check engine AUDI S4 CABRIOLET 2009 User Guide

A red symbol means Danger, a yellow symbol indicates Warning. In
certain situations, information message for the driver appear in
addition to the red and yellow symbols.
Function test: automatic transmission
Th e Auto -Check Control will automatically perform a test each time
you switch on the ignition. With the selector lever in
P or N, the
following message appears in the display:
When stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear.
When you a select a different gear (for example: R, D, etc.), the
message will disappear and the Auto -Check function is displayed.
If there is a malfunction, then the malfunction message will appear
about 15 seconds after the you start the vehicle. At the same time
you will hear a warning tone. •
Driver information messages
Driver information messages are shown in the instrument
cluster display in addition to the red and yellow symbols.
I S2YY
0
Fig. 16 Instrument
cluster: CHECK button
For example, if the transmission selector lever is not in the P posi ­
tion when the engine is turned off, the following message appears:
Please move selector lever to position P
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
The ignition key can only be removed with the selector in this posi­
tion. This and other messages are brought up if a function cannot
be carried out.
Driver messages and red symbols
If a red symbol appears in the display, a driver message can be
shown by pressing the
I CHECK] button.
For example, the symbol for a problem with engine oil pressure~
appears in the display. If you then press the
I CHECK] button, the
following driver message appears in the display:
Switch off engine and check oil level
The driver message in the display goes out after about 5 seconds.
The driver message can be displayed again by briefly pressing the
!CH ECK) button.
Driver messages and yellow symbols
If a yellow symbol appears in the display, a driver message is also
displayed automatically.
For example, the symbol appears in the display, indicating low
windshield washer fluid level. The following message also appears:
Please top up washer fluid
The driver message disappears after a few seconds. The driver
message can be displayed again by briefly pressing the
I CHECK]
button.
[ i] Tips
• The following two messages, Handbrake is applied and When
stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear,
cannot be switched
on again. These messages will remain in the display until you
release the parking brake or until you move the selector lever into a
gear.
• When the safeguard function of the power top is activated, or if
there is a malfunction, a message will appear in the display
=> page 64. •

Driver inf orma tion d ispl ay
Parking brake warning
- Release the parking brake.
If you should drive off with the parking brake sti ll engaged, a
warning tone wi ll sound to remind you to release the parking brake.
Also , the following message will appear in the display:
H and bra ke is a ppl ied
The parking brake warning is activated when you drive longer than
3 seconds and faster than 3 mph (5 km/h) .•
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
- Pull of the road and stop t he vehicle.
- Turn off the engine .
Fig . 17 Disp lay : eng ine
coola nt le v el wa rning
(p riority 1)
- Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your aut ho-
rized Audi dea ler or a qualified workshop for assistance.
The red symbols mean:
BRAKE
U SA m od els: => page30 Ma lfunction in the brake system

Can ada m od els: => page30 Ma lfunction in the brake system
- L Engine coolant level too low/ => page 31 COOLANT engine coolant temperature too high
~ Engine oil pressure
OIL PRES -=> page 32 too low
SURE
Red symbols indicate a priority 1 malfunction -Danger!
When a red symbol appears, a warning tone w ill sound consecu ­
tively
three times. The symbo l continues to flash until the malfunc­
tion has been repaired . If there are
more than one priority 1 malfunc ­
tions, the symbols appear one after the other for about two
seconds. a
Brake system malfunction
BRAKE (USA models) /
(CD) (Canada models )
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
When BRAKE / (Canada models) appears in the display
and flashes, this means there is a ma lfunction in the brake
system. In add ition to the symbo l, one of the following two
messages also appears in the display:
Stop v ehi cle, che ck br ake flu id and hydrauli c fluid lev els
Warning! Fault in ABS brak e system. Contact workshop!
- Pu ll of the road and stop the vehicle.
- Check the brake fluid level ~
page 260 .

USA models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the <­
warning/indicator light illuminates along with the BRAKE system
malfunction warning/indicator light=>&.
Canada models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the
warning/indicator light illuminates together with the
(Ci)) brake
system malfunction warning/indicator light=>& .
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in => page 242, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the engine hood and checking the brake
fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard! Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• If the brake system warning/indicator light illuminates
together with the ABS warning/indicator light, then the ABS system is malfunctioning. The rear wheels could quickly lock up
when you apply the brakes. This could lead to loss of control and
your vehicle could slide! Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -L
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the -t symbol in the display flashes, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following message
also appears in the display:
Switch off engine, check coolant level
Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Check coolant level ~ page 258.
-Add coolant if necessary~ page 259.
- Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/indicator light goes out.
- Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if
necessary.
If the engine coolant level is correct, then the radiator fan may be
the cause of the malfunction.
If the generator warning/indicator light should also illuminate
=>
page 22, then the fan belt may be damaged.
& WARNING
• If your vehicle should break down for mechanical or other
reasons, park at a safe distance from moving traffic, turn off the
engine and turn on the hazard warning lights
=> page 82, "Emer­
gency flasher
A".
• Never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment -you risk being scalded.
Wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping.
• The engine compartment of any vehicle is a dangerous area.
Before you perform any work in the engine compartment, turn of
the engine and allow it to cool. Follow the warning stickers
=> page 242, "Engine compartment" .
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the -F-symbol illuminates. There is a
malfunction in the engine cooling system -you could damage your
engine. •

Driver information display
Engine oil pressure malfunction 9=7-
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair. Driving with a low-oil-pres­
sure indication is likely to inflict severe damage to the engine.
If the ~ symbol appears in the display and blinks, the oil
pressure is too low. An additional driver message can also
be displayed by pressing the [CHECK] button:
Switch off engine and check oil level
Immediate actions
- Pull off the road.
- Stop the vehicle.
Turn off the engine.
- Check the engine oil level with the dipstick=> page 254.
Dipstick readings checks too low
-Top off oil to the proper level => page 255 .
- Make sure that the oil pressure warning symbol
~
appears no longer in the display before you start driving
again.
Dipstick reading checks OK
- If the oil pressure warning symbol~ starts flashing
again even though the engine oil level checks
OK on the
dipstick,
do not continue driving and do not let the
engine run in idle.
Instead, contact your authorized Audi
dealer for assistance.
[ i ] Tips
• The engine oil pressure symbol 'l::::r. is not an indicator for a low
engine oil level. Do not rely on it. Instead, check the oil level in your
engine at regular intervals, preferably each time you refuel, and
always before going on a long trip .
• The yellow oil level warning indication -requires oil refill or
workshop service without delay. Do not wait until the red oil pres­
sure warning
'l::::r. starts to flash before you respond to the low oil
level warning . By then, your engine may already have suffered
serious damage. •
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING.
Yellow symbols mean:
Low fuel level
Check engine oil level
i :c
"' "'
Engine oil sensor malfunction
Fig. 18 Display: low
fuel level warning
(priority 2)
=> page 33
~ page33
=> page 33

II
Light/rain* sensor defective
Worn brake pads
USA m odels :
Speed warning 1
Canad a m od els:
Speed warning 1
Dynamic headlight range con trol*
defective
Adaptive Light* defective
Windshield washer fluid level low
U SA mod els:
Speed warning 2
Canada mod els:
Speed warning 2
Battery voltage too high or too low
D efective light bu lb
Tire pressure monitoring system* Loss of air pressure
Tire pressure monitoring system*
System not available
~ page33
~ page 33
~ page34
~ page 34
~ page34
~ page34
~ page34
~ page 34
~ page34
~ page 34
~ page35
~ page 43
~ page46 I
Ye llow symbols indicate a priority 2 malfunction -Warning!
When a yellow symbo l appears, a warning tone wi ll sound
once.
Check the displayed function as soon as possible. If more than one
priority 2 ma lfunction is detected, all symbols will appear one after
the other for about two seconds. •
Controls and equip­
ment
Driv er inf ormati on di spl ay
Fuel supply too low l
When the -,symbol illuminates, this means there is about 2 to 2.5
gallons (8 to 10 litres) of fue l left in the fuel tank . Time to refuel!
~ page 245. •
Engine oil level '7.:.
When the-=· symbol illuminates, check the engine oil level as soon
as possib le ~
page 254 . Add oil if necessary ~ page 255. •
Engine oil sensor defective • ..
If the .,_,ft symbol illuminates, contact your author ized Audi dea ler
and have the oil sensor inspected. Until you have this done, check
the oi l leve l each time you refuel just to be on the safe side
~ page 254. •
Applies to vehic les: with Lighting package
Light/rain* sensor defective >
- Automa tic headl ight s/autom atic wiper s def ective
If the symbol il luminates, the light/rain sensor has failed. For safety
reasons the low beams are turned on permanently with the switch
in
AUTO . However, you can continue to turn the lights on and off
using the light switch. In the case of a defect in the rain sensor, the
windsh ield wiper lever functions are still avai lable. Have the
light/rain sensor checked as soon as possible at a dealership. •
Worn brake pads J
r Brake p ad s!

Openin g and clo sin g
How is th e a nti-th eft ala rm switch ed off whe n
t riggered ?
The alarm system is switched off when you unlock the vehicle using
the remote control or when the ignition is switched on. The a larm
will a lso switch itse lf off when it comes to the end of its cycle.
Em erg en cy flashe r
The emergen cy flashe r will blink briefly when the doors, engine
hood and rear lid are properly closed .
If the emergency flashers do not blink, check the doors, engine hood
and r ear lid to make sure they are properly closed . If you close a
door, the hood or the rear lid w ith the anti-theft a larm switched on,
the emerg ency flashers will blink only aft er you have clos ed the
door or lid.
[ i ] Tips
• For the anti -theft alarm system to function properly, make sure
all vehicle doo rs and windows are closed before leaving the vehicle .
• When you open the vehicle from the driver's door using the key,
the c entral locking switch will work only af ter you hav e swi tched on
the ignition. •
Tilt sensors ~
The tilt sensors trigger an alarm if they detect vehicle
movement.
N
ij
:c .,
"'
Fig . 49 D river's do or,
rear botto m: ti lt se nso r
sw itch
Sw itch off the tilt se nsors i f you are go ing to have your
ve hicle tr ansported .
Switch off the tilt s ensors
- Press the switch A located in the driver's door=> fig. 49 .
Lock the ve hicle.
When you turn off the tilt sensors, the diode in the switch -lQ wi ll illu ­
minate. Also , the indicator light in the driver's door wil l illuminate
for about three seconds . After you lock the vehicle, the indicator
light in the door trim will b link quickly for about three seconds . After
that, the blinking slows down.
The next time the vehicle is locked, the tilt sensors are automatically
turned on again .•

Power windows
Controls
Fig. 50 Driver's door:
power window
switches
The switches are located in the driver's door. The front passenger's
door has a own power window switch of its own.
To open/close If the respective switch is pushed or pulled, the
window will, respectively .
Switches for front door windows
© operates the window in the driver's door.
@ operates the window in the front passenger door.
Switches for rear windows
© operates the left rear window.
@ operates the right rear window.
Switches for all windows
© operates all windows .
& WARNING
• Do not leave children unattended in the vehicle, especially with
access to vehicle keys. Unsupervised use of the keys can result in
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Opening and closing
& WARNING (continued)
starting of the engine and use of vehicle systems such as power
windows, etc. which could result in serious injury.
• Remember -you can still open or close the power windows for
about ten minutes after the ignition is switched off. Only when
either of the front doors are opened are the power windows
switched off.
• Be careful when closing the windows . Check to see that no one
is in the way, or serious injury could result!
• Always remove the ignition key whenever you leave your
vehicle.
• If you lock your vehicle from the outside, no one, especially
chil­
dren, should remain in the vehicle even when the power top is
opened.
• Do not stick anything on the windows or the windshield that
may interfere with the driver's field of vision. •
Switches in the driver's door
The driver can operate all windows.
If the respect ive switch is pushed or pulled the windo w will
open or close . The power w indow switches have a
two-posi­
tion function:
Opening the windows
Push the switch to the first stop and hold it there until the
window has lowered to the desired position.
Push the switch briefly to the
second stop: the window
will automatically open all the way. ..
~ehicle care Technical data

Clear vision
inst rument panel ill umination will automaticall y become dimmer
a s the daylight fades away and eventually will go out completely
when out side l ight i s very low . Thi s is to remind you , the dri ver , to
s witch on the headlights befor e it g ets too dark.
• Canada model s: instrument panel illumination will stay bright
re gardles s of the intensity of ambient light . Alway s be aware of
c hange s in outside light cond itions while you are d riv ing . Resp ond
in time to f ading dayl ight by turning the ligh t switch to po sit ion
io
(or "AUTO" if your car is equipped with this feature) to turn on your
he adl ights . •
Ap plie s to vehic le s: wi th x eno n hea dlig ht s
Xenon headlights
After s tarting the engine, the xenon headligh ts are automatically
adjusted to the load and angle of the vehicle (for example, during
acce leration and brak ing) . This prevents oncoming tra ffic from
experienc ing unnecessa ry glare from your head lights .
If the system is not operating properly, a warning sy mbol in the
Auto -Check Contro l is displayed:::::,
page 34. •
Emergency flasher &.
The emergency flasher makes other mot orists aw are that
y o u or your vehicle are in an emergency situation.
1Jia---------------...,i ij ::c .,
"'
-
Fig. 9 3 Ce nter
cons ole: e mergen cy
fla sher swit ch
Press the sw itch ~~fig . 93, to sw itch the emergency
fl ash er o n or o ff.
When the emergency flasher is on, al l four turn signa l blink at the
same time . The turn signal indicator lights¢¢ in the instrument
cluster, as we ll as the light in the emergency flasher sw itch
t!:;,,. b link
likewise .
The emergency flasher will automatica lly switch on if you are in an
accident where the airbag has deployed .
[ i ] Tips
You should switch on the emergency flasher when :
• you are the last vehicle stand ing in a t raffic jam so that any other
veh ic les coming can see you , or when
• your vehic le has broken down or you are in an emergency situa ­
tion, or when
• your veh ic le is being towed by a tow truck or if you are towing
another vehicle behind you .•

Clear vision
& WARNING
• Wiper blade s are cru cial fo r safe driving ! O nly when they are in
good cond it ion are they able to clear the window s properly to
p ro vi de un comp romi sed vis ibility . Worn or damaged wiper blade s
are a safety hazard
=> page 8 7, "In stalling new w ipe r blades "!
• The rain sen sor is onl y de signed to a ssis t and support the
driver. It remain s ent irely the driver' s re spon sibility to monitor
o ut side weather condit ion s a nd to manually acti vate the wipers a s
soon a s rain or drizzle reduces vi sibility through the wind shield .
• The wind shield mu st not be treat ed w ith water -repellent mate ­
rials. They can increase glare under poor visibility conditions such
a s w etne ss, darknes s, or when the sun i s lo w on t he horizon . In
addition , they can cause the windshield wipers to chatter .
0 Note
In freezing or near freezing conditions :
• Always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the g lass
before you turn the wipers on. Loosen a wiper b lade which is frozen
in place before operating the wipers to prevent damage to the wiper
b lade or the wipe r motor.
• Do not use the wipers to clear a frosted window . Using the
wipe rs as a convenient ice scraper wil l destroy the wiper blades .
• Before you take your vehicle to an automatic car wash , make sure
you have the wi ndshield w iper system switched off (lever in position
0), otherwise the windshield wiper system could get damaged in the
car wash if it should suddenly come on .
[ i ] Tips
• The rain sensor is part of the interva l wiping system . Turning off
the ignition will also deactivate the rain sensor. To reactivate the sensor, switch off the interva l wiping function, then switch it back
on aga in. • I
f you switch off the ignition with the windshield wiper lever sti ll
in the interva l wipe position and then come back a while late r and
drive off, the rain sensor will reactivate itself after the vehicle speed
has exceeded 4 mph (6 km/h) .
• Worn or dirty windshield wiper b lades cause smearing which
can affect the operation of the rain sensor . Check the condition of
your windshield wiper b lades regularly .
• Make sure the washer fluid reservoir in the engine co mpartment
is topped off before going on a long trip. Look up=>
page 266 for
checking and f illing the washer container .•
Headlight washer system
The headlight washer system cleans the headlights.
Operate the w indshie ld wiper/washer system, leve r posi­
tion
© =>page 85, fig. 97, w ith the head lig hts switched
on
by h old ing the lever for longer than o ne second .
The washer jets extend forward out of the front bumper driven by
water pressure to s pray the front headlights with water .
You should inspec t the head lights regu larly (for examp le when refu ­
e ling) and c lean off any so lid dirt or insects from the lenses .
To ensure the sys tem works proper ly in winter, keep the washer jets
free of snow and
remove any ice using a de -icing spray .•

_______________________________________________________ T_ ra_ n_s_ m __ is_s_ io_ n ____ !II
The se lector lever must be in Nor P. If one of the driving positions
is engaged a safety switch w ill preven t the eng ine from being
started. See also=> page 120 .
Before you move the selector lever from the P position, you must
a lways apply the brake peda l before and wh ile de press ing the
button in the hand le of the selector lever.
& WARNING
• Unintended vehicle movement can cause serious injury .
- When the selector lever is in a driving position , the vehicle
may creep , even at idle speed . Therefore do not release the
parking brake or foot brake until you are ready to move,
because power is transmitted to the wheels as soon as a
driving position is engaged.
- Do not accelerate while selecting a driving position . At this
time the engine must be at idle speed so that undue stress is
not placed on the clutches in the transmission .
- Remember: -even when stopped briefly with the automatic
transmission in "D ", "S " or "R ", engine power is being trans­
mitted to the wheels. Your vehicle could "creep" forward or
ba ckward . When stopped , keep the brake pedal fully depressed
and use the parking brake if necessary to keep the vehicle from
rolling .
• If the selector lever is unintentionally moved into N while you
are driving , take your foot off the accelerator pedal and wait for
the engine to return to idle speed before selecting a driving posi ­
tion .
• Never shift into "R " or "P " when the vehicle is in motion .
• Never get out of the driver 's seat when the engine is running .
• If you must get out of the vehicle , move the selector lever
securely into the P pos ition and apply the parking brake firmly .
• If the engine must remain running , never have any dr iving posi ­
tion engaged when checking under the hood . Make sure the
selector lever has securely engaged and is locked in "P " with the
Controls and equip ­
ment
& W ARNING (continued )
park ing brake firmly set=> page 242, "Engine compartment ".
Otherwi se , any increase in engine speed may set the vehi cle in
motion , even w ith the parking brake appl ied . •
App lies to veh icles: wi th 6-speed automatic transm ission
Selector lever positions
T his sec tion d escri be s th e sel ector le ver po sitio ns an d
d ri vin g rang es.
Fig. 140 D ispl ay in the
in strument c luster:
se lector lever in posi­
tion D
The se lecto r lev er p ositi on engage d ap pears next to t he se lec to r
leve r as well as in the instrument cluster display .
P -Park
In this selecto r lever position the transmission is mechanica lly
l oc ked. Engage P only whe n th e ve hicle is completely stopped=>
&
in "Dr iving the automatic transmission" on page 126.
To shift in or out o f po sition P, yo u m ust firs t pr ess an d hol d th e
brake pedal and then press the re lease button in the se lector lever
handle w hile mov ing the se lector leve r to or from P. Yo u can shif t
out o f this pos it io n onl y wit h th e i gn it ion on. _..,