
Cockpit57
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
display
4). 
Stop the car and switch off the engine.  Check the coolant level 
⇒ page 220  ⇒.
Even if the coolant level is correct  do not continue driving. You should obtain 
technical assistance.WARNING
When working in the engine compartment, always observe the safety warn-
ings  ⇒page 213.
Caution
Accessories in front of the air inlet reduce the cooling effect of the coolant. At 
high outside temperatures and high engine loads, there is a risk of the 
engine overheating.Rev counter
The rev. counter displays the engine speed in revolutions per 
minute.The start of the red zone  ⇒page 55, fig. 33    indicates the maximum 
engine speed operating at service temperature. However, it is advisable to 
change up a into a higher gear, move the selector lever to D or lift your foot 
off the accelerator before the needle reaches the red zone.
Caution
The rev counter needle must never enter the red zone on the scale. Risk of 
engine damage.
For the sake of the environment
Changing up into higher gears early will  help you to save fuel and minimise 
engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip counter, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period,  the instructions shown on ⇒page 190 should 
be followed.Setting the digital clock* 
The digital clock is located in the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob  ⇒page 55, fig. 33    clockwise until the 
first “click” to set the hour. The hour will flash. To change the 
hour, press the button.
– Turn the setting knob clockwise to  the second “click” to set the 
minutes. The minutes will flash. To change the minutes, press the 
button.
4)Depending on the model version
A4
A5
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Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Recommended gear display* 
This display helps to save fuel.Use the gear display to save fuel. If you are driving in the correct gear, a dot 
will be shown next to the gear display. If you are not in the correct gear, an 
arrow will appear next to the gear display indicating whether you should 
change up or down.Mileage display or Service Interval DisplayDistance display
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance 
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the sh ort journeys. The last digit indicates 
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down 
the reset button  ⇒page 55, fig. 33    for a few seconds. Service interval display
A 
Service pre-warning will appear in the mileage displays if a service is due 
soon. A “spanner” symbol appears and the display “km” with the distance 
that can be driven until the next service appointment is due. The display will 
change after approximately 10 seconds. A “clock symbol” appears and the 
number of days until the service appointment should be carried out. The 
following message is shown in the instrument panel display:  SERV. IN... KM 
OR... DAYS . The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds 
after the ignition is switched on or th e engine is running. The normal display 
can be resumed by pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by 
pressing the rocker switch of the MFI  ⇒page 60, fig. 39  .
With the ignition switched on, you can call up the current  service message by 
pressing the trip counter reset knob for 2 seconds.
An  overdue service  is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day 
information.
Fig. 38  Gear display
A6
AB
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Driving
172
Driving
– Press and hold the foot brake.
– Press the button on the selector lever knob (on the left) ⇒page 171, fig. 144 .
– Select a gear for driving ( R, D  or  S).
– Release the button and wait a few seconds for the gear to  engage, a light jerk will be felt.
– Release the brake and accelerate.
Short stop
– Hold the vehicle stationary with the brake pressed down (for  example at traffic lights). The selector lever does not need to be 
put into the positions  P or  N for this.
– Do not press the accelerator.
Parking the vehicle
– Press the foot brake and hold to bring the vehicle to a stop.
–Apply the handbrake firmly.
– Press in the button on the selector lever knob, move the lever to  the position  P and release the button.
Driving slowly
– Move the selector lever to the position  D and press to the right to 
put the lever into Tiptronic mode.
– Press the gear lever towards (-) to select a lower gear. Hill stop
– Hold the vehicle, in all cases, using the foot brake to prevent 
rolling back.
– Do not try to slow the vehicle using another forward gear (engine  braking).
Descending gradients
– With the gear engaged, release the brake and accelerate.
The steeper the gradient the lower the gear must be for effective engine 
braking. For example, if 3rd gear is used on a very steep gradient, the engine 
braking is insufficient and vehicle accelerates. So that the engine speed does 
not become excessive, the gearbox changes to the next highest gear. Depress 
the brake pedal and move the selector lever to the Tiptronic gate to return to 
3rd gear.
WARNING
•
The driver should never leave the ve hicle while the engine is running or 
with any gear selected. If for any reason you must leave the vehicle with the 
engine running, apply the handbrake and  move the selector lever to posi-
tion P.
•
When the engine is running and the positions D, S or R are selected, it 
is necessary to hold the vehicle with the foot brake because the vehicle will 
creep at a low speed.
•
Never accelerate while changing the position of the selector lever (risk 
of an accident).
•
The selector lever must never be mo ved into the positions R or P while 
moving (risk of an accident).
•
Before descending a steep gradient, reduce speed and use the Tiptronic 
programme to select a lower gear.
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Driving175
Safety First
Operating instructions
Practical tips
Te c h n i c a l  D a t a
Applying the handbrake
– Pull the handbrake lever up firmly ⇒ page 174, fig. 147.
Releasing the handbrake
– Pull the lever up slightly and press the release knob in the direc- tion of the arrow ⇒ page 174, fig. 147 and guide the handbrake 
lever down fully  ⇒.Always apply the handbrake firmly . This prevents you driving with the hand-
brake applied  ⇒.
The handbrake warning lamp 
 lights up when the handbrake is applied 
and the ignition switched on. The warning turns off when the handbrake is 
released.
If you drive faster than 6 km/h with the handbrake on, the following 
message* will appear on the instrument panel display:  HANDBRAKE ON. Also, 
an audible warning is given.
WARNING
•
Never use the handbrake to stop the vehicle when it is in motion. The 
braking distance is considerably longer, because braking is only applied to 
the rear wheels. Risk of accident!
•
If it is only partially released, this will cause rear brakes overheating, 
which can impair the function of the brake system and could lead to an acci-
dent. This also causes premature wear on the rear brake pads.Caution
Always apply the handbrake before you leave the vehicle. The first gear 
should also be selected.
Parking
The handbrake should always be firmly applied when the 
vehicle is parked.Always note the following points when parking the vehicle:
– Use the foot brake to stop the vehicle.
–Apply the handbrake.
– The first gear should also be selected.
– Switch the engine off and remove the key from the ignition lock.  Turn the steering wheel slightly  to engage the steering lock.
– Always take you car keys with you when you leave the vehicle  ⇒ .Additional notes on parking the vehicle on gradients:
Turn the steering wheel so that the vehicle rolls against the kerb if it started 
to roll.•
If the vehicle is parked facing downhill , turn the front wheels so that they 
point  towards the kerb.
•
If the vehicle is parked facing  uphill, turn the front wheels so that they 
point  away from the kerb .
•
Secure the vehicle as normal by applying the handbrake firmly and 
engaging first gear.
WARNING
•
Take measures to reduce the risk of injury when you leave your vehicle 
unattended.
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