2008 AUDI A5 engine

Instruments and warning/indicator lamps19
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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 Parki ng b rake! 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 31.
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 231, “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.
Fuel gaugeThe gauge only works when the ignition is switched on.
When the needle reaches the reserve zone, the symbol
 lights up
in the instrument cluster display ⇒page 36 together with the
message Please refuel. At this point there are still about 8 litres of
fuel left in the tank. This is your reminder to fill up soon.
The tank capacity of your vehicle is given in the Technical data
section ⇒page 293.
Caution
Never run the tank completely dry. If there is an irregular fuel supply,
misfiring can occur. This allows unburnt fuel to enter the exhaust
system, which could cause overheating and damage the catalytic
converter.
SET
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Driver information system21
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
CD and radio displayIf no priority 1 or 2 faults have been detected by the auto-check
control, the name or frequency of the current radio station and the
selected waveband will appear the upper part of the display.
When a CD is playing, the display will show the current title. If the
vehicle is equipped with a CD changer* the display will also show
the number of the CD being played (CD1 to CD6).Outside temperature display
The outside temperature is shown when the display is
activated.
At temperatures below +5°C a snowflake symbol appears next to the
temperature display. This is to warn the driver to take extra care
when there is a risk of ice on the road.
When the vehicle is stationary or travelling at very low speeds, the
temperature displayed may be slightly higher than the actual
outside temperature as a result of the heat radiated from the
engine.
The temperature units can be set to °F or °C on the MMI* or sound
system control console. The outside temperature is automatically
displayed in the units you have selected. Please refer to the Oper-
ating Manual for the MMI* or sound system.
WARNING
Do not rely on the outside temperature display as an ice warning.
Please bear in mind that there may be patches of ice on the roads
even at outside temperatures around +5°C.Applies to vehicles: with manual gearbox and gear-change indicatorGear-change indicator
This additional indicator function can help to save fuel.
Fig. 9 Display: Radio
informationFig. 10 Display:
Outside temperature
Fig. 11 Display: Gear-
change indicator
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Driver information system 24
– The remaining time and distance to the next service are
indicated every time the ignition is switched on, until the
service becomes due.
Service due
–When a service is due, Service! will appear in the display
as soon as you switch on the ignition. The display reverts
back to the standard display after about 5 seconds.
Displaying the service interval
– Select: Function selector button > Service interval
display ⇒page 23, fig. 15.
Resetting the oil change interval display
– Select: Function selector button > Service interval
display > Reset oil change interval.Displaying distance to next service
You can have the distance to the next service displayed on the MMI
screen ⇒page 23, fig. 15. The remaining distance to the next
service is updated every time the ignition is switched on (starting at
500 km after a service has been performed).
On a new vehicle, the display will always show the following
message for the first 500 km.
SERVICE IN ----- KM --- DAYS
Caution
The system cannot calculate the figures for the service indicator if
the battery is disconnected from the vehicle, so no service reminder
can be displayed during this time. Please remember that keeping to
the correct service intervals is most important for the service life
and residual value of the vehicle (and especially for the life of the
engine). The period between two services must never be longer than the time specified in the Service Schedule, even if you only
cover a low mileage during this time.
Note
•
Do not reset the display between oil changes - otherwise the
display will be incorrect.
•
The information in the service interval display remains intact if
the battery is disconnected.
•
The distance to the next service cannot be called up if the system
has detected a Priority 1 fault (red symbol).
•
If the service was not performed by a qualified workshop, the oil
change interval display can only be set to “fixed service intervals” of
15,000 km. If you wish to continue with the “LongLife” service, you
will need to have the oil change interval display reset by a qualified
workshop.
CARCAR
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Driver information system 30If 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.Driver 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.For example, in the event of an oil pressure malfunction the oil pres-
sure symbol

will appear in the display. In addition, the following
message will appear:
Switch off engine and check oil level
The message will disappear from the display after about 5 seconds.
If required, the message can be called up again by briefly pressing
the button ⇒fig. 24.
Driver messages and yellow symbols
If a yellow warning symbol appears in the display, it will automati-
cally be accompanied by the corresponding driver message.
For example, if the symbol
 appears (windscreen washer fluid
low), the display will also show the message:
Please top up washer fluid
The message will disappear after a few seconds. If required, the
message can be called up again by briefly pressing the
button.
Red symbols
A red symbol warns of a serious malfunction.–Stop the vehicle.
Fig. 24 Instrument
cluster: SET button
SET
SET
Fig. 25 Display:
Symbol for serious
malfunction
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Driver information system31
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Switch off the engine.
– Check the function displayed. Obtain professional assist-
ance if necessary.The red symbols indicate a Priority 1 fault (serious malfunction).
Should a Priority 1 fault occur, a red warning symbol will appear at
the top of the display ⇒page 30, fig. 25. The symbol is accompa-
nied by a driver message giving you more information about the
fault. This symbol is accompanied by three warning chimes. The
symbol will keep flashing until the fault is corrected.
If several Priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols
are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time.
This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call
it up again at any time by pressing the button ⇒page 30.Alternator fault

If the symbol
 flashes in the instrument cluster display, there is an
alternator fault or a fault in the vehicle's electrical system. In addi-
tion, a message will appear. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the
button.
You should normally be able to drive to the next available qualified
workshop. However, you should avoid using electrical equipment
that is not absolutely necessary because this will drain the battery.
Caution
If the coolant warning lamp
 in the instrument display lights up
as well as the alternator warning lamp while driving ⇒page 32, stop
the vehicle immediately and switch off the engine. In this case the
coolant pump is no longer being driven, and there is a risk of engine
damage.
Fault in the brake system

A fault in the brake system should be corrected as soon as
possible.If the symbol

flashes in the display, there is a fault in the
brake system. The symbol is accompanied by a driver
message giving you more information about the fault. This
message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can
call it up again at any time by pressing the button:
Stop vehicle and check brake fluid level
– Stop the vehicle.
– Check the brake fluid level ⇒page 238.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact
workshop
– Drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and
have the fault rectified ⇒.

Alternator fault
⇒page 31

Fault in brake system/ parking
brake
⇒page 31

Coolant level too low / coolant
temperature too high
⇒page 32

Engine oil pressure too low
⇒page 33

Fault in the steering system
⇒page 33

Ignition lock defective
⇒page 34
SET
SET
SET
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Driver information system 32
Parking brake ! Please contact workshop
– If the symbol appears after you switch on the ignition
when the vehicle is stationary, please check whether you
can release the parking brake. If this is possible, you
should drive without delay to the nearest qualified work-
shop and have the fault rectified. If the parking brake
cannot be released you should obtain professional
assistance.
– If this symbol should appear while driving, there may be
a malfunction in the drive-away assist or the emergency
brake functions. You may not be able to apply the parking
brake. It is also possible that you cannot release the
parking brake after it has been applied. Drive the vehicle
to a qualified workshop and have the fault repaired.If the ABS fails, the ABS warning lamp
 will light up together with
the brake warning symbol
 ⇒.
WARNING
•
Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level,
observe the warning information on ⇒page 231, “Working on
components in the engine compartment”.
•
If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this could
result in an accident. Do not drive on. You should obtain profes-
sional 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.
Note
The warning lamp
 in the instrument cluster will start flashing as
well if there is a fault in the brake system.
Fault in the cooling system

Faults in the cooling system must be rectified immedi-
ately.If the
 symbol flashes in the display, this means that
either the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant
level is too low. The symbol is accompanied by a driver
message giving you more information about the fault. This
message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can
call it up again at any time by pressing the button:
Switch off engine, check coolant level
–Stop the vehicle.
– Switch off the engine.
– Check the coolant level ⇒page 236.
– Add more coolant if necessary ⇒page 236.
– Wait for the symbol to go out before driving on.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a
malfunction of the radiator fan.
If the alternator warning lamp lights up as well ⇒page 31, it is
possible that the drive belt has broken.
SET
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Driver information system33
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
WARNING
•
If your vehicle should break down for technical reasons, stop it
at a safe distance away from moving traffic, switch off the engine
and turn on the hazard warning lights ⇒page 58, “Hazard
warning lights ”.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment; there is a risk of being
scalded. Wait until you can no longer see or hear escaping steam
or coolant.
•
The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous
place. Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment,
switch off the engine and allow it to cool down. Please observe the
important safety warnings ⇒page 231, “Working on components
in the engine compartment”.Caution
Do not drive on if the symbol
 has come on to indicate a fault in
the cooling system, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the
engine.
Engine oil pressure too low

If the engine oil pressure is too low the fault must be recti-
fied immediately.If the

symbol flashes in the display, the oil pressure is
too low. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message
giving you more information about the fault. This message
will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up
again at any time by pressing the button:
Switch off engine and check oil level
–Stop the vehicle.– Switch off the engine.
– Check the engine oil level ⇒page 234.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If the engine oil level is too low
If the engine oil level is too low, add more oil ⇒page 234.
If the engine oil level is correct
If the

symbol flashes and the engine oil level is correct, obtain
professional assistance. Do not drive on. Do not continue to run the
engine, not even at idle speed.
Note
The oil pressure warning lamp

is not an indicator for the oil
level. The oil level should therefore be checked regularly.
Fault in the steering system

The steering wheel cannot be unlocked if there is a fault
in the electronic steering lock.If the symbol

flashes in the display, there is a malfunc-
tion in the electronic steering lock. The symbol is accompa-
nied by a driver message giving you more information
about the fault. This message will disappear after about
5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by
pressing the button:
Do not drive vehicle. Steering defective
– You should obtain professional assistance.
–Do not have the vehicle towed away.
SET
SET
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Driver information system 34
WARNING
The vehicle must not be towed if there is a fault in the electronic
steering lock: the steering will be locked and the vehicle cannot be
steered. Towing a vehicle with locked steering can cause an acci-
dent.
Note
On some models the symbol may look slightly different.Ignition lock defective

A fault in the ignition lock must be rectified immediately.If the symbol

flashes in the display, there is a malfunc-
tion in the electronic ignition lock. The symbol is accompa-
nied by a driver message giving you more information
about the fault. This message will disappear after about
5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by
pressing the button:
Ignition lock defective. Contact workshop!
–Do not switch off the engine.
– Drive the vehicle without delay to a qualified workshop
and have the fault repaired.
The ignition cannot be switched off if there is a fault in the elec-
tronic ignition lock. For this reason, you should drive the vehicle
without delay to a qualified workshop and have the cause of the
fault repaired.
If the vehicle is equipped with the advanced key* feature, you
should not switch off the engine with the Stop/Start button because
it cannot be started again after the ignition has been switched off.
Note
On some models the symbol may look slightly different.Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol indicates a malfunction or other item
requiring attention.Yellow symbols indicate a Priority 2 fault.
Yellow symbols are accompanied by one warning chime. The
symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more infor-
mation about the fault. This message will disappear after about
5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the
button.
The function indicated should be checked as soon as possible. The
yellow symbol will only go out when the fault has been rectified.
If several Priority 2 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols
are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time.
SET
Fi g . 2 6 D i s p la y : Yel l o w
warning symbol
SET
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