light AUDI S3 2009 Owners Manual

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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. _,

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Trailer towing
Driving with a trailer
General information
Your Audi was designed primarily for passenger transpor­
tation.
If you plan to tow a trailer, please remember that the additional load
wi ll affect durability, economy and performance.
Trai ler towing not on ly p laces more stress on the vehicle, it a lso ca lls
for more concentration from the driver.
For this reasons, always fo llow the operating and driving instruc ­
tions provided and use common sense. •
Technical requirements
Traile r hit ch
Use a weight -carrying hitch conforming to the gross trailer weight.
The hitch must be suitab le for your vehicle and tra iler and must be
mounted secure ly on the vehicle's chassis at a
technically sound
location . Use only a trailer hitch w ith removable ball mount. A lways
check with the trai ler hitch manufacturer to make sure that you are
using the correct hitch .
Do not use a bumper hit ch .
The hitch must be installed in such a way that it does not interfere
w ith the impact-absorbing bumper system . No modifications
should be made to the vehicle exhaust and brake systems. From
time to time, check that all hitch mount ing bolts remain securely
fastened.
When you are not towing a trailer, remove the trailer hitch ball
mount. This prevents the hitch from causing damage should your
vehic le be struck from behind
=:> & .
Tire pre ssure
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of your vehic le to the cold tire
pressure listed under "Full load"on the sticker on the right door­
jamb. Inflate trai ler tires to trai ler and tire manufacturers' specifica ­
tions.
Lights
The head ligh t settings should be checked wit h the trai ler attached
before driving off. Have the head lights adjusted as necessary so
t hat you can see the road ahead but not blind oncoming traffic.
Check to make sure both vehicle and trailer lights are working prop ­
erly.
Engin e cool ing sy stem
Towing a t rai ler makes the engine wo rk ha rder . It is important that
the cooling system's performance stands up to the additiona l
strain. Make sure that the coo ling syste m has enoug h fluid.
Traile r br akes
If your traile r is equipped wi th a braking system, check to be sure
that it conforms to al l regu lations.
T he trailer hydraulic brake system must not be directly connected to
the vehic le's hydrau lic brake sys tem.
Safety chai ns
Be sure trailer safety chains are properly connected from the trailer
to the h itch on the vehicle. Leave enough slack in the chains to
permit turning corners. When you install safety chains, make sure
they will not drag on the road when you are driving.
The chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent it from
dropping in case of separation from the hitch. _.

Trailer lights
Trailer lights must meet all regulations. Be sure to check with your
authorized Audi dealer for correct wiring, switches and relays.
Mirrors
If you are unable to see the traffic behind you using the regular
outside mirrors, then you
must install extended mirrors. It is impor­
tant that you
always have clear vision to the rear .
& WARNING
After removing the trailer hitch, do not store it in your vehicle. In
case of sudden braking, the hitch could fly forward and injure you
or your passengers .
.1
Operating instructions
Maximum trailer weight
A trailer for your vehicle is limited to a typical class 1 or class 2
trailer.
Trailer load distribution
Be sure the load in the trailer is held securely in place to guard
against shifting, be it forward, backward or sideways.
Never allow a passenger to ride in a trailer:::::, & in "Driving instruc­
tions".
Tire pressure
When towing a trailer, inflate the tires of your vehicle to the cold tire
pressure listed under "Full load" on the sticker on the right door­
jamb. Inflate trailer tires to trailer and tire manufacturers' specifica­
tions.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Trailer towing
Lights
The
headlight settings should be checked with the trailer attached
before driving off. Adjust as necessary so that you can see the road
ahead but not blind oncoming traffic.
Check proper working of vehicle and trailer lights.
Safety chains
Be sure trailer safety chains are properly connected from the trailer
to the hitch on the vehicle. Leave enough slack in the chains to
permit turning corners. When you install safety chains, make sure
they will not drag on the road when you are driving.
The chains should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent it from
dropping in case of separation from the hitch. •
Driving instructions
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care and
consideration.
To obtain the best possible handling of vehicle and trailer,
please note the following:
Do not tow a loaded trailer when your car itself is not
loaded.
- Be especially careful when passing other vehicles.
Observe speed limits.
Do not drive at the maximum permissible speed.
- Always apply brakes early.
Monitor the temperature gauge.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Weig ht dis tributi on
Towing a loaded trailer with an empty car resu lts in a high ly
unstable distribution of weight . If this cannot be avoided drive at
very low speeds on ly to avoid the risk of losing steering control.
A "ba lanced" rig is easier to operate and control. This means that
the tow vehicle should be loaded to the extent possible and permis ­
sib le while keeping the trai ler as light as possib le under the circum ­
stances. Whenever possible, transfer some cargo to the luggage
compartment of the tow vehicle while observing tongue load requirements and vehicle loading considerations .
Speed
The higher the speed, the more difficult it becomes for the driver to
control the rig . Do not drive at the maximum permissible speed.
Reduce your speed even more under unfavorable load, weather or
wind conditions -particularly when going downhill.
Reduce vehicle speed
imm ed ia tely if the trailer shows the sl ightest
sign of swaying. Do not try to s top the s wayi ng by a ccelerating .
Observe speed limits . In some areas speeds for vehicles towing
trai lers are lower than for regular vehicles.
Always app ly brakes early. When driving downhill, shift into lower
gear to use the engine braking effect to slow down the vehicle. Use
of the brakes alone can cause them to overheat and fail.
C oo la nt tempe ra tu re
The coolant temperature gauge ~ page 9 must be observed care ­
ful ly. If the needle moves close to the upper end of the scale, reduce
speed immediately and/or switch off the air condit ioner.
If the coolant temperature warning light in the instrument cluster
starts flashing -~-, pull off the road, stop and let the engine
idle for
about two minutes to prevent heat build -up .
& WARNING
An yone not p rope rly res train ed in a mo ving vehi cle is a t a mu ch
gre ater risk in a n accident. Neve r let an yone ride in your car who
is not p rop erly we ari ng th e res tra int s pro vide d b y Aud i.
c
Trailer towing tips
Important to know
Your vehicle handles different ly when towing a trailer because of
the additional weight and weight distribution . Safety, performance
and economy w ill great ly depend on how carefu lly you load your
trailer and operate your rig.
Before you actually tow you r trailer, practice turn ing, stopping and
backing up in an area away from traffic. Keep practicing unti l you
have complete ly become familiar with the way your vehicle -trailer
combination behaves and responds .
Backing up is difficult and requires practice. Backing up with a
trailer genera lly requires steering ac tion opposite of that when
backing up your vehicle without a trailer .
Maintain a greater distance between your vehicle and the one in
front of you. You will need more room to stop.
T o compensate for the trailer, you wi ll need a larger than normal
turning radius .
When passing, remember that you cannot accelerate as fast as you n ormal ly wou ld because of the added load . Make su re you have
enough room to pass. After passing, al low plenty of room for your
trailer before changing lanes again .
Avoid jerky starts, sharp turns o r rapid lane changes.

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•
High temperatures, as from exposure to intense sunlight, intens ify
the corrosive effect particularly when humidity is high as well.
Under ce rtain circumstances ,
weekly washing may be necessary .
Under other conditions, a monthly washing and waxing may be
adequate.
After the winter, the
underside of the vehicle should be thoroughly
washed, preferably in a professional car wash.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=>
page 206 . •
Automatic car wash
The vehicle can be washed in almost any modern auto­
matic car wash.
The vehicle paint is so durable that the vehicle can normally be
washed without problems in an automatic car wash . However , the
effect on the paint depends to a large extent on the design of the
facility, the filtering of the wash water, the type of wash and care
material, etc. If the paint has a dull appearance after going through
the car wash or is scratched, bring this to the attention of the oper­
ator immediately . If necessary, use a different car wash .
Before going through a car wash, be sure to take the usual precau ­
tions such as closing the windows and panoramic sliding sunroof *.
Remove antenna if applicable.
If you have installed additional accessories on the vehicle -such as
spoilers, roof rack , etc. -it is best to ask the car wash operator if
these should be removed .
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=> page 206. •
Washing the vehicle by hand
A lot of water is needed when washing a vehicle by hand.
-Before you start washing, make sure you have read and
understood the WARNINGS=:>
& in "General informa ­
tion" on
page 206 .
-First soak all dried dirt until it is soft, then rinse it off.
- As you clean your vehicle, start with the roof and work
your way down to the bottom , using a sponge, a sponge
glove or a clean brush.
- Rinse the sponge or the sponge glove often, flushing it
clean each time.
- Use special car shampoo only for very persistent dirt.
- Rinse the car thoroughly with water.
- Use a chamois leather to gently wipe the exterior dry.
Use a separate sponge for cleaning the wheels, door sills and other
regions exposed to road dirt. In this way , you will not scratch the
paint with coarse particles imbedded in the sponge the next time
you wash the car.
& WARNING
• Do not clean the underside of the chassis, fenders, wheel
covers, or other hard to reach parts without protecting your hands
and arms. You may cut yourself on sharp-edged metal parts . .,
Vehicle care
I t •

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& WARN ING (c o ntinu ed )
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and oth er informat ion
~ page 2 06.
0 Not e
• Never try to remove dirt, mud or dust if the surface of the vehicle
is dry. Never use a dry cloth or sponge, since this cou ld scratch your
veh ic le's paint or w indows .
• Never wash your car in bright sunlight. Drops of water act as
magnifying lenses and may damage your paint.
• When you wash your car in the winter : if you rinse your vehic le
with a hose, be careful not to aim the stream of water directly at
locks, or at door or hatch openings -they can freeze shut.
• Never use sponges designed to remove insects, or any kitchen
scouring s ponges or simila r products. They can damage your paint
finish .
• Never use a dry cloth or sponge to c lean the head ligh ts. O nly use
wet cloths or sponges to prevent scratches . It is best to use soapy
water.
c£, For the sake of the environment
In the interest of the environment, the vehicle shou ld on ly be
washed in specia l wash bays. •
Washing your vehicle with a power washer
Cleaning the exterior of your car wi th a high -p ressure
power washer is safe as l ong as y ou observe a few simple
rules .
-Before us ing the p ower washer, make s ure you have read
and unde rs too d t he WAR NINGS=:>
& in "General in for­
mati on" o n
page 206.
-Always follow the operati ng inst ructions fo r th e pow er
washer.
Make sure that the jet on t he spray hose produces a "fan
sha ped sp ray".
D o
not hold the spray nozzle too close to soft materials.
When cleaning the vehicle with a power washer always follow the
opera ting instructions. Th is applies particularly to the
operating
pre ssure
and the spraying distance . Maintain a sufficient distance
t o soft ma teria ls such as rubber hoses a nd sound/vibrat ion dead ­
ening materia ls (particularly on the underside of the engine hood).
Do not use a jet which sprays water in a
direct stream o r one tha t
has a
rotating j et.
Water temperature shou ld not exceed 140 °F (60 °Cl.
& WARNING
Never wash tires with a jet that sp ray s water in a dire ct stream .
This could c ause invi sible damage to the tire s and we ake n them ,
even if the spray i s from a relatively long distan ce and for a short
time . D amag ed and weakened tires can fail and cau se ac cident s
a nd p erson al injury.
0 Note
To avoid damaging your vehic le, always make sure that there is
suffic ient distance between the spray hea d and so ft m ateria ls like
rubber hoses, plastic parts and sound -deadening materials . Never
aim the spray head at the same p oint for a l ong time . This a lso
applies to cleaning head lights and painted bumpers . Remember:
t he c loser the n ozzle is to the surface of the materia l, the greater the
stress on the material. •

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•
Waxing
Wax prote cts the vehicle's paint.
- Use a manually applied car wax occasion ally to protect
t h e paint.
A good wax coating protects the vehicle paint to a large extent
against th e environm ental factors listed under~
page 206,
"Washing" and even against slight scratches .
You can use a liquid car wax to protect your paint as soon as one
wee k after you r vehic le has been delivered .
Even if you regularly use a
waxing process in automatic car washes,
we recommend that you manua lly app ly a coat of wax to give the
paint e xtra protection, par ticu lar ly if water no longer beads on the
clean paint.
Protec t plastic body parts with car wax in the same way as the
vehic le body.
During warm weather dead insects tend to col lect on the front
bumpe r and on the forward area of the hood. They are much easie r
to remove from paint that is waxed
often.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 206 .
0 Note
Do not use ca r wax on
• matte or anodized meta l trim
• rubber or rubber -like trim. •
Polishing
Polishi ng resto res the gloss to the p aint.
Po lish your vehic le on ly if the paint has lost its shine and the g loss
cann ot be brought back wi th wax .
I f the polish used does not contain preservative compounds , the
paint must be waxed afterwards~
page 209, "Waxing".
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 206 .
0 Note
Do not treat matte anodized metal trim, plastic or rubber parts with
polish or wax .•
Trim strips
Metal trim needs special c are.
Fo r envi ronmental reasons, Audi fab ricates the bright trim strips
and trim pieces from pure chromium -free aluminum .
Dirt and marks on the trim strips should be removed with a
pH­
balanced
c leaning agent (do no t use a chr ome clean er). Authorized
Audi dea lers carry c leaning products which have been tested for use
on your vehicle and are not harm fu l to the enviro nment .
To avoid corrosion on the exterior trim strips , only a pH -ba lanced
solution shou ld be used for the windshield washer .
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page 206 .•
Vehicle care I t •

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Plastic and vinyl
Plastic needs special care.
Use a clean, damp cloth or sponge to remove dust and light surface
dirt. For other soil, use a lukewarm all -purpose cleaning solution or
a mild saddle soap for vinyl trim. Remove water spots and traces of
soap with a clean, damp cloth or sponge . Use a clean, soft cloth to
rub dry .
Grease, tar or oil stains can be removed with a clean cloth or sponge
soaked with all-purpose cleaner or with a solvent designed espe­
cially to clean vinyl.
Occasionally apply a colorless vinyl or leather preservative to retain
the material's luster and pliability.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page206. •
Aluminum trim
Use only neutral-pH products to remove spots and deposits from
aluminum surfaces. Chrome care products and alkaline cleaners
will attack aluminum surfaces and can damage them over time.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page206 .•
Touch-up paint
Minor paint damages should be touched up immediately.
-Use either a touch -up paint stick or spray paint to cover
minor scratches and nicks.
Your authorized Audi dealer has touch-up paint for minor scratches
and stone chips. Scratches should be touched up soon after they
occur to prevent corrosion.
If a spot starts to rust, however, a simple touch-up job will not be
enough. The affected surface must be sanded smooth and coated
with an anti-rust primer before the painted finish can be restored.
The number for the original vehicle paint can be found on the
vehicle identification label~
page 298 .
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page206.•
Windows
Clear vision to all sides.
Clean all windows regularly to remove road film and
carwash wax buildup.
- Remove snow from windows using a brush.
- Use a plastic ice scraper to remove ice from windows and
mirrors.
- Remove other residue on the windows with a spray-on
glass cleaner.
- Wipe the windows dry with a clean piece of cloth or
kitchen paper towel.

-Cleaning and prot
ection
-~--------------
Paint scratches should be touched up as soon as possible to prevent
corrosion => page 210, "Touch -up pain t" .
& WARNING
• Moi sture and i ce on brak es may affect b raking efficiency -
=> page 193 , "Gene ral inform ation ". Te st the brakes caref ully a fter
e ac h veh icle was h.
• Alway s read and heed all WARNING S and t he infor mation
=> page 206. •
App lies to vehi cles : w ith Cast a lloy whee ls
Cast (light) alloy wheels
Cast (light) alloy wheels require special care.
- Wash the wheels with a spo nge or hose brush every
o ther week .
- For deep cleaning afte rwards, use only a dedicated
a cid ­
free
cast alloy whee l cleaner.
- Rub a coat of
liquid wa x onto the rims every t hree month .
Be sure to reach and treat all parts of the rim.
To preserve the decorative appearance of the cast alloy wheels,
some special care is necessary. In addition to road dirt and salt, brake dust is also corrosive . If left on for too long, brake dust can
cause pitting.
Use on ly specia l acid -free cleaners formu lated for a lloy rims . Safe
products are available at your authorized Audi dealer. Never leave
the cleaner on the rims longer than specified on the label. If not rinsed off promptly, the acid contained in some cleaners can attack
t he threads on the wheel bolts. Never use abrasive or metal po
lishing cleaning agents . If the protec ­
t ive coating has been chipped, e.g . by kicked up road dirt, touch it
up as soon as possib le.
& WARNING
• Moisture a nd ice on br akes m ay affect braking efficien cy
=> page 193, "Gen eral inf or mation ". Te st the brake s carefully each
ti m e you wa sh th e vehi cle .
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other informa tion
=> page 206 . •
Body cavity sealing
T he body cavity se aling does not need to be checked.
All body cavities which could be affected by corrosion have been
thorough ly protected a t the factory .
This sealing does not require any inspection or additional treat ­
ment . If any wax should seep out of the cavi ty when the amb ient
temperature is high, it can be removed with a p lastic scraper and a
suitable solvent .
& WARNING
Solvents can be dangerous .
• Ben zin e is flamm able and to xic. If you use b en zi ne for re moving
the wax, keep spark s, flame and lighted cigarette s away . Never
dump ben zine on the ground , into open st ream s or do wn sewage
dr ain s.
• Be sure to ob serve all safet y and env ironmental regul atio ns .
Follow all in stru ction s on the c ont ainer .
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and ot her info rm ation
=> page 206 . •

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•
soiling, etc.), you will need to be somewhat careful with these
leathers, and a certain type of care is required. For example, dark
clo thing materials can discolor leather sea ts (especially if such
clothing is damp and was not dyed correctly) . Dust and dirt particles
in pores , folds, and seams can have an abrasive effect and can
damage the leather surface as well as weaken seams.
The leather should be cleaned regularly as needed. After having
been used for a rela tiv ely long tim e, your lea ther seats will acquire
a rich aged finish. This is a characteristic of natural leather and a
sign of true quality.
In order to maintain the value of this natural product over the life of
your vehicle, you should follow the recommendations below:
0 Note
• To keep your leather from bleaching out, do not allow it to be
exposed to bright sunlight for long periods of time. If you have to
leave the vehicle parked outside for long periods, cover the leather
to protect it from direct exposure to sunlight.
• Sharp objects on clothing, such as zippers, rivets or sharp pieces
on belts can leave permanent scratches or scrape marks on the
surface of the leather.
[ i] Tips
• After each time you clean the leather and at regular intervals, use
a leather preservative creme that contains UV -blockers and that
works into the leather. This creme will nourish and moisturize the leather , helping it to breathe and stay supple . It also helps to build
up a protective coating on the surface.
• Clean the leather every 2 -3 months, and clean any areas that get
soiled.
• Remove fresh marks made by ballpoint pens, ink, lipstick, shoe
polish, etc . as soon as possible.
• Preserve the color of the leather as needed by using a special
colored leather care creme to touch up areas of uneven color .•
Ap plies to veh ic les : wi th n atural leat her
Cleaning and caring for leather upholstery
and trim
Natural leather requires special care and attention.
Normal cleaning
-Clean soiled areas with a slightly moistened cotton or
woolen cloth.
More stubborn dirt
- More stubborn dirt can be removed using a cloth satu­
rated with a mild soap solution (2 tablespoons mild
liquid soap).
- Never allow the soap solution to saturate the leather, and
make certain that no water soaks into the seams.
Wipe off the soap solution with a soft, dry cloth.
Cleaning spots
- Remove fresh water-based spots (such as coffee, tea,
juices, blood) with an absorbent cloth or paper towel.
- Remove fresh grease or oil-based spots (such as butter,
mayonnaise, chocolate) with an absorbent cloth or paper
towel, or use the cleaner from the leather care kit if the
spot has not yet penetrated into the surface of the
leather.
- Use an oil/grease dissolving spray, if oil/grease spots
have dried on.
- Remove specific kinds of spots (ballpoint pen, felt
marker, fingernail polish, water-based paint, shoe polish,
etc.) with a spot remover specifically formulated for leather. ._.
Vehicle care I t •