2008 AUDI A4 warning light

Audi side assist 150
Switching on
– Press the button ⇒page 149, fig. 165. The red indicator
lamp in the button will light up.
Switching off
– Press the button again. The indicator lamp in the button
will go out.The system is designed to provide assistance on motorways and
other out-of-town roads, so it only operates at speeds above about
60 km/h.
WARNING
•
Please note that the sensors are not always able to detect all
vehicles which may represent a potential hazard (accident risk).
•
Please note that the side assist is not able to give adequate
warning of vehicles approaching very fast from behind, or vehicles
that you are overtaking rapidly.
•
The radar sensor's "field of vision" can be impaired by rain,
snow or a lot of water on the road. This results in vehicles not
being reliably recognised or, in some circumstances, not being
detected at all by the side assist. Always give your full attention to
the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby traffic.
•
The side assist only gives a warning of approaching vehicles
and vehicles in the blind spots when road speed is above 60 km/h.
•
Please note that the side assist does not operate in tight bends
(with a radius of less than 200 metres).
•
The side assist feature is not a substitute for the full concentra-
tion of the driver. The driver is always responsible for the safety of
lane changes and other manoeuvres. Always give your full atten-
tion to the position of your vehicle on the road and other nearby
traffic.
Caution
•
To avoid impairing the function of the side assist, do not attach
any objects (e.g. stickers or bicycle carriers) in such a way that they
might interfere with the radar sensors in the rear bumper.
•
Make sure that the warning lamps on the exterior mirrors are not
obscured by stickers or other objects.Note
•
To ensure that the side assist function works properly, do not
allow snow and ice to accumulate on the rear bumper near the radar
sensors. Please observe the additional notes on ⇒page 157.
•
The side assist function will be switched off automatically when
the electrical connector for the trailer socket is plugged in on vehi-
cles with a factory-fitted towing bracket.
•
The side assist should be switched off manually when towing a
trailer if the vehicle is equipped with a towing bracket which was not
factory-fitted.
•
The side assist system will switch off automatically if it detects
an obstruction that impairs the function of the radar sensors.
•
The warning lamps on the exterior mirrors may not be properly
visible if tinted foil is affixed to the side windows on the driver's or
passenger's side.
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Audi side assist151
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with side assistArea covered by the radar sensorsThe area covered by the radar sensors ⇒fig. 166 consists of:•
The rearward approach zone (light green area: up to about 50
metres) and
•
Blind spots (dark green area) .
The radar sensors monitor the lanes immediately to the left and
right of your vehicle. Other lanes are not covered by the sensors.Note
The side assist system is programmed for lanes of a fixed width, and
is not able to measure differing lane widths. It monitors a zone
equivalent to one normal lane width on either side. If the lanes are
narrower than this, or if vehicles are not travelling in the centre of
the lanes, the system may register vehicles that are not in fact trav-
elling in an adjacent lane ⇒page 156.Applies to vehicles: with side assistHow the system worksWhen other vehicles are detected, the side assist system registers
their distance and how fast they are approaching. The warning lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will light up whenever the side assist
calculates that the distance and the speed differential of
approaching vehicles would be critical in the event of a lane change.
The warning lamp may light up when you are being overtaken and
when you are overtaking another vehicle.
If you are overtaking slowly, with a speed differential of less than
15 km/h, the warning lamp will light up as soon as the other vehicle
enters your blind spot and is detected by the sensors. If you are
overtaking with a speed differential which is greater than this the
lamp will not give a warning.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistInformation mode and warning modeThe side assist has two modes of operation•
The information mode and
•
The warning mode
The side assist will respond in the appropriate mode, depending on
whether or not you operate the turn signal to indicate an intended
lane change.
Information mode
As long as you do not operate the turn signal, the side assist will
merely inform you of the presence of vehicles that it has detected
and judges to be critical in the event of a lane change. The warning
lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will light up with low intensity
whenever the side assist calculates that the distance and the speed
differential of an approaching vehicle are critical.
The intensity of the warning lamp in this information mode is delib-
erately kept relatively low, so that it does not distract you while you
are looking at the road in front and do not intend to change to a
different lane. The information mode is clearly visible when you look
in the exterior mirror.
Fig. 166 Schematic
diagram: Area covered
by the radar sensors
A1
A2
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Audi side assist 152Warning mode
If you operate the turn signal when the side assist has detected a
vehicle on that side that it judges to be critical in the event of a lane
change, the warning lamp on the relevant exterior mirror will flash
brightly several times. This is the warning mode: if the lamp flashes
brightly it warns you that you should check the situation again in the
mirror and by looking back over your shoulder ⇒ in “Safety
notes” on page 157.
Note
You can adjust the brightness of the warning lamps on the exterior
mirrors via the MMI ⇒page 155.Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation with vehicle approaching rapidly from behindFig. 167 side assist: Vehicles approaching rapidly from behind
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The sensors have not detected any vehicles. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror does not light up ⇒ in “Safety notes” on
page 157.
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The sensors have detected a rapidly approaching vehicle - in this
example in the left-hand lane. Because of its approach speed, this
vehicle is already judged to be critical in the event of a lane change
even though it is still some distance away. The warning lamp on the
exterior mirror lights up in the information mode ⇒page 151.
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your
attention to the presence of a vehicle which you may have over-
looked.Note
•
The faster a vehicle approaches, the earlier the warning will
appear on the exterior mirror. In all cases, the side assist will give a
warning for the vehicles it has detected at the latest when they enter
the “blind spot”.
•
If a vehicle is approaching at high speed it is possible that a lane
change may be critical, even though no warning is given.
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A2
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Audi side assist153
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation with vehicle approaching slowly from behindFig. 168 side assist: Vehicles approaching slowly from behind and vehicles in
the blind spot Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The sensors have detected a slowly approaching vehicle - in this
example in the left-hand lane. Because it is relatively far away and
only approaching slowly, no warning will appear on the exterior
mirror ⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The slowly approaching vehicle is now closer. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror lights up in the information mode.
The warning lamp on the exterior mirror will only light up if the side
assist calculates that the distance and the speed differential of
approaching vehicles would be critical in the event of a lane change. In all cases, the side assist will light up to indicate the vehicles it has
detected at the latest when they enter the “blind spot”.
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your
attention to the presence of a vehicle which you may have over-
looked.
Note
•
The faster a vehicle approaches, the earlier the warning will
appear on the exterior mirror. The side assist will give a warning for
the approaching vehicles it has detected at the latest when they
enter the “blind spot”.
•
If a vehicle is approaching at high speed it is possible that a lane
change may be critical, even though no warning is given.
A1A2
A3
A2
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Audi side assist 154Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation when you are slowly overtaking other vehiclesFig. 169 side assist: Other vehicles being overtaken slowly Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are overtaking has not yet been detected by the side
assist. The warning lamp on the exterior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp lights up in information mode
The vehicle you are passing slowly (with a speed differential less
than 15 km/h) is detected by the side assist. The warning lamp on
the exterior mirror lights up in the information mode.
Warning lamp flashes in warning mode
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will flash briefly several times. This calls your attention to the presence of a vehicle which you may have
overlooked.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistSituation when you are rapidly overtaking other vehiclesFig. 170 side assist: Other vehicles being overtaken rapidly Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are overtaking has not yet been detected by the side
assist. The warning lamp on the exterior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
The vehicle you are passing rapidly (with a speed differential greater
than 15 km/h) is detected by the side assist but is not judged to be
critical in the event of a lane change since it is dropping back
A1A2A3
A2
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Audi side assist155
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data quickly. The warning lamp on the exterior mirror does not light up
⇒ in “Safety notes” on page 157.
Warning lamp on exterior mirror does not light up
If you operate the turn signal in situation , the warning lamp on
the exterior mirror will still not give any warning ⇒ in “Safety
notes” on page 157.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistAdjusting brightness of warning lamp on exterior mirror
You can adjust the brightness of the warning lamp on the
sound system or MMI*.– Select: Function selector button > Audi side assist
> Warning lamp: brightness.The brightness of the warning lamp in both the information and
warning modes is regulated automatically according to the ambient
light level. You can also adjust the basic brightness level of the
warning lamp yourself via the function Warning lamp: brightness.
The new brightness level will be displayed briefly while you are
making the adjustment. The brightness level that is shown at this
point is the intensity of the lamp when it comes on in the informa-tion mode. The intensity of the lamp in the warning mode is linked
to the intensity in the information mode.
The brightness of the lamp in the information mode should be set
so that you can see the lamp when you glance at the exterior mirror,
but are not aware of it when looking forwards through the wind-
screen.
If you are in very dark or very light surroundings when you adjust the
brightness of the warning lamp, the automatic brightness control
may already have reached the lowest or the brightest setting. Under
these circumstances the brightness of the warning lamp on the
exterior mirror may not change visibly when you alter the basic
brightness level.
If you adjust the basic brightness level while the vehicle is in in very
dark or very light surroundings, the change in the setting may only
become visible in surroundings of more moderate brightness.
Note
•
The side assist is not active while you are changing the bright-
ness setting; the brief flash of the warning lamp is only intended to
help you make the desired setting.
•
Your personal settings are stored automatically and assigned to
the remote control key which is being used.
Applies to vehicles: with side assistGeneral notesThe side assist system has inherent limitations in some situations.
For this reason, please take particular care:•
When driving through bends ⇒page 156
•
On roads with varying lane widths ⇒page 156.
A3
A2
Fig. 171 Display:
Adjusting brightness
of warning lamp
CAR
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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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Parking aid 170etc.) may not always be detected by the system, so take care not to
damage the vehicle in such cases.
Note
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 177.
•
You can adjust the volume and pitch of the beeps ⇒page 177.
Audi parking system plusApplies to vehicles: with Audi parking system plusDescription
The Audi parking system plus is a parking aid with
acoustic signals and graphic display.Sensors are located in the front and rear bumpers. When the
sensors detect an obstacle, you are alerted by acoustic signals
(beeps) and a graphic display. The measuring range of the sensors
starts at about:
The acoustic signals sound with increasing frequency as you
approach the obstacle. A warning tone will sound continuously
when the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the obstacle.
Stop moving immediately!
The volume of the warning beeps will be gradually reduced after
about 4 seconds if the vehicle remains at a constant distance from
a detected obstacle (it will not be reduced if the obstacle is closer
than 0.30 m).
Applies to vehicles: with Audi parking system plusSwitching on/offSwitching on
– Switch on the sound system or MMI*.
– Engage reverse gear, or
– Press the switch

in the centre console ⇒fig. 185 or
next to the selector gate. You will hear a brief acknowl-
edgement tone and the diode in the switch will light up.
Switching off
– Drive forwards faster than 10 km/h, or
Front
Side
0.90 m
Centre
1.20 m
Rear
Side
0.60 m
Centre
1.60 m
Fig. 185 Centre
console: Parking aid
switchFig. 186 Display:
Graphical distance
display
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