steering pump will overheat the hydraulic fluid
if you keep holding the steering wheel turned all the way. This is
likely to damage the power steering system .
• If the power steering system should fail entirely, or if the engine
is not running (for example, while being towed), you will still be able
to steer the vehicle. However,
considerably more effort will be
required to do so.
• If the power steering system should have a leak, or is not func­
tioning properly, contact your authorized Audi dealer immediately.
• The power steering system requires a specially formulated
hydraulic fluid. The power steering reservoir is the one located
farthest to the rear on the left side of the engine compartment
=>
page 332. The correct fluid level in the reservoir is important for
proper functioning of the power steering. •
Driving with your quattro®
---------
With All Wheel Drive, all four wheels are driven.
General information
With All Wheel Drive, power is distributed to all four wheels. This
happens automatically depending on your driving style and the
road conditions at the time. See also=>
page 290, "Electronic differ ­
ential lock (EDU" .
Winter tires
When driving in the winter, your vehicle with All Wheel Drive has an
advantage, even with regular tires. In winter road conditions it may
be advisable to mount winter tires (or all-season tires) for improved
driveability and braking: these tires must be mounted on
all four
wheels .
See also=> page 363, "Win ter tires".
Tire chains
Where tire chains are mandatory on certain roads, this normally
also applies to vehicles with All Wheel Drive=>
page 364, "Snow
chains".
Replacing wheels/tires
Vehicles with All Wheel Drive must always have tires of the same size. Also avoid tires with different tread depths. For details see
page=:>
page 359, "New tires and replacing tires and wheels".
& WARNING
Always adjust your driving to road and traffic conditions. Do not let the extra safety afforded by All Wheel Drive tempt you into
taking extra risks .
• Although the All Wheel Drive is very effective, always
remember that braking capacity is limited by tire traction. You
should therefore not drive at excessive speeds on icy or slippery
road surfaces .
~

& WARNING (continued)
• On wet road surfaces, be careful not to drive too fast because
the front wheels could begin to slide on top of the water (aqua ­
planing) . If this should occur , you will have no warning from a
sudden increase in engine speed as with a front -wheel drive
vehicle. Always drive at speeds which are suited to the road condi­
tions -risk of crash. •
Energy management
Starting ability is optimized
Energy management controls the distribution of electrical
energy and thus optimizes the availability of electrical
energy for starting the engine.
If a vehicle with a conventional energy system is not driven for a
long period of time, the battery is discharged by idling current
consumers (e.g. immobilizer). In certain circumstances it can result
in there being insufficient energy available to start the engine.
Intelligent energy management in your vehicle handles the distribu ­
tion of electrical energy. Starting ability is markedly improved and
the life of the battery is extended.
Basically , energy management consists of
battery diagnosis, idling
current management
and dynamic energy management .
Battery diagnosis
Battery diagnosis continuously determines the state of the battery.
Sensors determine battery voltage, battery current and battery
temperature. This determines the current state of charge and the
power of the battery.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
Idling current management
Idling
current management reduces energy consumption while the
vehicle is standing. With the ignition switched off, it controls the
energy supply to the various electrical components. Data from
battery diagnosis is considered.
Depending on the battery's state of charge, individual consumers
are gradually turned off to prevent excessive discharge of the
battery and thus maintain starting capability.
Dynamic energy management
While the vehicle is being driven, dynamic energy management
distributes the energy generated according to the needs of the indi­
vidual components. It regulates consumption, so that more elec­
trical energy is not being used than is being generated and ensures
an optimal state of charge for the battery.
[ i] Tips
• But even energy management cannot negate the limits of
physics. Consider that the power and life of a battery are limited.
• I f starting ability is threatened, you are informed by a warning
~ page 296, "Driver notification in the instrument cluster
display". •
What you should know
-----------------
The highest priority is given to maintaining starting capa-
bility.
Th e battery is severely taxed in short -distance driving, in city traffic
and during the cold time of year. Abundant electrical energy is
required, but only a litt le is generated. It is also critical if the engine
is not running and electrical components are turned on. In this
instance energy is being consumed but none is being generated.
It is in precisely these situations that you will notice energy manage ­
ment actively regulating the distribution of energy.
•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Vehicle stands for an extended period
If you do not drive your vehicle over a period of several days or
weeks, electrical components are gradually cut back or switched off.
This reduces energy consumption and maintains starting capability
over a longer period.
Take into consideration that when you unlock your vehicle, some
convenience functions, such as the remote key or power seat
adjustment, may not be available. The convenience functions will be
available again when you turn on the ignition and start the engine.
With the engine turned off
If you listen to the radio, for example, with the engine turned off or
use other MMI functions, the battery is being discharged.
If starting capability is jeopardized due to energy consumption, the
following warning appears in the MMI display:
Please start engine, otherwise system will switch off in
3 minutes.
The warning indicates that the system will be turned off automati­
cally after 3 minutes. If you wish to continue using the functions,
you have to start the engine.
With the engine running
Although electrical energy is generated when the vehicle is being
driven, the battery can become discharged. This happens mostly
when little energy is being generated and a great deal consumed and the battery's state of charge is not optimal.
To bring the energy balance back into equilibrium, consumers
which require especially large amounts of energy are temporarily
cut back or switched off. Heating systems in particular require a
great deal of energy. If you notice, for example, that the heated
seats* or the heated rear window are not heating, they have been
temporarily cut back or switched off. These systems will be available
again as soon as the energy balance has been restored.
You will also notice that engine idle speed has been increased
slightly. This is normal and not a cause for concern. By increasing engine idle speed the additional energy required is generated and
the battery is charged. •
Driver notification in the instrument cluster
display
If battery power drops into the range where it can limit the ability of
the engine to start, this is shown in the instrument cluster display
with the following driver message:
C Low battery charge: battery will be charged while driving
This notification reminds you that the starting capability of the
engine may be limited. As soon as you start driving again, the
battery will be recharged and the notification will go out.
Driver notification appears and goes out again
If this driver notification appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and it goes out again after a while, the battery has
been adequately recharged.
Driver notification appears and does not go out again
If this driver notification appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and does not go out again, the battery's state of
charge is not in the optimal range. Starting ability is restricted. Have
the battery checked as soon as possible by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop. •

Driving and environment
The first 1,000 miles (1,500 km) and afterwards
!\Jew engine
The engine needs to be run-in during the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
F o r th e fir st 600 mil es (1,000 kilomet ers):
Do not use full throttle.
- Do not drive faster than 3/4 of the top speed marked on
the speedometer.
- Avoid high engine speeds .
From 600 t o 1,000 mil es (1,000 t o 1,500
kil om eter s):
- Speeds can
gradually be i ncreased to t he maximum
permiss ible road or engine speed .
During and aft er br eak-in p eri od
- Do not rev the engine up to high speeds when it is cold. This applies whether the transm ission is in N (Neutral) or
1n gear.
Aft er the br eak-in p eriod
- D o not exceed max imum e ngine speed unde r any
circumstances.
- Upshift into the next higher gear
before reac hing the red
area at the end of the tachome ter scale ~
page 13 .
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Dri
ving and environm ent
During the first few hours of driving, the eng ine's internal friction is
higher than later when all the moving parts have been broken in.
How well this break -in process is done depends to a considerable
extent on the way the vehicle is driven during the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 ki lometers).
0 Not e
Extreme ly high engine speeds are automatically reduced. However,
these rpm limits are programmed for an engine well run-in, not a
new engine .
~ For the sake of the environment
Do not drive with unnecessarily high engine speeds -upshifting
early saves fuel, reduces noise and protects the environment .
New tires
If your v ehic le is running on new tires, driv e particularly
carefu l for the first 350 miles (500 ki lometers) after fitting.
& WARNING
N ew tir es tend to be slipp ery and mu st al so be "broken -in ". B e
su re to r ememb er thi s during th e fir st 350 m ile s ( 50 0 k ilome te rs).
Brak e gen tly. Av oid follow ing close ly behind other vehicl es or
o the r s ituati ons that mig ht requi re su dde n, ha rd b raking.•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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New brake pads
--
Remember that new brake pads do not have a full braking
effect during the first 250 miles (400 kilometers) after they
are installed .
New brake pads have to be "burnished in" before they have optimal
grab =>& .
During the break -in period, you should avoid putting severe loads
on the brakes . Severe loads include, for examp le, sudden hard
braking, in particular at very high speeds or, for example, on moun­
tain passes.
& WARNING
New brake pads don't have the best stopping power and must be
"broken-in" during the initial 100 to 150 miles (150 to 200 kilome­
ters) of normal city driving. You can compensate for this by
pressing the brake pedal more firmly . This also applies later when
new pads are installed.
:J
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission control system
(catalytic converter) is functioning properly to ensure that
your vehicle is running in an environmentally sound
manner.
- Always use lead-free gasoline:=> page 325, "Fuel supply".
- Never run the tank down all the way to empty.
- Never put too much motor oil in your engine ==>
page 336,
"Adding engine oil 't=:;r\11
•
Never try to push- or tow-start your vehicle.
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" device built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle. The catalytic converter burns many
of the po llutants in the exhaust gas before they are released into the
atmosphere.
The exclusive use of unleaded fuel is critically important for the life
of the catalytic converter and proper functioning of the engine.
& WARNING
• Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot
exhaust system may come in contact with dry grass, brush, fuel
spill or other material which can cause a fire .
• Do not apply additional undercoating or rustproofing on or
near the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or
heat shields. During driving, the substance used for undercoating
could overheat and cause a fire .
0 Note
• Be aware that just one tank filling with leaded fuel will alr eady
seriously degrade the performance of the catalytic converter.
• Do not exceed the correct engine oil level=>
page 336.
• Do not drive until the fuel tank becomes completely empty. The
engine could misfire. Unburned fuel could also get into the exhaust
system and this could cause the catalytic converter to overheat.
• Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
• Do not continue to operate your vehicle under these conditions,
as otherwise fuel can reach the catalytic converter. This could result
in overheating of the converter, requiring its replacement .
• To assure efficient operation of the Emission Control System:
- Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet. •

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one half. Never drive faster than the posted speed limit and weather
conditions permit. •
Reducing unnecessary =citing
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 starting the engine again .
It takes a long time for the engine to warm up fu lly 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 start 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 idling also produces heat, which could result in overheating or other damage to the vehicle or other
property .•
Regu1ar ma1--.tenance
A badly tuned engine unnecessarily wastes a lot of fuel.
- Have your vehic le serviced at regular intervals . By having your vehicle regularly serviced by an authori
zed Audi
dea ler helps to ensure that it runs properly and economica lly. The
condition of your vehicle not only affects its safety and ability to
hold its value, it a lso affects
fu el con sumpti on.
C he ck your oil each time you fill your t ank .
The amount of oil used is related to engine load and speed.
It is norma l for the oil consumption of a new engine to reach its
lowest va lue after a certain mileage has been driven.
You must drive your vehicle about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) before you can properly assess oil consumption .
T his 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 ma intenance as well as improper use of the
vehic le wi ll impair the function of the emission control system and
cou ld lead to damage.
• Do not alter or remove any component of the Emiss ion Control
System unless approved by the manufacturer.
• Do not alter or remove any device, such as heat shields,
switches, ignition wires, valves, which are designed to protect your
vehicle 's Em ission Control System and other important vehicle
components .•
Fewer short tr ips
Fuel consumption will always be relatively high on short
trips.
- Try to avoid driving short dista nces wi th a cold engine. _,

llffl!I Driving off road __ _...,______;, _____________________________ _
Driving off road
Driving in difficult road conditions
and offroad
General information
The operat ion o f the Elect ronic Stab ilizat ion Prog ram ( ESP) is
e x panded for operation away from paved roads . In situations where
s lip o r a di fferential lockin g function is required, the ESP o ffroad
mode can be activated~
page 288. Hill descent contro l is also avai l­
able in the ESP off road m ode, w hich a utomat ical ly bra kes t he
vehicle and thereby keeps speed constant when different whee l
speeds are de tected whe n descend ing a hill ~
page 289 . You r Audi
a lso has permanent all -wheel drive in add ition .
Howeve r, your Audi is not a pure offroad vehicle . It was n ot bu ilt fo r
dr ivin g und er ex tre me cond itions, e.g . for tr ips t hat ar e in t he n atu re
of an expedition.
Drive only on roads and offroad sections which match the design of
your vehicle and your abilitie s as a driver . Never take r isks!
Before driving offr oad
• Check the engine oil level, tire pressure, coolant level, and the
fl uid level in t he windshie ld wash er r eservo ir.
• Stow luggage items and other objects in the luggage compart ­
ment, and secure the m aga inst sl iding around .
After driving offroad • After trips offroad, remove any twigs and other forei gn ob jects
from the gri ll, the underbody and the whee ls. Pay special attention
t o foreig n objects (stones) which have become lodged in t he tire
tread.
• Clean the body and the vehicle underside, and inspect the
veh ic le for possible damage. •
Clean dirty windows, headlamp lenses, rea r lights, and license
plates.
• Perform a bra ke check (particularly af ter travel ling through
wa ter).
& WARNING
• Drive especially attentively and plan ahead in difficult road
c onditions and when offroad . Excessive speed or in correct maneu ­
vers can cause injuries and damage to the vehicle.
• Alway s adapt your speed and d riv ing style to road , offroad,
traffic, and weather conditions. Drive especially slowly offroad
when your v iew is restri cted .
• Please be aware that in ESP offroad mode , particularly on a
smooth and slippery road , the wheels may have an in creased
tendency to spin and the vehicle may break away -danger of skid ­
ding !
• Stability is limited in the ESP offroad mode.
Avo id dam age to the envir onme nt an d respect na ture .
[ i ] Tips
On ly dr ive where it is perm itted and s tay on marked roads a nd
paths.
Explanation of some technical terms
T he fol lowing data refer to idea l conditions. Depending on vehic le
lo ad and g round cond itions and the environ ment, t he num ber s may ...

vary. It is the driver's responsibility to decide whether a vehicle can
overcome a specific situation
=> &.
Fording depth
Distance between the point touched by the tires (surface of ground)
and the engine air intake or induction system. Maximum fording
depth in standing water.
• Vehicles without air springs: 19.7 in (500 mm)
• Vehicles with adaptive air suspension*: 18.7 in (475 mm) at
normal level, 21.1 in (535 mm) at high level 2
Gradient angle
The number of meters in altitude gained over a distance of 109.4
yards or 100 meters (grade) are given as a percentage or degrees.
Information about the gradient the vehicle can climb under its own
power (depends in part on the road surface and engine power).
Maximum permitted grade: 31°
Lateral angle (slope of vehicle)
Indicates the angle up to which the vehicle can be driven diagonally
or across the fall line on a slope without the vehicle tipping over
sideways (depends on center of gravity) . Maximum permitted lateral
angle: 35°
Breakover angle
Indicates the angle up to which the vehicle can drive over a ramp at
low speed without the underside of the vehicle hitting the edge of
the ramp.
• Vehicles without air springs: maximum breakover angle: 21,1°
• Vehicles with adaptive air suspension*: maximum breakover
angle: 19.1 ° (at normal level), 23.8° (at high level 2)
Approach/departure angle
Transition from the horizontal plane to a gradient or from a grade
back to level ground. Indicates the angle up to which the vehicle can
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Driving off road
drive onto or off a slope at low speed without striking the bumper
or
the underbody.
• Vehicles without air springs: maximum approach/departure
angle: 21.9° (front), 23.4° (rear)
• Vehicles with adaptive air suspension*: maximum
approach/departure angle at normal level 20° (front), 21.9° (rear).
Maximum approach/departure angle at high level 2 (front) 24°, (rear)
25.4°
Ground clearance
The distance between the road surface and the lowest point of the
vehicle underbody .
• Vehicles without air springs: Ground clearance 8.1 in (204.8 mm)
• Vehicles with adaptive air suspension*: minimum ground clear­
ance 7.1 in (179.8 mm) at normal level, maximum ground clearance
9.4 in (239.8 mm) at high level 2
& WARNING
Exceeding the stated maximum figures can result in severe inju­
ries or vehicle damage.
• All the information was gathered on level, firm and non-slip­
pery road surfaces, and under dry weather conditions.
• Ideal conditions do not prevail offroad. Never utilize the
maximum readings to their fullest, always leave a safety reserve. •
Driving tips
On poor road and off road, there is always only one motto:
Plan ahead and drive slowly!
Please observe the following when driving away from paved
roads:
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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-Drive only on roads and offroad sections which match
the design of your vehicle and your abilities as a driver .
Never take risks!
Drive slowly and plan ahead!
Take into consideration the
ground clearance of your
vehicle.
- Activate the
ESP offroad mode=:> page 288 as needed.
- Use t he
hill descent control=:> page 289 when driving
down steep sections on hills.
Unpaved roads and offroad
Drive slowly on unfamiliar roads and unknown offroad sections, and
look out for unexpected obstac les (e.g . potholes, rocks, tree stumps,
etc.).
To prevent the vehicle from bottoming and avoid damage to the
underbody, you should drive straight across severe bumps in the
ground with on ly one side of the vehicle so that on ly two of your
whee ls cross the bumps .
Dr ive briskly through sandy or marshy offroad sections and do not
stop, if at all possible.
Driving through water
Your vehicle can drive through standing water if the ground is firm
enough . The
maximum fording depth is 19 .7 in or 500 mm (vehic les
without air springs) or 21.1 in or 535 mm (vehicles with adaptive air
suspension*, at high level 2).
Check the depth of the water before driving through water .
Cross water only at walking speed, do not stop and do not turn the
engine off .
If you drive fast through the water, you wi ll create a bow wave in
front of the vehic le. This bow wave can get into the engine air intake
and severe ly damage the engine. Avoid driving through salt water (corrosion)
.
Driving on a slope
If you ever find yourself not able to climb a slope, do not try to turn
around, drive back down in
reverse. Otherwise, you run the risk of
tipping over.
If the vehicle threatens to tip over when driving across a slope, you
must immediately steer downhill in the direction of the slope.
Do not park your vehicle on steep slopes or grades.
To reduce the risk of tipping over, drive on slopes in the direction of
the downward slope (fall line) -
not crosswise .
Driving on snow-covered ground
The standard tires fitted to your vehicle are not snow tires. So you
should mount wheels with snow tires in good time where winter
road conditions prevail. Before driving on unploughed stretches of
deep snow, install tire chains. For technical reasons, tire chains may
only be installed on the rear whee ls -never on the front wheels .
L1}. WARNING
After driving through water, mud, slush, etc. the brakes may be
slow to take effect because of wet brake rotors and pads . The
brakes must first be carefully dried by braking so that full braking
effect is restored. •