oil level AUDI Q7 2012 Owner´s Manual

oils available today provide better engine lu­
brication that can outlast traditional petrole­
um-based oils, making them a smart choice
for use throughout the life of your Audi.
Whether you use synthetic or petroleum­based engine oil, the oil that you use must
conform to Audi's oil quality standard
VW 502 00 (vehicles with gasoline engine) or VW 507 00 (vehicles with diesel engine) 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 (vehicles with gasoline engine) or VW 507 00
(vehicles with diesel engine) are synthetic en­
gine oils. This does not mean, however, that
every synthetic engine oil will meet Audi oil
standard VW 502 00 (vehicles with gasoline
engine) or VW 507 00 (vehicles with diesel
engine). So always be sure that you use an ap­
proved oil.
To help prevent the formation of harmful de­ posits use only oil with the following specifi­
cations printed on the oil container :
-Audi oil standard VW 502 00 (gasoline en­
gine)
- Audi oil standard VW 507 00 (diesel en-
gine)
Oil container labels may carry the specifica­
tion singly or in combination with other desig­
nations and oil quality standards.
Viscosity
Engine oils are graded according to their vis­
cosity . The proper viscosity grade oil for your
engine depends on climactic or seasonal con­
ditions where you drive. You can use oil with a
viscosity grade of SAE SW40 ac ross all tem­
perature ranges for normal driving conditions.
However, if engine oil viscosity grade SAE
SW40 is not available, you can also use viscos­
ity grade SAE SW-30 or SAE OW-40 as long as
it meets Audi oil quality standard VW 502 00
Checking and filling 261
(vehicles with gasoline engine) or VW 507 00
(vehicles with diesel engine) specifications.
Because engine oil that meets the Audi oil
standard may not be available 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 (vehicles with gasoline engine) or
VW 507 00 (vehicles with diesel engine) spec­
ification, in case you have to top
off the oil
while on the road.
Applies to vehicles with gasoline engine on­
ly: Only if the level of the oil is at or below the
minimum mark on the oil dipstick -and no oil
that expressly conforms to Audi oil standard
VW 502 00 specificat ions is available - may
you top
off with a high quality engine oil, pref­
erably synthetic-based, that meets ACEA A3
or API SM specifications, but even then, only in viscosity grades SAE SW-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 specifica­
tion VW 502 00.
Applies to vehicles with diesel engine only:
Only if the level of the oil is at or below the
minimum mark on the oil dipstick - and no oil
that expressly conforms to Audi oil standard
VW 507 00 spec ifications is available - may
you top
off with a high quality engine oil, that
meets ACEA C3 or API CF specifications, but
even then, only in viscosity grades SAE
5W-40, SAE 5W-30, or SAE OW-40. However,
during the entire time between oil change in­
tervals, never top off with more than a total
of 0 .5 qt/liter engine oil that does not con­
form to Audi oil specification VW S07 00.
For more information about engine oil that
has been approved for your vehicle, please
contact either your authori zed Audi dealer or
Audi Customer Relations at 1 (800) 822-2834
or visit our web si te 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
lilJJ,,
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262 Checking and filling
VW 502 00 (vehicles with gasoline engine) or
VW 507 00 (vehicles with diese l engine).
C hanging the engine oil
The engine oil and o il fil te r must be changed
according to the m ileage (ki lomete rs) and
time inte rva ls spe cified in your vehicle 's War­
ra nty
& Main ten ance booklet. Do not ex ceed
these in tervals - harmful depos its from ol d
engine o il can reduce engine performance an d
can lead to expensive engi ne re pairs.
C hanging the o il at th e recommen ded i nte r­
v al s is so very impor tant because t he lub ric at ­
ing p roperties o f oi l decrease gra dually du ring
norma l vehicle use . If you are not sure when
you have yo ur oil changed, ask yo ur aut ho r­
i z ed A udi Service Advisor.
Unde r some ci rc u ms tances the engine o il
should even be change d mo re frequently .
C hange o il more often if you drive mostly
short d istances, ope rate the vehicle in d usty
areas or mostly under stop-and-go traffic con­
d it ions, or when you use your veh icle w he re
tem peratures stay below freez ing poin t fo r
l ong periods .
Detergent addit ives i n the o il w ill make fresh
oil look dark after the eng ine has been run­
ni ng fo r a shor t time . This is no rma l and is not
a reason to change the o il mo re often tha n
r e co m men ded.
Damage or malfunctions due to lack of
maintenance
It is essential that yo u change your oil at the
recommended interva ls using only engine o il
that complies with Audi oi l standard
VW 502 00 (vehicles wi th gasoli ne e ngine) or
VW 507 00 (ve hicles with diese l engi ne) . Yo ur
Li m ite d N ew Vehicle Warranty does no t cove r
d am age or m alfu ncti ons due to f ailure to fol­
l ow recommended main tenance and use re­
q uir ements as set forth in the A udi Owne r's
M anual a nd Warra nty
& M aintenance book let.
Your dea ler will have to deny war ranty cover­
age un less yo u present to the dea le r proof in
the f orm of Service or Repa ir Orders that a ll scheduled mai
ntenance was perfo rme d in a
t imely man ne r.
Engine oil consumption
To prov ide effective l ubr ication and cooling for
i nter na l eng ine parts, a ll interna l combustion
engi nes use some o il. Oil consumption va ries
from eng ine to engi ne and may cha nge over
t h e life of the engine. Engines tend to use
more o il du ring t he b reak-in pe riod tha n they
do afterwa rd, w hen oil c onsum ption ha s sta­
b ilized. Dependi ng on the w ay the vehicle is
driven and the operati ng conditions, oil con ­
s u mption can be up to 1 q uart per 1, 200
miles (1 liter per 2,000 km) . Consumption
may be higher within the first 3,000 m iles
(5,000 km) .
Un der normal con ditions , the rate o f oi l con­
s u mption depen ds on o il quality as well as vis ­
cosity, engine spee d (rpm), outs ide tempera­
ture, road conditions, the amount of oil dil u­
t io n caused by condensed water or fue l resi ­
du e, and ox ida tion of the o il. Oil co nsu mp tion
may incr eas e with eng ine w ear ov er time, un ­
t il repl acemen t of w orn en gine p arts may be­
co me ne ce ssar y.
B eca use of all thes e var iables , there is no
sta nda rd o r "n orma l" ra te of o il cons umption .
We urge you to check the engine oil level at
regular intervals, preferably every time you
fill the fuel tank, and always before a long
trip.
The oil pressure warning light. i s not an
indicator of low engine oil level. If the warn ­
ing light does not go out after starting, or
flashes while driving (above 1500 rpm), a
buzzer will sound. It indicates that the oil
pressure is too low . Stop the engine immedi·
ately, check the engine oil level and add oil if
necessary. If the engine oil level is normal,
but the light continues to flash, do not keep
driving or let the engine idle, as damage may
occur .
II-

If you be lieve your engine uses too much oil,
w e recommend that you consult your author­
ized Audi dealer so that the cause of your con­
cern can be properly diagnosed . Keep in mind
that accurate measurement of oil consump­
tion requires great care and may take some
time . Your Aud i dealer has instruct ions for
how to measure oil consumption accurately .
_& WARNING
Stop! Before work ing in the engine com­
pa rtment, always read and heed all WARN­
INGS
¢ .& in Working in the engine com­
partment on page 258.
The engine com­
partment of any motor ve hicle is
a poten­
tially dangerous area and can cause ser i­
ous pe rsonal injury.
(D Note
- The eng ine depends on oi l to lubr icate
and cool a ll of its moving parts . The en­
gine o il m ust be checked regu larly and
kept at the required leve l.
- Make it a habit to have the engine oil lev­
el checked every time you fill the fuel
tank.
- Too little engine oil may ca use severe en­
gine damage.
Checking the engine oil level
The dipstick indicates the engine oil level.
Fig. 230 Ill ust rat io n of principle 1: Markers on o il dip­
s tick
Checkin g and fillin g 263
Fig . 231 Il lust rati on of p rin ciple 2: Ma rke rs o n oil d ip ­
stick
Before you check anyt hing in the engine com­
partment,
alway s read a nd heed all WARN­
INGS ¢ A in Working in the engine compart­
ment on page 258 .
Determining oil level
.,. Park yo ur vehicle so that it is horizonta lly
level.
.,. While at operating state tempe rature,
briefly let the engine run at idle and then
shut it off.
.,. Wait approx. two minutes.
.,. Pull out the oil dipstick . W ipe off the oil
d ipstick with a clean cloth, and sl ide it back
in as far as it w ill go.
.,. Pull it back out and read off the o il level
r=> fig. 230 or r=> fig. 231. Top off the eng ine
oil, if applicable ¢
page 264 .
Oil level within range (v
.,. Do not add oil.
Oil le ve l within range@
.,. You can add oil. Afterwards, the oil leve l
sh ould be within range@.
Oil le vel within rang e 0
.,. Yo u must add oil. Afterwards, the oil leve l
should be within range @.
T he oil leve l needs to be checke d at regu lar in ­
terva ls. The best t imes to do this are whenev -
er you refuel and prior to long trips.
Depend ing o n the way the vehicle is dr iven
and the ope rat ing cond it ions, o il co nsumption
can be up to 1 q uart per 1,200 mi les ( 1 liter
Ill>

-Always make sure the transm ission se­
lector lever (automatic transmiss ion) is
in "P" (Park position) and the park brake
is firmly app lied .
@) For the sake of the environment
-Changing the eng ine settings w ill ad­
versely affect em ission levels. This is det­
rimental to the environment and increas­
es fuel consumption .
- Always observe env ironmental regula­
tions when d isposing of old engine oil,
used brake fluid, dirty engine coolant,
spent batter ies or worn out t ires.
- Undeployed airbag modules and preten­
s ioners might be classified as Perchlo­
rate Material -specia l hand ling may ap­
ply, see www.dts c.ca .gov/hazardous­
waste/perch lorate. When the veh icle or
parts of the restraint system includ ing
airbag modules safety belts wit h preten­
sioners are scrapped, all applicable laws
and regulations must be observed. Your
a uthorized Audi dea ler is familiar w ith
these requirements and we recommend
that you have your dea ler perform this
serv ice for you .
Additional accessories,
modifications and
parts replacement
Additional accessories and parts
replacement
Always consult an authorized Audi dealer be­
fore purchasing accessories.
Your veh icle incorporates the latest safety de­
sig n featu res ensu ring a high standard of ac ­
tive and passive safety.
This safety could be compromised by non-ap­ proved changes to the veh icle. For this reason,
if parts have to be replaced, please observe
the following points when install ing addition­
a l accessories:
Con sumer In formation 321
Approved Audi accesso ries and genuine Audi
parts are available from authorized Audi deal­
ers.
T hese dea lers a lso have the necessary facili­
ties, tools and trained specialists to install the
parts and accessories proper ly.
A WARNING
Using the wrong spare parts or using non­
approved accessories can cause damage to
the vehicle and serious persona l injury.
- Use on ly accessories express ly approved
by Audi and genu ine Audi spare parts
- These parts and accessories have been
specially designed to be used on your ve­
hicle .
- Never install accessories such as tele­
phone cradles or beverage holders on air­
bag covers or within the airbag deploy­
ment zones . Do ing so will increase the
risk of injury if a irbags are triggered in an
accident!
- Before you check anything in the engine
compa rtment, always read and heed all
WARNINGS ~
page 248.
(D Note
-If items other than genuine Audi spare
parts, add-on equipment and accessory
items are used or if repair work is not
performed accord ing to spe cified meth­
ods, this can result in severe damage to
yo ur vehicle's engine and body (such as
corrosion) and adversely affect your vehi ­
cle's warranty .
- If emergency repairs must be performed
elsewhere, have the vehicle examined by
an authorized Audi dealer as soon as
possible.
- The manufacturer cannot be held liable
for damage wh ich occurs due to failure
to comply with these stipulations.
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324 Index
A
Accessories
Adaptive Air Suspension ....... .. .... .
Cargo mode in the MMI .... .. .. .. .. .
Controls .
..................... .. .
321
150
155
150
D .. escnpt1on ... ........... .. .. .... . 150
High level .................. ...... 150
Highway level ................ .... . 150
Instrument cluster display . . . . . . . . . . 153
Jacking mode when changing a flat tire 154
Low level ................ .... ..... 150
Normal level ............. .... .... . 150
Segment display ........... .. .. ... 152
Setting the driving modes .. .. .. .... . 152
Trailer towing mode ....... .... .... . 154
Using switch for cargo mode ...... ... 155
Warning/indicator lights ..... .. .... .. 17
Adaptive cruise control .......... .. .. . 113
Changing speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Driver information
Driver intervention prompt ..... .... .
Driving in traffic .......... .. .. .. .. .
Driving program .................. .
Error messages .................. .
Open road . ................. ..... .
Override
. .. ............. .. .. .. .. .
Request for driver to assume control . .
Save speed . ... ....... ... .... .. .. .
Setting distance . ............... .. .
Settings ... ... .... ...... .. .. .... .
Setting time interval ........ .. .. .. .
Special driving situations .. .... .... .
Status messages ......... .. .. .... .
Switching on and off ......... ..... .
System limits .................... .
120
124
114
124
122
114
114
114
116
118
124
118
125
122
116
125
Temporarily turning off . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
warning/indicator lights ..... .. .. .. . 121
Adaptive light ... .......... .. .. .. .. .. 59
defective ................... ..... .. 37
AdBlue .. .. .. ..... ........... ... .. . 255
Filling ... .. ............. ........ . 256
Messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play ... .. .. ............. .. .. .. .. .
255
Adding
Engine coolant .............. ... ...
267
Engine oil .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 264
Windshield washer fluid ... .. .. .... . 273
Additional accessories
Additives
Engine oil ....... ............. ... .
Adjusting 321
264
Instrument cluster illumination .. .. .. . 13
Steering column electrically ...... ... 103
Steering column manually .......... 103
Adjusting front seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Airbag
Warning/indicator lights .............
16
Airbag system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179, 196
Advanced Airbag System ........... . 183
Advanced Airbag System components . 186
Care ...... .... .. .. ........... .... 193
Children .. .. .... ................ . 201
Child restraints ... ............. .... 202
Components (front airbags) ......... 186
Danger of fitting a child safety seat on
the front passenger seat ........ ....
181
Disposal .. ...... ............. .... 193
Front airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183, 184
How do the front airbags work? .. .. .. 188
How many airbags does my vehicle
have? ........ ...................
186
How the Advanced Airbag System com-
ponents work together .............
187
Important things to know ....... .. .. 179
Indicator light ... ................ . 190
Monitoring .... .. ............. .... 190
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light ... .... 190
Repairs ... .... .. ............. .... 193
Safety instructions ................. 192
Side airbags ... .. ....... ...... .. .. 194
Side curtain airbags ............ .. .. 197
Weight-sensing mat ............. .. 201
When must the system be inspected? . 190
Air conditioning
refer to Climate controls ..... ... .. .. . 91
Air distribution
Climate controls .. ... .......... .... .
94
Four-zone automatic comfort air condi-
tioning ....... .. .. ... ....... ... .. .
99
Air pollutants filter
Climate controls .. ............. .... .
91
All-wheel drive .. .. ............. .... 225
Winter tires
Alloy wheels 289
243

326 Index
Brake system .. .... ..... ... .. .. .... . 268
Anti-lock brake system . ... .. ... ... .. 1 8
Bra ke fl uid .... ... .... ... .. .. .... . 268
Brake fl uid spec ificat ions for refill and re-
p lacement ... ............. .. .... . 269
Brake pads . .............. ... .. ... 228
Ge ne ral informat ion ... ... .. .. .. .. . 222
H ow does mo isture or road salt affect the
b rakes? .. .. ............. .... .. .. . 22 2
M alfunct io n ............. .. .. .... .. 3 2
P ark ing brake ... ...... ... .. .. .... . 109
Warning/indicator lights ... .. .. .... . . 19
Worn brake pads symbol ... .. ... ... .. 36
B raki ng gua rd
refer to Audi br aking gua rd . .. .. .. .. . 126
Break- in period . .. ...... .... ... .. .. . 228
Brake pads ... .. ...... .... ... .. .. . 228
Tir es .. .. .. ................ ... ... 228
Breakover ang le ........... .... .... . 232
B ulbs . .. .. ... ............ .. .. .. .. . 30 6
Bumper cover Ca ution w hen parki ng nea r a parking ba r-
ri er or curb . ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. . 110
C
Ca lifo rnia Proposit ion 65 Wa rning .. ... 259
B attery spec ific .... ...... .. .. .. .. . 27 1
Capac it ies . .. ............. .. .. .. ... 316
C ar -Systems
Ambience lighting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Lighting profi les .. ..... ... .. .. .... .. 62
Ca r ca re . .. .. ................ ... .. . 239
I n ter ior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 4
Pl asti c and v inyl .......... .. .. .. .. . 24 2
Care of exte rior .. .... .... .. .. .. .. .. . 239
Cargo area
refer to loading the luggage compart-
ment .. .. ................. .. .... . 166
C ar go floor ............... .. .. ...... 8 2
Cargo net .... .. ........ .... ... .. .. .. 80
Cata lytic converter . ..... ... .. .. .... . 229
Cente r arm rest
Cup holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
S to rage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 7
Center console in rear ........ ... .. .... 78 Cen
tral lock ing
Emergency locking . .... ..... ... .. .. . 45
Pano ram ic s liding s unroo f . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Certification .. .. .. ............. .. .. 3 22
Chang ing a flat t ire . .. .. ...... ... .. .. 298
Chang ing a wheel . .... .. ..... ... .. .. 298
Chang ing engine oil 264
Chassis Undercoating .... ............. .... 244
also refer to Adaptive Air Suspen-
s io n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150, 152
CHECK button ..... ... .. ..... ... .. .. . 12
Checking En gine coolant level ............ .. .. 266
Checking t ire pressure ........ ...... . 280
Child rest raints
Danger of using child restraints in the
front seat . ................... .... 181
Where can I get additional informat io n
about child rest raints and the ir use? .. 218
Child rest raint system anchors . ... .. .. 212
Child safe ty . ...... ............. .... 200
Co nvertib le lo cking retractor ... .. .. .. 209
G ui dance fixtures for lower ancho rages 214
Important sa fe ty instru ctions for using
child safety seats .... .. ..... ... .. .. 203
Important things to know when driving
with children .. .. ... .......... .. .. 200
Installing a c hild restra int using the
LATCH system .. .. .......... ...... . 215
Mounting and releasing the anchorage
hook ........ ... .. .............. . 215
T e ther anchors ... ............. .... 216
T e ther s traps .... ............. .... 216
Child safety lock
r ear doors (powe r) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Child safety seats . ... .... .... ... .. .. 205
Booster seats .... ............. .... 208
Co nvertib le child seats ......... .. .. 206
Co nvertib le locking retractor ... .. .. .. 209
Danger of using child restraints i n the
front seat ..... .. .......... ... ... . 181
How do I properly i nstall a chi ld safe ty
seat in my ve hicle? ............. .. .. 203
Infan t seats ... .. .. .... .... ... .. .. 205
Installing ..... .. .. ... ..... ... .. .. 209

Engine Compartment .... ..... ... ... ... ...
260
Coolant .. .. .... ........ ... .. .. .. . 265
Hood .. .. .. ...... ........... .. ... 258
Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 , 106
Starting with jumper cables .. ... .... 308
Stopping ... ... .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. . 106
Engin e compartm ent
Safety instructions ... ..... .. .. .. .. .
258
Working the engine compar tmen t ... . 258
Engine coolant system ... ... .. .. .. .. . 265
Adding coolant . .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... 267
Checking coolant leve l .. ... .. .. .. .. . 266
Checking the eng ine coolant leve l .. .. . 266
M alfunct ion .. ........... .. .. .. .. .. 32
Radiator fan .............. ... ... .. 268
Engine coolant temperature
Temperature ga ug e .... ... .. .. .. .. ..
10
Eng ine data .. .. ........... .. .. .. .. . 3 16
Eng ine hood
C losing ...................... ....
258
H ow to release the hood . .. .. .. .. .. . 258
Engine oil . .. ............. .... .. .. . 260
Adding .. .. ........ ..... .... .. .. . 264
Addi tives . .. ............. .... .. .. . 264
Changing .................. .... .. 264
Checking the eng ine o il level .. .. .. .. . 263
Consumpt ion ................. .... 262
Indications and cond it ions requ iring ex-
tra checking ............. .... .. ...
263
O il grades .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... 260
Recommended oil check intervals .. .. . 263
Specification and viscosity . ... .. .. .. . 260
Eng ine oi l level ..... ..... .. .... .. .. .. 36
Eng ine oil pressure
Malfunct io n ... .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. ..
33
Eng ine oil sensor defective . ... .. .. .. .. 36
E ng ine speed limitat io n ..... .. .. .. .. .. 36
Entry assist
Rear seats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 5
Environment Break-in period . .. ..... ... .. .. .. ...
228
Catalytic converter ........ .. .. .. .. . 229
Diesel particulate filter .... .. .. .. .. . 229
Disposing of your vehicle battery .. .. . 273
Driving at h igh speeds ......... ... .. 230
D riving to m inimize pollution and no ise 230
Inde x 329
Fuel . ... .. .. .... .. . .. .. ..... ... .. 253
Fuel economy .. .... . ... ...... ... .. 230
Leaks unde r your vehicle ..... ... .. .. 258
Letting the vehicle stand and warm up . 230
Proper disposal of dra ined brake fluid . 269
P roper disposal of drained eng ine cool -
ant .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. ... ... .. ....
267
Proper disposal of d ra in ed eng ine oi l .. 264
Recycling used eng ine oil . ....... .... 2 64
Un leaded fuel .. .. .... .... ....... .. 2 50
Wha t shou ld I do with an o ld battery? . 273
EPC
refer to Elect ron ic power control ...... 15
ESC
refer to E lectron ic Stability Control ( ESC) 16
Event Da ta Recorde r (ED R) ..... ... .. .. 219
Exhaust tail pipes
Cleaning .. .. .. .. .. . ... ...... ... ..
244
Expansion tank .. .. ................. 266
Explanation of some technical te rms ... 232
Ex terior lighting in the mirror housing 59
Exterior m irrors
Adjusting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
68
Dimming .. .. .. .. .. ............... . 69
Heating ... .. .. .. .... ....... .... ...
68
Eyeglasses compartment . ..... ... .. .. . 89
F
Fa ll line
Fan Fou r-zo ne automatic comfo rt air condi-232
t 1o ni ng ... .. .. .. .. . .. .......... .. . 98
Radiator .. .. .. .. .. . ... ........... 2 68
Fasten ing
Booster seats .. ... ...... ......... .
208
Convertible child safety seats ... ... .. 206
Infant seats . .. .. .. ........... .... 205
Flat tire
Changi ng ... .. .. .................
298
Floor mats . ... .. .... . ... ...... ... .. 165
Fog lights .. .. .. .... .......... ...... 58
Fo lding chocks .. .. ............. .... 295
Fo ld ing master key wi th remo te control . . 38
Foot pedals . .. .. .... .......... ..... 165
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