check engine AUDI S3 2010 Owner's Manual

• when driving in deep snow or on loose ground and
• when rocking the vehicle loose after it has become stuck.
When the abnormal situation is over, you should activate the ASR again.
& WARNING
The increased safety afforded by ASR does not mean that you can
take safety risks. Always adapt your driving style to the road
conditions and traffic situation.
[ i J Tips
To ensure that the ASR works properly, all four wheels must be fitted
with identical tires. Any differences in rolling radius of the tires can
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
See also~
page 254, "New tires and replacing tires and wheels". •
Braking
Generat information
What affects braking efficiency?
Operating conditions and driving habits
The brakes on today's automobiles are still subject to wear,
depending largely on operating conditions and driving habits~& .
On vehicles that are either driven mostly in stop-and-go city traffic
or are driven hard, the brake pads should be checked by your autho­
rized Audi dealer more often than specified in the
Warranty & Main­
tenance booklet.
Failure to have your brake pads inspected can
result in reduced brake performance.
On steep slopes, you should use the braking effect of the engine.
This way, you prevent unnecessary wear on the brake system. If you
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
must use your brakes, do not hold the brakes down continuously.
Pump the
brakes at intervals.
Moisture or road salt
If you are driving faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) and the windshield
wipers are on, the brake pads will briefly touch the brake discs in
regular intervals so as to improve reaction time when braking on
wet surfaces. You, the driver, will not notice anything .
Under certain conditions, for example, when driving through water
or very heavy rain, or even after washing your vehicle, the braking
effect can be reduced due to moisture (or in freezing conditions ice)
on the brake pads. A few cautious brake applications should dry off
the brake pads or remove any ice coatings .
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced when the vehicle is
driven on a salt-covered road and the brakes are not used . Likewise,
you clean off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads
with a few cautious applications of the brake~&.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and
corrosion to form on the discs if the car is not driven regularly or
only for short trips with little use of the brakes.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if corrosion has formed on
the discs, it is advisable to clean off the pads and discs by braking
firmly a few times from a moderately high speed~& .
Faults in the brake system
If you should notice a sudden increase in brake pedal travel, then
one of the two brake circuits may have failed~ &.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is
too low. The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

-Intelligent technology
---""'------------ ....::....:...:~---------------------------
Brake lining wear status
Brake lining wear may be checked by visual inspection of the condi­
tion of the brake pads through the openings in the wheel. If neces­ sary, the wheel may be removed for this inspection=> page
270,
"Wheel change" .
L1}. WARNING
• You should perform braking maneuvers for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system only if road conditions permit. Other
road users must not be put at risk -you may cause an accident!
• Before descending a steep grade, reduce speed and shift trans­
mission into a lower gear or lower driving range. Do not ride the
brakes or hold the pedal down too long or too often. This could
cause the brakes to get hot and diminish braking efficiency.
• Do not "ride the brakes" by resting your foot on the pedal when
you do not intend to brake. This may cause the brakes to overheat,
premature wear and increased stopping distance.
• Under certain climatic and operating conditions such as
passing through water, driving in heavy rain or after washing the
vehicle, the effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced. In winter,
ice can accumulate on the brake pads, linings, discs and drums.
Carefully apply brakes for a test. Brakes will dry and ice coatings
will be cleaned off after a few careful brake applications.
• Driving for an extended period of time on salt-covered roads
without using your brakes can also affect braking efficiency. Clean
off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and pads with a few
careful brake applications.
• If you damage the front spoiler, or if you install a different
spoiler, be sure the air flow to the front brakes is not obstructed.
Otherwise the brake system could overheat reducing the effective ­
ness of the entire brake system.
• Failure of one brake circuit will impair the braking capability
resulting in an increased stopping distance. Avoid driving the
& WARNING (continued)
vehicle and have it towed to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or
qualified workshop. •
Brake booster
The brake booster adds extra braking power.
The brake booster works with vacuum pressure which is created
only when the engine is running=>& .
L1}. WARNING
• Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine shut off.
• If the brake booster is not working, for example when towing
your vehicle, or because the brake booster has somehow been
damaged, the brake pedal must be pressed considerably harder to
make up for the lack of booster assistance. •
Func ... ion=ng of Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking up under braking.
The ABS contributes effectively to vehicle control since it prevents
the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied. This means
that the vehicle remains steerable and is less likely to skid.
With ABS you do not need to pump the brake. Just hold the brake
pedal down.
However, do not expect that the ABS shortens braking distance
under
all circumstances . When driving on gravel or on newly fallen
snow on top of icy surfaces, braking distance may be even longer,
therefore, under these circumstances, it is especially important that
you drive slowly and with great care. .,_

__ _:_:ln..:..t::.: e::.: l~ li :.;:g t:e::..: n..:.. t:...::. te::::..:: c~h :.:.n .:..: o:::.: l:.: o :.;g~ yL- ________________________________________ _
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 authorized Audi
dealer as soon as possible.
• If a steering malfunction occurs, this is signaled with the or.
@ indicator lights and a warning tone, see.
[ i) Tips
• If the power steering system should fail, or if the engine is not
running (for example, while being towed), you will still be able to
steer the vehicle. However, more effort will be required to do so.
• If the power steering system is not functioning properly, contact
your authorized Audi dealer immediately.
Applies to vehicles: with All Wheel Drive
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 189, "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 259, "Winter ti res".
Snow chains
Where snow chains are mandatory on certain roads, this normally
also applies to vehicles with all-wheel drive:::::,
page 260, "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 254, "New tires and replacing tires and wheels".
Off-Road driving?
Your Audi does not have enough ground clearance to be used as an
off-road vehicle. It is therefore best to avoid rough tracks and
uneven terrain as much as possible. Also refer to::::,
page 198.
& WARNING
Always adjust your driving to road and traffic conditions. Do not
let the extra safety afforded by the all-wheel drive tempt you into
taking extra risks.
• Although the quattro ®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.
• On wet road surfaces, be careful not to drive too fast because
the front wheels could begin to slide on top of the water (hydro­ 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 adjusted to the road
conditions -risk of crash!
n

-Driving and environment ___ _....,_ _____ ___:_ ____________________________ _
New brake pa_ds
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 example, sudden hard
braking, in particular at very high speeds or, for example, on moun ­
tain passes .
& WARNING
Until they develop the maximum "bite" for best stopping power,
the surfaces on new brake pads require some "breaking-in" during
the initial 100 to 150 miles (150 to 200 kilometers) of normal city
driving. You can compensate for this by pressing the brake pedal
more firmly. This applies whenever new pads are installed. •
Driving through water on roads
Note the following to avoid vehicle damage when driving through
water, for example on flooded roads:
• The water must not be any higher than the bottom of the vehicle
body .
• Do not drive faster than walking speed .
& WARNING
After driving through water, mud, slush, etc., the brakes may be
slow to take effect because of wet brake rotors and pads. Dry the
brakes first by braking carefully to restore the full braking effect .
0 Note
Vehicle components such as the engine, transmission , suspension
or electrical system can be severely damaged by driving through
water .
[ i] Tips
• Check the depth of the water before driving through it .
• Do not stop th e vehicle, drive in reverse or switch the engine off
when driving through water.
• Keep in mind that oncoming vehicles may create waves that
raise the water level and make it too deep for your vehicle to drive
through safely.
• Avoid driving through salt water because it can cause
corrosion. •
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 217, "Fuel supply".
- Never run the tank down all the way to empty.
- Never put too much motor oil in your engine ~ page
230,
"Adding engine oil 'l:::r.".
- Never try to push -or tow -start your vehicle.
Th e ca taly tic conv ert er is an ef ficient "clean-up " device built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle . The catalytic converter burns many
of the pollutants in the exhaust gas before they are released into the
atmosphere. •

___ T_ r _a_ il_e _r_ t_ o_ vv_ in__... g,_ __________________________________________________ _
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. _.

Cleaning and protection -
----------------=-----=------
•
Safety belts
Only well-maintained safety belts work reliably when
needed.
-Keep belts clean.
- For cleaning, use a mild soap and water solution. Let
belts dry thoroughly and away from direct sunlight.
- Do not allow inertia reel safety belts to retract before
they are completely dry.
- Check the condition of your safety belts
regularly.
Heavily soiled safety belts may not retract properly.
& WARNING
Damaged safety belts can break in a crash .
• Anything that might damage your safety belts could mean that
you and your passengers would not be adequately protected in an
accident.
• Safety belt performance depends on correct installation. Never
remove belts from the vehicle to clean them .
• Do not use chemical cleaning agents, bleach or dyes. They have
corrosive properties which weaken the webbing.
• When cleaning your safety belts, inspect them for damage. If
you discover damage, see your authorized Audi dealer.
• Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
=:, page 204. •
Engine compartment
Be especially careful when cleaning the engine compart­
ment.
Always switch off the ignition before cleaning the engine =:> &.
Plenum panel
Remove leaves from the plenum panel in front of the windshield
under the engine hood. This prevents the water drain holes from
becoming blocked, and it prevents debris from entering the vehicle
interior through the heating and ventilation ducts .
Corrosion protection
The engine compartment and transmission have been corrosion­
protected at the factory.
Good anti-corrosion treatment is very important, particularly in the
winter. If the vehicle is frequently driven on salt treated roads, the
entire engine compartment and plenum panel should be thor ­
oughly cleaned at the end of winter and retreated to prevent salt
damage. At the same time, the underside of the vehicle should be
washed as well.
If the engine compartment is cleaned at any time with grease
removing solutions
3l, or if you have the engine washed , the anti­
corrosion treatment is almost always removed as well . It is therefore
essential to have a long-lasting corrosion protection reapplied to all
surfaces, seams, joints and components in the engine compart ­
ment.
& WARNING
Be aware: The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a
potentially hazardous area.
• Before working in the engine compartment, be sure to read the
information
=:> page 215 . .,_
31 Use only the correct cleaning solutions. Never use gasoline or diesel fuel.
Vehicle care I t •

•
labeled ask the station operator what fuel is being dispensed before
filling up your vehic le .
Service stations offering diesel fuel are generally located on truck
routes or major highways. Directories of diesel fuel stations are
usually available at diese l fuel stations.
Some states in the USA require permits to purchase diesel fuel.
Check with your State Motor Vehicle Department.
Diesel fuel may not be available outside the USA and Canada . Be
su re to check before traveling to other countries .
Winte r ope ra ti on
At temperatures be low 20° F (- 7° Cl, Diesel fuel No. 2 loses its fluidity
due to wax separation, which may c log the fuel filter or tank filter
and keep the engine from running.
To he lp the filter from being clogged by wax, the fue l filter in your
vehic le is automatically preheated. Preheating the fuel fi lter makes
operation of your vehicle poss ible with Diese l fue l No. 2 down to -
10° F (- 24° Cl.
If you expect tempe ratures below 5° F ( -15° C) ask your fuel dealer
whether their Diesel fuel No. 2 is sufficiently winterized for the prevai ling and expected temperatures .
If not winterized or insufficiently winterized diesel fuel has already
thickened to the extent that the engine will not start, warm the
vehicle up by leaving it in a heated garage.
It is normal that the engine noise level (dieseling) is louder during
the warm -up per iod in winter. It is also normal when whitish -blue
smoke comes out of the tailpipe after starting and dur ing warm-up.
The amount of smoke depends on the outside temperature .
Do not let your diese l eng ine idle unnecessarily after a cold start.
Driving off slowly will shorten the warm -up period.
F ue l supply and fillin g you r fu el tank
& WARNING
• Never use "s tarting a ssis t f luid s." They m ay be pot entiall y
explo sive or c au se a " run-away " engine condition. Thi s cou ld
re sult in serious e ngin e da ma ge a nd pe rsonal injury.
• Never use fu el line anti -free ze offer ed f or ga soline engine s.
0 Note
• Your diesel engine has been speci fically designed to operate
only on Ultra Low Sulfur Diese l fuel. Therefore, never use home
heating oi l or regular gaso line . The properties of these fuels may
cause serious damage to the fuel injection system and to the
engine . Using these fuels can cause expensive engine repairs and
wi ll also adversely affect your New Vehic le Limited Warranty.
• I f diese l fue l should get on any rubber hose, it must be wiped off
immediately . Then wash the contaminated hose portion with soap
and warm water. Do not allow diesel fuel to remain on connecting
hoses. They may develop leaks and cause serious damage. •
Fuel tank
Fuel filler neck
The fuel filler neck is located o n the right rear s ide panel behind the
fuel filler f lap.
I f the powe r locking system should fa il, you can still open the flap
manually - for detailed instructions see:::::,
page 222.
You can find the fuel tank capacity of your vehicle in Techni cal Data
:::::, page 296 .
The label on the inside of the fuel filler flap tells you the correct fuel
for your vehicle. F or more informa tion about fue l specifications, see
=:> page 217. _,,
Vehicle care I t •

Checking and filling -
------------- --------=----" =---------
Checking and filling
Engine hood
Releasing the engine hood
The engine hood is released from inside the vehicle.
- Open the driver's door .
Fig. 162 Driver's side
footwell: engine hood
release lever
- Pull the release lever on the left under the instrument
panel => fig. 162 in direction of the arrow.
The hood pops up slightly under spring pressure. •
Opening the engine hood
Fig. 163 Engine hood
release lever
Before opening the engine hood , make sure that the wind­
shield wipers are folded flat against the windshield. Other­
wise, they could damage the paint on the hood.
Pull the release lever=> fig. 163 in the direction indicated
by the arrow. This release the hook under the hood.
- Open the hood all the way.
& WARNING
Hot engine coolant can burn you!
• To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart­
ment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefully opening the hood. •
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
Closing the engine hood
- Pull the hood down until the pressure from the strut is
reduced.
- Let the hood
drop down and latch in place. Do not try to
push it shut;
it may fail to engage~& .
& WARNING
A hood that is not completely latched could fly up and block your
view while driving.
• When you close the engine hood, check it to make sure the
safety catch has properly engaged. The hood should be flush with
the surrounding vehicle body parts.
• If you notice while driving that the hood is not secured prop­
erly, stop at once and close it. •
Working in the engine compartment
Be especially careful whenever you work in the engine
compartment!
Whenever you must perform any work in the engine compartment,
for example checking and filling different fluids, there is a risk of injury, burns and accidents. To prevent personal injury always
observe the following WARNINGS. The engine compartment of any
vehicle is a hazardous area!
=> &
& WARNING
To help avoid injury, before you check anything under the hood :
• Turn off the engine.
• Remove the ignition key.
• Set the parking brake fully .
& WARNING (continued)
• Move selector lever of automatic transmission to "P" {Park);
put manual transmission in Neutral.
• Always let the engine cool down. Hot components will burn
skin on contact.
• To reduce the risk of being burned, never open the hood if you
see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compart­
ment. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen or heard before
carefully opening the hood .
• Keep children away from the engine compartment.
• Never spill fluids on hot engine components. They can cause a
fire.
• Never touch the radiator fan. The auxiliary electric fan is
temperature controlled and can switch on suddenly.
• Never open the coolant reservoir cap when the engine is still
warm. The coolant system is pressurized and hot coolant could
spray out!
• Protect your face, hands and arm from steam or hot engine
coolant by placing a thick rag over the cap when you open the
coolant reservoir.
• If work on the fuel system or the electrical system is necessary:
- Always disconnect the battery .
- Never smoke or work near heaters or open flames. Fluids in
the engine compartment could start a fire.
- Keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately available.
• To avoid electrical shock and personal injury while the engine
is running or being started, never touch :
- Ignition cables
- Other components of the high voltage electronic ignition
system.
• If you must perform a check or repair with the engine running: .,_

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e;::..:. c:..:..k :..:..in ;..:..= g:.....:.; a:..:..n :....:d :..:....:. f.:.:il .:.:li :..:..n :.::g:!-_ ___,JIJIII
& WARNING !continued )
-First, fully apply the parking brake, move selector lever of
automatic transmission to "P" (Park); put manual transmission
in Neutral.
- Always use extreme caution to prevent clothing, jewelry, or
long hair from getting caught in the radiator fan, V-belts or
other moving parts, or from contacting hot parts. Tie back hair
before starting, and do not wear clothing that will hang or
droop into the engine .
• Minimize exposure to emission and chemical hazards
:=> &.
& WARNING
California Proposition 65 Warning :
• Engine exhaust , some of its constituents, and certain vehicle
components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of Cali­
fornia to cause cancer and birth defects and reproductive harm . In
addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products
of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproduc ­
tive harm.
• Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead
and lead compounds , chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive harms. Wash hands after
handling.
0 Note
When adding fluids , always make sure that they are poured into the
proper container o r filler opening, otherwise serious damage to
vehicle systems will occur .
ffi For the sake of the environment
To detect leaks in time, inspect the vehicle floor pan from under­
neath regularly. If you see spots from oil or other vehicle fluids, have
your vehicle inspected by an authorized Audi dealer .•
Engine compartment
Ap plie s to veh icl es: wit h 2.0 I tur bo, 4-cy lind er•e ng ine
2.0 liter , 4-cylinder turbo gasoline engine (200
hp)
These are the most important items that you can check.
Fig. 164 Engine compartment : 2 .0 I , 4-cy linder turbo
G) Coolan t expansion tank (- L l .... ... .... .... ... .. . .
0 Windshield washer container (W ) ... .... ... ... ... .
© Eng ine oil d ipstick (orange) .. ...... ........ ..... .
Vehic le care I I
233
240
229 ~
irechnical data