This Audi 5000S, 5000CS manual covers the model years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988. It includes 5000S, 5000S Turbo and 5000S Turbodiesel, 5000S Quattro, 5000CD Turbo and 5000CD Quattro, 5000CS Turbo and 5000CS Quattro, and Wagon versions of these models. This manual was created specifically to cover only those models built for sale in the United States and Canada.

Some of the information in this manual applies only to cars of a particular model year or range of years. For example, "m.y. 1986" refers to the 1986 model year. The model year does not necessarily match the calendar year in which the car was manufactured or sold. To be sure of the model year of a particular car, check the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the car. Whenever possible, changes made in production during a model year are identified in this manual by listing the VIN for the last car produced before the change, and for the first car produced after the change.

The VIN is a unique sequence of 17 characters assigned by Audi to identify each individual car. WAUHED442JA123456 is an example. Each of the 17 letters and numbers indicates certain facts about the car and its manufacture. The 7th and 8th characters are Audi's model designation. The letter in the 10th space indicates model year. The last six digits are the unique sequential production number. References to VIN in this manual will often include only the most relevant characters from the last part of the VIN, such as 442iA123456 or 44J123456 from the sample above.

Your Audi's VIN can be found on a plate mounted on the top of the instrument panel, on the driver's side where the number can be seen through the windshield, and on an identification label in the luggage compartment. This manual covers Audi 5000S, 5000S Turbo and 5000S Turbodiesel, 5000S Quattro, 5000CD Turbo and 5000CD Quattro, 5000CS Turbo and 5000CS Quattro, and Wagon versions, from model years 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988, with these VINs:

1984: WAU ... 44_E_000 001 to WAU ... 44_E_999 999
1985: WAU ... 44_F_000 001 to WAU ... 44_F_999 999
1986: WAU ... 44_G_000 001 to WAU ... 44_G_999 999
1987: WAU ... 44_H_000 001 to WAU ... 44_H_999 999
1988: WAU ... 44_J_000 001 to WAU ... 44_J_999 999

Parts of this manual apply only to certain models or components. Most pages are clearly labeled to indicate the cars or components to which the information applies. Refer to the equipment code and type information in the first Repair Group (General), and also to the Index pages at the beginning of each Repair Group. References to some model names and components in this manual are abbreviated for simplicity. "Quattro" and "All Wheel Drive" refer to Audi 5000S Quattro, 5000CD Quattro, 5000CS Quattro and Quattro Wagon models unless differences are specifically noted in greater detail. "Turbo" refers to all turbocharged gasoline engines, unless otherwise noted.