2008 AUDI A4 ignition

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Lights and vision65
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– To retract the sun blind automatically when reversing,
select: Function selector button > Windows >
Automatic rear blind > on.If you switch the Automatic rear blind function on in the sound
system or MMI*, the raised sun blind will be retracted automatically
when reverse gear is engaged ⇒page 55. In this way, the rear blind
will not obstruct your vision when reversing. The rear blind returns
to its raised position when reverse gear is disengaged and the
vehicle is driven forwards at a speed above about 15 km/h. The
current setting is automatically stored and assigned to the remote
control key.
If the rear blind was rolled in automatically when reversing and then
the ignition was switched off and on again, the blind will not roll
back out again when you select a forward gear and the speed
exceeds 15 km/h. You will then have to press the button
 on the
centre console to extend the blind again.
The sun blind for the rear window switches off automatically when
it reaches the end position. It can be made to move in the other
direction before it reaches its end position by briefly pressing the
switch a second time. If the ignition is turned off while the blind is
still moving, it continues until it reaches the end position before
switching off.
Note
•
An overload cut-out may be activated if the sun blind is operated
repeatedly. There will then be a short delay before the blind can be
operated again.
•
As the material of the sun blind is less flexible at low tempera-
tures the electric actuator is switched off when the temperature in
the car is below -5°C. The blind can only be operated when the
temperature in the car's interior rises above this level.
Windscreen wipersWindscreen wipers

The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen
wipers and the automatic wash and wipe.The windscreen wiper lever has the following settings:
Brief wipe
– Move the lever down to position to give the wind-
screen a brief wipe.
Intermittent wipe

(activating rain sensor)
– Move the lever up to the stop .
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensi-
tivity of the rain sensor.
Slow wiper speed
– Move the lever up to the stop .
Fast wiper speed
– Move the lever up to the stop .
CAR
Fig. 67 Windscreen
wiper lever
A1
A2
AA
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Lights and vision 66
Automatic wash and wipe
– Pull the lever to position .
– Release the lever again. The washer will stop and the
wipers will keep running for approximately 4 seconds.
The number of wipe cycles varies according to the length
of time the lever is pulled.
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to the "off" position .General notes
The washers and wipers will only work when the ignition is switched
on.
If you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights, the wiper speed will automat-
ically be reduced by one level.
The windscreen washer jets are heated when the ignition is
switched on if the outside temperature is low.
Dribble wipe
About 5 seconds after the wash and wipe cycle has finished, the
windscreen wiper system automatically gives the screen one extra
wipe to remove any dribbles of water.
If you want to deactivate the dribble wipe function while driving,
pull the lever to position again within 10 seconds.
The dribble wipe function will be re-activated the next time the igni-
tion is switched off and on.
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor will only function in the intermittent wipe position.
The intermittent wipe function is activated automatically when it
starts to rain.
Before you reach a road speed of 6 km/h you will have to activate the
rain sensor manually by switching it off and back on again.To reduce the sensitivity level of the rain sensor move control
⇒page 65, fig. 67 to the left. To increase the sensitivity level of the
rain sensor move the control to the right.
If you have selected a high sensitivity level for the rain sensor the
windscreen wipers will react sooner to any moisture on the wind-
screen. The wiper intervals in the intermittent wipe setting are also
varied automatically according to the road speed (in addition to the
sensitivity setting).
WARNING
•
Poor visibility can cause accidents. Always ensure that the
wiper blades are in good condition ⇒page 68, “Changing wiper
blades”.
•
The rain sensor is only intended to assist the driver. The driver
is still obliged to manually operate the windscreen wipers as
required depending on visibility.
•
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad
visibility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.Caution
•
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not
frozen to the glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you
switch on the wipers when the wiper blades are frozen to the glass,
this could damage both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
•
Make sure you switch off the windscreen wiper system (lever in
position "0") before you use an automatic car wash. This will avoid
inadvertent triggering of the wipers and possible damage to the
wiper system.
A5
A0
A5
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