
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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Cockpit
74
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel* ⇒page 68, fig. 46  until the Vehicle Status  menu is displayed.Priority 2 warning messages and information texts: “Information and warning 
messages on the screen” will automatically disappear from the screen after a 
time and will be stored in the  Vehicle status menu.
The warning and information texts may be viewed in this menu. If there is no 
warning or information message, the option  Vehicle status is not displayed. 
If there are several messages, each one is shown for a few seconds.
Example of menu use  ⇒page 68
Note
If there are no warning messages, this menu is not available.Configuration menu
This menu is used to make th e settings for the vehicle func-
tions.Open Configuration menu
– Select the option  Configuration from the main menu: “Main 
menu” and press button      ⇒page 68, fig. 45  on the wind-
screen wiper lever.  or
– Press button   or   on the multifunction steering wheel*  ⇒page 68, fig. 46  until the Configuration  menu is displayed.Example of menu use ⇒page 68.
 „
 ƒ
OK
AA
 „
 ƒ
Displayed on the 
screen
Function
Multifunction 
display data.
This menu is used to establish the data in the multi-
function display menu to be displayed on the instru-
ment panel  ⇒page 71
Convenience
This menu allows you to make the settings for the 
convenience functions in the vehicle.
Lights and visibility
From this menu it is it possible to alter the vehicle 
lighting settings.
Time
The hours and minutes of the clock and the naviga-
tion system can be changed. Choose between 12 
and 24-hour format and change to summer time.
Winter tyres
The menu allows the setting of a speed at which an 
optical and acoustic warning will be given by the 
system. You can use this function, for example, if 
you have fitted winter tyres which are not suited for 
the top speed of your vehicle. Please see the sec-
tion “Wheels and tyres”.
Settings: Language
The display texts and the navigation system texts 
can be seen in different languages.
Units
This option allows you to select the units for dis-
playing temperature, fuel consumption values and 
distances.
Aux. Speed
The instrument panel also displays the speed in 
another different unit of measurement (mph or 
km/h) to that given on the speedometer.
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Unlocking and locking105
Safety First
Operating Instructions
Practical Tips
Technical Specifications
This function is independent of the vehicle electronic opening and 
locking systems. It only affects rear  doors. It can only be activated 
and deactivated manually, as described below:
Activating the childproof lock
– Unlock the vehicle and open the door in which you wish to acti- vate the childproof lock.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni- tion key, clockwise for the left hand side doors, and anti-clock-
wise for the right hand side doors  ⇒page 104, fig. 61 
⇒ page 104, fig. 62 .
Deactivating the childproof lock
– Unlock the vehicle and open the door whose childproof lock you  want to deactivate.
– With the door open, rotate the groove in the door using the igni- tion key, clockwise for the right hand side doors, and anti-clock-
wise for the left hand side doors  ⇒page 104, fig. 61  
⇒ page 104, fig. 62 .Once the childproof lock is activated, the door can only be opened from the 
outside. The childproof lock can be activated and deactivated by inserting the 
key in the groove when the door is open, as described above.
KeysSet of keys
The set of keys includes a remote control, a key without a 
remote control and a plastic key tab*The set of keys belonging to your vehicle consists of the following items:•one remote control key ⇒ fig. 63   with folding key bit,•one key without remote control  ,•a plastic key tab*  .
Duplicate keys
If you need a replacement key, go to an Authorised Service Centre with your 
vehicle identification number.
Fig. 63  Set of keys
AAAB
AC
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Air conditioning
162
NotePlease observe the general notes  ⇒page 169.Heating and cooling the interiorInterior heating
– Turn the temperature selector  ⇒fig. 127    clockwise to select 
the required temperature.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
– Set the air distribution control to the air flow configuration  desired:   (towards the windscreen),   (towards the chest),   (towards the footwell) and   (towards the windscreen and 
footwell areas). Interior cooling
– Switch on the air conditioner using the button 
⇒page 161, 
fig. 126  .
– Turn the temperature selector anti-clockwise until the desired  cooling output is reached.
– Turn the blower switch to one of the settings 1-4.
Fig. 127  On the dash panel: Climatic controls
A1
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AC
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If and when
286To w i n g  e y e sFitting the towing eye
– Take the towing ring from the on-board tool set. – Remove the front cover by pressing down on its left-hand side.
– Remove the cover of the screw hole, insert a screwdriver into the 
lower slot and lever gently.
– Screw the towing eye as shown by the arrow  anti-clockwise to the 
limit position in the front ⇒ fig. 205 or rear ⇒fig. 206  threaded 
hole.
Fig. 205  The front right 
section of the vehicle: 
Fitting the front towing 
eyeFig. 206  Fitting the 
towing eye to the rear of 
the vehicle
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