2008 AUDI A5 towing

Driving123
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data braking force of the parking brake is only released when there is
enough power at the wheels to make the vehicle move in the desired
direction.
Note
For safety reasons the parking brake will only release automatically
if the driver's seat belt is engaged in its buckle.Driving away when towing a trailer
Please note the following points to prevent the vehicle
from rolling back unintentionally on a gradient.– Pull and hold the parking brake switch and press the
accelerator. The parking brake will remain engaged and
prevent any tendency to roll back down the slope.
– You can release the parking brake switch as soon as the
engine is delivering enough power to the wheels.Depending on the weight of the vehicle and trailer and the steep-
ness of the slope, there may be a tendency to roll back downhill
when driving away from a standstill. You can prevent this by pulling
out the parking brake switch as you press the accelerator (in the
same way as with a conventional handbrake).Emergency braking function
This feature enables you to stop the vehicle if the main
brake system should fail or if the pedal is obstructed.– Pull out and hold the parking brake switch to stop the
vehicle with the parking brake in an emergency.
– The brakes will be released immediately if you release the
switch or press down the accelerator.
If you pull out and hold the parking brake switch at a road speed
above about 8 km/h, this will initiate an emergency brake applica-
tion. The brakes are then applied hydraulically at all four wheels.
The effect is the same as an emergency stop (full brake application)
⇒
To prevent the emergency braking function from being used acci-
dentally, a warning buzzer sounds when the switch is operated. The
brakes are released immediately when you release the switch or
press down the accelerator.
WARNING
You should only use the emergency braking function in a real
emergency, for example if the brake system should fail or if the
brake pedal is obstructed. If you use the emergency braking func-
tion by activating the parking brake switch, the effect is similar to
a full brake application (emergency stop). Please remember that
the ESP (with its combined ABS, EDL and traction control func-
tions) is still subject to certain physical limits. In a corner or in bad
road or weather conditions an emergency stop can cause the
vehicle to skid or lose steering control.Driver messages in the instrument cluster displayCaution: Vehicle parked too steep
This message can appear when you apply the parking brake if the
car is parked on a gradient steeper than about 30%.
In this case the parking brake may not be strong enough to prevent
the vehicle from rolling back accidentally.
Please release parking brake
However, please remember that, for safety reasons, the parking
brake will only release automatically if the driver's seat belt is
buckled.
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Automatic gearbox 132Reverse 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 134, 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 231, “Working on components in the
engine compartment”.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic®Selector 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.
WARNING (continued)
Fig. 146 Selector lever
lock functions
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Audi parking system 138When the vehicle is less than approx. 0.30 m away from the obstacle
the warning tone will sound continuously. From here at the latest,
the driver should then not reverse any further.
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). The warnings will then return to the normal volume if
the vehicle approaches the detected obstacle again.
Warning beeps
The warning beeps are produced by sound boxes. The volume and
pitch of the beeps can be adjusted in the MMI ⇒page 148.
WARNING
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not regis-
tered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are no small
children or animals near the vehicle, as the sensors may not
always be able to detect them.
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
To ensure that the acoustic parking aid works properly, the
sensors must be kept clean and free of snow and ice. Please observe
the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
parking system plusApplies to vehicles: with parking system plusParking aid (front and rear), with display
The parking aid gives an acoustic and a visual warning if
it detects any obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle.The parking aid switch

is located in the centre console or
next to the selector lever, depending on the equipment
fitted.
Fig. 152 Parking aid
switch in centre
consoleFig. 153 MMI display:
proximity graphic
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Audi parking system 140reached the danger (collision) zone. The driver should then not
move backwards/forwards any further ⇒.
The graphic display in the MMI screen ⇒page 149 can be switched
off. The acoustic proximity warning will, however, remain activated.
The graphic display will be deactivated as soon as you press a func-
tion selector button on the MMI control console. The graphic
display will appear again the next time you park the vehicle. The
graphic display in the MMI screen can also be switched on again
manually using the switch
 ⇒page 138, fig. 152. For more infor-
mation on the MMI control console please refer to the MMI Oper-
ating Manual.
WARNING
•
The sensors have blind spots in which obstacles are not regis-
tered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are no small
children or animals near the vehicle, as the sensors may not
always be able to detect them.
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
•
You can change the settings for the graphic display in the MMI
⇒page 149.
•
To ensure that the acoustic parking aid works properly, the
sensors must be kept clean and free of snow and ice. Please observe
the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
parking system advancedApplies to vehicles: with parking system advancedParking aid (front and rear), with display and reversing camera
The parking aid gives an acoustic and visual warning if it
detects any obstacles in front of or behind the vehicle. The
reversing camera provides further assistance when
parking.
Fig. 1 54 Bo o t lid : Lo c a-
tion of reversing
camera
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Audi parking system143
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
•
To ensure that the acoustic parking aid works properly, the
sensors and the lens of the reversing camera must be kept clean
and free of snow and ice. Please observe the additional notes from
⇒page 152 onwards.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedReversing camera (Rear View)
The reversing camera image in the MMI display shows the
area behind the vehicle.
Parking mode
There are two different parking modes available when you park your
vehicle with the help of the reversing camera. These are referred to
as “Parking mode 1” ⇒page 145 and “Parking mode 2” ⇒page 146.
“Parking mode 1” ⇒fig. 156 can, for example, be used when
parking your vehicle in a carport or a garage ⇒page 145.
“Parking mode 2” ⇒fig. 157 can be used, for example, when
parking your vehicle at the roadside ⇒page 146.
When you activate the reversing camera ⇒page 140 the MMI
display will automatically show “Parking mode 1”. You can switch to
“Parking mode 2” by pressing the control button Mode
⇒page 145, fig. 161. Press the control button Mode repeatedly to
switch between “Parking mode 1” and “Parking mode 2”.
Orientation lines and area markings
Orientation lines and area markings (⇒page 145, fig. 160 and
⇒page 146, fig. 162) are also projected onto the reversing camera
images. They differ, depending on the parking mode you have
selected. These orientation markings are intended to assist the
driver when parking and manoeuvring in tight spaces. They are
projected onto the image at road surface level (not on a gradient).
At the latest when the orientation lines and blue area markings
overlap with vehicles or other objects the distance to the vehi-
cles/objects is no longer sufficient ⇒page 151.
The orientation lines and blue area markings will not be displayed if
the boot lid is open or the factory-fitted power socket for the trailer
is in use ⇒page 147. This may not apply if the power socket was
NOT factory-fitted.
You can adjust the settings in the MMI to select which system you
want to be displayed on the MMI screen ⇒page 149:•
Graphic display, or
•
Reversing camera images (Rear View), or
•
Automatic (switches automatically between graphic display and
reversing camera), or
Fig. 156 Viewed from
above: Parking mode 1Fig. 157 Viewed from
above: Parking mode 2
AA
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Audi parking system 144•
Off (no display).
The reversing camera can be switched on and off in the MMI
⇒page 149. The acoustic proximity warning will, however, remain
activated.
WARNING
•
The reversing camera has blind spots in which obstacles are
not registered. It is particularly important to ensure that there are
no small children or animals near the vehicle, as the reversing
camera may not always be able to detect them (accident risk).
•
The parking aid cannot replace the full concentration of the
driver. The driver is always responsible for safety during parking
and other manoeuvres. Always keep a close watch on the area
around the vehicle.
•
Please note that low obstacles detected by the system may no
longer be registered by the sensors as the car moves closer, so the
system will not give any further warning. Certain kinds of obsta-
cles (such as wire fences, chains, thin painted posts or trailer draw
bars, etc.) may not always be detected by the system (accident
risk).Note
•
There is a slight delay in the picture display.
•
To ensure that the reversing camera works properly, the lens of
the camera ⇒page 140, fig. 154 must be kept clean and free of
snow and ice. Please observe the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
•
If the boot lid is open the angle covered by the camera will
change. For this reason, the image of the reversing camera will then
be shown without orientation lines and blue area markings.
•
Please refer to the notes on towing ⇒page 147.
Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedDetection range of the reversing cameraThe section of the "Rear View" image shown in the MMI display is
roughly the same as the area covered by the camera as shown in
⇒fig. 158 or in ⇒fig. 159. Objects which are in area
⇒fig. 159 of the reversing camera or in close proximity to the
bumper cannot be identified.
Fig. 158 Viewed from
above: Area covered by
the reversing cameraFig. 159 Side view: :
Area covered by the
reversing camera; :
area NOT covered by
the reversing camera
A1A2
A1
A2
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Audi parking system145
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
WARNING
Please note that objects which are not touching the ground may
appear to be further away than they actually are (e.g. the bumper
of a parked vehicle, a towing bracket or the rear end of a truck). In
this case you should not use the orientation lines for judging the
distance (accident risk).Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedParking mode 1
“Parking mode 1” can, for example, be used to assist you
when parking in a garage or carport.
– Activate the reversing camera ⇒page 140.
“Parking mode 1” ⇒fig. 160 is the standard setting.
Dynamic orange-coloured orientation lines and static
blue area markings will be projected onto the image
of the reversing camera.
– When the vehicle is stationary, use the orange orienta-
tion lines as a guide for turning the steering to the
correct angle for the parking space.
– Reverse into the space and adapt the steering angle to
the parking space, using the orange lines to assist you
⇒.
– Align your vehicle according to the blue area marking.
The blue area marking should be parallel to the lines of
the parking space ⇒fig. 161. Blue area marking
The marking behind the vehicle (in different shades of blue) is an
extension of the vehicle outline. It reaches about five metres to the
rear of the vehicle. The shade of blue changes at a distance of
approx. 1m, 2m and 5m from the vehicle.
and Orange orientation lines
The orientation lines change direction according to the steering
angle. These lines represent the path which the rear of the vehicle
would take if you were to reverse using the current steering angle.
The dynamic orientation lines also have additional markers
which are spaced approx. 1 metre apart. These markers help you to
judge the distance up to an obstacle.
Red line
The distance from your rear bumper to the red line is approx.
40 cm ⇒. From here at the latest, the driver should not reverse
any further ⇒page 151.
Fig. 160 MMI display:
Driving into the
parking space with the
correct steering angleFig. 161 MMI display:
Aligning the vehicle
with the help of the
blue area markings
A3
A1
A1A2
A3
A2
A4
A5
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Audi parking system 146 Rear bumper
For better orientation the rear bumper of your vehicle is also shown
in the MMI display.
WARNING
Please note that objects which are not touching the ground may
appear to be further away than they actually are (e.g. the bumper
of a parked vehicle, a towing bracket or the rear end of a truck). In
this case you should not use the orientation lines for judging the
distance (accident risk).
Caution
The MMI display shows the path of the rear end of the vehicle if you
were to reverse using the current steering angle. NB: The front end
of the vehicle swings out further than the rear.
Note
•
To ensure that the reversing camera works properly, the lens of
the camera ⇒page 140, fig. 154 must be kept clean and free of
snow and ice. Please observe the additional notes on ⇒page 152.
Applies to vehicles: with parking system advancedParking mode 2
“Parking mode 2” can be used, for example, when parking
at the roadside.– To park in a parking space on the right side of the road:
– Position your vehicle parallel to the roadside, about a
metre away from the next parked vehicle ⇒page 143,
fig. 157. If you are parking next to obstacles please
observe ⇒page 150.
– Activate the reversing camera ⇒page 140.
“Parking mode 1” is the standard setting.
A5
Fig. 162 MMI display:
Blue area marking
aligned in parking
spaceFig. 163 MMI display:
Blue marking touches
edge of pavement
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