battery AUDI S4 2008 Owner's Manual

Heating and cooling113
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with auxiliary heating - under development at the time of printingRemote control
The auxiliary heating and auxiliary ventilation can also be
switched on or off with the remote control.Switching on
– Press the button for about 2 seconds to activate the
auxiliary heating/ventilation ⇒fig. 125.
Switching off
– Press the button for about 2 seconds to switch off the auxiliary heating/ventilation. Changing the battery
– Push back and remove the battery cover on the remote
control ⇒fig. 126.
– Change the battery. The diagram in the battery compart- ment shows how the battery should be fitted. The new
battery must be of the same type as the original one.
– Re-fit the battery cover.
When it is switched on, the auxili ary heating or auxiliary ventilation
starts immediately and remains on for the period set in the menu.
The maximum running time is 60 minutes.
If you want to switch the system on again after the end of the
programmed running time, press the button .
Transmitter indicator lamp
The transmitter indicator lamp will flash accordingly to show
whether the command you sent via the remote control was
successful.
When you switch the system on by pressing the button the
indicator lamp will flash green for about 30 seconds to confirm that
the heating/ventilation has been switched on. When you switch the
system off by pressing the button the indicator lamp will
flash red to confirm that the heat ing/ventilation has been switched
off.
If the remote control is outside th e transmitting range the indicator
lamp will flash red slowly. If there is a fault in the system (e.g. fuel
level is down to reserve), the indicator lamp will flash red rapidly. In
both cases the command will not be executed.
When the battery of the remote cont rol is almost completely flat, the
transmitter indicator lamp will not light up and no commands will
be executed.
Fig. 125 Remote
control for auxiliary
heatingFig. 126 Remote
control: Changing
battery

A1
OFF
A2

A1
A3

A1
OFF
A2
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Audi side assist
156Applies to vehicles: with side assistWhen driving through bendsThe side assist cannot detect vehicles in tight bends (with a radius
of less than 200 metres).
When driving through a bend, the side assist may react to a vehicle
that is two lanes away and activate the warning lamp in the exterior
mirror.Applies to vehicles: with side assistLane widthsThe side assist system is designed to cover adjacent lanes of normal
width on both sides of your vehicl e (left and right), regardless of whether you are driving directly in the centre of your lane or further
to one side.
If the lane widths are reduced, the sensors may also detect vehicles
in additional lanes, especially if you are driving further to one side
of your lane
⇒fig. 173. In such situations the system may react to
vehicles travelling two lanes away, so that the side assist activates
the information or the warning mode.
Similarly, if the lanes are very wi de, it is possible that the system
may not detect vehicles in the adjacent lane because they are
outside the area covered by the sensors.
NotesApplies to vehicles: with side assistMessages in the instrument cluster displayShould the side assist be deactivated automatically, the indicator
lamp in the button will go out an d a message will appear in the
instrument cluster display:
Audi side assist not avai lable: sensors blocked
The sensors, which are not external ly visible, are incorporated on
either side of the rear bumper ⇒ page 149, fig. 163. To ensure the
proper function of the side assist system, do not attach any objects
(such as stickers or bicycle carriers, etc.) to the rear bumper in such
a way that they might obstruct th ese sensors. Should the function
of the system be impaired, the instrument cluster display will show
this message. Please check whether anything is obstructing the
sensors and remove the obstruction if necessary.
Audi side assist curr ently not available
The side assist is temporarily inoperative and cannot be switched
on (for instance if the battery is not sufficiently charged).
Fig. 172 Lanes of
normal width are
covered by the sensorsFig. 173 Narrow lanes:
side assist may react
to vehicles travelling
two lanes away
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Automatic gearbox
168
– Briefly pull the left-hand pa ddle lever to change down
to a lower gear.
– Briefly pull the right-hand paddle lever to change up to a higher gear.The paddle levers are activated when the selector lever is in position
D or S, or the position for the manual shift programme (tiptronic).
The manual shift programme can, of course, still be operated using
the selector lever in the centre console.Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicManual release of selector lever
The selector lever can be rele ased manually if the elec-
trical power supply should fail.
The manual release mechanism is behind the ashtray.
– Slide open the cover for the ashtray.
–Slide the switch ⇒ fig. 183 to the right to release the
ashtray.
– Take out the ashtray .
– You will now see a small cover cap at the front of the
opening in the ashtray mounting unit.
– Loosen and remove this cover cap.
– Use a screwdriver or similar object to press down the pin, which is now accessible, and hold it down ⇒fig. 184.
– Now press the interlock button on the selector lever and move the selector lever to position N.The selector lever can only be moved out of position P if the ignition
key is inserted and the ignition is switched on. If the power supply
should ever fail (discharged battery, etc.) and the vehicle has to be
pushed or towed, the selector lever must first be moved to
position N. This is possible after operating the manual release
mechanism.
A–A+Fig. 183 Removing
ashtray
Fig. 184 Manual
release of selector
lever
AA
AB
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Airbag system
202•
Do not remove the front seats.
•
The airbag system can only be ac tivated once; if the airbag has
been triggered, the system must be replaced. Should the airbag
system or airbag modules have to be replaced, the qualified work-
shop carrying out the replacement will document all details in the
appropriate section of the Service Schedule.
•
If you sell the vehicle, please remember to pass on the
complete Service Wallet to the new owner. If any of the airbags
have been deactivated, it is impo rtant that the new owner is also
given the relevant documents.
•
The relevant safety requirements must be observed when the
vehicle or components of the airbag or belt tensioner systems are
scrapped.
•
In an accident in which one or more airbags are triggered the
alternator and the starter are - for safety reasons - both discon-
nected from the battery via a pyrotechnic circuit breaker.
−Any repairs to the pyrotechnic circuit breaker must always
be performed by a qualified workshop (accident risk).
− The relevant safety requirements must be observed when
the vehicle or the circ uit breaker are scrapped.
When are the airbags triggered?
The airbag system is triggere d in collisions with a severe
impact.The airbag system is designed so that the airbags for the driver and
front passenger are triggered in a severe frontal collision.
In severe side collisions the side airbags on the impact side of the
vehicle are triggered together with the head-protection airbag.
The front airbags, side airbags and one of the head-protection
airbags may be triggered together in certain types of accident. The airbag system is
not triggered in minor frontal or side collisions,
or in rear collisions or if the car overturns. In these situations the
occupants are protected by wearing the seat belts.
Factors determining the triggering response
It is not possible to define the exact triggering response of the
airbag system in all possible situat ions, since the circumstances in
different types of accident will va ry considerably. Important factors
include, for example, the nature (hard or soft) of the object which
the car hits, the angle of impact, vehicle speed and so on.
Whether the airbags are triggered depends primarily on the vehicle
deceleration rate resulting from the collision. By processing the
signals from the sensors located in the vehicle, the electronic
control unit is immediately able to evaluate the severity of the colli-
sion and activate the restraint systems accordingly. If the decelera-
tion rate is below the predefined reference value in the control unit
the airbags will not be triggered, even though the accident may
cause extensive damage to the car.
Note
The airbag releases a fine dust when it inflates. This is quite normal
and does not mean there is a fire in the vehicle.
WARNING (continued)
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Intelligent technology
226Applies to vehicles: with four-wheel driveFour-wheel drive (quattro
®)
On quattro models the engine power is distributed to all
four wheelsGeneral notes
On four-wheel drive vehicles, the engine power is distributed to all
four wheels. The distribution of power is controlled automatically
according to your driving style and the road conditions. Also refer
to ⇒ page 222, “Description”.
The four-wheel drive is specially designed to complement the supe-
rior engine power of your Audi. This combination gives the car
exceptional handling and performance capabilities – both on
normal roads and in more difficult conditions, such as snow and ice.
Even so (or perhaps especially for this reason), it is important to
observe certain safety points ⇒.
Winter tyres
Thanks to its four-wheel drive, your car will have plenty of traction
in winter conditions, even with the standard tyres. Nevertheless, we
still recommend that winter tyres or all-season tyres should be fitted
on all four wheels when winter road conditions are expected, mainly
because this will give a better braking response.
Snow chains
On roads where snow chains are mandat ory, this also applies to cars
with four-wheel drive ⇒page 273, “Snow chains”.
Replacing tyres
On vehicles with four-wheel drive, all four tyres must have the same
rolling circumference. Also avoid using tyres with varying tread
depths ⇒page 270, “Replacing wheels and tyres”. Off-roader?
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.
WARNING
•
Even with four-wheel drive, you should always adjust your
speed to suit the conditions. Do not let the extra safety provided
tempt you into taking any risks when driving – this can cause acci-
dents.
•
The braking ability of your car is limited by the grip of the tyres.
In this respect, your car is no different from a car without four-
wheel drive. So do not be tempted to drive too fast on icy or slip-
pery roads just because the car still has good acceleration in these
conditions (accident risk).
•
On wet roads bear in mind that the front wheels may start to
“aquaplane” and lose contact with the road if the car is driven too
fast. If this should happen, ther e will be no sudden increase in
engine speed to warn the driver, as with a front-wheel drive car. So
do not drive too fast in the wet: adjust your speed to suit the
conditions (accident risk).
Power managementThis system helps to ensure reliable starting
The power management controls the distribution of elec-
trical energy and thus helps to ensure that there is always
enough power available to start the engine.If a vehicle with a conventional electrical system is left parked for a
long time, the battery will gradually lose its charge because certain
electrical equipment (such as the immobiliser) continues to draw
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Intelligent technology227
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
current even when the ignition is off. In some cases there may not
be enough power available to start the engine.
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent power management
system to control the distribution of electrical energy. This signifi-
cantly improves reliability when starting the engine, and also
prolongs the life of the battery.
The main functions incorporated in the power management system
are
battery diagnosis , residual current management and dynamic
power management .
Battery diagnosis
The battery diagnosis function constantly registers the condition of
the battery. Sensors detect the ba ttery voltage, battery current and
battery temperature. This enables the system to calculate the
current power level and charge condition of the battery.
Residual current management
The residual current management reduces power consumption
while the vehicle is parked. It controls the supply of power to the
various electrical components while the ignition is switched off. The
system takes the battery diagnosis data into consideration.
Depending on the power level of the battery, the individual electrical
components are switched off one after the other to prevent the
battery from losing too much charge and to ensure that the engine
can be started reliably.
Dynamic power management
While the vehicle is moving, this function distributes the available
power to the various electrical components and systems according
to their requirements. The power management ensures that on-
board systems do not consume more electrical power than the
alternator can supply, and thus maintains the maximum possible
battery power level.
Note
•
The power management system is not able to overcome the
given physical limits. Please remember that the power and life of
the battery are limited.
•
A warning message will appear ⇒page 228, “Driver message in
the instrument cluster display” if the battery power has dropped to
a level where reliable starting is impaired.
Points to remember
Starting ability has first priority.Short trips, city traffic and low te mperatures all place a heavy load
on the battery. In these conditions a large amount of power is
consumed, but only a small amount is supplied. The situation is also
critical if electrical equipment is in use when the engine is not
running. In this case power is consumed when none is being gener-
ated.
In these situations you will be aware that the power management
system is intervening to control the distribution of electrical power.
When the vehicle is parked for long periods
If you do not drive your vehicle for a period of several days or weeks,
the power management will gr adually shut off the on-board
systems one by one, or reduce the amount of current they are using.
This limits the amount of power consumed and helps to ensure reli-
able starting even after a long period.
Please note that certain convenience features, such as the Audi
advanced key*, the remote control key or the electrical seat adjust-
ment may not be available when yo u unlock the vehicle. These func-
tions will be restored when you switch on the ignition and start the
engine.
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Intelligent technology
228With the engine switched off
If you listen to the radio or us e the other MMI functions when the
engine is not running, this will discharge the battery.
The MMI display will show this warn ing message before the battery
power drops to a level where the starting ability is impaired.
Please start engine, otherwise system will switch off
in 3 minutes.
This message warns you that the system you are using will be
switched off automatically after 3 minutes. You should therefore
start the engine if you wish to continue using the system.
When the engine is running
Although the alternator generates electrical power, the battery can
still become discharged while the vehicle is being driven. This can
occur when a lot of power is being consumed but only a small
amount supplied, especially if the battery is not fully charged
initially.
To restore the necessary energy balance, the system will then
temporarily shut off the electrical components that are using a lot
of power, or reduce the current they are consuming. Heating
systems in particular use a large am ount of electrical power. If you
notice, for instance, that the seat heating* or the rear window
heater is not working, they may have been temporarily switched off
or regulated to a lower heat output. These systems will be available
again as soon as sufficient electrical power is available.
You may also notice that the engine runs at a slightly faster idling
speed. This is quite normal, and no cause for concern. The increased
idling speed allows the alternator to meet the greater power
requirement and charge the battery at the same time.
Driver message in the instrument cluster displayIf battery power drops to a level at which you may encounter prob-
lems when starting the engine, the following message will appear
in the instrument cluster display:
 Low battery charge: Battery will be charged while driving
This message reminds you that the starting reliability may be
impaired. The message will disappear as soon as you set off and the
battery is charged.
Message comes on and goes out again
If the message appears in the display after the ignition is switched
on or while driving, and goes out again after a period of time, the
battery has been charged up again sufficiently while the vehicle was
being driven.
Message comes on and does not go out
If the message appears in the display after the ignition is switched
on or while driving, and does not go out again, the battery is not
being maintained at the proper power level. Starting reliability may
be impaired. You should have the battery checked by a qualified
workshop as soon as possible.
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Checking and topping up fluids255
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Working on components in the engine compartment
Extra caution is necessary when working on components
in the engine compartment.Always be aware of the danger of injury and scalding as well as the
risk of accident or fire when working in the engine compartment
(e.g. when checking and refilling fluids). Always observe the warn-
ings listed below and follow al l normal safety precautions. The
engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area . ⇒ .
WARNING
•
Switch off the engine.
•
Remove the ignition key.
•
Apply the parking brake.
•
Put the gear lever in neutral or selector in P.
•
Wait for the engine to cool down.
•
Keep children away from engine compartment.
•
Never spill fluids on hot engine components. These fluids can
cause a fire (e.g. radiator anti-freeze).
•
Take care not to cause short circ uits in the electrical system,
especially when working on the battery.
•
Do not touch the radiator fan when the engine is hot. The fan
may start running suddenly.
•
Do not unscrew the cap on the ex pansion tank when the engine
is hot. The cooling system is under pressure.
•
Protect face, hands and arms by covering the cap with a large,
thick rag to protect against escaping coolant and steam.
•
If any tests have to be performed with the engine running,
there is an extra safety risk from the rotating parts, such as the
drive belts, alternator and radiator fan, etc., and from the high-
voltage ignition system.
•
Vehicles with automatic gearbox: Never open the throttle inad-
vertently (for instance by hand from the engine compartment) if a
gear is engaged while the vehicle is stationary with the engine
running. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately
and possibly cause an accident.
•
Observe the following a dditional warnings if work on the fuel
system or the electrical system is necessary:
−Always disconnect the battery.
− Do not smoke.
− Never work near naked flames.
− Always keep an approved fire extinguisher immediately
available.Caution
When topping up fluids make sure the correct fluid is put into the
correct filler opening. This can otherwise cause serious malfunc-
tions or engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Inspect the ground un derneath your vehicle regularly so that any
leaks are detected at an early stag e. If you find oil spots or other
fluids, have your vehicle inspected by a qualified workshop.
Note
On right-hand drive vehicles* some of the containers / reservoirs
mentioned below are located on the other side of the engine
compartment.
WARNING (continued)
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Checking and topping up fluids263
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Changing brake fluid
When required, the brake fluid should be changed by a
competent mechanic with the proper equipment.Brake fluid gradually absorbs moisture from the atmosphere. If the
water content in the brake fluid is too high, this may cause corrosion
in the brake system over time. In addition, the boiling point of the
brake fluid will be considerably reduced. This could adversely affect
the braking ability in certain circumstances.
For this reason the brake fluid must be changed periodically.
Your vehicle's Service Schedule will tell you when the brake fluid has
to be changed.
It is advisable to have the brake fluid changed as part of a regular
Inspection Service at your Audi workshop. They are familiar with the
procedure and have the necessary special tools and spare parts as
well as the proper facilities for disposing of the old fluid.
Use only the genuine brake fluid specified by the factory Qualified
workshops know that the brake fluid “DOT 4” is approved by Audi.
The brake fluid must be fresh and unused.
WARNING
•
Brake fluid is poisonous; store it in the sealed original container
in a safe place out of reach of children.
•
Heavy use of the brakes may caus e a vapour lock if the brake
fluid is left in the system for too long. This would seriously affect
the efficiency of the brakes and th e safety of the car – risk of acci-
dent.Caution
Please note that brake fluid will attack the paintwork on contact.
For the sake of the environment
If the fluid has to be drained out of the brake system, use an appro-
priate container to catch the used brake fluid and dispose of it in the
proper manner.BatteryGeneral notes
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The battery is virtually maintenance-free. It is checked as part of the
Inspection Service.
We recommend that you replace a ba ttery once it is older than 5
years.
When an airbag is triggered, the battery will, under certain circum-
stances, be disconnected from the on-board power supply for
safety reasons ⇒ in “General notes on airbag system” on
page 201 .
Disconnecting the battery
If the battery is disconnected, some of the vehicle's functions will
become inoperative (e.g. electric windows). These functions will
require resetting after the battery is reconnected. For this reason,
the battery should only be disconnected from the vehicle's electrical
system when absolutely necessary.
If the vehicle is not used for long periods
If you do not drive your vehicle for a period of several days or weeks,
the power management will gr adually shut off the on-board
systems one by one, or reduce the amount of current they are using.
This limits the amount of power consumed and helps to ensure reli-
able starting even after a long period ⇒page 226 .
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Checking and topping up fluids
264Please note that certain convenience features, such as the Audi
advanced key*, the remote control ke y or the electrical seat adjust-
ment may not be available when you unlock the vehicle. These func-
tions will be restored when you swit ch on the ignition and start the
engine.
Winter conditions
At low temperatures the battery has to work very hard. It also
provides only a fraction of the starting power it has at normal
temperatures.
For this reason, we recommend having the battery checked and
charged if necessary before the start of winter ⇒page 265 .
WARNING
•
All work on batteries requires s pecialist knowledge. For queries
regarding the vehicle battery please contact an Audi dealership or
other qualified workshop (risk of chemical burns / risk of explo-
sion).
•
The battery must not be opened. Do not attempt to make any
changes to the electrolyte level of the battery. Otherwise, there is
a risk that a mixture of oxygen and hydrogen gas can accumulate
and cause an explosion.Note
If the vehicle is to be left standing for a period of several weeks at
extremely low temperatures, the battery should be removed from
the vehicle. This ensures that it cannot “freeze up” and be
damaged.
Important safety warnings for handling a car battery
All work on batteries requires specialist knowledge.The vehicle battery is located unde r the floor panel in the luggage
compartment.
WARNING
Always be aware of the danger of injury and chemical burns as
well as the risk of accident or fire when working on the battery and
the electrical system.•
Wear safety glasses. Do not allow acid or lead particles to come
into contact with eyes, skin or clothing.
•
Battery acid is extremely corrosi ve. Wear protective gloves and
safety glasses. Do not tilt the ba ttery - acid can leak out of the
vapour vent. If electrolyte should splash into the eyes rinse at once
for several minutes using clear wa ter. Then seek medical care
immediately. Neutralize any acid splashes on the skin or clothing
with soap solution, and rinse off with plenty of water. If acid is
swallowed by mistake, cons ult a doctor immediately.
•
Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and lit cigarettes
away from battery. Avoid sparks (including those from static

Wear safety glasses!

Battery acid is extremely corrosive. Wear protec-
tive gloves and safety glasses.

Keep open flames, sparks, uncovered lights and
lit cigarettes away from battery!

A highly explosive mixture of gases is given off
when the battery is under charge!

Keep children away from the battery and battery
acid.
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