2008 AUDI A4 instrument cluster

Instruments and warning/indicator lamps 20When the vehicle has been stationary for an extended period, Audi
hold assist will automatically apply the parking brake. In this case,
the green symbol
 will change to red
.
Electro-mechanical parking brake

This warning lamp monitors the electro-mechanical
parking brake.The warning lamp
 lights up when the parking brake is applied
with the ignition on. After the ignition has been switched off the
lamp will stay on for about 30 seconds. The warning lamp will light
up for about 30 seconds if the parking brake is applied with the igni-
tion switched off.
The warning lamp should go out when the parking brake is released.
If the warning lamp flashes continuously after the parking brake has
been applied, the brake may not be strong enough to hold the
vehicle on a slope. This may be due to the brakes overheating.
Please note the following points:
•
If the gradient is too steep to park the vehicle safely, the display
will show the message Caution: Vehicle parked too steep.
•
In the event of a fault in the parking brake system the symbol

will also appear in the instrument cluster display together with the
message Parking brake! You should have the fault corrected by a
qualified workshop without delay.
Brake system

The warning lamp flashes if the brake fluid level is too low
or if there is a fault in the ABS system or the parking
brake.If the warning lamp
 flashes, there is a fault in the brake system.
The symbol
 in the instrument cluster display will flash at the same time. You can press the button to obtain a message
explaining the fault ⇒page 32.
If a failure should occur in the ABS, the ABS warning lamp
 will
light up together with the brake warning lamp
 ⇒.
WARNING
•
Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level,
observe the warning information on ⇒page 255, “Working on
components in the engine compartment”.
•
If the brake warning lamp does not go out, or if it lights up
when driving, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low – this
may cause an increased accident risk. Stop the vehicle and do not
drive on. You should obtain professional assistance.
•
If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS
warning lamp, this can mean that the control function of the ABS
is out of action. As a result the rear wheels can lock relatively
easily when braking. This could cause the tail of the vehicle to skid
sideways. Drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and
have the fault rectified.
SET
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Driver information system21
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Driver information systemIntroductionGeneral notes
The driver information system in the instrument cluster
shows you the status of various on-board systems at a
glance.The display for the driver information system is in the centre of the
instrument cluster.
The system runs a check on certain components and functions
when the ignition is switched on and while the vehicle is moving. It
gives an audible warning if a fault should occur or if servicing is
required, and a red or yellow warning symbol (in some cases with a
corresponding driver message) appears in the dashboard display.
The system will also display information for the radio and CD player
and (if fitted) the route guidance directions from the navigation
system*. For further information on these systems, please refer to
the sound system or MMI* Operating Manual.
On some models the display of information shown in the instru-
ment cluster differs from the illustrations used here.
The driver information system includes the following functions:
Note
If a fault should occur, the display will show a red or yellow warning
symbol. A red warning symbol indicates a serious malfunction
⇒page 31. A yellow warning symbol indicates a less serious
malfunction, or other item requiring attention ⇒page 35.
Fig. 8 Dashboard:
Display in instrument
cluster (automatic
gearbox)
CD and radio display
⇒page 22
Outside temperature
⇒page 22
Gear-change indicator
⇒page 22
Digital speedometer*
⇒page 23
Door catches/boot lid warning
⇒page 24
Service interval display
⇒page 24
Auto-check control*
⇒page 30
Driver messages
⇒page 30
Speed warning
⇒page 28
On-board computer*
⇒page 25
Selector lever positions for automatic gearbox*
⇒page 163
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Driver information system23
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
You can activate and deactivate the gear-change indicator
on the sound system or MMI*.
Switching the gear-change indicator on and off
– Select: Function selector button > Instrument
cluster > Suggested gear ⇒fig. 12.To familiarise yourself with the gear-change indicator, we recom-
mend driving in the normal way to start with. A gear change will be
recommended if the gear you are in is not the most economical
choice. The gear you are currently in and the recommended gear
will be displayed ⇒page 22, fig. 11.•
Shifting up a gear: The suggested gear appears to the right of the
current gear when a higher gear is recommended.
•
Shifting down a gear: The suggested gear appears to the left of
the current gear when a lower gear is recommended.
Gears may ocassionally be skipped (3 > 5). If no gear-change is
recommended, you are already in the most economical gear.Note
•
The gear-change indicator is intended to help save fuel. It is not
intended to recommend the right gear for all driving situations. In certain situations, only the driver can choose the correct gear (for
instance when overtaking, driving up a steep gradient or towing a
trailer).
•
The gear-change indicator in the instrument cluster ⇒page 22,
fig. 11 goes out when you press the clutch pedal.
Applies to vehicles: with on-board computerDigital speedometerThe display shows the current speed. The speed is displayed in
increments of 1 km/h.
Fig. 12 Display:
Switching the gear
change indicator on
and off
CAR
Fig. 13 Display: Digital
speedometer
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Driver information system 24Door catches / boot lid warning
The pictogram shows whether the doors and the boot lid,
etc. are properly closed when driving off.The door catches/boot lid warning symbol lights up if one or more
of the doors, or the bonnet or boot lid are not properly closed when
the ignition is on. The symbol also indicates which of these is not
properly closed ⇒fig. 14.
The warning symbol disappears when all the doors, the bonnet and
the boot lid are completely closed, and the driver information func-
tions selected will then be displayed again.
Service interval display
The service interval display detects when the next service
is due for your vehicle.You can see whether an oil change or service inspection is due in
the Car menu on the sound system or MMI display. There are two
display levels:•
Service reminder: When the next service date is approaching,
Service in----- km--- days ⇒fig. 15 will be shown in the instrument
cluster display each time you switch on the ignition. The number of
days and kilometres act independently of each other. Service due!
will appear in the display when the number of days reaches zero,
even if you have not yet driven the estimated number of kilometres
remaining. Similarly, Service due! will appear in the display when
Fig. 14 Display: Door
catches/boot lid
warning
Fig. 15 Instrument
cluster display: Service
interval displayFig. 16 Display:
Service interval displa
y
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Driver information system 26The following items of information are processed by the on-board
computer and can be shown one after the other on the display in the
instrument cluster.
Fuel range
The estimated fuel range is displayed in km. It shows how far the
vehicle can be driven with the amount of fuel left in the tank,
assuming the same style of driving. The fuel range is displayed in
increments of 10 km.
The fuel range is calculated on the basis of the fuel consumption
over the last 30 kilometres. The fuel range will increase accordingly
if you drive in a more economical manner.
Average fuel consumption
This mode displays the average fuel consumption since the memory
was last cancelled in litres/100 km. If required, you can use this
display to adjust your driving style to achieve the desired fuel
consumption.
Current fuel consumption
The display shows the current fuel consumption in litres/100 km. If
required, you can use this display to adjust your driving style to
achieve the desired fuel consumption.
The computer calculates the fuel consumption every 30 metres. The
display switches to l/h (litres per hour) when the vehicle is
stationary.Average speed
This mode shows the average speed driven since the memory was
last cancelled (in km/h).
Driving time
This display shows the period of time which has elapsed since the
memory was last cancelled.
Distance covered
This display shows the distance you have covered since the memory
was last cancelled.
Note
•
The displays for fuel consumption (average and current
consumption), fuel range and speed are shown in metric units. You
can change the measurement units via the sound system or MMI*.
•
The information in the memory is cancelled if the battery is
disconnected.
Applies to vehicles: with on-board computerMemory
The on-board computer has two automatic journey
memories.
Fig. 18 On-board
computer: Average fuel
consumption
Fig. 19 On-board
computer: Memory 1
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Driver information system 28•
Driving time
•
Distance covered
You can also cancel all the values in the single journey memory or
the total journey memory at the same time ⇒page 28.Note
The information in the memory is cancelled if the battery is
disconnected.Applies to vehicles: with on-board computerBasic settings for the on-board computer
The basic settings for the on-board computer can be
adjusted via the sound system or MMI*.– Select: Function selector button > Instrument
cluster > On-board computer 1 or On-board computer 2.You can zero all the values in the single journey memory or the total
journey memory at the same time by selecting the Reset menu item.
You can also define which items of information you wish to have
displayed by the on-board computer. If one of these items is
switched off, it will not appear in the display. However, the corre-
sponding figures will still be registered by the on-board computer and can be switched back on at any time so that they again appear
in the display.
Speed warning functionApplies to vehicles: with speed warning functionIntroduction
The speed warning function can help you keep below a
pre-set maximum speed.The speed warning function will warn you if the vehicle exceeds the
pre-set maximum speed. The system gives an audible warning
signal if the set speed is exceeded by about 3 km/h. A warning
symbol will also appear in the display . On some models the symbol
may look slightly different.
The speed warning function has two different warning speeds,
which operate independently and serve slightly different purposes:
Speed limit warning 1

With speed limit warning 1, the maximum speed can be changed
while driving. The speed limit that has been set remains stored until
the ignition is switched off, or until it is changed or cleared.
The speed limit warning symbol
 for speed limit warning 1 will
appear in the display if you exceed the pre-set speed. It goes out
again if the speed is reduced below the set speed limit.
The symbol also goes out if the speed is increased to more than
about 40 km/h above the set speed for at least 10 seconds. This
cancels the speed limit that was originally set.
Setting speed limit warning 1 ⇒page 29.
Speed limit warning 2

You are recommended to store this speed limit warning if you
always wish to be reminded of a particular speed limit. This could
be when driving in countries with general speed limits, or if you
Fig. 21 MMI display:
On-board computer
CAR
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Driver information system29
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data need to keep below a particular speed when winter tyres are fitted,
etc.
The speed limit warning symbol
 for speed warning 2 will appear
in the display if you exceed the pre-set speed. Unlike speed limit
warning 1, the warning symbol only goes out once the road speed
has dropped below the stored value again.
Setting speed limit warning 2 ⇒page 29.
Note
Please bear in mind that, even with the speed warning function, it is
still important to keep a check on the car's speed with the speedom-
eter and to observe the statutory speed limits.Applies to vehicles: with speed warning functionSetting speed limit warning 1
You can use the button to set, alter or cancel speed
limit warning 1.Selecting speed limit
– Drive at the desired maximum speed.
– Press the button in the instrument cluster ⇒fig. 22
for one second.Clearing speed limit
– Drive the vehicle at a minimum of 5 km/h.
– Press the button for at least 2 seconds.
The speed warning symbol
 lights up briefly in the display to
confirm that the selected speed has been stored. The speed limit
that has been set remains stored until another speed is set with a
brief push of the button, or until the memory is cleared with a long
push of the button.
When the speed limit has been cleared, the display will show a
crossed-out warning symbol .
Applies to vehicles: with speed warning functionSetting speed limit warning 2
You can use the sound system or MMI* to set, alter or
cancel speed limit warning 2.– Select: Function selector button > Instrument
cluster > Speed warning.•
Speed warning on/off - to activate or deactivate the speed
warning function ⇒fig. 23.
SET
Fig. 22 Detail of the
instrument cluster:
SET button
SET
SET
Fig. 23 Display:
Setting speed limit
warning 2
CAR
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Driver information system 30•
Speed warning - to set the speed above which a warning signal
will sound.
Speed limit warning 2 can be adjusted in increments of 10 km/h
between 30 and 240 km/h.
Auto-check controlIntroductionThe auto-check control checks important components and vehicle
systems. These background checks are run constantly, as long as
the ignition is switched on.
A message is displayed in the instrument cluster if a fault should
occur or if any maintenance or repairs are urgently required. This is
accompanied by an audible warning signal. Depending on the
priority of the fault, a red or yellow warning symbol lights up in the
display.
The red symbols indicate a serious malfunction, whereas the yellow
ones represent other malfunctions or items requiring attention.
Additional messages to assist the driver may be shown with the red
or yellow symbols.
Automatic gearbox* function test
The auto-check control automatically checks the vehicle systems
when the ignition is switched on. If the selector lever is in position
P or N, the following instruction will appear:
When stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear
When a gear (R, D etc.) is selected, this message disappears and the
auto-check control function is displayed.
The driver message will disappear 30 seconds after switching on
the ignition or earlier, if there are other driver messages or malfunc-
tions.If one or more faults are detected, the driver information message
(as above) will disappear about 15 seconds after the engine has
been started and the appropriate fault symbol(s) will appear in the
display. The warning display will be accompanied by the corre-
sponding warning chime.
Applies to vehicles: with speed warning functionDriver messages
Additional messages to assist the driver are displayed
together with the warning symbols in the instrument
cluster.For example, the following driver message will appear if the selector
lever for the automatic gearbox* is not in position P when you
switch off the engine:
Shift to P, otherwise vehicle can roll away. Doors do not lock if
lever is not in P.
The ignition key can only be withdrawn when the selector lever is in
this position. Similar messages will be displayed if other functions
of this kind cannot be carried out.
Driver messages and red symbols
If a red warning symbol appears in the display, it will automatically
be accompanied by the corresponding driver message.
Fig. 24 Instrument
cluster: SET button
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