2008 AUDI A4 Owners Manual

Audi drive select159
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Audi drive selectAdjusting the vehicle set-upApplies to vehicles: with Audi drive selectIntroductionAudi drive select allows you to use different set-ups on your vehicle.
Using the three modes COMFORT, AUTO and DYNAMIC, you can
change the set-up at the press of a button for a more comfort-
oriented or dynamic drive.
On vehicles with MMI*, you also have the INDIVIDUAL* mode, which
allows you to adapt the vehicle set-up individually to your personal
driving style. For example, you might choose to combine a more
dynamic engine set-up with a lighter steering response.Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive selectDescriptionThe possible vehicle set-up in each mode depends on which equip-
ment is installed on your vehicle. The engine and the servotronic
power steering are basic parts of your vehicle which are always
included in the set-up. In addition, you can change the characteris-
tics of the automatic gearbox*, dynamic steering* and suspension
control*.
The response of the engine and automatic gearbox* to accelerator
pedal movements will be more spontaneous or balanced,
depending on which mode you select.
The servotronic power steering ⇒page 225 will also respond to
different drive set-ups.
The dynamic steering* alters the steering ratio depending on the
road speed to optimise the amount of steering effort required by the
driver at any given time. This enables the sensitivity of the steering to be reduced at higher speeds in order to improve the handling of
the vehicle. The steering is more direct at lower speeds to minimise
the amount of steering effort required by the driver, e.g. when
manoevring in tight spaces. The dynamic steering* also provides a
more agile steering response at low and medium speeds. You can
adjust the basic characteristics of the steering in the Audi drive
select menu.
The suspension control* uses sensors to collect information on
steering movements, braking and acceleration input by the driver,
road surface quality, road speed and vehicle loading. Using this
information, the suspension can be adapted almost instantane-
ously to changing driving conditions. With Audi drive select, the
driver can choose between dynamic and comfort-oriented suspen-
sion set-ups (DYNAMIC and COMFORT modes), or opt for a more
balanced set-up (AUTO mode).
The following table provides an overview of the characteristics in
each driving mode.
If your vehicle is equipped with dynamic steering*, the servotronic
power steering settings are adjusted in the Dynamic steering*
menu.
Systems
COMFORT
AUTO
DYNAMIC
Engine or
engine/gearbox*
Balanced
Balanced
Dynamic
Steering
Comfortable
Balanced
Dynamic
Dynamic steering*
Comfortable
(indirect)
Balanced
(direct)
Dynamic
(direct)
Suspension control*
Comfortable
Balanced
Dynamic
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Audi drive select 160
Note•
You can select the sport program for gear changes on vehicles
with an automatic gearbox* by activating the DYNAMIC mode. There
is no S position on the selector lever.
•
You may hear a noise on vehicles with dynamic steering* when
you start or stop the engine. This is no cause for concern.
Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive selectSelecting the driving mode
You can choose between COMFORT, AUTO, DYNAMIC and
INDIVIDUAL*.
The control is next to the selector gate ⇒fig. 174 on vehi-
cles with sound system, or in the centre console ⇒fig. 175
on vehicles with MMI*.
– Switch on the ignition.
– Press the left or right arrow button until the desired
mode lights up in red.You can change the driving mode while the vehicle is stationary or
moving. If traffic conditions permit, take your foot off the acceler-
ator briefly after you change the mode so that the new mode is also
activated for the engine.
COMFORT
The COMFORT mode alters the vehicle set-up for a more comfort-
able ride. The response of the engine and automatic gearbox* to
accelerator pedal movements is balanced. The steering is light and
indirect* and the suspension control* is set to soft. This setting is
suitable for driving long distances on motorways for example.
AUTO
The overall impression in AUTO mode is of a comfortable but
dynamic ride. This setting is suitable for everyday use.
DYNAMIC
DYNAMIC gives the vehicle a tighter set-up. The engine reacts spon-
taneously to accelerator pedal movements and the steering is
dynamic and direct*. The suspension control* is stiffer and the
automatic gearbox* changes gear at higher engine speeds. This
setting is ideal for performance driving.
INDIVIDUAL*
You can configure this mode on the MMI according to your personal
preferences.
Fig. 174 Selector gate:
Control for Audi drive
selectFig. 175 Centre
console: Control for
Audi drive select
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Audi drive select161
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
WARNING
Always keep an eye on the traffic when using the Audi drive select
controls - Risk of accident!
Note
If you remove the ignition key, the AUTO mode will be selected auto-
matically the next time you switch on the ignition.Applies to vehicles: with MMI and Audi drive selectSettings for INDIVIDUAL driving mode
You can configure your own personal vehicle set-up on
the MMI*.– Select: Function selector button > Audi drive select
individual.To drive with the new vehicle set-up, remember to press the INDI-
VIDUAL* button ⇒page 160.
The system settings available on the MMI* depend on which equip-
ment is installed on your vehicle.
Note
Your settings in INDIVIDUAL* mode are stored automatically and
assigned to the remote control key currently in use.
Fig. 176 MMI display:
Changing the set-up
individually
CAR
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Automatic gearbox 162Automatic gearboxmultitronic
®, tiptronic (6-speed
gearbox)
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicIntroductionApplies to vehicles with multitronic
® gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled continu-
ously variable transmission (multitronic
®). Unlike conventional
automatics, the gear ratios are not shifted in fixed steps but contin-
uously variable. This gives smoother transmission and makes for
better fuel economy.
The gearbox selects the gear ratio and shifts up or down automati-
cally according to the gear change programmes stored in the
control unit ⇒page 166.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Please note that on vehicles with a multitronic® gearbox, torque is
transmitted via a multi-plate clutch, and not via a torque converter
as on conventional automatics. This means that the car will not
“creep” as much as conventional automatics when the engine is
idling if you stop temporarily with the selector lever in position D, S
or R.
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed
automatic gearbox. The gearbox changes up and down automati-
cally.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicGeneral notes on using multitronic
®
The gears are changed automatically.Driving away from a standstill
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the button in the
selector lever handle), move the selector lever to the
desired position, for instance D, and release the interlock
button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight move-
ment can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle when stationary
(for instance at traffic lights).
Fig. 177 Detail of the
centre console:
Selector lever with
interlock button
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Automatic gearbox163
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– To prevent the vehicle from rolling away, apply the
parking brake before moving off on steep gradients
⇒.
– As soon as you accelerate as normal, the parking brake
will automatically be released and the vehicle will start
moving.
Pa rking the c ar
– Press and hold the brake pedal ⇒.
– Apply the parking brake.
– Press and hold the interlock button, move the selector
lever to P and release the interlock button.The engine c an only be started when the selector lever is at P or N.
On level ground it is sufficient to move the selector lever to P. On a
gradient the parking brake should be applied first and the selector
lever should be moved to P. This reduces the load on the locking
mechanism and makes it easier to move the selector lever out of
position P.
Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: Your vehicle is equipped with
the hill hold assist function which makes it easier to drive away on
a slope. The system is activated when you press and hold the brake
pedal for a few seconds. When you release the brake pedal the
braking force will be maintained for a moment in order to prevent
the vehicle rolling back when you drive away.
WARNING
•
Do not press the accelerator while selecting a gear with the
vehicle stationary and the engine running, as this could cause an
accident.
•
Please note that some power will still be transmitted when you
stop temporarily with the selector lever in position D, S or R. For this reason, to avoid risking an accident, apply the footbrake firmly
when stopping to prevent the vehicle rolling away.
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving, as this
could cause an accident.
•
Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: Please note that some
power will still be transmitted when you stop temporarily with the
selector lever in position D, S or R. For this reason, to avoid risking
an accident, apply the footbrake firmly when stopping to prevent
the vehicle rolling away.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicSelector lever positions
This section covers all the selector lever positions.The current selector lever position is shown in the instrument
cluster display.
P - Parking lock
This locks the driving wheels mechanically. The parking lock must
only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary ⇒.
The interlock button (the button in the selector lever handle) must
be pressed in and the brake pedal must be depressed before
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 178 Display:
Selector lever posi-
tions
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Automatic gearbox 164moving the selector lever either in or out of position P. The lever can
only be moved out of position P when the ignition is on.
R - Reverse gear
When reverse gear is engaged the gearbox automatically selects the
lowest gear ratio.
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary
and the engine is idling ⇒.
To move the selector lever to position R, press in the interlock
button and at the same time press the brake pedal. Depending on
the model, one or two reversing lights will come on in selector lever
position R (when ignition is switched on).
N - Neutral
In this position the gearbox is in neutral ⇒.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically selects the best gear
ratio. This depends on the engine load, the road speed and the
dynamic gear control program (DCP).
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to D if
the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
In some situations (such as on mountain roads or when towing a
trailer or caravan) it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to
tiptronic mode ⇒page 166, so that the gear ratios can be selected
manually to suit the driving conditions.
S - Sport position
Select this position if you wish to take full advantage of the car's
performance. This setting makes use of the engine's maximum
power output. When accelerating the gear shifts will be noticeable.
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to S if
the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
WARNING
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving, as this
could cause an accident.
•
In selector position D or S the vehicle must always be held with
the foot brake when the engine is running. This is because an auto-
matic gearbox still transmits power even at idling speed, and the
vehicle tends to “creep”. The throttle must on no account be
opened inadvertently (for instance by hand from the engine
compartment) when a gear is engaged with the vehicle stationary.
The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately (in some
cases even if the parking brake is engaged) and possibly cause an
accident.
•
To avoid accidents, apply the parking brake and put the
selector lever in position P before opening the bonnet and working
on the vehicle with the engine running. Please observe the impor-
tant safety warnings ⇒page 255, “Working on components in the
engine compartment”.Note
You can select the sport program for gear changes on vehicles with
Audi drive select* by activating the DYNAMIC mode. There is no S
position on the selector lever.•
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox:
•
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, release the
accelerator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting
D or S again.
•
For the sake of fuel economy (and the environment), the gearbox
ratios on some models are designed so that maximum speed is only
obtained when the selector lever is at position S.
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Automatic gearbox165
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicSelector lever lock
The selector lever lock prevents gears from being
engaged inadvertently, so that the vehicle is not set in
motion unintentionally.The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch on the ignition.
– Press the brake pedal and at the same time press in the
interlock button.Automatic selector lever lock
The selector lever is locked in the P and N positions when the igni-
tion is on. The brake pedal must be depressed before the lever can
be moved out of either of these positions. The following message
appears in the instrument display as a reminder for the driver when
the selector lever is in position P or N:
WHEN STATIONARY APPLY FOOTBRAKE WHILE SELECTING GEAR.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or
driving at speeds up to 5 km/h. At higher speeds the selector lever
lock in the N position is disengaged automatically.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved
quickly through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible, for instance, to “rock” the vehicle backwards and
forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The selector lever lock
engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the
lever is in position N for more than about a second.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever handle prevents the driver
from inadvertently engaging particular gears. Press the button in to
disengage the selector lever lock. The illustration shows the selector
lever positions in which the button has to be pressed, highlighted in
colour ⇒fig. 179.
Safety interlock for ignition key
The key can only be withdrawn with the ignition switched off and
the selector lever in position P. When the ignition key is removed,
the selector lever is locked in position P.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicKick-down feature
The kick-down feature is designed to give maximum
acceleration.Applies to vehicles with multitronic
® gearbox
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of
resistance at full throttle, the gearbox will select a lower gear ratio,
depending on road speed and engine speed. While you keep the
accelerator depressed the engine speed is automatically controlled
to give your vehicle maximum acceleration.
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of
resistance at full throttle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower
gear, depending on road speed and engine speed. The upshift to the
next higher gear is delayed until the engine reaches maximum rpm.
Fig. 179 Selector lever
lock functions
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Automatic gearbox 166
WARNING
Please note that if the road surface is slippery or wet, the kick-
down feature could cause the driving wheels to spin, which could
result in skidding.Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicDynamic gear control program (DCP)
The automatic gearbox is controlled electronically.The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled gearbox.
The gear ratios are selected automatically according to preset gear-
shift programmes.
When you drive at moderate speeds the gearbox will select the most
economical shift programme. It will then change up early and delay
the downshifts to give better fuel economy.
If you drive at higher speeds with heavy acceleration, if you open the
throttle quickly, or if you use the kick-down or the car's maximum
speed, the gearbox will automatically select the more “sporty” shift
programmes.
The gearbox is self-adapting, and continuously selects the most
suitable shift programme. At the same time, the driver can also
make the gearbox switch to a more "sporty" programme by pressing
the accelerator quickly. Depending on road speed, this makes the
gearbox shift down early into a lower gear ratio for more rapid accel-
eration (for instance to pass another vehicle), without having to
press the accelerator all the way down into the kick-down position.
After the gearbox has shifted back up it returns to the original
programme, depending on your style of driving.
Vehicles with multitronic® gearbox: The gearbox continuously
adapts the gear ratios on uphill gradients. If the brake pedal is
pressed on a downhill gradient the gearbox automatically shifts to
a lower gear ratio. This increases the engine braking effect.Vehicles with tiptronic gearbox: The gearbox adapts the gearshifts
for uphill and downhill gradients. This prevents the gearbox from
shifting up and down unnecessarily on uphill gradients.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicManual gear selection (tiptronic mode)
With the manual shift programme (tiptronic) the driver
can manually select pre-programmed gears.Switching over to the manual programme
– From position D, push the selector lever to the right. As
soon as the automatic gearbox has changed over to this
programme, the display will show the selected gear.
Fig. 180 Centre
console: Manual gear
selection (tiptronic
mode)Fig. 181 Display:
Manual gear selection
(tiptronic mode)
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