2008 AUDI S4 brake

Driver information system
32Alternator 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 dr ive to the next available qualified
workshop. However, you should avoid using electrical equipment
that is not absolutely necessary be cause 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 33 , 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 262.
– 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 ⇒.
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 ch ecking the brake fluid level,
observe the warning information on ⇒page 255, “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
SET
SET
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Driver information system33
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
easily when braking. This could caus
e 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 261 .
– Add more coolant if necessary ⇒page 261.
– Wait for the symbol to go out before driving on.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, th e overheating may be caused by a
malfunction of the radiator fan. If the alternator warning lamp lights up as well
⇒page 32 , it is
possible that the drive belt has broken.
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 61, “Hazard
warning lights ”.
•
Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartm ent; there is a risk of being
scalded. Wait until you can no lo nger 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 255, “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 ab out the fault. This message
WARNING (continued)
SET
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Driver information system35
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
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 work shop 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 me ssage 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
Fig. 26 Display: Yellow
warning symbol

Dynamic steering
⇒ page 36 and
⇒ page 159

Brake pads worn
⇒page 37

Battery power*
⇒page 38

Bulb monitor*
Bulb failure*
⇒page 37

Check engine oil level
⇒page 38 or
⇒ page 38

Engine oil sensor defective
⇒page 38

Fuel level low
⇒page 37

Washer fluid level low*
⇒page 37

advanced key*
Key not in vehicle
⇒page 36

Light sensor/rain sensor defec-
tive
⇒page 37

Diesel particulate filter*
obstructed
⇒page 38
SET
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Driver information system
36
NoteOn some models the speed limit warning 1
 and speed limit
warning 2
 will also be displayed as yellow symbols. These always
appear as a small symbol at the top of the display ⇒page 28 .
Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive selectDynamic steering

 Dynamic steering: system fault
This message and the
 symbol will appear if a fault develops in the
system while the vehicle is moving. You can continue driving care-
fully at reduced speed to the next qualified workshop, however the
steering may feel heavier and its response may be more sensitive than usual. In addition, it is possible that the steering wheel will be
off centre when driving in a straight line.
Dynamic steering: initialising
If this message appears and the warning lamp
 flashes in the
instrument cluster, this indicates that the dynamic steering is being
initialised. The steering wheel will move slightly after the engine is
started. The dynamic steering may be initialised if the steering
wheel was moved while the vehicle was stopped. The warning lamp
will go out when the initialisation has been completed.
WARNING
Have the system malfunction in the dynamic steering repaired by
a qualified workshop as soon as possible – risk of accident.
Note
The stabilisation functions of the dynamic steering ⇒page 222 are
not available in the event of a system malfunction.Applies to vehicles: with advanced keyKey not in vehicle

 Key not in vehicle
This message will appear together with the symbol
 if the remote
control key is removed from the vehicle while the engine is running.
This is to remind you not to continue driving without the key (for
example if you change drivers).
If the remote control key is not in the vehicle you will not be able to
switch on the ignition or restar t the engine after it has been
switched off. You will also not be able to lock the vehicle from the
outside.

Dynamic headlight range con-
trol* defective
⇒ page 39

Battery in remote control key
⇒page 44

Electro-mechanical
parking brake
⇒page 123

adaptive light* defective
⇒page 39

Ignition lock defective
⇒page 39

Windscreen wiper defective
⇒page 39

Suspension control
⇒page 39
TPMS
Tyre pressure monitoring sys-
tem
⇒page 39
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Driver information system37
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Light sensor / rain sensor defective

 Automatic headlights / automatic wipers defective
If the  symbol appears, this means that the light sensor / rain
sensor is not functioning.For safety reasons, the dipped beam head-
lights 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 th e light switch. If the rain sensor
is defective, the functions operated via the windscreen wiper lever
will still be available. You should have the light sensor / rain sensor
checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.
Brake pads worn

 Brake pads!
If the  symbol lights up, have the front brake pads (and, for
safety's sake the rear pads as well) inspected by a qualified
workshop.
Applies to vehicles: with bulb monitorBulb monitor

The bulb monitor checks whethe r the lights on the vehicle
are working.The bulb monitor checks whether the lights on the vehicle are
working. If it detects a defective bulb on the vehicle it will show a
yellow warning symbol together with a message indicating which
light is not working.
Bulb failure

If the symbol
 lights up, this means that one of the turn signals
(front or rear), headlights, brake li ghts, rear lights, fog lights or the
rear fog light is not working.
WARNING
•
Bulbs are sensitive to pressure. The glass can break when you
touch the bulb, causing injury.
•
Incorrect handling of the high-voltage element of xenon gas-
discharge bulbs* can have potentially fatal consequences.Note
Have the components repaired or replaced by a qualified
workshop.Applies to vehicles: with washer fluid warning systemWasher fluid level low

 Please top up washer fluid
If the  symbol lights up, top up the fluid for the windscreen
washer and headlight washer system* ⇒page 267 .
Fuel level low

 Please refuel
When this symbol
 comes on for the first time, there are about
8 litres of fuel left in the tank. You should fill up as soon as possible
⇒ page 252 .
If this warning symbol lights up al though the fuel tank is sufficiently
filled, there is a malfunction in the fuel tank system. The display will
also show the driver message Tank system malfunction ! Contact
workshop . Please contact a qualified workshop.
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Seats and storage
82
CautionWhen returning the backrest to an upright position, make sure that
the seat belts for the outer rear seats are in their guides so that they
cannot be caught up and damaged in the catches for the backrest.Storage shelf
The storage shelf behind the re ar backrest should only be
used to store light articles of clothing.
WARNING
Do not store any heavy or hard objects on the storage shelf. They
could cause injury if the brakes are applied suddenly.
Caution
Please note that hard objects co uld chafe against the wires of the
heating element in the rear window and cause damage.
Note
Make sure that the slots between the rear window and the storage
shelf are kept clear to ensure unimpaired ventilation.
Applies to vehicles: with load-through hatchLoad-through hatch with transport bag
You can use the load-through hatch and the removable
ski bag to transport skis or other extra-long objects safely
inside the vehicle without soil ing or damaging the uphol-
stery.Loading
– In the passenger compartment, pull down the centre rear
armrest.
– You will then see the inside cover of the load-through
hatch - pull the release catch downwards ⇒fig. 90
-arrow- to fold the hatch down.
Fig. 90 Rear seat:
Cover of load-through
hatchFig. 91 Securing the
ski bag with the centre
seat belt buckle on the
rear seat
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Driving
116DrivingSteeringApplies to vehicles: with manually adjustable steering columnAdjusting the steering wheel position
The height and reach of the steering wheel can be
adjusted as required to suit the driver.– Pull the lever ⇒fig. 129 -arrow- ⇒ up.
– Move the steering wheel to the desired position.
– Then push the lever towards the steering column until the catch engages.
WARNING
•
Never adjust the position of the steering wheel when the
vehicle is moving - this could cause an accident.
•
For safety reasons, the lever must be pushed securely against
the steering column to prevent the steering wheel from acciden-
tally changing position wh ile driving (accident risk).
Ignition lockStarting the engine with the key
You can use the ignition key to switch on the ignition and
start the engine.– Insert the key into the ignition lock.
– Manual gearbox: Press the clutch pedal all the way down
and move the gear lever into neutral.
– Automatic gearbox: Press the brake pedal and move the
selector lever to position P or N.
– Press in the key ⇒fig. 130 to start the engine.
– Diesel engines can take a few seconds longer than usual to star t on cold days. Please keep your foot on the clutch
or brake pedal until the engine starts. The glow plug indi-
cator lamp

lights up in the instrument cluster while
the glow plugs are preheating.
Fig. 129 Lever beneath
steering column
Fig. 130 Ignition key
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Driving117
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
If you press in the key
without pressing the clutch or brake pedal,
the ignition will be switched on or off. The steering lock is released
when the ignition is switched on. Diesel engines continue to be
automatically preheated.
The key can be removed only when the ignition is off. The key has to
be pressed in briefly to switch off the ignition. On vehicles with an
automatic gearbox, the selector lever has to be in position P.
Electrical components with a high power consumption are switched
off temporarily while you start the engine.
When starting from cold the engine may be a little noisy for the first
few seconds until oil pressure has built up in the hydraulic tappets.
This is quite normal and no cause for concern.
If the engine fails to start immediately, the starter will be switched
off automatically after a few seconds. Try to start the engine again.
Driver message in the instrument cluster display
Press brake pedal to start engine
This message appears on vehicles with an automatic gearbox if you
try to start the engine without first pressing the brake pedal.
Press clutch pedal to start engine
This message appears on vehicles with a manual gearbox if you try
to start the engine without first pressing the clutch pedal.
Engage N or P to start engine
This message will appear if you try to start the engine when the
selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not in P or N.
Shift to P, otherwise vehicle can roll away. Doors do not lock if lever
is not in P. or Please move selector lever to position P. Vehicle
cannot be locked.
For safety reasons, this message will appear and a warning buzzer
will sound if the selector lever of the automatic gearbox is not in
position P after you switch off the ignition. Put the selector lever in
position P; otherwise the vehicle can roll away. If the lever is not in position P you will not be able to
lock the vehicle using the exterior
locking switch on the door hand le or the remote control key.
Steering lock
The steering is locked when the key is not in the ignition. The
steering lock acts as a theft deterrent.
WARNING
•
Always take the key with you when you leave the vehicle.
Otherwise the engine can be st arted or power-operated equip-
ment such as the electric windows can be used. This could result
in serious injury.
•
Never leave children or disabled people alone in the car. The
doors could be locked with the re mote control key and the occu-
pants could become trapped in the vehicle. The vehicle occupants
could be exposed to extremely high or low temperatures,
depending on the time of year.
•
Never remove the key from the ignition while the vehicle is
moving. The steering l ock could engage suddenly, and you would
not be able to steer the car.Caution
•
If a malfunction occurs in the electronic ignition lock, a flashing
symbol and the message Ignition lock defective will appear in the
instrument cluster display.
•
Avoid high engine speeds, full throttle and extreme load condi-
tions until the engine has reached its normal operating tempera-
ture, otherwise this can damage the engine.For the sake of the environment
Do not warm up the engine by running it with the car stationary. You
should drive off immediately whenever possible. This will help avoid
unnecessary exhaust emissions.
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