AUDI S6 2008 Owner's Guide

0 Note
If you disconnect the battery terminals, no calculations can be
made for the service interval display during this time and no service
reminder will appear. Remember that observing the proper service
intervals is vitally important to extending the life of your vehicle,
particularly the engine , and maintaining its value. Even if the
mileage driven is low, the maximum period of one year from one
service to the next must not be exceeded. •
On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD)
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU -in the instrument cluster
=> page 17, fig. 7 is part of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) system.
The warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is
switched on and goes out after the engine starts and the idle has
stabilized. This indicates that the MIL is working properly.
If the light does not go out after the engine is started, or illuminates
while you are driving , a malfunction may exist in the engine system .
If the light starts flashing, the catalytic converter could be damaged.
Continue driving
with reduced power (avoiding sustained high
speeds and/or rapid accelerations) and have the condition
corrected. Contact your authorized Audi dealer.
If the light illuminates , the electronic speed limiter may also be
malfunctioning . For more information =>
page 30, "Electronic speed
limiter".
An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to
illuminate
=> page 293. •
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
On -Board Diagnostics
Fig. 16 Location of
Data Link Connector
(DLC)
On-Board Diagnostics monitors the components of your emission
control system. Each monitored component in your engine system
has been assigned a code. In case of a malfunction, the component
will be identified and the fault stored as a code in the control
module memory .
The MIL light may also illuminate if there is a leak in the on -board
fuel vapor recovery system. If the light illuminates after a refuelling,
stop the vehicle and make sure the fuel filler cap is properly closed
=>
page 293.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the stored data can only be
displayed using special diagnostic equipment (generic scan tool for
OBDl.
In order to connect the special diagnostic equipment, push the plug
into the Data Link Connector (DLC). The DLC is located to the right of
the hood release=> fig. 16.
Your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified service station can inter ­
pret the code and perform the necessary repair .•
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

Driver information display
Electronic speed limiter
Your vehicle may be factory equipped with tires that are rated for a maximum speed of 130 mph (210 km/h) . This is less than the
maximum speed of your vehicle. To reduce the risk of sudden tire
failure and loss of control if the vehicle is operated at excessive
speeds, your vehicle also has an electronic speed limiter. The elec­
tronic speed limiter prevents your vehic le from going faster than the
tire speed rating . For more information=>
page 325.
If the vehicle approaches the tire speed rating, the engine control
unit wi ll turn off the fuel injectors. You will notice an immediate loss
of engine power and a drop in road speed .
If the engine control unit receives faulty vehicle road speed signals,
the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU will illuminate . If this
occurs, contact the nearest authorized Audi dealer for assistance .
& WARNING
Always observe the posted speed limits and adjust your speed to
suit prevailing road, traffi c and weather conditions. Never drive
your vehicle faster than the maximum speed rating of the tires
installed .•
Auto Check Control
Introduction
The Auto-Check control monitors the function of certain vehicle
features and components . It simply makes sure these features and
components are working properly. The Auto-Check control works as
long as the ignition is on, as well as whenever the vehicle is driven.
If a component is malfunctioning or if the need for an urgent repair
has been detected, this will appear in the instrument c luster display. You will
also hear an audible warning tone. The disp lays are co lor
coded in either red or yel low depending on their level of priority.
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
The 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 se lect a different gear (for example: R, D , etc.l, the
message will disappear and the Auto-Check function is displayed.
If there is a malfunction, then the malfunction message wi ll appear
about 15 seconds after the you start the vehic le. 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.
Fig. 17 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
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 [
CHECK I button.
For example, the symbol for a problem with engine oil pressure~
appears in the display. If you then press the
I CHECK I 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
I CHECK] 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 [
CHECK I
button. •
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
Pull off the road.
Stop the vehicle.
Turn off the engine.
Fig. 18 Display : engine
coolant level warning
(priority 1)
-Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho-
rized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop for assistance.
Red symbols indicate a priority 1 malfunction -Danger!
With a priority 1 malfunction, a large symbol appears in the center
area of the display=> fig. 18. When the symbol appears,
three
warning tones sound in succession. The symbol continues to blink
un til the malfunction has been repaired.
If there are
more than one priority 1 malfunctions, the symbols
appear one after the other for about 2 seconds.
An additional driver message can also be displayed by briefly
pressing the
IC HECK J button.
The red symbols mean:
I • •

Driver information display
BRAKE
USA models: => page32
Brake system malfunction

Canada models: II => page32
Brake system malfunction
-~-
Engine coolant level too => page 33
low/engine coolant temperature
-too high
-
~ Engine oil pressure too low => page 34
i
Faulty steering => page 34
© Faulty ignition switch => page35
-4
[ i] Tips
• If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ ((j)) (Canada
models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a brake system
malfunction. By pressing the [
CHECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.
Please note=> page 32 .
• Speed warnings threshold 1
0 (USA modelsl/ 8 (Canada
models) and threshold 2
e , (USA models)/ 0, (Canada models) are
also shown as red symbols. The warning is always shown as a small
symbol in the upper area of the display=> page 38. •
Brake system malfunction
A malfunction in the broke system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ (©)
(Canada models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is
a brake system malfunction. By pressing the [CHECK] button, you can bring up a driver message which explains
the malfunction in more detail.
Stop vehicle and check brake fluid level
-Pull off the road.
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
- Check the brake fluid level
~ page 306.
-Contact your nearest authorized repair facility if neces-
sary.
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact
workshop
- Drive carefully to the nearest authorized repair facility
and have the malfunction corrected
~ & .
Parking brake! Please contact workshop
-If the warning/indicator light flashes when the vehicle is
stationary or after the ignition is turned on, check to see
if the parking brake can be released. Drive to an autho­
rized repair facility as soon as possible and have the
malfunction corrected. If the parking brake cannot be
released, contact your nearest authorized repair facility.
- If the warning/indicator light flashes while you are
driving, it is possible that the traction control or the
emergency brake has malfunctioned. It is possible that
the parking brake cannot be applied. It is also possible
that the parking brake cannot be released after it has
been applied. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer to have
the malfunction corrected. .,.

If the ABS system malfunctions, the ABS warning/indicator light illu­
minates together with the brake system malfunction warning/indi ­
cator light~
&-
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in ~ page 289, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the hood and checking the brake fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard . Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• USA models: If the
BRAKE warning light and the c~ warning
light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up first under
hard braking . Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of vehicle control
and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired immediately by your
authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop. Drive slowly and
avoid sudden, hard brake applications.
• Canada models : If the brake warning light
«D> and the ABS
warning light come on together, the rear wheels could lock up
first under hard braking. Rear wheel lock-up can cause loss of
vehicle control and an accident. Have your vehicle repaired imme­
diately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop .
Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake applications. •
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 blinks, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. An additional driver message can also be
displayed by pressing the [ CHECK] button:
Switch off engine and check coolant level
-Pull off the road .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
Check coolant level
=> page 304 .
Add coolant if necessary=> page 305.
Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/ind icator 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 79, 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 73, "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 289, "Engine compartment" . .,_
I • •

Driver information display
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the -F-symbo l illuminates . There is a
malfunction in the engine coo ling system -you could damage your
engine. •
Engine oil pressure malfunction ~
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 "l=7': 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 301.
Dipstick readings checks too low
- Top off oil to the proper level :::::> page 302.
-Make sure that the oil pressure warning symbol "l=7':
appears no longer in the display before you start driving
again.
Dipstick reading checks OK
-If the oil pressure warning symbol "l=7': 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 ~ 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
~ starts to flash before you respond to the low oil
level warning
= . By then, your engine may already have suffered
serious damage. •
Steering malfunction i
If there is a malfunction in the electronic steering column
lock, the steering cannot be unlocked.
If the ~ symbol in the display blinks, there is a malfunction
in the electronic steering column lock. An additional driver
message can also be displayed by pressing the
I CHECK]
button:
Do not drive vehicle: Steering defective
- Contact your nearest authorized repair facility.
- Do
not tow your vehicle.

& WARNING
Your vehicle must not be towed in the event of a malfunction in the electronic steering column lock because it cannot be steered due
to the locked steering . If it is towed with the steering locked, there
is the risk of an accident. •
Ignition lock malfunction ~
A malfunction in the ignition lock must be repaired imme­
diately.
If the .Pe symbol in the display blinks, there is a malfunction
in the electronic ignition lock. An additional driver message
can also be displayed by pressing the [ CHECK] button:
Ignition lock defective. Contact workshop!
-Do not turn the engine off.
- Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer to have
the malfunction corrected.
If there is a malfunction in the electronic ignition lock, the ignition
cannot be turned off. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi
dealer to have the cause of the malfunction corrected.
On vehicles wi th Advanced Key *, the engine should not be switched
off using the
I STOP I button because the engine cannot be started
again after the ignition is switched off .•
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING.
Fig. 19 Display: low
fuel level warning
(priority 2)
Yellow symbols indicate a priority 2 malfunction -Warning!
When a yellow warning symbol appears , one warn ing tone sounds.
A driver message appears as well to explain the malfunction in more
detail. The driver warning goes out after about 5 s econds, but it can
be brought up again at any time by pressing the I CHECK I button.
Check the displayed function as soon as possible . If more than one
priority 2 malfunction is detected, all symbols will appear one after
the other for about 2 seconds .
Y ellow symbols mean :
Advanced Key* Key not in vehicle
l[usA models:
Defective brake light
Canada models:
Defective brake light
]f Defective light bulb
Light/rain sensor defective
I • •
~ page 128
~ page27
-
~ page27
~ page27
-
~ page36

Driver inf ormati on displ ay
Windshield washer fluid
leve l low
...
Low fue l level
-Battery voltage
Worn brake pads
-
Dynamic headlight range
control defective
Check engine oil level
=> page 301
Engine oil sensor malfunction
-
Adaptive Light* defective
-
Ignition lock malfunction
Windshie ld wiper defective
Tire pressure monitoring sys-
tern Loss of air pressure
Tire pressure monitoring sys -
tern
System not available
Ba ttery in remote control key
Electromechan ical
parking brake
=> page 36
=> page 36
-
=> page 37
=> page 37
-
=> page 37
=> page 37
=> page 37
=> page 37
-
=> page 38
=> page 38
=> page 44
:::::, page 46
=> page 49
:::::, page 131
•
Appl ies to vehic les: with Advanced Key
Key not in vehicle
,:, Key not in vehi cle
T his reminder appears a long with the -symbol if the master key is
removed from the vehic le with the engine running. It is intended to
remind you (e .g. when changing drivers) not to continue the journey
without the master key .
If the master key is no longer in the veh ic le, you cannot switch off
the ignition after stopping the engine and you also cannot start the
engine again. What is more, you cannot lock the vehicle from the
outside. •
Light/rain sensor defective )
c Automatic hea dlight s/aut oma tic w iper s def ective
If the symbo l il luminates, the light 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
windshield wiper lever functions are still available. Have the
l ight/rain sensor checked as soon as possib le at a dealersh ip .•
Windshield washer fluid level too low
.5 Pl eas e top up w asher fl uid
If the symbol illuminates, add windshield washer fluid to the washer
system and also to the headlight washer system:::::,
page 312. •
Fuel supply too low L)
Please refuel

When this symbol 5' illuminates for the first time, the fuel reserve
in your vehicles is still about 2 Gallons (7 to 9 liters}. Refuel as soon
as possible~
page 292.
If the symbol lights up, even when there is ample fuel in the tank,
and the text
Tank system malfunction! Contact workshop appears
in the display, there is a fault in the system . Contact a qualified work ­
shop to have the fault rectified .•
Battery voltage LJ
If battery power drops below a specified level, idling current
management starts by switching off electrical loads. The driver
message
Power-saving mode activated is shown in the display.
If the battery's state of charge is not in the optimal range, the
U
symbol is shown in the display and the driver message Low battery
charge: battery will be charged while driving
appears .
While this driver notification is displayed, you have to be prepared
for limited starting capability.
Driver message appears and goes out again
If this driver message appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and it goes out again after a while, the battery has
been adequately recharged.
Driver message appears and does not go out again
If this driver notification appears after the ignition is turned on or
while driving and does not go out again, the battery's state of
charge is not in the optimal range. Starting capability is restricted.
Have the battery checked by an authorized Audi dealer as soon as
possible. •
Worn brake pads ... 1
C Brake pads!
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
If the symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer to
have the front brake pads inspected (on that occasion have the rear
brakes inspected as well to be safel. •
Headlight range control defective
, Headlight range control defective
If the symbol illuminates, the dynamic headlight range control is no
longer working properly . Have the system checked and repaired at
your Audi dealer. •
Engine oil level r.
' Please check oil level
When the symbol illuminates, check the engine oil level as soon as
possible ~
page 301. Top off the oil at your earliest opportunity
~ page 302. •
Engine oil sensor defective ~1 .•
~ Oil level! sensor defective
If the symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the oil sensor inspected. Until you have this done, check the oil
level each time you refuel just to be on the safe side~
page 301. •
Applies to veh ic les: w ith Adaptiv e Lig ht
Adaptive Light defective 1
' Adaptive Light defective
When this symbol .... illuminates, it means that Adaptive Light is
defective. Go to an authorized dealership to have the headlights or
the control unit for the Adaptive Light repaired.•
I • •

Driver inf ormati on displ ay
Ignition lock malfunction ~
If the symbol in the display comes on, there is a malfunc -
tio n in the e lectronic ignition lock. An additional driver
message can be displayed by pressing the [ CHECK) button:
D efectiv e ignition sw itch
- Drive to an authorized service facility at your earliest
convenience to have the malfunction corrected. •
Windshield wipers faulty )
. Win dshield wi per malfun ction
When this symbol il luminates, it means that the e lectronics for
the windshield wipers are defective. Please go to an authorized dealership to have the windshield wiper system repaired. •
Speed warning system
Overview
The speed warning system helps you to keep your driv ing
speed below a set speed limit.
The speed warning system warns the driver if he exceeds a previ ­
ously stored maximum speed . A warn ing tone wi ll sound as soon as
the vehicle speed exceeds the set speed by about 6 miles per hour
(10 k m/h). At the same time, a warning symbol appears in the
display.
The speed warning system has
t w o w arning thre sh o ld s that func ­
tion independent ly of each other and that have somewhat diffe rent
purposes:
S pee d war ning 1
You can use speed warning 1 to set the maximum speed while you
are driving . This setting will remain in effect until you turn off the
ignition, assuming that you have not changed or reset the setting.
The speed warning symbol
8 (USA mode ls)/ 8 (Canada models) in
the warning 1 display appears when you exceed the maximum
speed. It goes out when the speed falls below the stored maximum
speed.
The speed war ning symbol wi ll also go out if the speed
exceeds the
stored maximum speed by more than about 25 mph (40 km/h) for at
least 10 seconds. The stored maximum speed is deleted.
Setting speed warning 1
=> page 39 .
S pee d w arning 2
Storing warning 2 is recommended if you always want to be
reminded of a certain speed, for example when you are traveling in
a country that has a general maximum speed limit, or if you do not
want to exceed a specified speed for winter tires.
The speed warning 2 symbo l,
6 (USA models)/ 8, (Canada models)
appears in the display when you exceed the stored speed limit.
Un like warning 1, i t wi ll not go out unti l the vehic le speed drops
below the stored speed limit.
Setting speed warning 2
=> page 39.
[ i ] Tip s
Even though your vehicle is equipped with a speed warning system,
you shou ld still watch the speedometer to make sure you are not
driving faster than the speed limit. •