Audi Q3: Safety Precautions

Handling Refrigerant Safety Precautions

The assemblies and piping system of the air conditioner are filled with the following refrigerant:

1.1.1.2 Tetrafluorethane (CF₃-CH₂F or CH₂F-CF₃)

Currently, this refrigerant is known under the following trade names R134a, H-FKW 134a, SUVA 134a and KLEA 134a (other trade names may be used in other countries).

The following safety measures should be observed for these refrigerants (additional guidelines apply in individual countries).

  Caution

Refrigerant may pose health risk!

• For repair work on an open refrigerant circuit, first discharge the refrigerant circuit. Refer to → Refrigerant R134a Servicing; Rep. Gr.87; Refrigerant Circuit. (Refrigerant R134a, Servicing; Refrigerant Circuit, Using Service Station).
• Only work on refrigerant circuit in well-ventilated rooms (workshops). Ensure that there are no working-pits, basement staircases or shafts within five meters of the circumference.

  WARNING

There is a risk of suffocating due to a refrigerant/air mixture after discharging refrigerant.

• Switch on the exhaust gas ventilation system.
• Escaping refrigerant is color- and odorless and also heavier than air, thus displacing oxygen. If refrigerant gas escapes, there is a risk of suffocating in poorly ventilated areas and in workshop pits - even if it is not noticeable.

Risk of dry coughing and nausea due to toxic chemical decomposition products from the refrigerant gas.

Do not smoke, weld, or hard- or soft-solder in areas exposed to refrigerant. The high temperature of a naked flame or hot objects causes decomposition of refrigerant gas. The resulting decomposition products are toxic.

Risk of eye injury!

• Keep an eye bath on hand.
• If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with your skin and eyes, immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes.
• Then apply eye drops and consult a doctor immediately even if no pain is felt.
• Inform the doctor which type of refrigerant caused the freezing.

Intensive exposure to refrigerant on unprotected parts of the body will result in frostbite. Avoid contact with liquid refrigerant or refrigerant vapors!

• Protect hands by wearing rubber gloves.
• Protect eyes by wearing protective glasses.
• If liquid refrigerant has come in contact with any other body part, immediately flush with cool water for 15 minutes.

Start/Stop System Safety Precautions

  WARNING

On vehicles with the Start/Stop System, the engine could start automatically and cause serious personal injury.

• If the Start/Stop System is activated (recognizable by a message in the instrument cluster), it is possible to start the engine automatically.
• Make sure the Start/Stop System is deactivated when working on the vehicle (switch off ignition and turn on again as needed).

Road Test with Testing Equipment Safety Precautions

If it is necessary to use testers and measuring instruments during a road test, observe the following:

  WARNING

There is a risk of accident due to distraction and testing- and measuring equipment that is not secured properly.

The passenger airbag could pose a danger if it deploys during an accident.

• Operating testing equipment while driving is a distraction.
• Unsecured testing equipment increases the risk of injury.

Always attach testers and measuring instruments to the back seat and have them operated from there by a second person.

Coolant System Safety Precautions

When working on the coolant system, observe the following:

  WARNING

There is a risk of scalding from hot steam and coolant.

• Coolant system is under pressure. The coolant temperature can be higher than 90 ºC (194 ºF) when the engine is warm.
• Reduce the pressure and temperature before working on the coolant system. Refer to → Engine Mechanical; Rep. Gr.00; Safety Precautions; Coolant System Safety Precautions.
• Open the cap on the coolant expansion tank and release the pressure in the coolant system. Refer to → Engine Mechanical, Fuel Injection and Ignition; Rep. Gr.19; Cooling System/Coolant; Coolant, Draining and Filling.

  Caution

Danger of overheating due to an incorrectly installed sealing cap.

The sealing cap must engage audibly and by touch when closing.

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