2008 AUDI A4 headlight

Lights and vision57
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Lights and visionLightsSwitching lights on and off

Switching on automatic headlights* (AUTO)
– Turn the light switch to AUTO ⇒fig. 54.
Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching on dipped headlights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position O.
The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on.
The symbol
 next to the light switch will light up when the side
lights or headlights are on.Automatic headlight control (AUTO)*
When the switch is set to AUTO, the headlights switch on automati-
cally according to the ambient light conditions, for instance in a
tunnel, at sunset, or in the rain or snow. The
 symbol lights up
when the dipped headlights are on. The headlights are switched on,
regardless of the light conditions, when you switch on the fog
lights.
The headlights are switched off automatically when you switch off
the ignition.
On vehicles with a rain sensor, the headlights switch on automati-
cally after several windscreen wiper cycles. The instrument lighting
does not switch on, however.
While using the automatic headlights you can activate the main
beam headlights as normal if this function has been activated in the
MMI. However, if you switch on the main beam headlights while
using the AUTO function and then do not switch back to the dipped
headlights setting, only the dipped headlights will come on the next
time you switch on the AUTO function. To be able to use the main
beam headlights again you must first pull the main beam lever back
to the "off" position and then push it forward to "on".
Malfunction of light sensor
If a malfunction should occur in the light sensor, the instrument
cluster will show the message:
 Automatic headlights / automatic wipers defective
For safety reasons, the dipped beam headlights will then be
switched on permanently when the light switch is set to the AUTO
position. However, you can still switch the lights on and off in the
normal way with the light switch. You should have the light sensor
checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Fig. 54 Dashboard:
Light switch
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 57 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision 58
WARNING
The automatic headlights are only intended to assist the driver.
The driver must always ensure that the headlights are used when
required, and may have to switch the m o n m a n u a l l y when the light
conditions or visibility are poor. For example, the light sensors are
not able to detect fog. Therefore, you should always switch on the
headlights
 in these conditions and when driving after dark.
Note
•
The light sensor for automatic headlight control is located in the
mounting for the interior mirror. Do not affix any stickers on this
section of the windscreen to avoid malfunctioning of the sensor.
•
Some of the settings for the exterior lighting can be adjusted
⇒page 59.
•
If the lights are left on after the key has been taken out of the
ignition lock, a buzzer sounds when the driver's door is opened.
•
The use of the lighting described here is subject to the relevant
statutory requirements.
•
The coming home/leaving home function is active only when the
light switch is set to AUTO.
Fog lights
– Press button ⇒fig. 55 to switch on the front fog lights
.
– Press button to switch on the rear fog lights
.
Front fog lights
The side lights or headlights must be switched on. The green diode
at the edge of the switch lights up when the front fog lights are
switched on.
When the headlights are set to AUTO, the dipped headlights are
switched on automatically when you switch on the front fog lights.
Rear fog lights
The headlights or side lights and the front fog lights must be
switched on.
The yellow diode at the edge of the switch lights up when the rear
fog lights are switched on.
If you are towing a trailer or caravan equipped with a rear fog light
on a vehicle with a factory-fitted towing bracket, only the rear fog
light on the trailer or caravan will light up.
Caution
To avoid dazzling the traffic behind you, the rear fog light should
only be used in accordance with statutory regulations.
Fig. 55 Switch for
front fog lights
A1A2
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 58 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision59
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Exterior lighting settings
You can change the settings for these functions on the
sound system or MMI*.Important: .
– Select: Function selector button > Exterior lighting.coming home
The coming home function lights up the area round the vehicle after
dark when the ignition has been switched off and the driver's door
opened. This function can be set to operate for a time interval
between 0 (off) and 60 seconds. The coming home function is oper-
ational when the light switch is set to AUTO.
leaving home
The leaving home function lights up the area round the vehicle after
dark when the vehicle is unlocked. The function can be switched on
or off as required. The leaving home function is operational when
the light switch is set to AUTO.
Automatic headlights*
The sensitivity of the light sensor (i.e. how soon the lights are
switched on) can be adjusted.Daytime running lights*
The daytime running lights are switched on and off together with
the ignition.
On vehicles for some markets the daytime running lights cannot be
switched off if the vehicle has halogen headlights.
Headlamp converter* for driving abroad
The asymmetric low beams of the headlights are designed to light
up the near side of the road more intensely. If you drive a right-hand
drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, you will
dazzle oncoming traffic.
Vehicles with xenon headlights*: The headlamp converter should be
switched on to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
Vehicles with halogen headlights: Opaque stickers should be
applied to certain parts of the headlight lenses. For further informa-
tion, please consult an Audi dealer or other qualified workshop.
Instrument lighting
The background lighting of the instruments, the centre
console and the display can be adjusted as required.– Briefly press the knob to release it.
Fig. 56 Display: Exte-
rior lighting
CAR
Fig. 57 Instrument
lighting
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 59 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision 60
– Turn the button clockwise +” to increase the brightness
of the instrument lighting in dark conditions.
– Turn the button anti-clockwise -” to reduce the bright-
ness of the instrument lighting in dark conditions.
– Press the knob in again to prevent the setting from being
changed unintentionally.The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illu-
mination and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a
light sensor incorporated in the instrument cluster. In bright condi-
tions any changes made to the brightness of the instrument lighting
have no effect.
Note
The instrument lighting (illumination of dials and needles) is
switched on when the ignition is on and the vehicle's lights are off.
The instrument lighting is dimmed automatically as the daylight
starts to fade; it is switched off completely when the light condi-
tions become very poor. This function is intended to remind the
driver to switch on the dipped-beam headlights in good time when
light conditions become poor.
Applies to vehicles: with headlight range controlHeadlight range control

When the dipped beam headlights are switched on, the
range of the headlights can be adjusted to suit the load
being carried.– Turn the thumbwheel
 ⇒fig. 58 to the appropriate
setting.
Adjustment settings
The settings correspond roughly to the following load conditions:
Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty
All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty
All seats occupied, luggage compartment loaded
Driver only, luggage compartment loaded
Caution
Always adjust the headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
Make sure you lower the headlights when the vehicle is carrying a
heavy load.
Fig. 58 Headlight
range control
AOAIAIIAIII
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 60 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision61
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with xenon headlight bulbsDynamic headlight range controlHeadlights with xenon gas-discharge bulbs automatically adapt to
suit the load being carried when the engine is switched on. The
headlights are also automatically adjusted when the vehicle is in
motion (e.g. when accelerating and braking).Applies to vehicles: with adaptive lightadaptive light
This feature provides better illumination when you drive
through a corner.The adaptive light gives better illumination of the bend and the side
of the road when driving through a corner ⇒fig. 59. The adaptive
light is controlled automatically, depending on the speed of the
vehicle and the steering wheel angle.
The headlights are regulated automatically when you drive through
a corner, depending on how far you turn the steering wheel. To
avoid having a dark spot in front of the vehicle the two headlights
are directed at different angles.
Note
The system is active at speeds from approximately 10 km/h to
110 km/h.Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to make other road
users aware of your vehicle in hazardous situations.– Press the switch
 to switch the hazard warning lights
on or off ⇒fig. 60.
All four turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning
lights are switched on. The two turn signal indicator lamps
  and
the indicator lamp in the switch
 will flash at the same time. The
hazard warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
The hazard warning lights come on automatically in the event of an
accident in which an airbag is triggered or in the case of an emer-
gency stop (full brake application).
Note
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road
users, for instance:
Fig. 59 adaptive light
when driving
Fig. 60 Switch for
hazard warning lights
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 61 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision 62•
When reaching the tail end of a traffic jam
•
If your vehicle breaks down or there is an emergency
•
If your vehicle is being towed away, or if you are towing another
vehicle.
Turn signal and main beam lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the
following functions:
Turn signals
 
– Move the lever all the way up to indicate right, or all the
way down to indicate left ⇒fig. 61.
– Move the lever briefly up or down just as far as the point
of resistance and then release it: the turn signals will
flash three times.
– Move the lever up or down just as far as the point of
resistance and hold it there: the turn signals flash for as
long as you hold the lever.Main beam headlights

– Press the lever forward to switch on the main beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam
headlights off again.
Headlight flasher

– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the
flasher.
Parking lights

– Switch off the ignition.
– Move the lever up or down to turn on the right or left-
hand parking lights respectively.Notes on these functions•
The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The
corresponding indicator lamp
 or
 flashes in the instrument
cluster.
•
The turn signals are cancelled automatically when the steering
wheel is returned to the straight-ahead position.
•
The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped
beam headlights are already on. The main beam headlight indicator
lamp  then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever –
even if no other lights are switched on. The main beam headlight
indicator lamp
 then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the
rear light on one side of the car light up with reduced intensity. The
parking lights will only work with the ignition off. A warning buzzer
will sound for as long as the driver's door is open.
Fig. 61 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 62 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision63
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Caution
Do not use the main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if this
would dazzle oncoming traffic.Interior lightsFront interior lights
The front interior lighting also incorporates the reading
lights for the driver and passenger.The rocker switch ⇒fig. 62 for the interior light has the
following functions:
Courtesy light position
– Move switch to the centre position.
Interior light switched on
– Move switch to position I.
Interior light switched off
– Move switch to position O.Front reading lights

– Press one of the switches ⇒fig. 62 to switch the left
or right reading light on and off.If you switch on the courtesy lighting, the interior lights come on
automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or the doors are opened.
The light also comes on when the key is pulled out of the ignition. It
goes out approximately 30 seconds after the doors are closed. The
interior light is switched off immediately when the vehicle is locked
or when the ignition is switched on.
If a door is left open, the light is switched off after about 10 minutes
to prevent the battery from running flat.
The brightness of the light is automatically adjusted by a dimmer
when it is switched on.Rear interior lights
Reading lights are also provided for rear passengers.The reading lights are switched on and off with the switches
.
Fig. 62 Headliner:
Front interior
lighting/reading lights
AA
AAAAAA
AB
Fig. 63 Headliner: Rear
reading lights
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 63 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09

Lights and vision67
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Note
•
Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full before starting a long
journey. Filling the reservoir ⇒page 267.
•
Worn or dirty wiper blades can cause smearing on the glass
which can also impair the effectiveness of the rain sensor. Please
check the wiper blades regularly.
Applies to vehicles: with headlight washersHeadlight washer systemThe headlight washer system only operates when the lights
are switched on.
– Move the automatic wash and wipe lever to position
⇒page 65, fig. 67.The headlight washer system is always activated the first time you
operate the automatic wash and wipe. Subsequently, it is only acti-
vated about every five wash and wipe cycles. The headlights are
always washed if you hold the lever for longer than about
2seconds.
The headlight washer jets come out of the bumper automatically
(under water pressure).
Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the lenses at regular
intervals, for instance when stopping for fuel.
To ensure that the system works properly in winter, keep the nozzle
holders free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer spray.
Service position
Use the service position to change the wiper blades.You can set the wipers to the service position on the sound
system or MMI*.
– If the wiper blades are not frozen to the windscreen,
move the windscreen wiper lever to the "off" position
⇒page 65, fig. 67.
– Select: Function selector button > Windscreen
wipers > Service position ⇒fig. 68.•
on - the wiper blades can only be replaced when the wiper arms
are in the service position ⇒fig. 69. If you only work on the wipers
A5
Fig. 68 Display: Wind-
screen wipersFig. 69 Service posi-
tion
A0
CAR
document_0900452a81b1b9de.book Seite 67 Donnerstag, 26. Juli 2007 9:16 09