ESP AUDI S3 2010 Repair Manual

How the ABS system works
An aut omatic check is made whe n a speed of ab out 4 mph (6 km/h)
is reached. When this happens, a pumping noise can be heard.
I f an individua l wheel begins to rotate too slowly in relation to
ve hicle speed and ten ds to lock, the A BS automatical ly reduces
brake pressure to prevent that wheel from locking.
T his auto matic adjust ment p rocess wil l cause a
slight vibration o f
the brake peda l and some noises to alert you that veh ic le speed
must be ada pted to e xisting roa d and traff ic c onditions.
& WARNING
Although the ABS is very effective , always remember that braking
c apability is limited by tire tra ction . 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 e xtra risks .
The ABS cannot overcome the laws of physics.
[ i ) Tips
• I f ABS is not functioning properly, a warning light wil l come on.
See
=> page 16.
• I f a fau lt occurs in the ABS, the E DL is als o not fu ncti onin g. This
is indicated by the ABS warning light. •
Brake assistant
The brake a ssi st ant is de sig ned to a chieve th e opti mum
b ra kin g eff ec t.
The brake assistant helps to increase the effective braking power
and thus to ac hieve a s horte r stop ping dis tance. If the drive r
presses the brake pedal very quick ly, the brake assistant automati ­
ca lly b oosts the braki ng force to the maximu m level, up to th e point
where the anti -loc k brake function (A BS) intervenes to stop the
whee ls from loc king. You should then keep the brake pedal pressed
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
until
the vehicle has braked to the required speed . The brake assis ­
t an t swi tc h es itse lf o ff as s oon as you r eleas e the b rake pe dal.
The brake assistant wi ll 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 , espe cially in corners or on a slippery road , or if you
follow the vehicle ahead of you too closely . An increased accident
risk cannot be compensated even by the brake assistant , so
always maintain a safe speed. •
ciectro-mechanical power assist
Th e e le ctr o-me ch anic al pow er assis t helps the driv e r
w hen steerin g.
The degree of powe r ass ist is electronically matched to veh icle
speed .
The power steering system assists the driver so that he can steer the
ve hicle with re d uced p hysi ca l eff ort.
Power steering w ill not work if the eng ine is off . As a result, the
stee ring whee l wi ll be ha rd to turn .
& WARNING
If the system develops a problem , you must seek qualified profe s­
sional assistance .
0 Note
If there is an electronic ma lfunction, servotronic will still function
like a conventi onal power s teer ing sy stem , pr ovi din g a constant
steerin g support force that is no longer proportionate to the vehicle
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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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

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Avoid damaging the vehicle
When you are driving on poor roads, or over curbs, steep ramps,
etc., make certain that low -lying parts such as spoilers and exhaust
system parts do not bottom out and get damaged.
This is especially true for vehicles with low -slung chassis (sports
chassis) and fu lly loaded vehicles.
Operate your vehicle economically
and minimize pollution
General
Your personal style of driving will determine the economy
o f your vehicle, as well as exhaust and noise levels.
Fuel economy, environmental impact, and wear on your engine,
brakes and tires largely depend on three factors:
• your personal driving style
• operating conditions
• technical limitat ions
If you anticipate what you need to do next and drive economically,
you can easily cu t your fue l consumption by 10 -15 percent . This
section will give you some tips on how you can help the environ­
ment and your pocketbook .
[ i ) Tips
The consumption estimates as published by ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECT ION AGENCY (EPA) and Transport Canada may not corre­
spond to your actua l consumption on the road, which wi ll vary
depending upon vehic le load and speed, road and weather condi ­
tions, trip length, etc.
Drive smo~thly and keep a lookout ahead
Vehicles use the m ost fuel when they are accelerating.
Avoid unnecessary accelerating and braking.
Vehicles use the most fue l when they are accelerating . If you antici­
pate what is going to happen next, you will need to brake less and,
thus, accelerate less. Let the vehicle coast whenever possible -for
example when you see that the next traffic light is red.
Avoid full throttle
Driving at moderate speeds saves fuel and improves your
mileage.
-Try and keep we ll below your car's maximum speed.
Acce lerating gently reduces fuel consumption, engine wear, and
does not disturb the environment .
Fuel consumption, exhaust em issions and engine noise increase
disproportionately at high speeds. If you drive at approximately
three quarters of top speed, fuel consumption wil l be reduced by
one half. Never drive faster than the posted speed limit and weather
conditions permit .•
Reducing unnecessary idling
E ven when your car is just idling i t burns up fuel.
- Sh ut the eng ine off when you are not driving the vehicle.
- Do not warm up th e vehicle by letting the eng ine r un at
idle.
I t m akes 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
9),

long waits on red. Turning the engine off for just 30 -40 seconds
saves more f ue l than i s bu rned star ting the engine again.
It takes a long time for the engine to warm up fully when it is
running at idle. However , wear and noxious em issions are especial ly
h ig h w hen the eng ine is warming up. So y ou should dr ive away as
soon as you start the engine and avoid running at high RPMs whi le
the eng ine is still warming up.
0 Note
Do not leave en gine idling unattended after starting. If warn ing
lights should come on to indicate improper operation, they would
go unheeded . Extended idling also produces heat, wh ich cou ld
result in overheating or other damage to the vehicle or other
property .
Regular maintenance
A badly tuned engine unnecessarily wastes a lot of fuel.
- Have your vehicle serviced at regu lar intervals.
By having your vehicle regu lar ly serviced by an authorized Audi
dea ler he lps to ensure that it runs properly and econo mically . The
condition of your vehicle not only affects its safety and abi lity to
hold i ts va lue, it a lso affects fuel consumpt ion .
Che ck yo ur oil ea ch t ime you fill your t ank.
T he amount of oil used is related to engine load and speed.
It is nor mal for the oil consumption of a new engine to reach its
lowest va lue after a certain mi leage has been driven.
You must drive your vehicle about 3,000 mi les (5,000 kilometers)
before you can proper ly assess oil consumption .
T his also applies to fuel consumption and engine output.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Dri
ving and environm ent
0 Note
• Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Warranty
& Maintenance
booklet. Lack of proper maintenance as we ll 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 Emission Control
System unless approved by the manufacturer .
• Do not alter or remove any device, such as heat shields,
sw itches, ignition wires, valves, which are designed to protect your
vehic le's Emission Control System and other important vehicle
components. •
Fewer short trips
Fuel consump tion will always be relatively hi gh on shor t
trips.
- Try to avo id driving short dista nces wi th a cold en gine.
The engine and cata lytic c onverter have to reach their optima l oper ­
ating temperature to reduce fuel consumption and noxious emis ­
sions effective ly .
• Just after starting, a cold engine in a mid-size car burns the fuel
at a poor rate of 6 -8 miles per gallon (30 -40 11100km). Half a mi le
down the road, the mileage improves to 12 MPG (20 1/100 km). It wi ll
take the engine no less than
two and a half miles (4 km) of driving to
warm up to its proper operat ing temperature and operate at a n
economic mileage . This exp lains why taking the car for short trips is
a ra ther waste ful convenience .
• The outs ide temperat ure is also critical in this regard. Your car
consumes more fuel in the winter than in the summer .•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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.

[ i] Tips
• Do not tow a trailer during the break-in period of your vehicle.
• If you tow a trailer, your Audi may require more frequent mainte ­
nance due to the extra load=> page 299 . •
Parking on a slope
-----------------
Do not park with a trailer on a slope. If it cannot be
avoided, do so only after doing the following:
When parking:
-Apply the foot brake.
- Have someone place chocks under both the vehicle and the trailer wheels .
- With chocks in place, slowly release the brakes until
wheel blocks absorb the load.
- Turn the wheels towards the curb.
- Apply the parking brake.
- Place an automatic transmission in
P, respectively a
manual transmission in first or reverse gear.
When restarting after parking:
- Start the engine.
- Shift transmission into gear.
- Release the parking brake and slowly pull out and away from the wheel blocks.
- Stop and have someone retrieve the wheel blocks.
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Trailer towing
[
i] Tips
If you move the selector lever of the automatic transmission to P
before applying the parking brake and before blocking the wheels,
you may have to use more force later to move the lever out of the
P
position .•
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

-~_C_ l_ e _a _n_ in_g=- a _n_d__, p,__ ro_ t_e _c_ t_ i_o _n _____________________________________________ _
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
~ page204. •
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
~ page204 .•
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 294.
& WARNING
Always read and heed all WARNINGS and other information
~ page204.•
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.

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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 •

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 •