
Cockpit59
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
panel display 
4). 
Stop the vehicle and switch off the engine. Check the 
coolant level ⇒ page 239 ⇒.
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 232.
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 57, fig. 34    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
C h a n g i ng  u p  i n t o  h i g h e r  ge a r s  e a r l y  wi ll  h e l p  yo u  t o  r e d u ce  f u e l  co ns u m p t i o n ,  
emissions and minimise engine noise.SpeedometerThe speedometer is equipped with a digital odometer and a trip recorder, in 
addition to a service intervals display.
During the running-in period, the instructions shown on  ⇒page 205 should 
be followed.Setting the digital clock* 
The digital clock is located in  the instrument panel display.– Turn the setting knob ⇒page 57, fig. 34    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 version of the model.
A4
A5
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Cockpit61
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
Digital instrument panel displayDisplay (without warnin g or information texts)
The display in the instrument panel shows, amongst other 
things, the mileage and trip recorder as well as the selector 
lever position.
Digital clock display  ⇒page 59. On the right of the display: Selector 
lever position display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of 
the selector lever or the gear which is engaged (for tiptronic)* is high-
lighted.
Outside temperature.
Odometer or flexible service interval display*.
Displayed categories*
The display on the instrument panel shows the mileage and 
trip recorder as well as the selector lever position.
Clock: “Setting the time”. On the right of the display: Selector lever posi-
tion display for the automatic gearbox*. The current position of the 
selector lever or the gear which is en gaged (for Tiptronic) is highlighted.
There are optional and automatic displays in this field.
– Optional indicators:  e.g. those on the multifunction display (MFI)
– Automatic indicators:  Information and warning messages.
– Menus providing further information and which can be used to make  diverse settings are also shown: “Instrument panel menus”
Outside temperature.
Odometer or flexible service interval display.
Fig. 38  Detailed view of 
the instrument panel: 
screen with different indi-
cators
A1A2A3
Fig. 39  Digital instru-
ment panel display
A1A2A3A4
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Cockpit
62Recommended 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.Odometer or flexible service interval displayOdometer
The left-hand counter in the display registers the total amount of distance 
covered by the vehicle.
The right-hand counter registers the short journeys. The last digit indicates 
steps of 100 metres. The trip recorder counter may be reset by holding down 
the reset button for a few seconds. Service interval display
Ve hi cle s wi th Service intervals dependent on time/distance travelled
 already 
have certain service intervals set. The intervals are calculated individually in 
vehicles with  LongLife service .
The service interval display only indicates the dates of services that include 
engine oil change. The dates of all other services, such as Inspection Service 
or brake fluid change, appear in the sticker on the door pillar or in the Main-
tenance Programme.
A  Service pre-warning  will appear in the odometer 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*:
Service in
[XXXX]
km
or
[XXXX]
days
The service message will disappear approximately 20 seconds after the igni-
tion is switched on or the engine is running. The normal display can be 
resumed by briefly pressing the reset button on the trip counter or by pressing 
the   button on the steering wheel controls.
With the ignition on, you can  check the current service message at any 
moment in the  Vehicle status menu or turning the reset button to access the 
service display.
An  overdue service  is indicated by a minus sign in front of the mileage or day 
information.
Fig. 40  Gear display
OK
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Index
310OObservations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  210
Octane number  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  230
Odometer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . \
 235
Oil change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  238
Oil properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  236
One-touch opening and closing
Electric windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  114
Opening and locking  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  111
Outside temperature display  . . . . . . . . . . . . 65, 73
Overview Control lamps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  77
Dash panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  55
Indicator lamps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  80
Instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
Warning lamps  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77, 80PPaintworkPolishing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  218
Parking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  187
Parking aid acoustic system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  189
Parking lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  125
Parking system  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  189
Parking system plus  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  190
Passenger See Correct sitting position  . . . . . . . . . . 11, 12
Pedals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16 Petrol  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  230
Driving abroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  210
Petrol additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  231
Physical principles of a frontal collision  . . . . . .  21
Plastic parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  218
Plastic parts cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  221
Pollen filter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  169
Pollution filter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  169
Power steering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  203 Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  88
Products for vehicle maintenance  . . . . . . . . . .  215
RRadio frequency remote control . . . . . . . . . . . .  107 Changing the battery  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Radio navigation controls on the steering wheel Audio + telephone version . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  96
Rain sensor*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  132
Rear drink holder* Armrest* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  149
Rear fog light Indicator lamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  83
Warning lamp  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  118
Rear interior lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  128
Rear reading lights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  128
Rear seats  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  142
Rear shelf Storage compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  157
Rear window automatic wiper/washer  . . . . . .  133 Rear window wiper  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  133
Recommended gear display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
Refuelling  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  226
Registration light  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  280
Remote control key
Buttons  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  107
Synchronising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  108
Removing and fitting the wheel . . . . . . . . . . . .  264
Repairs Airbags . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
Replacement keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  105
Replacement of parts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  224
Rev counter  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  59
Reverse gear Manual gearbox  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  181
Roll-back function Sliding/tilting sunroof  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  117
Windows  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  114
Roof aerial  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  225
Roof rack*  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  157
Roof storage compartment* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  146
Rubber seals  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  219
Run-flat tyres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  252
Running in Engine  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  205
SSafe driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
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