2008 AUDI A5 headlights

Lights and vision 54Lights and visionLightsSwitching lights on and off

Switching on automatic headlights* (AUTO)
– Turn the light switch to AUTO ⇒fig. 50.
Switching on the side lights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching on dipped headlights
– Turn the light switch to position

.
Switching off the lights
– Turn the light switch to position O.
The dipped beam headlights will only work with the ignition on.
The symbol
 next to the light switch will light up when the side
lights or headlights are on.Automatic headlight control (AUTO)*
When the switch is set to AUTO, the headlights switch on automati-
cally according to the ambient light conditions, for instance in a
tunnel, at sunset, or in the rain or snow. The
 symbol lights up
when the dipped headlights are on. The headlights are switched on,
regardless of the light conditions, when you switch on the fog
lights.
The headlights are switched off automatically when you switch off
the ignition.
On vehicles with a rain sensor, the headlights switch on automati-
cally after several windscreen wiper cycles. The instrument lighting
does not switch on, however.
While using the automatic headlights you can activate the main
beam headlights as normal if this function has been activated in the
MMI. However, if you switch on the main beam headlights while
using the AUTO function and then do not switch back to the dipped
headlights setting, only the dipped headlights will come on the next
time you switch on the AUTO function. To be able to use the main
beam headlights again you must first pull the main beam lever back
to the "off" position and then push it forward to "on".
Malfunction of light sensor
If a malfunction should occur in the light sensor, the instrument
cluster will show the message:
 Automatic headlights/ automatic wipers defective
For safety reasons, the dipped beam headlights will then be
switched on permanently when the light switch is set to the AUTO
position. However, you can still switch the lights on and off in the
normal way with the light switch. You should have the light sensor
checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Fig. 50 Dashboard:
Light switch
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 54 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision55
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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 them on manually 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.
•
The default sensitivity of the light sensor, which is set at the
factory, can be changed in the MMI menu Auto headlights
⇒page 56.
•
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. 51 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.
Fig. 51 Switch for
front fog lights
A1A2
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 55 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision 56
CautionTo avoid dazzling the traffic behind you, the rear fog light should
only be used in accordance with statutory regulations.Exterior lighting settings
You can change the settings for these functions on the
sound system or MMI*.– 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. It switches on the fog lights, rear lights and number plate
lights. This function can be set to operate for a time interval
between 0 (off) and 30 or 60 seconds.
Leaving home
The leaving home function lights up the area round the vehicle after
dark when the vehicle is unlocked. It switches on the fog lights, rear
lights and number plate lights. The function can be switched on or
off as required.Auto headlights*
When the light switch is set to AUTO ⇒page 54, you can make the
headlights switch on earlier or later by changing the Auto head-
lights setting.
Daytime running lights (daylight headlights)*
This function can be used to switch the daytime running lights on
and off as required. When the function is activated, the daytime
running lights are switched on automatically when the ignition is
switched on.
On vehicles for some markets the daytime running lights cannot be
switched off if the vehicle has halogen headlights.
Note
The coming home/leaving home function is active only when the
light switch is set to AUTO.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.
Fig. 52 MMI display:
Exterior lighting
CAR
Fig. 53 Headlight
range control
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 56 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision57
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– Turn the thumbwheel
 ⇒page 56, fig. 53 to the appro-
priate 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.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.
– 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 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).
AOAIAIIAIII
Fig. 54 Instrument
lighting
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 57 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision 58Applies 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. 55. 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. 56.
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:•
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.
Fig. 55 adaptive light
when driving
Fig. 56 Switch for
hazard warning lights
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 58 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision59
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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. 57.
– 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.Caution
Do not use the main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if this
would dazzle oncoming traffic.
Fig. 57 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 59 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision 64
Note•
Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full before starting a long
journey. Filling the reservoir ⇒page 242.
•
Worn or dirty wiper blades can cause smearing on the glass
which can also impair the effectiveness of the rain sensor. Please
check the wiper blades regularly.
Applies to vehicles: with headlight washersHeadlight washer systemThe headlight washer system only operates when the lights
are switched on.
– Move the automatic wash and wipe lever to position
⇒page 62, fig. 64.The headlight washer system is always activated the first time you
operate the automatic wash and wipe. Subsequently, it is only acti-
vated about every five wash and wipe cycles. The headlights are
always washed if you hold the lever for longer than about
2 seconds.
The headlight washer jets come out of the bumper automatically
(under water pressure).
Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the lenses at regular
intervals, for instance when stopping for fuel.
To ensure that the system works properly in winter, keep the nozzle
holders free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer spray.
Service position
Use the service position to change the wiper blades.You can set the wipers to the service position on the sound
system or MMI*.
– If the wiper blades are not frozen to the windscreen,
move the windscreen wiper lever to the "off" position
⇒page 62, fig. 64.
– Select: Function selector button > Windscreen
wipers > Service position ⇒fig. 65.•
on - the wiper blades can only be replaced when the wiper arms
are in the service position ⇒fig. 66. If you only work on the wipers
A5
Fig. 65 MMI display:
Windscreen wipersFig. 66 Service posi-
tion
A0
CAR
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 64 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10

Lights and vision 66
Anti-dazzle setting
– Pull the lever at the bottom of the mirror towards you.Applies to vehicles: with automatic anti-dazzle adjustment for interior mirrorAutomatic anti-dazzle adjustment
The automatic anti-dazzle function can be switched on
and off as desired.Switching off anti-dazzle function
– Press button ⇒fig. 68 - the indicator lamp will go
out.
Switching on anti-dazzle function
– Press button - the indicator lamp will light up.Anti-dazzle function
The anti-dazzle function is activated every time the ignition is
switched on. The green indicator lamp lights up in the mirror
housing.
When the anti-dazzle function is activated the interior mirror will
darken automatically according to the amount of light it receives
(for example from the headlights of a vehicle behind). The mirror
will not darken automatically:
•
when the interior lighting is switched on
•
when reverse gear is engaged
WARNING
Electrolyte fluid can leak from a broken mirror. This fluid can cause
irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory organs. Wash thor-
oughly with clean water should you come into contact with this
fluid. Seek medical assistance if needed.
Caution
Electrolyte fluid leaking from a broken mirror can cause damage to
plastic surfaces. Use a sponge or similar to remove the fluid as soon
as possible.
Note
•
If you switch off the anti-dazzle function for the interior mirror,
this will also deactivate the anti-dazzle function for the exterior
mirrors.
•
The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the
sun blind* for the rear window is not in use and there are no other
objects preventing light from reaching the interior mirror.
•
Do not attach any stickers to the windscreen in front of the
sensors, as these could lead to malfunctioning of the mirror.
Fig. 68 Anti-dazzle
interior mirror: On/off
button with indicator
lamp
AA
AB
AA
AB
document_0900452a8179700c.book Seite 66 Donnerstag, 22. März 2007 10:19 10