2008 AUDI A4 main

Driving119
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
–Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal and move the
selector lever to position P or N ⇒.
–Press the Start/Stop button ⇒page 118, fig. 131 to start
the engine.
– Diesel engines can take a few seconds longer than usual
to star t on cold days. Please keep your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal until the engine starts. The glow plug indi-
cator lamp

lights up in the instrument cluster while
the glow plugs are preheating.
If you press the Start/Stop button without pressing the clutch or
brake pedal, the ignition will be switched on (and will be switched
off if you press the button again). Diesel engines are preheated
when the ignition is switched on.
If the engine fails to start straight-away, switch off the starter after
about 10 seconds and try again after about half a minute.
When starting from cold the engine may be a little noisy for the first
few seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic tappets.
This is quite normal and no cause for concern.
Driver message in the instrument cluster display
No key identified
This message appears when you press the Start/Stop button if there
is no remote control key inside the vehicle or if the system cannot
detect or identify the key. This can happen, for example, if the radio
signal from the key is obstructed by a metal briefcase or similar.
Electronic equipment, such as mobile phones, can also interfere
with the radio signal from the key.
Press brake pedal to start engine
This message appears on automatic vehicles if you press the
Start/Stop button to start the engine without first pressing the
brake pedal. The engine will only start if you press the brake pedal.Press clutch pedal to start engine
This message appears on manual vehicles if you press the
Start/Stop button to start the engine without first pressing the
clutch pedal. The engine will only star t if you press the clutch pedal.
Engage N or P to start engine
This message will appear if you try to start the engine when the
selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not in P or N. The engine
can only be started if the selector lever is in one of these positions.
Key not in vehicle
This message will appear together with the symbol
 if the remote
control key is removed from the vehicle while the engine is running.
This is to remind you not to continue driving without the key (for
example if you change drivers).
If the remote control key is not in the vehicle you will not be able to
switch on the ignition or restart the engine after it has been
switched off. Without the key, you will also not be able to lock the
vehicle from the outside.
Shift to P, otherwise vehicle can roll away. Doors do not lock if lever
is not in P. or Please move selector lever to position P. Vehicle
cannot be locked.
For safety reasons, this message will appear and a warning buzzer
will sound if the selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not in
position P when you switch off the ignition with the Start/Stop
button. Put the selector lever in position P; otherwise the vehicle
can roll away. If the lever is not in position P you will not be able to
lock the vehicle using the exterior locking switch on the door handle
or the remote control key.
Advanced key defective! Use ignition lock
This message appears if the vehicle has to be started with the igni-
tion key instead of the Start/Stop button.
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Driving121
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data start running again after some time if the coolant temperature rises
due to a build-up of heat, or if the engine is hot and the engine
compartment is heated up further by direct sunlight.
Electro-mechanical parking brakeOperation
The electro-mechanical parking brake replaces the hand-
brake.– Pull switch ⇒fig. 132 to apply the parking brake. The
indicator lamp in the switch will light up.
– Depress the brake or accelerator pedal and press the
switch at the same time to release the parking brake. The
indicator lamp in the switch will go out.Your vehicle is equipped with an electro-mechanical parking brake.
The parking brake replaces the conventional handbrake, and is
mainly intended to prevent the vehicle from rolling away acciden-
tally.
However, the electro-mechanical parking brake also offers a number
of convenience and safety features in addition to the functions of a
normal handbrake.When driving away
•
The parking brake auto release function releases the parking
brake automatically when you wish to start moving ⇒page 122,
“Driving away from a standstill”.
•
When driving away on a gradient, the parking brake auto release
function prevents the vehicle from rolling back unintentionally. The
braking force of the parking brake is only released when there is
enough power at the wheels to make the vehicle move in the desired
direction.
Emergency braking function
An emergency braking function enables you to stop the vehicle even
if the conventional foot brake should fail to work ⇒page 123,
“Emergency braking function”.
Warning and indicator lamps
•
The warning lamps
 in the instrument cluster and in the switch
light up when the parking brake is applied with the ignition
switched on.
•
The warning lamps
 in the instrument cluster and switch light
up for approximately 20 seconds when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition switched off.
WARNING
Never press the accelerator pedal or release the clutch inadvert-
ently if a gear is engaged or if the selector lever is not in position
P or N (on automatic vehicles) while the vehicle is stationary with
the engine running. The vehicle could otherwise start moving
immediately and possibly cause an accident.
Caution
If the symbol
 flashes in the centre display, or if the warning lamp
 flashes in the instrument cluster, there is a fault in the brake
system. You can press the button to obtain a message
explaining the fault. If the message Parking brake ! appears, there is
Fig. 132 Centre
console: Parking brake
AA
SET
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Driving123
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data braking force of the parking brake is only released when there is
enough power at the wheels to make the vehicle move in the desired
direction.
Note
For safety reasons the parking brake will only release automatically
if the driver's seat belt is engaged in its buckle.Driving away when towing a trailer
Please note the following points to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back unintentionally on a gradient.– Pull and hold the parking brake switch and press the
accelerator. The parking brake will remain engaged and
prevent any tendency to roll back down the slope.
– You can release the parking brake switch as soon as the
engine is delivering enough power to the wheels.Depending on the weight of the vehicle and trailer and the steep-
ness of the slope, there may be a tendency to roll back downhill
when driving away from a standstill. You can prevent this by pulling
out the parking brake switch as you press the accelerator (in the
same way as with a conventional handbrake).Emergency braking function
This feature enables you to stop the vehicle if the main
brake system should fail or if the pedal is obstructed.– Pull out and hold the parking brake switch to stop the
vehicle with the parking brake in an emergency.
– The brakes will be released immediately if you release the
switch or press down the accelerator.
If you pull out and hold the parking brake switch at a road speed
above about 8 km/h, this will initiate an emergency brake applica-
tion. The brakes are then applied hydraulically at all four wheels.
The effect is the same as an emergency stop (full brake application)
⇒
To prevent the emergency braking function from being used acci-
dentally, a warning buzzer sounds when the switch is operated. The
brakes are released immediately when you release the switch or
press down the accelerator.
WARNING
You should only use the emergency braking function in a real
emergency, for example if the brake system should fail or if the
brake pedal is obstructed. If you use the emergency braking func-
tion by activating the parking brake switch, the effect is similar to
a full brake application (emergency stop). Please remember that
the ESP (with its combined ABS, EDL and traction control func-
tions) is still subject to certain physical limits. In a corner or in bad
road or weather conditions an emergency stop can cause the
vehicle to skid or lose steering control.Driver messages in the instrument cluster displayCaution: Vehicle parked too steep
This message can appear when you apply the parking brake if the
car is parked on a gradient steeper than about 30%.
In this case the parking brake may not be strong enough to prevent
the vehicle from rolling back accidentally.
Please release parking brake
However, please remember that, for safety reasons, the parking
brake will only release automatically if the driver's seat belt is
buckled.
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Driving125
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data lights or in stop-and-go traffic. When the Audi hold assist function
is on, you don't have to keep your foot on the brake to prevent the
vehicle from accidentally rolling away. Once it detects that the
vehicle is stopped, Audi hold assist keeps the vehicle stationary. The
green symbol
 in the instrument cluster indicates that the func-
tion is activated. You can now take your foot off the brake pedal.
As soon as you drive off in the normal way, the parking brake will
automatically be released and the vehicle will start moving.
If the conditions for Audi hold assist change and the function is
switched off as a result, the parking brake will be applied automati-
cally to ensure that the vehicle is parked safely. The diode in the
button will go out when the Audi hold assist function is switched
off.
WARNING
The intelligent technology in Audi hold assist cannot defy the laws
of physics. Do not let the extra convenience provided by Audi hold
assist tempt you into taking a safety risk.•
Audi hold assist cannot keep the vehicle stationary in all condi-
tions on a gradient (e.g. if the road is slippery or icy).
•
Audi hold assist must be switched on again each time the
engine is started – Risk of accident!
•
Never get out of the vehicle when the engine is running and
Audi hold assist is switched on – Risk of accident!
•
Always ensure that the vehicle is stopped properly and safely
to avoid injury to yourself and others.Caution
Switch off the Audi hold assist function before driving the vehicle
into a car wash.
Note
•
Audi hold assist can be switched on only when the driver's door
is closed, the driver's seat belt is buckled and the engine is running.
•
Audi hold assist prevents automatic vehicles from creeping
forwards when the brake pedal is released with the car in gear.
•
When the vehicle has been stationary for an extended period,
Audi hold assist will automatically apply the parking brake. In this
case, the green symbol
 in the instrument cluster display will
change to red
.
Cruise control systemApplies to vehicles: with cruise control systemSwitching on
The cruise control system allows you to drive at a
constant speed of 30 km/h or higher.
Fig. 134 Control lever
and pushbutton
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Driving 126
– Pull the lever to position ⇒page 125, fig. 134 to
switch on the system.
– Drive at the speed you wish to set the system to.
– Press the button marked to store the speed.The display will indicate the stored speed, and the green symbol

will appear ⇒fig. 135. The display can vary according to the display
status. In addition, the indicator lamp
 in the instrument cluster
will light up.
A constant speed is maintained by adjusting the engine power or
braking the vehicle accordingly.
WARNING
•
Always direct your full attention to the road, even when you are
using the cruise control system. It is always the driver who is
responsible for determining the speed and for keeping a safe
distance to the other vehicles on the road.
•
For safety reasons, the cruise control system must not be used
in city traffic, stop-and-go traffic, roads with a lot of bends or in
difficult driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose grit or gravel,
heavy rain, aquaplaning) - this could cause an accident!
•
When you take a turn-off, drive along a motorway exit lane or
pass through roadwork sections, please temporarily switch off the
cruise control system.
•
Please make sure you do not unintentionally rest your foot on
the accelerator - this will override the cruise control system which,
as a result, will not brake the vehicle.Note
•
Vehicles with manual gearbox: The set speed cannot be reached
if the currently selected gear is too high or too low. Change down to
a lower gear if the engine is no longer running smoothly or change
up a gear to avoid overrevving the engine.
•
The brake lights come on when the system brakes the vehicle.
Applies to vehicles: with cruise control systemAdjusting the speed– Push the lever up towards or down towards
⇒page 125, fig. 134 in order to increase or reduce the
cruising speed setting.
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.You can alter the set speed in steps of 1 km/h by briefly pressing the
lever upwards or downwards. When you press and hold the lever,
the speed is changed in steps of 10 km/h.
You can still use the accelerator pedal to increase speed in the
normal way, for example to overtake another vehicle. Once you
release the accelerator, the system will revert to the speed you
stored initially.
However, if the vehicle exceeds the programmed speed by more
than 10 km/h for more than 5 minutes, the cruise control system will
Fig. 135 Display:
Selected speed
AA
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AB
WARNING (continued)
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Driving127
Controls
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Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data be deactivated temporarily. The green symbol in the display will
change to white but the stored speed will be retained.
Applies to vehicles: with cruise control systemPre-selecting a speed
You can pre-select a desired speed while the vehicle is
stationary.– Switch on the ignition.
– Pull the lever to position 1 ⇒page 125, fig. 134.
– Push the lever up towards or down towards in
order to increase or reduce the cruising speed setting.
– Release the lever to store the cruising speed setting
displayed.This function allows you to enter the desired cruise control setting
speed ahead of time, for example before joining a motorway. Once
you are on the motorway, you can activate the cruise control system
by pulling the lever to position .Applies to vehicles: with cruise control systemSwitching off the cruise control systemSwitching off temporarily
– Press the brake pedal, or
– Manual gearbox: Press the clutch pedal for a relatively
long period, or
– Push lever to position (click stop not engaged)
⇒page 125, fig. 134, or– Drive more than 10 km/h faster than the stored speed
over a period of more than 5 minutes.
Switching off completely
– Press the lever to position (click stop engaged), or
– Switch off the ignition.
The speed setting will remain stored after the system is temporarily
deactivated. To resume the programmed cruising speed, release the
clutch or brake pedal and pull the lever to position .
The stored speed will be deleted once the ignition is switched off.
WARNING
Do not resume the programmed cruising speed if this is too high
for the traffic conditions - this can cause accidents.
AA
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A1
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adaptive cruise control (ACC) 128adaptive cruise control (ACC)Speed and distance control systemApplies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlDescription
The adaptive cruise control is a combined speed and
distance control system to assist the driver.Adaptive cruise control allows you to maintain any desired constant
speed between 30 and 200 km/h. In addition, the system controls
the distance maintained to the vehicle in front (subject to certain
limitations as described below).
The system can be used to greatest effect on long motorway jour-
neys or on other main roads with long straight sections.
How is the system operated?
The adaptive cruise control system is operated via a control lever on
the steering wheel ⇒page 131, “Setting the speed” and
⇒page 133, “Setting the distance”.Driver messages
When the system is being used, important information is displayed
in the speedometer and on the instrument cluster display screen
⇒page 134, “Driver messages”.
Please note the following points:
The adaptive cruise control has certain limits determined by the
system itself. This means that the driver may in some situations
have to intervene and control the speed and distance to the vehicle
in front himself ⇒page 138, “Driver intervention prompt” and
⇒page 140, “System limitations”.
WARNING
Please always direct your full attention to the road, even when you
are using adaptive cruise control. It is always the driver who is
responsible for determining the speed and for keeping a safe
distance to the other vehicles on the road.•
For safety reasons, the adaptive cruise control must not be
used in city traffic, stop-go traffic, roads with a lot of bends or in
difficult driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose grit or gravel,
heavy rain, aquaplaning) - this could cause an accident!
•
When you take a turn-off, drive along a motorway exit lane or
pass through roadwork sections, please temporarily switch off the
adaptive cruise control in order to avoid the vehicle accelerating to
the selected speed.
•
The adaptive cruise control can only control the distance to
vehicles in front. As a rule, it cannot recognize vehicles travelling
in other lanes. For this reason, please temporarily switch off the
system if you are travelling in the inside lane and vehicles in the
overtaking lane are travelling at a slower speed than you are.
Otherwise, you would overtake these vehicles on the inside.
Fig. 136 Trim grille
(front right): Position of
radar sensor
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)129
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
Adaptive cruise control will not react when approaching a
stationary obstacle, e.g. the end of a traffic jam or a broken-down
vehicle, or if a vehicle should come towards you in the same lane.
•
Please make sure you do not unintentionally rest your foot on
the accelerator - this will override the adaptive cruise control
system which, as a result, will not automatically brake the vehicle.Note
•
For safety reasons, the speed setting will be deleted when the
ignition is switched off.
•
Switching on the adaptive cruise control automatically activates
the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) and the traction control
system (ASR). These two systems cannot be deactivated while the
adaptive cruise control is switched on.
•
Damage caused by impacts (e.g. if the vehicle is damaged when
parking) can affect the radar sensor settings. This can cause the
system to malfunction or switch off completely.
•
The radar sensor is heated. However, in winter conditions, you
should make sure that the radar sensor is free of ice and snow
before you set off. If necessary, carefully clean the cover of the radar
sensor and the surrounding area ⇒page 128, fig. 136.
•
To make sure that the radar sensor is fully operative, do not
attach any objects (e.g. stickers, add-on parts or other accessories)
to the area surrounding the radar sensor. Do not paint the area
surrounding the radar sensor.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise control and manual gearboxVehicles with manual gearbox
The driver of a vehicle with a manual gearbox of course
has to change gears as appropriate, even when the adap-
tive cruise control is activated.The adaptive cruise control is available from the second to the sixth
gear (when driven in normal engine speed range).
When the adaptive cruise control is activated, the driver must press
the clutch pedal as normal in order to change gear. When changing
gear or pressing the clutch pedal (for up to 20 seconds), the adap-
tive cruise control will remain activated.
When changing gear, the driver does not have to accelerate after
engaging a gear as the engine torque will be coordinated by the
adaptive cruise control.
The following situations may lead to an automatic deactivation of
the adaptive cruise control:•
pressing the clutch pedal too long (longer than approx.
20 seconds)
•
incorrect changing of gears and/or use of the clutch pedalNote
•
The adaptive cruise control cannot be activated while changing
gears.
WARNING (continued)
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