oil level AUDI S6 2008 Owners Manual

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Warning light in the instrument cluster -t
When the _L warning light in the instrument cluster starts to flash,
this can mean one of two things: either the coolant
temperature is
too high, or the coolant
level is too low~ page 33.
If the needle is well in the upper area of the gauge, the coolant
temperature is too high.
Stop the vehicle, switch the engine off and
allow the engine to cool.
If the warning light comes on again after
driving a short distance, contact an authorized dealer.
& WARNING
• Always observe the warning in ~ page 289, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the hood and checking the engine coolant
level.
• Never open the engine hood if you see or hear steam, or if you
see engine coolant dripping from the engine compartment . You
could burn yourself. Let the engine cool off first so that you cannot
hear or see any steam or engine coolant.
0 Note
• Mounting additional lights or accessories in front of the air inlets
reduces the cooling effect of the radiator. At high outside tempera­
tures or high engine load, the engine could overheat.
• The front spoiler has been designed to properly distribute the
cooling air when the vehicle is moving. If the spoiler is damaged,
this could reduce the cooling effect and the engine could then
over­
heat. Ask your authorized Audi dealer for assistance. •
Tachometer (engine rev counter)
The tachometer indicates the engine RPM (revolutions per
minutes).
The tachometer 0 ~ page 13, fig. 2 is the left of the two large clock ­
type displays. The
engine turns at a speed
1,000 times the single digit in the
display, e.g. if the needle is pointing at the "2" the engine is turning
at 2,000 RPM.
If engine RPM drops below 1,500, you should downshift to the next
lower gear. The red area at the end of the scale indicates maximum
permissible engine RPM after the break -in period. Before reaching
this area, move the selector lever to position "D (Drive)" or ease your
foot off the accelerator pedal.
0 Note
The tachometer needle should not move into the red range. If it
does, then only for a
very short period of time. You could damage
your engine by driving at high RPM .
'£> For the sake of the environment
Upshifting early saves fuel and reduces engine noise.•
Digital clock with date display
Date and time of day can be set in the MM/.
Fig . 3 Instrument
cluster with digital
clock
The date, time of day, and time and date format can be set in the
MMI. You can find out more in the MMI manual. .,_

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. .,.

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.

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 • •

___ D_ r_iv _ in_... g"'- a_ n_ d_ e_ n_ v_i_r _o _n_ m_ e_n_ t _______________________________________________ _
New brake pads
--
Remember that new brake pads do not have a full braking
effect during the first 250 miles (400 kilometers) after they
are installed .
New brake pads have to be "burnished in" before they have optimal
grab =>& .
During the break -in period, you should avoid putting severe loads
on the brakes . Severe loads include, for examp le, sudden hard
braking, in particular at very high speeds or, for example, on moun­
tain passes.
& WARNING
New brake pads don't have the best stopping power and must be
"broken-in" during the initial 100 to 150 miles (150 to 200 kilome­
ters) of normal city driving. You can compensate for this by
pressing the brake pedal more firmly . This also applies later when
new pads are installed.
:J
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission control system
(catalytic converter) is functioning properly to ensure that
your vehicle is running in an environmentally sound
manner.
- Always use lead-free gasoline:=> page 291, "Fuel supply".
- Never run the tank down all the way to empty.
- Never put too much motor oil in your engine ==>
page 302,
"Adding engine oil 't=:;r\11
•
Never try to push- or tow-start your vehicle.
The catalytic converter is an efficient "clean-up" device built into the
exhaust system of the vehicle. The catalytic converter burns many
of the po llutants in the exhaust gas before they are released into the
atmosphere.
The exclusive use of unleaded fuel is critically important for the life
of the catalytic converter and proper functioning of the engine.
& WARNING
• Do not park or operate the vehicle in areas where the hot
exhaust system may come in contact with dry grass, brush, fuel
spill or other material which can cause a fire .
• Do not apply additional undercoating or rustproofing on or
near the exhaust manifold, exhaust pipes, catalytic converter or
heat shields. During driving, the substance used for undercoating
could overheat and cause a fire .
0 Note
• Be aware that just one tank filling with leaded fuel will alr eady
seriously degrade the performance of the catalytic converter.
• Do not exceed the correct engine oil level=>
page 302.
• Do not drive until the fuel tank becomes completely empty. The
engine could misfire. Unburned fuel could also get into the exhaust
system and this could cause the catalytic converter to overheat.
• Do not turn off the ignition while the vehicle is moving.
• Do not continue to operate your vehicle under these conditions,
as otherwise fuel can reach the catalytic converter. This could result
in overheating of the converter, requiring its replacement .
• To assure efficient operation of the Emission Control System:
- Have your vehicle maintained properly and in accordance with
the service recommendations in your Maintenance
& Warranty
booklet. •

_____________________________________________ C_h_ e_ c_k _in ___;;:;; g'--- a_n _d_ f_il _li _n __ g ____ lftll
•
& WARNING
B efo re you c heck anythin g in th e engine comp artme nt, a lways
r e ad and heed all WARNING S
~ & in "Workin g in the en gine
co mp art m ent " o n page 297. •
Engine oil
Engine oil specifications
The engine oil used in your Audi needs the right kind of
oil.
The engine in your Audi is a sophisticated powerplant that was built
to exacting specifications. This engine needs the right kind of
engine oil that meets specifications regarding quality and viscosity
so that it can run smoothly and reliably . Choos ing the right oil and
changing oil within the time and mileage intervals printed in your
vehic le's Maintenance
& Warranty booklet matters a lot more today
than it did years ago. Audi has developed a special quality standard for engine oil that will help assure that your vehicle's engine will get
t he lubr ication it needs for proper operation .
Modern engine lubrication has taken a quantum leap in the last few
years . Many synthetic oi ls availab le today provide better engine
lubrication that can outlast traditional petroleum-based oils,
making them a smart choice for use throughout the life of your Audi.
Whether you use synthetic or petroleum -based engine oi l, the oi l
that you use must conform to Audi's oi l quality standard VW 502 00
t o help keep your vehicle's engine running smoo th ly and help
prevent the formation of harmful deposits, sometimes called
"s ludge," that over time can lead to expensive repairs.
At the time of printing, engine oi ls avai lable in the U.S. and Canada
that meet the exacting specifications of Audi oil standard VW 502 00
are synthetic engine oils . This does not mean, however, that every synthetic engine oil will meet Audi oil standard VW 502 00
. So
a lways be sure tha t you use an approved o il.
To help prevent the formation of harmful deposits use only oil with
the fo llowing specifications printed on the oil container:
Audi oil standard VW 50 2 00
Oil container labels may carry the specification singly or in combi ­
nation with other designa tions and oil quality standards .
Viscosity
Engine oils are graded according to their viscosity. The proper
viscosity grade oi l for your engine depends on c limactic or seasona l
conditions where you drive. You can use oil with a viscosity grade of
SAE 5W40 across all temperature ranges for normal driving condi ­
tions .
However, if engine oil viscosity grade SAE 5W40 is not available, you
can a lso use viscos ity grade SAE 5W-30 or SAE 0W -40 as long as it
meets Audi oil qua lity standard VW 502 00 specifications .
Because engine o il that meets the Audi o il standard may not be
avai lable everywhere when you need it, we strongly recommend
that you a lways carry with you an extra quart (l iter) of oil that
express ly conforms to the VW 502 00 specification, in case you have
to top off the oil while on the road .
Only if the level of the o il is at or be low the minimum mark on the
oi l dipstick - and no oil that expressly conforms to Audi oi l standard
VW 502 00 specifica tions is avai lable -may you top off wit h a high
quality engine oi l, preferably synthetic-based, that meets ACEA A3,
ACEA A5 or ACEA 85, AP I SL or ILSAC GF -3 spec ifications, but even
then, only in viscosity grades SAE 5W-40 , SAE 5W -30, or SAE 0W -40 .
However, during the enti re time between oi l cha nge interva ls, never
top off with more than a total of 0.5 qt/ liter engine oi l that does not
conform to Audi oil specification VW 502 00.
For more information about engine oi l that has bee n approved for
your vehicle, p lease contact either your authorized Audi dea ler or
Audi C ustomer Relations at 1 (800) 822 -2834 or visit our web site at
www.audiusa.com or www.audicanada.ca . Here you will a lso find a .._
Vehicle care I t •

-~_C_ h_e _c _ k_ i_n ...:::g::;...._ a_n_ d_ f_ i_ll _in -'g:::;.._ ___________________________________________ _
current list of oils (manufacturers, brand names etc.) that conform
t o Audi oi l standard VW 502 00 .
Changin g the engine oil
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed according to the
mi leage (ki lometers) and time intervals specified in your vehicle's
Maintenance
& Warranty booklet. Do not exceed these interva ls -
harmful deposits from old engine oil can reduce engine perfor­
mance and can lead to expensive engine repairs.
Changing the oi l at the recommended intervals is so very important
because the lubricating prope rties of oi l decrease gradual ly during
normal vehicle use . If you are not sure when you have your oil
changed, ask your author ized Audi Serv ice Advisor.
Under some circumstances the engine oil should even be changed
more frequently. Change oil more often if you dr ive mostly short
distances, operate the vehicle in dusty areas or mostly under stop ­
and -go t raffic conditions, or when you use your vehicle where
temperatures stay be low freezing point for long per iods.
Detergent additives in the oil will make fresh oil look dark after the
engine has been running for a short time . This is normal and is not
a reason to change the oil more often than recommended.
Damag e or malfunctions due to lack o f mainten anc e
It is essentia l that you change your oi l at the recommended interva ls
using on ly engine oil that complies with Audi oil standard
VW 502 00. Your Limited New Vehicle Warranty does not cover damage or ma lfunctions due to failure to follow recommended
main tenance and use requirements as set forth in the Aud i Owner's
Manual and Maintenance
& Warranty booklet. Your dealer wi ll have
t o deny warranty cove rage unless you present to the dealer p ro o f in
the form of Service or Repair Orders that all schedu led maintenance
was pe rformed in a timely manner. •
Engine oil consumption
The engine in your vehicle depends on an adeq uate
amount of oil t o lubric ate and c ool all of its m oving parts.
In order to provide effective lubrication and coo ling of interna l
engine components, al l interna l combustio n eng ines consume a
certain amount of oil. Oil consumption varies from engine to engine
and may change significant ly over the life of the engine . Typ ically,
engines with a specified break-in period (see=> page 267) consume
more oil du ring the break-in period than they consume after oil
consumption has stabi lized .
Unde r normal conditions, the rate of oil consumption depends on
the quality and v iscosity of the oil, the RPM (revolutions per minute)
at which the engine is operated, the ambient temperature and road
cond itions. Fur ther factors are the amount of oil di lu tion from wate r
condensation or fue l residue and the oxidation leve l of the oi l. As
any engine is subject to wear as mileage bu ilds up, t he oil consump ­
tion may increase over time until replacement of worn components
may become necessa ry .
With all these variables coming into play, no standard rate o f oi l
consumption can be established or specified . There is no alternative
t o regula r and frequent checking of the oil level, see
Note .
If the yel low engine oil level warning symbo l in the instrument
clus ter lights up, yo u should check the oil level as soon as
possible with the oil dipstick=> page 301. Top off the oil at your
ea rliest convenience => page 302 .
& WARNING
Before you check anything in the engine compartment , always
read and heed all WARNING S
=> & in "Working in the engine
compartment " on
page 297.

_______________________________________________ C_ h_e_ c_ k_in --= g'--- a_n _d_ f_i _ ll _in _ g=- ____. •
0 Note
Driving with an insufficient oil level is likely to cause severe damage
to the engine.
[ i] Tips
• The oil pressure warning display~ is not an indicator of the 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.
• If you have the impression your engine consumes excessive
amounts of oil, we recommend that you consult your Audi dealer to
have the cause of your concern properly diagnosed. Keep in mind
that the accurate measurement of oil consumption requires great
care and may take some time . Your Audi dealer has instructions
about how to measure oil consumption accurately. •
Checking the engine oil level
Fig. 232 Illustration of
principle 1: Markers on
oil dipstick Fig
. 233 Illustration of
principle 2: Markers on
oil dipstick
Before you check anything in the engine compartment,
always read and heed all WARNINGS=> & in "Working in
the engine compartment" on
page 297.
Determining oil level
-Park your vehicle so that it is horizontally level.
- While at operating state temperature, briefly let the
engine run at idle and then shut it off.
- Wait approx. two minutes.
- Pull out the oil dipstick. Wipe off the oil dipstick with a
clean cloth, and slide it back in as far as it will go.
Pull it back out and read off the oil level=> fig. 232 or
=> fig. 233. Top off the engine oil, if applicable
=>
page 302.
Oil level within range @
- Do not add oil.
Oil level within range @
-You can add oil. Afterwards, the oil level should be within
range @. _,,,
Vehicle care I I irechnical data