eSelf Study Program 960243

The 2015 A3 Cabriolet

2

Audi of America, LLC
Service Training
Created in the U.S.A.
Created 06/2014
Course Number 960243
©2014 Audi of America, LLC
All rights reserved. Information contained in this manual is based on
the latest information available at the time of printing and is subject to
the copyright and other intellectual property rights of Audi of America,
LLC., its affiliated companies and its licensors. All rights are reserved
to make changes at any time without notice. No part of this document
may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording
or otherwise, nor may these materials be modified or reposted to other
sites without the prior expressed written permission of the publisher.
All requests for permission to copy and redistribute information should
be referred to Audi of America, LLC.
Always check Technical Bulletins and the latest electronic service repair
literature for information that may supersede any information included
in this booklet.

Revision 1: 5/28/2014
3

Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................7
Body...................................................................................................9
Structure/materials ................................................................................................................................................. 9

Convertible top................................................................................ 13
Movable convertible top well ................................................................................................................................ 15
Convertible top box lid/service position .............................................................................................................. 16
Convertible top frame ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Hydraulic unit ......................................................................................................................................................... 18

Convertible top control system....................................................... 19
Component locations ............................................................................................................................................ 19
Convertible top operation ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Components of the convertible top control system ........................................................................................... 33
Emergency operation ............................................................................................................................................ 45
Data bus overview .................................................................................................................................................. 48

Occupant protection........................................................................ 49
Side airbag .............................................................................................................................................................. 51
Electrical wiring harness for side airbag ............................................................................................................. 52
Driver Side Rear Side Airbag Crash Sensor G256 ................................................................................................ 52
Rollover protection ................................................................................................................................................ 53
Cassettes with protective roll bars ...................................................................................................................... 54
Driver Side Rollover Protection Igniter N646 and
Front Passenger Side Rollover Protection Igniter N647 .................................................................................... 54
Resetting a deployed protective roll bar .............................................................................................................. 56
Diagnostics ............................................................................................................................................................. 56

Engines............................................................................................ 57
1.8L and 2.0L TFSI engines ................................................................................................................................... 57

Engine/transmission combinations................................................. 59
Suspension...................................................................................... 61
Overall concept ..................................................................................................................................................... 61
Overview ................................................................................................................................................................. 62

Electrical system............................................................................. 63
Installation locations of control modules ........................................................................................................... 63
Topology ................................................................................................................................................................. 65

Climatronic...................................................................................... 67
Operation ................................................................................................................................................................ 68

Infotainment................................................................................... 71
Overview of versions .............................................................................................................................................. 71
Antenna system ..................................................................................................................................................... 75

Service............................................................................................. 77
Service interval overview for North American region ......................................................................................... 77

Self Study Program......................................................................... 78
Knowledge Assessment.................................................................. 80

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This eSSP contains video links which you
can use to access interactive media.

Note
This eSelf Study Program teaches a basic knowledge of the design and functions of new models,
new automotive components or technologies.
It is not a Repair Manual! All values given are intended as a guideline only.
For maintenance and repair work, always refer to the current technical literature.

5

Reference

Audi A3 Cabriolet ’15
Sporty, elegant and multi-faceted - the new 2015 Audi A3
Cabriolet. This compact four seater impresses at first
glance with its flowing lines and and soft top. It is also at
the top of its class technically with systematic lightweight
design, new engines, sophisticated networking and high
performance driver assistance systems.
The A3 Cabriolet has a soft top that is stretched over a
lightweight magnesium and steel kinematic mechanism.
At the press of a button,the top opens or closes electrohydraulically in less than 18 seconds; even when driving up
to speeds of 31 mph (50 km/h). The fully automatic top
has a glass rear window with an electric rear defroster. An
active rollover protection system protects the occupants in
case of a rollover accident.
As with every Audi, workmanship quality is uncompromisingly high, and the vehicle’s controls are simple, intuitive and
convenient. The A3 Cabriolet offers enough room for four
adults. The rear seats can be folded down to create a wide
through-load area when the top is up. The interior features
new steering wheel and seat designs as well as an electromechanical parking brake operated by a push button on the
center console.

All engines in the new A3 Cabriolet combine the high technologies of direct fuel injection and turbocharging. On
average, the two engines offered at market launch have
excellent fuel economy while offering a high performance
driving experience (1.8 and 2.0L).
The chassis of the A3 Cabriolet uses sophisticated technology that delivers sporty handling, superior vehicle safety
and a high level of comfort. Some components of the
MacPherson strut front suspension are made of aluminum
while the four-link rear suspension handles longitudinal
and transverse forces separately. The power steering
system features an efficient electro-mechanical drive.
The ABS/ESP system has all the features offered on other
Audi vehicles which provide safe, stable and predictable
operation.

623_001

6

Introduction

55.4 in (1409 mm)

Dimensions

37.2 in (1526 mm)

61.2 in (1555 mm)

60.07 in (1526 mm)

70.5 in (1793 mm)

77.1 in (1960 mm)

34.21 in (869 mm)

102.16 in (2595 mm)

mm
)
21
2 (9

26.9 in (685 mm)

36.

39.3

in (10

00 m

m)

623_002

37.67 in (957 mm)

174.05 in (4421 mm)
623_003

7

39.3 in (1000 mm)

45.7 in (1162 mm)1

47.3 in (1203 mm)2

54.8 in (1392 mm)1

57.7 in (1468 mm)2

38.7 in
(984 mm)

623_004

Length

174.05 in (4421 mm)

Cabin width, front1)

57.7 in (1468 mm)

Width

70.5 in (1793 mm)

Cabin width, rear

47.3 in (1203 mm)

Height

55.4 in (1409 mm)3)

Headroom, front2)

39.3 in (1000 mm)

Track width, front

61.2 in (1555 mm)

Headroom, rear

36.2 in (921 mm)

Track width, rear

60.07 in (1526 mm)

Load sill height

26.9 in (685.0 mm)

Wheelbase

102.1 in (2595 mm)

Trunk capacity

11.3 cu ft (320 l)

Trailer load
with brake at a gradient of 8 %

3968.3 lb (1800 kg)

Fuel tank capacity

13.2 gal (50.0 l)

Curb weight

3152.6 lb (1403 kg)

Drag coefficient in cw

0.30

Max. gross weight

4254.9 lb (1930 kg)

Shoulder room width
Maximum headroom
3)
excluding mirror
1)
2)

8

Body
Structure/materials
The body of the 2015 A3 Cabriolet is based on the 2015 A3
sedan. Thanks to Audi ultra-lightweight technology, convertible specific elements such as the ‘A’ pillar, front roof
frame, rear bulkhead and the underbody are designed so
they do not add undesirable weight to the vehicle.

Lightweight steel components
The front fenders, doors, convertible top box lid, trunk lid and
rear bumper cross member are made from lightweight steel.
The front bumper cross member and hood are made from
aluminum.

9

Key:

623_106

Ultra-high strength hot-formed steel
Advanced high strength steel
High strength steel
Low strength steel
Sheet aluminium
Aluminium section

10

A-pillar reinforcement
The 2015 A3 cabriolet affords a high level of safety in the
event of a rollover accident through its extremely stiff
two-component A-pillar structure.

The A-pillar is constructed with a modern high tensile
strength inner plate and a ultra-high strength hot-formed
steel reinforcement tube.

Reinforcing tube

Inner A pillar

623_107

Side member, sill, and seat cross member reinforcements
Various additional reinforcements are used to ensure the
body structure meets the high convertible specific strength
requirements in the side member, sill, seat cross member
and B-pillar areas. To provide better side impact protection, the seat cross member located between the B-pillars
is made from ultra-high strength hot-formed steel.

Seat cross-member

B-pillar with
reinforcements

Reinforcement
Side member/sill

623_108

11

Rear bulkhead
Additional body strengthening is provided by the rear
bulkhead. High strength sheet steel is used to provide
extremely high rigidity in crash relevant areas like the
rollover protection system mounting points.

This not only provides optimum safety for the vehicle
occupants, it also increases the stiffness of the occupant
cell significantly.

Rollover protection system mounting

Rear bulkhead

623_109

Door side impact reinforcement

Side impact protection

623_110

Additional reinforcements
12

Convertible top
The Audi A3 Cabriolet roof is a classical soft top design
known as a K fold system.
The frame is made of magnesium, aluminum and steel components. It opens electro-hydraulically in less than 18
seconds even while driving at speeds up to 31 mph (50 km/h).
When the top is opened it folds into three layers and is stored
in its own well.

The soft top is made from rugged materials and has an
integral heated glass rear window. This makes the A3
Cabriolet suitable even for winter use.
The complete convertible top (frame and cover) weighs
approximately 112 lb (51 kg).

Roof bow

Roof bow
Welting stitched into the convertible top cover slides
into grooves in the roof bows. The cover can be removed
and installed by pulling or pushing it from the sides,
simplifing repairs. The interior headliner clips to the
underside of the roof bows.

Convertible top cover with
sound insulating foam

Convertible top
cover welting

Roof bow

Headliner retaining strip

Headliner
623_111

13

Convertible top fabric
The convertible top cover itself is a three-layered structure.
The outer layer is made of an acrylic nitrile fabric, the
middle layer of butyl rubber while the inner layer is a polyester fabric. The cover is a three part design; it has a middle
panel and two side sections.

Convertible top cover
Sound insulating foam

Interior lining

623_112

Rear window
The glass rear window is made of 3.15
mm toughened safety glass and is
electrically heated. It is bonded to the
convertible top cover.
AM antenna (AM2, R11)
AM2 is sewn into the convertible
top material.

Tensioning strut
The tensioning strut sits on the convertible top box lid when the top is closed and
locked into position. This allows the
hydraulic system to be depressurized after
closing.

623_113

!

Note
The integrated glass rear window cannot be replaced separately from the convertible top cover.
14

Movable convertible top well
A movable convertible top well is located in the luggage
compartment of the A3 Cabriolet.
The top can only be lowered when the movable convertible
top well is in its lowest position. It is lowered manually by
using a pull handle.

Windbreak
The windbreak reduces drafts inside the vehicle for greater
comfort when driving with the top down.
It attaches to the rear side trim panels behind the front
seats and is then moved into an upright position.
The windbreak can remain installed in the vehicle when the
convertible top is closed or it can be stored in its own bag in
the luggage compartment when removed.

15

When the convertible top is closed, the movable convertible top well can be raised to provide more room in the
luggage compartment.

Convertible top box lid/service position
The convertible top box lid is a lightweight steel component that protects the top when it is down. The lid is
opened and closed by two hydraulic cylinders mounted on
the left and right hinges.
Convertible top box lid

T 10038

During repair work on the convertible top, both the top and
the convertible top box lid must be moved into a service
position. To prevent the top from closing, both knee hinges
must be pushed towards the tensioning strut at the upper
pivot point as far as the stop.

T 40306
T 40306

A tensioning strap (T10038) and two hooks (T40306) are
then attached to the top centrally at the front and rear
edges and hold the top in its assembly position.

Knee hinge

623_114

Movable convertible top well top well,
upper position

Convertible top, lower position

623_115

16

Convertible top frame
Roof bows 1 - 4 are made from extruded aluminum sections. Because of its complex design, the front roof bow is
made from high grade magnesium. The use of these materials enables the top frame to meet high standards for
stability and strength.

The convertible top frame is bolted to the car body on both
the left and right side with a main bearing attached to a
mounting plate. The position of the plate is defined by the
reference point system (RFS) of the car body during manufacturing and cannot be changed.
Roof bow tensioning strap
Front roof bow
Convertible top
locking motor

Roof bow 1
Roof bow 2
Roof bow 3

Convertible top lock
Roof bow 4

Hydraulic cylinder
for tensioning strut

Front roof
rod

AM antennas
Tensioning strut
Rear roof rod

Main side bar
Hydraulic cylinder
Convertible top box lid

Hydraulic cylinder
for tensioning strut

Rear window

Main bearing with
hydraulic cylinder for
convertible top

Hydraulic unit
Hydraulic cylinder
Convertible top box lid
623_116

Main bearing service tools

T40307

Two spacers (special tool T40307) are inserted into the left
and right main bearings from above when the top is
removed. They remain installed in the main bearings during
the time the top is removed and stored during repairs.
When the top is removed, the spacers replace the missing
stop buffers on the car body and prevent damage to the top
cover and frame.

!
17

Note
Please follow the instructions given in the Electronics Service Information during all work on the convertible top.

Hydraulic unit
An electric motor, valve block (including pump and valves)
and an oil tank make up the hydraulic unit.

The pump rotation only needs to be reversed to move the
tensioning strut into position when raising the top.

Plastic sheathed flexible metal spiral hoses connect the
hydraulic cylinders to the hydraulic unit. Relays J588 and
J321 are clipped onto the hydraulic unit and control the
operating current for the clockwise and counter-clockwise
operation of the pump.

Pump pressure is limited to 2611 psi (180 bar) by pressure
limiting valves.
When the system is at rest, the hydraulic fluid can flow
back from the hydraulic cylinders to the fluid reservoir
unpressurized. This operating feature also allows the
emergency operation of the top.

When the top is being raised or lowered, the pump runs