check engine light AUDI S6 2009 Owners Manual

Table of contents
Table of contents
Vehicle literature ........ .
About this Owner's Manual .............. ...... . .
Controls and
equipment ............ ..... .
Instruments and controls ..... .
General il lustration ............. .
Instruments and
warning/indicator lights ....... .
Instruments .............. ..... .
Warning/indicator lights ........ .
Driver information display ..... .
Introduction ................... .
On-Board Diagnostic system (OBD)
Auto Check Control ............ .
Speed warning system ..... .. .. .
Trip computer ..... ... .. .. ... .. .
Opening and closing .......... .
Keys ... ..... .......... ... ..... .
Power locking system ..... ... .. .
Rear lid ....................... .
Child safety lock .... ......... .. . 5
6
9
11
1
1
12
12
16
23
23
27
28
36
38
41
41
45
50
51
Convenience key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Anti-theft
alarm system ........ .
Power windows ... ... .... .... .
S liding/ti lting power sunroof . .. .
Clear vision . .... .. .. .......... .
Lights ... ................ ... .. .
In ter ior l ights ...... ... .. .. .. .. .
Vision ... ... ......... ...... ... .
Wiper and washer system ...... .
Mirrors .................... ... .
Digital compass ............... .
Seats and storage ..... .... ... .
General recommendations ..... .
Power seat . ... ... ......... ... .
Seat m emory ...• ........ .... ..
Rear seats .......... ....... ... .
Head restraints ........ ..... .. .
Arm rest ....... ... ... ... ... •..
Luggage compartment ..... ... .
Roof rack ..... .......... ... .• ..
Cupholder .. ...... ... .. ... ..• ..
Ashtray ................... ... .
Cigarette lighter /socket ........ .
Storage ............ ....... ... .
Warm and cold ............... .
Climate control ........ .. ... .. .
Basic settings ......... •. ... ....
On the road . ... ..... .. ..... ... .
Steering .................... .. .
Ignition lock and ignition switch .
Starting and stopping the engine
Starting and stopping the engine
with Convenience key ....... .. .
Electromechanical parking brake .
Cruise control ......... ........ .
54
55
58
63
63
68
69
71
75
78
80
80
81
84
85
86
88
88
93
95
96
97
99
102
102
1 1 1
114
114
116
117
118
121 124
Adaptive Cruise Control ....... .
Speed and distance control system
Driver informa tion ....... ...... .
System limitations ............. .
Audi lane assist ............... .
Lane assist ......... ........ .. .
Audi side assist ............... .
Lane Change Assistant .. ..... .. .
Notes ....................... •.
Automatic transmission ....... .
tiptronic® (6-speed automatic
transmission) ... .... ... ... .... .
multitronic® ..........•........
Audi Parking System ......... . .
Park Assist Systems .... ... .... .
Audi Park ing System (rear) ...... .
Audi Parking System (rear, with rear-
view camera) .... .. ...... ..... .
Specia l parking situations ..... •.
Settings in the MMI ....... ..... .
Saf ety tips . ............ .... ... .
Adaptive Air Suspension ...... .
Adaptive Air Suspension and
Damping ............. ........ .
Homelink® . ................ ... .
Universal remote control ....... . 127
127
135
140
143
143
146
146
153
155
155
161
169
169
169
171
178
180
181
184
184
188
188

Warning light in the instrument cluster -L
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 31.
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 293, "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
• Mount ing 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).
Th e tachometer 0 => page 12, fig. 2 is the left of the two large clock ­
type displays.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
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 (Drivel" 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
Dote and time of day con 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. .,_
I • •

gallons (7-9 liters) of fuel left. Th is message is meant to remind you
to
refuel.
The tota l tank capacity of your vehicle is listed in => page 369.
0 Note
Never run the tank completely dry . An irregular supp ly of fuel can
cause engine misfiring and fuel could enter the exhaust system . The
cata lytic converter could then overheat and be damaged. •
[ CHECK] button
You con perform different functions with this button.
Fig. 5 C HECK button in
the instrument cluster
The [ CHECK I button performs the following functions:
Switching on the clock and odometer
With the ignition turned o ff, the odometer reading and the digital
clock with date display can be switched on for about 30 seconds by
pressing the
(CHECK I button ~ fig. 5.
Starting the Auto-Check sequence
The Auto -Check system=> page 28 constantly monitors certain indi­
vidual functions and components of the vehicle when the ignition is
turned on and when the vehicle is moving.
Contro ls and eq uip­
ment
Instruments and warning /indicator lights
With the ignition turned on, you can start the "Auto-Check
sequence" by pressing the
[CHECK ] button. You can perform an
Auto-Check sequence when the vehicle is stationary and the ignition
is turned on or when the vehicle is moving not faster than 3 mph
(5 km/h).
The number of keys programmed to the vehicle is also displayed.
The display
3\3 indicates that three keys have been programmed.
This allows you to make sure you have received al l of the keys when
you purchase a used vehicle.
For example, if you only receive two keys, you should take those
keys to your authorized Audi dealer to have the missing key deacti­
vated so it cannot be used. You should also report the missing key
to your insurance company .
Calling up the driver information
A yellow or red symbol appears in the instrument cluster display,
usually with a driver message . The driver message display disap­
pears after about 5 seconds . The driver message can be displayed
again by briefly pressing the
I CHECK I button.
Setting the speed warning
By pressing the [ CHECK] button briefly, you can set threshold 1 of
the speed warning while you are driving=>
page 37. By maintaining
pressure on the [
CHECK] button, you delete the warning
threshold .•
Vehicle care I I irechnical data

.o. Canada models: ,;:;..{/
Airbag system
Tire pressure monitoring system
-
¢ Left turn signal
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU
/: Lane assist (system is ready)
Lane assist (system is not ready)
~
Safety belt
Adaptive Air Suspension*
-
~ Adaptive Air Suspension*
D High beam
--
Q Right turn signal
CRUISE
USA models:
Cruise control activated
A~ Canada models:
Cruise control activated
USA models:
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defec -
tive
Canada models:
Anti- lock brake system (ABS) defec-
tive
Controls and equip ­
ment
=> page 18
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page 19
=> page20
=> page20
=> page20
=> page 19
=> page20
=> page 20
=> page 21
=> page 21
-
-
-
Instruments and warning/indicator lights
PARX USA models : => page 21
BRAKE Electromechanical parking brake
(® ) Canada models: => page 21
Electromechanical parking brake
BRAKE
USA models: => page 22
Brake malfunction
((D ) Canada models: => page22
Brake malfunction
Vehicles with the Adaptive Cruise Control* have the following addi­
tional check lamps:
11,,C::, Open road
C::, 1111 C::, Driving in traffic
c::, 111 1 c::, Request for driver to
assume control
& WARNING
=> page 135
=> page 135
~ page 135
• Failure to heed warning lights and other important vehicle
information may result in serious personal injury or vehicle
damage .
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe
distance off the road, stop the engine, and turn on the emergency
flasher
=> page 67.
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially
hazardous area. Before you check anything in the engine compart ­
ment, stop the engine and let it cool down . Always exercise
extreme caution when working under the hood
=> page 293,
uEngine compartment". .,,
I • •

Inst rum ents and w arnin g/indi cat or li ghts
[ i ] Tip s
Many functions are mon itored by the Auto -Check system
=> page 28. Malfunctions or faults wil l be identified either with a red
symbol (priority 1 - Danger!) o r w ith a yel low sy mbol (priority 2 -
Warning). •
Electronic power control I'
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic
power control.
The warning/indicator light (Electronic Power Control) i llumi -
nates when you turn on the ignition as a function check.
[ i ] Tip s
If this warning/indicator light illuminates whi le you are driv ing, then
there is a malfunction in the engine electronics . Have the malfunc ­
tion corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dea ler or
qualified repair facility. •
Electronic stabilization program (ESP) at.
This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic stabi­
lization program .
The warning/indicator light has the following functions:
• It blinks while you are dr iving when the ESP is working.
• It illuminates when you sw itch on the ignition for approximately
2 seconds as a function check.
• It illuminates when there is a malfunction in the ESP .
• It illuminates when ESP or ASR (Anti -Slip Regu lation) is deacti­
vated. • I
t illuminates if there is a malfunction in the ABS, since the ESP
is part of the ABS sys tem.
If the battery terminals were disconnected and re-connected , the
vehic le was jump started or the battery is very weak, the ESP sensor
system goes through a learning process for the first few yards. The
warning/indicator light illuminates. The warning/indicator light
goes out as soon as the learning process is complete .
I f the ESP warning/indicator light illuminates and stays on after you
have started the engine, this may mean that the control system has
temporarily switched off the ESP . If this is case, you can reactivate
the ESP by turning the ignition off and then on again . The
warning/indicator light should go out to show that the system is
fully functional again.
For more information about the ESP=>
page 262. •
Airbag system
~ (USA models) / !lr (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monitors the airbag and the
pretensioner systems.
The ~ (USA models) IJ.!r (Canada mode ls) warning light illuminates
for a few seconds each time you switch on the ignition .
If the ~ (USA mode ls)
tJ.! r (Canada models) warning light does not
go out, or if it i lluminates whi le you are driving, or if it starts to b link,
t hen there is a malfunction somewhere in the system. If the light
does not il luminate when you switch on the ignition, this a lso
means there is a malfunction .
& WARNING
If you have a m alfuncti on in the airb ag sy ste m, cont act your autho ­
ri zed A udi dealer imm ed ia te ly. Othe rwise the airb ag or the belt
preten sioner may not work p roperly in an accident. •

Tire pressure monitoring system -telltale
indicator lamp
The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a
significant loss of tire pressure or if there is a malfunc­
tion.
The indicator light' il lum inates to check the function when you
switch on the ignition.
If the
l symbol remains on or blinks after you switch on the igni ­
tion, there is a loss of tire pressure or a system malfunction . If there
is a system malfunction, see your authorized Audi dea ler as soon as
poss ible .
Detailed information on the tire pressure monitoring system can be
found in=>
page 336. •
Turn signals ¢ ¢
The indicator light blinks when you use either turn signal.
Whenever you use the left¢ or the right Q turn signal, the indicator
light blinks. When you use the emergency flashers, both indica tor
lights flash .
If one of the turn signa l light bu lbs burn out, the turn signal will
blink twice as fast as normal. •
Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) )
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIU is part of the On -Board Diag ­
nostic (OBD Ill system. The symbol
~ lights up when the ignition is
turned on and wi ll turn off after the engine has started and has
sett led at a constant id le speed . This indicates that the MIL is
working proper ly.
Controls and equip ­
ment
In st rum ent s a nd w arnin g/indi cato r ligh ts
The warning light il luminates when there is a malfunction in the
engine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and
have the malfunction corrected.
An imprope rly c losed fu el filler cap ma y als o ca use t he MIL light to
illuminat e
=> page 297.
For more information => page 27. •
Applies to vehi cles : wi th l ane ass ist
Lane assist (system is ready) Ii
The indicator light shows that the system is ready to use. A warn ing
a lerts the driver when the vehicle drives over detected lane
boundary lines .
More information about lane assist=>
page 143. •
Applies to vehi cles : wi th la ne a ssi st
Lane assist (system is not ready) /'
The indicator light shows that the system is turned on but unable to
send a warning.
More informat ion about lane assist=>
page 143. •
Safety belts ~-
This warning/indicator light reminds y ou to put on your
safety belt.
The t warning/indicator light i lluminates when the ignition is
switched on to remind the driver and (on USA models on ly) any front
passenger to put on the safety belt . Additiona lly, an acoustic
warning (gong) will also sound.
For more Information =>
page 205, "Safety belt warning light 4". •
I • •

Driver information display
Sound system display
Fig. 9 Displ ay : s ound
system
If priority 1 or priority 2 faults are not shown by the Auto Check
Cont rol, the name of t he radi o sta tio n you a re tune d to or the
frequency and the recept ion range are shown in the upper area of
the display .
When t he C D is in use, the title of t he trac k bein g pla y ed is shown.
The number of the CD (CD 1 to CD 6) currently being p layed is also
shown. •
Outside temperature display
Fig. 1 O Display:
out side temperatu re
At temperatu res be low 41 °F (+5 °C) a snowfla ke symbol appears
ahead of the te mper atu re disp lay. It is intended to remind the dr iver
to pay special attention to
ice on the road.
If you have selected the °C (degrees Celsius) unit for temperature in
th e
MM I, the outsid e temp erat ure d isp lay also appears automati ­
cally in °C.
& WARNING
• Never rely exclusively on the outside temperature display to
determine if a road surface is icy or not. Keep in mind that road
surfaces , especially bridges and overpasses , could be ice covered
and slippery even at an outside temperature above 41 °F (+5 °C ).
• Always remember , even if the "snowflake " symbol (ice
warning) does not appear in the display , black ice could be on the
road.
• Always reduce your speed and drive with special care in cold
weather conditions when the chance of encountering icy road
surfaces increases .
[ i ] Tips
If t he ve hic le is stat ionary, or if you are dr iving at a very low speed,
the temperature shown in the di splay mig ht be slightly higher than
t h e actua l outs ide temper atu re. This is caused by the heat bei ng
radiated from the engine. •

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 CH ECK]
button. •
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!
Con tro ls and eq uip­
ment
Driver information display
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
until 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
! CHECK ] button.
The red symbols mean:
0
BRAKE

[ i] Tips
Alternator malfunction
USA models:
Brake system malfunction
Canada models:
Brake system malfunction
Engine coolant level too
low/engine coolant temperature
too high
Engine oil pressure too low
Faulty steering
Faulty ignition switch
=> page30
=> page 30
=> page30
=> page 31
=> page32
=> page 32
=> page 33
• If the warning/indicator light BRAKE (USA models)/ © (Canada
models) in the instrument cluster flashes, there is a brake system
malfunction. By pressing the
I CH ECK] button, you can bring up a
driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.
Please note
=> page 30. ..
Vehicle care
I I irechnical data

Driver inf ormati on displ ay
• Speed warnings threshold 1 8 (USA modelsl/ 8 (Canada
models) and threshold 2
e , (USA modelsl/ 8 (Canada models) are
a lso shown as red symbols. The warning is always shown as a small
symbo l in the upper area of the display =>
page 36. •
Alternator malfunction 0
If the O symbol in the ins trument pane l disp lay flashes, then there
is a malfunction in the alternator or the vehicle electronics. A
warning to the driver will appear, too . The driver warning goes out
after about 5 seconds, but it can be brought up at any time by
pressing the
( C H ECK ] button again .
Usually, you can sti ll drive to the next dealership . Turn off a ll but the
most necessary electrical consumers, since these drain the vehicle's
battery.
0 Note
If the _t warning symbol (coolant system malfunction) also lights
up on the instrument pane l during the trip=>
page 31, then you
have to stop immediately and turn off the engine . The coolant pump
is not working anymore -danger of damage to the engine! •
Brake system malfunction
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as
soon as possible.
If the warning /indi cator light BRAKE (USA models)/ (©)
(Canada models) in the instr ument cl uster flashes, there is
a brake system malfunct io n. By pressing the [ CHECK ]
button, you can bring up a driver message w hich explains
the malfunction in more detail.
Stop v ehi cle a nd ch ec k brak e fluid l eve l
- Pull off the road .
- Stop t he vehicle .
- Tur n o ff the engine .
- Check the brake fluid level=>
page 310.
-Contact your nearest authorized repair facility if neces-
sary .
Warning! Fault in ABS brake syst em . Conta ct
workshop
- D rive carefully to the nearest au thorized repair fac ility
and have the malfunction corrected
=> ,& .
Parking br ake ! Ple ase c onta ct work sh o p
- If the warning/indicator light flashes when the vehicle is
stationary or after the ignition is turned on, c heck to see
if the parking brake c an be released . Dr ive to an aut ho­
rized repair facility as soon as possible a nd have the
ma lfunctio n corrected. If the pa rking brake cannot be
released, contac t your nea rest authorized repa ir facil ity .
- If the warning/indicato r light flashes w hile you are
dr iving, i t is possible tha t the traction con tro l or the
emerge ncy brake has ma lfunc tioned . It is poss ib le that
the park ing brake cannot be applied . It is a lso possible
that the pa rking brake cannot be released after it has
been app lied . Drive to an aut horized A udi dealer to have
the malfunction corrected.
If the ABS system malfunctions, the ABS warning/indicator light i llu ­
minates together with the brake system malfunction warning/indi -
cator light=>& . .,_

& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in => page 293, "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 -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 _t
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 .
- Stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
Check coolant level ~ page 308.
-Add coolant if necessary~ page 309 .
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 O warning symbol (alternator malfunction) also lights up on
the instrument panel=>
page 30, 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 67, "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 293, "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 .•
I • •