2009 AUDI S3 ESP inoperative

Instruments and warning/indicator lights
Anti-lock brake system
~ _ (USA models)/ .... (Canada models)
This warning/indicator light monit ors the A BS and the
electronic differenti al lock (EO L).
The ,I<-warning light wi ll come on for a few seconds when the igni ­
tion is switched on. The light will go out after an automatic check
sequence is completed.
There is a malfunction in the ABS when:
• t he war ning/in dicat or li ght does not illuminate when yo u switc h
on the ignition .
• th e warning/indicator l ig ht doe s no t go out after a few sec onds.
• the warning/indicator light illum inates while driving.
Without the electronic assistance of the ABS , the brake system will
still respond and br ake the car. Have the brake system che cked and
restored to its full performance by an authorized Audi dealer a s
soon as possible.
For more information regarding the ABS see
=> page 194 .
Since any malfunction of the ABS also affe cts the ESP, that system's
warning symbol •
=> page 13 will light up along with the A8~/
I':!. (Canada models) warning light.
Unspecific malfunction in the brake system
If bo th the brake warn ing lig ht=> page 15and the wa rn ing l ight
il luminate when the parking brake is released, the likely cause is a
serious m alfun ction in t he brake system beyond an inoperative ABS
=> & .
If an unspec ific defect in the brake sys te m i s indica ted, the e ntire
brake system is likely to be affected and you
must expect degraded
bra ke response and performance.
Since any malfunc tion of the ABS a lso effects the ESP, that system's
warning symbol ~=> page 13 will light up along with the ~1
J
(Canada models) warning light . Malfun
ction in the ele ctronic differential lock
(EDL )
The two syste ms E DL and ABS in te ract. F or th is rea son th e,. ::,
warning li ght/
~ (Canada mode ls) wi ll come on to ind icate a
m alf unctio n in the EDL system =>
page 191 . See your a uthor ized
Aud i dea ler as soon as poss ib le.
& WARNING
• If the / .t (Canada models} warning light does not go out ,
or if it comes on while driving , the ABS system is not working
properly . The veh icle can then be stopped only with the brakes
operating without ABS support . You will not have the protection
ABS provides. Contact your authori zed Audi dealer as soon a s
possible .
• USA models : If both the BRAKE warning light and the
warning light come on at the same time, the rear wheels could
lock up first under hard braking. Rear wheel brake lock -up can
cause loss of veh icle control and an accident . Have your vehicle
repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified
workshop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden , hard brake application .
• Canada models : If both the brake wa rning light {(j)) and the ABS
warning light come on at the same time , the rear wheels could
lock up first under hard braking. Rear wheel brake lock -up can
cause loss of vehicle control and an accident . Have your vehicle
repaired immediately by your authorized Audi dealer or a qualified
workshop . Drive slowly and avoid sudden, hard brake
application. •
Electro-mechanical power assist / ~
If the i ndicator ligh t illum inates w hile you a re driving, ther e is a
malfunction in the e lectro -mechanica l steering . If the indicator light
is showi ng ....,, , ther e may be a r educ tion i n po w er s teerin g assist. I f
the indicator light is showing @, there may be a total loss of power
s teer ing assis t. The stee ring must be i nspec ted i mme diately by a ._

actual vehicle behavior. If the two do not match, for example when
th e vehicle begins to skid, ESP brakes the appropriate wheel auto­
matical ly .
The vehicle is stabilized again by the forces acting on the wheel
during braking. With an oversteering vehicle (tendency for the rear
end to skid out of the curve), the brake application is mainly at the
front wheel on the outside of the curve, with an
understeering
vehicle (tendency to run wide in the curve) at the rear wheel on the
inside of the curve or additionally at the other wheels as needed.
This brake application is accompanied by noises.
ESP works in conjunction with ABS=>
page 194. If there is malfunc ­
tion in the ABS, ESP is also inoperative.
Activating
The ESP is automatica lly activated when the engine is started, and
it performs a self-test. As soon as the test is completed, the system
is in normal operating mode. With ASR deactivated, or with ESP/ASR
deactivated, pressing the button=>
page 190, fig. 163 returns the
system to normal operation.
Deactivating
ESP should normally be activated at all times because this ensures
optimum vehicle stability. Only in certain exceptional cases it does
make sense to deactivate Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) or the Elec­
tronic Stability Program (ESP) by pressing the button =>
page 190,
fig. 163. Both deactivation stages can only be activated from normal
mode .
Deactivating ASR
Tap the switch . Deactivation is indicated by slow flashing of the ESP
lamp in the instrument cluster. In certain situations (e .g. driving
with snow chains, in deep snow or on loose ground, or when
rocking the car free), it may be necessary to deactivate ASR.
Deactivating ESP/ASR
Press the button for more than 3 seconds. Deactivation is indicated
by the ESP lamp in the ins trument cluster staying on permanently .
Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Intelligent technology
This
deactivates the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in addition to
ASR. No Elec tronic Stability System operation and no Anti -Slip
Regulation is available across the entire speed range; ASR and ESP
are activated only when the brakes are used for the duration of the
braking action and remain active until a stable vehicle condition has
been reached. There is no driving situation which requires ESP to be
deactivated, so this should only be done if the driver's skill and the
traffic situation permit.
& WARNING
• The limits of physics cannot be suspended by ESP. Even in vehi­
cles with ESP. you should always adapt your driving to road and
traffic conditions. This is particularly true on a slippery and wet
road . Do not be tempted by the increased safety provided to take
risks -danger of an accident!
• Please note that when ASR or ESP /ASR is deactivated , the drive
wheels can spin on icy and slippery roads and the vehicle can
break away -danger of skidding!
[ i ] Tips
In the event of a defect in Audi magnetic ride, it can happen that
ASR and ASR/ESP cannot be deactivated, or they are activated auto ­
matically in the deactivated state.
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock monitors the rotational
speed of the drive wheels.
General notes
The electronic differential lock (EDU helps the car to start moving,
accelerate and c limb a gradient on surfaces providing poor or
a lmost no grip . Without EDL , this would be difficult, if not impos ­
sib le.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data