2015 AUDI A3 ABS

16 Instruments and indicator lights
USA models: Speed warning
system
c::> page 79
Canada models: Speed warning
system
c::> page 79
Adaptive cruise control*./
c::> page 84
Yellow indicator lights
,.a~ t I " .,
-------------
Central indicator light (pay at-
tent ion to the add itiona l infor­
mation in the instrument cluster
display) ©
c::> page 14, fig . 9
Electronic Stabilization Control
(ESC) ./
c::>page 22
Electronic Stabilization Control
(ESC) ./
c::> page 22
Electronic S tab ilizat ion Control
(ESC)
c::> page 185
USA models:
Anti- lock braking system (ABS)
faulty./
c::> page 22
Canada models:
Anti- lock braking system (ABS)
faulty./
c::> page 22
USA models: Safety systems ./
c::> page 21
Canada models: Safety systems
./
c::> page 21
Brake pads
c::> page 22
Electromechanical parking brake
c::> page 19
or
.. ~
~
(J)
TPMS
;
or
or
or Hill
hold*
c::>page23
Tire pressure monitoring system
./
c::>page243
Tire pressure monito ring system
c::> page243
Adapt ive dampers*
c::>page25
Engine control (gasoli ne engine)
./
c::>page23
Exha ust control system./
c::>page23
Engine speed limitation
c::>page23
Engine oil level (min .)
c::> page23

18 Instruments and indicator lights
or
/:
or l
ig ht/ rain senso r*
c>page 25
Active lane assist"
c>p age 95
Transmission
c>page 111
Other indicator lights
D
y>))
~------------
Turn s ignals
c> pag e 25
USA models: Cru ise con trol sys ­
tem *
c>page 79
Canada models: Cr uise co ntrol
sys te m*
c>p age 79
Adaptive cruise cont ro l*
c> pag e 84
Adaptive c ruise cont ro l*
c>pag e 84
Adaptive c ruise cont ro l*
c> page 84
Active lane assist*
c> page 95
High beam
c> page 44
Convenie nce key
c>page 75
Electrome chanical pa rking bra ke
c>page 19
Adaptive c ruise cont ro l*
c> page 84
Active lane ass ist*
c>page 95
Aud i side assist *
c>page 100
Transm ission
c>page 111
Elect rome chanical par king b rake
<::>page 19
Rear s afe ty bel t* ,/
c::>page2 5
Rear safety bel t* ,/
c::> p ag e 2 5
BRAKE /(0) Brake system
If the indicator light turns on, t here is a ma l­
funct ion in the brake system .
• (USA models)/. (Canada models)
Please stop vehicle and check brake fluid lev ­
el!
Stop the ve hicle an d check t he b rake fluid lev­
el. See your authorized A udi d ealer or quali ­
fied repair facility, if necessary.
• (USA models). (Canada models)
Warning! Brake servo inoperative!
W he n t he bra king assist anc e ( brak e ass ist s ys­
t em) h as fa ile d, you mu st press the bra ke ped ­
al ha rder to bra ke . See your a uthorized Audi
dealer or qualif ied repair faci lity.
• (USA models)/. (Canada models)
Warning! Fault in brake system . Please con­
tact Service
If t he A BS ind icator light rJ1l;1 (U SA mod els)/
¢oJ ( C an ad a mod els), the ESP in d ic ato r lig ht
Ii) an d t he bra ke sys tem in dicator lig ht
• (US A mo dels)/ . (Can ada models) turn
o n an d th is message ap pears, the ABS, ES P
and braking distr ibutio n are not working
c::> & .
Dr ive to your au thor ized A udi dea ler or qu ali­
fi ed repa ir facility immed ia te ly to h ave the
malfunction corrected
c::> & .
• (USA models)/. (Canada models) Park ­
ing brake system fault! See owner's manual .,.

-If the indicator light and the message ap­
pear
when stationar y or after swit ching the
ign it ion on ,
check if you can release the
parking brake. If you cannot re lease the
parking brake, see your authorized Aud i
dealer or qualified repair facility . If the park­
i ng brake can be released and the message
appears again, drive to your author ized Audi
dealer or qualified repair facility to have the
ma lfu nction corrected.
- If the indicator light and the message ap­
pear
whi le driving , hill start ass ist or the
eme rgency braking function may not be
available. It may not be possible to set the
parking b rake or release it once it has been
set . Do not park you vehicle on slopes and
see your authorized Audi dealer or qua lified
repair fac ility for assistance.
(USA models): If the warning light . and the
warning light
El appear together, immedi­
ately contact your authorized Audi dealer or
qua lified workshop to have all brake pads in­
spected
c:> page 22.
A WARNING
-Follow the warnings on c:> page 210,
Working in the engine compartment
be­
fore opening the hood and checking the brake flu id leve l.
- If the brake system warn ing light does
not turn off or turns on wh ile driving, the
brake fl uid in the reservoir is too low and
this could cause an accident. Stop the ve­
hicle and do not continue driving. See
yo ur autho rized Aud i dealer or qualified
repa ir facility.
- If the brake system indicator light t urns
on together with the ABS and ESC indica­
tor lights, the ABS/ESC regulating func­
t ion may have fa iled. Functions that sta­
bilize the vehicle are no longer availab le .
Th is co uld cause the rear of the veh icle to
swerve, wh ich increases the risk that the
vehicle will slide. Dr ive carefully to the
nearest authorize d Aud i dealer o r othe r
qualified repair facility and have the mal­
f unction corrected .
Instruments and indicator ligh ts 19
PARK/( ®)/~ Electromechanical parking
brake
If the indicator light . (U SA mode ls) •
(Canada models) turns on, the pa rking brake
was set .
If the parking brake is set when the
ignition is sw itched off, the indicator light
turns off after about 20 seconds.
• (USA model s)/. (Can ada model s) Cau­
tion: Vehicle parked too steep
When the indica tor l igh t bli nks and this mes­
sage appears, there is not enough braking
power to keep the vehicle from ro llin g . T he
brakes have overheated. The vehicle could roll
away even on a sma ll incline.
• (USA model s)/. (Canada model s)
Plea se pre ss brake pedal to release the pa rk­
ing brake
T o re lease the par king brake, press the brake
pedal and press the~ button at the same
time, or start driving w ith hi ll start assist
¢ page 77, Starting from a stop.
ml Parking brake !
There is a parki ng b rake ma lfunction . Drive to
you r aut ho rized Aud i dea le r or qualified repa ir
facility immed iate ly to have the malfunction
correc ted.
liJ Parking bra ke: limited functionality
There is a parking brake ma lfunction. Drive to
an authorized Audi dea le r or qualified repa ir
facility immed iate ly to have the malfunction
corrected .
Parking bra ke: not applied !
When this message appea rs, set the pa rking
brake if necessary.
fll ( USA model s) 1mE (Can ada mod els)
Pl ea se relea se parking brake .
When this message appea rs, re lease the par k­
i ng brake.
fll (USA models ) /K@» ( Canada mod els ) Park-
ing brake auto release una va ilable ..,. •

22 Instruments and indicator lights ~Engine
• Engin e stopped: brake servo and power
steering not possible
There is a malfunct io n in the eng ine or in the
f u e l supp ly system .
A large amou nt of steering and braking force
i s required when driving a ro lli ng vehicle w it h
the eng ine stopped. Try to stop a ro lling veh i­
cle ca refully on the s ide of th e road . See your
author ized Audi dealer or qua lified repai r fa­
cili ty.
_&. WARNING
If the eng ine stops whi le driving, a la rge
amount of braking force is required . This
increases the risk of an accident. As long
as the ve hicle rolls wit h the ignition
sw itched on and there is e nough battery
charge, the power steering wi ll still work.
If not, a large amoun t of steeri ng force is
re quir ed.
-
;;IC, Electronic stabilization control
(ESC) and
(8) anti-lock braking system
(ABS)
If t h e J;,J indicator light b links w hile d riving,
the ESP or ASR (anti-s lip regulat ion) is actively
regulat ing.
I f th e
J;,J indicator light turns on, t he system
h as sw itche d the ESC
off . In th is case, you can
switch the ignition
off and then on to switch
the ESC on again. The indicator light turns
off
when th e system is functioning fully .
Stabilization control (ESC ): sport. Warning!
Rest ricted stability
When the II indica to r li gh t turns on, the ES C
sport mo de was switc hed on w it h the
!1' O FF I
button ¢ page 187. You can turn the ESC
bac k on by press ing the
!1' O FF i button again.
Stabilization control (ESC ): off. Warning!
Restricted stability
Wh en the II indicato r ligh t tur ns on, ESC i s
restri cte d or was sw itche d
off wi th the I~ O FF I
but ton ¢ page 187 . The mess age ESC OFF al- so appears
. You can t urn the ESC bac k on by
pressing the
1 -P. O FF I butto n again .
When the igni tion is sw itche d on t he sys tem
is tur ned o n. The
fl indica tor ligh t turns off
when the system is functioning f ully.
Stabilization control (ESC) malfunction! See
owner's manual
Stabilization control (ESC/ABS) malfunc­
tion! See owner's manual
ABS malfunct ion! See owner's manual
If the DJ in di cator light and the ABS indicator
li ght
i;l (U SA mode ls) ;tiJ (Canada mode ls)
turn on and this message appears, there is a
malfuncti on in the ABS system or electronic
differentia l lock . T hi s also causes the ESC to
malfu nction . The brakes st il l function wi th
t h eir normal power, but A BS is not
active.
Drive to y our auth orized A udi dealer or quali­
fied repa ir facility immed iate ly to have the
malfu nction corrected .
_&. WARNING
-If the. (U SA mode ls) • (Cana da mod-
e ls) brake sys tem indi ca tor ligh t turns on
to ge ther wi th the A BS an d ESC ind icat or
li g hts, the A BS/ ES C r egu la t ing func tion
may have fa iled . Fu nctions that s tabili ze
the veh icle are no longe r available . This
could ca use the vehicle to
swerve, wh ich
in creases the r is k th at the vehicle will
slide . Dr ive carefully to the nearest aut hor­
i z e d A udi dealer or ot her qualified repair
fac ility an d have t he malfu nction cor rect­
e d .
@ Tips
Fo r additional informat io n o n ESC an d
A BS, refer to
Q pag e 185.
(0} Worn brake pads
£t3 Brake pads!
If the warning light illuminates, immed iate ly
co ntact your author ized Audi dea ler or qua li-
fi ed wor kshop to have all b rake pads ..,_

On-board computer display
The on-boa rd comp uter display monitors the
d iffe rent memory levels:
- Sho rt-term memory (on-board computer
1)
- Long-term memory (on-board computer 2)
-Efficiency program
The fo llowing information can be displayed in
on-board computer
1 and 2 one after the oth­
er.
- Date
- Estimated range based on current fuel leve l
- T rave l time
- Average consumption
- Average speed
- Distance
- Current fuel consumption
On-board computer D (short -te rm
mem ory )
The sho rt-term memory co llects d riving infor­
mation from the time the ignition is switched
on until it is switched off. If you continue driv ­
ing
w ith in two hours after switc hing the igni­
tion off, the new values a re included when cal­
culating the cu rrent trip information .
If stop­
ped for more the two hours, the short term
memory is automatically erased once you be­
g in d riving.
On-board computer fJ (long-term
memory )
Unlike the short-term memory, the long -term
memory is not erased automa tica lly. You can
selec t the time pe riod for evaluat ing t rip in ­
formation yo urself.
Efficiency program ii
The eff ic iency program can help you to use
l ess fuel ¢
page 28.
(D Tips
-The on-board computer is controlled by
the left but ton fields on the multifunc­
tion steering wheel.
- For information on using the other but­
ton fields, such as the aud io, telephone*
Dr iver in formation system 2 7
and navigation* f unct ions, see the M MI
owner's manual.
Operation
Applies to vehicles: wi th drive r info rmatio n syste m and
mult if un ction stee ring w hee l
The driver information system is controlled
with the multifunction steering wheel.
F ig. 11 M ul tifunction steer ing whee l: d river informa­
tio n system controls
Fi g. 12 Dr ive r info rmatio n system: call ing up the vehi­
cle f unctions menu
In addition to information about the on-board
computer (on-board computer 1, 2 and the ef­
ficiency program), information about other
systems can also be show n in the display.
You can identify which level (on-board com­
puter 1, 2 or the efficiency program) is shown
in the disp lay based on the small
0 , fJ or the
nozzle
ii .
The tab@¢ page 26, fig . 10 is displayed
once you press the button
(D c:> fig. 11 on the
multifunct ion steer ing whee l.
Operation
.,. Switch the ignition on. The last select func ­
tion is disp layed .
.,. To switch between the tabs, press the rocker
button @to the left or right ¢
fig. 11. ..,.

78 Driving
When stopping at a traffic signal or stopping in city traffic, the parking brake can be ap­
plied. The vehicle does not have to be held
with the brake pedal. The parking brake elimi­ nates the tendency to creep when a selector
lever position is engaged . As soon as you
press the accelerator pedal, the parking brake
releases automatically and the vehicle starts
to move.
Starting on slopes
When starting on inclines, the hill start assist
prevents the vehicle from unintentionally roll­
ing back. The braking force of the parking
brake is not released until sufficient driving
force has been built up at the wheels.
(D Tips
For safety reasons, the park ing brake is re­
leased automatically only when the driv­
er 's safety belt is fastened and the driver 's
door is locked.
Emergency braking function
This is used if the convention brake system
fails or locks up.
~ To brake your vehicle in an emergency, pull
the @switch
¢ page 76, fig. 68 and hold it
pulled.
~ As soon as you release the@ switch or ac-
celerate, the braking process stops.
Pulling and holding the @switch while driv­
ing at a speed of about 2 mph (3 km/h) or
higher initiates the emergency braking func­
tion. The vehicle is braked at all four wheels by activating the braking hydraulics. The brake
performance is similar to heavy braking.¢.&
To help prevent activating the emergency braking by mistake, an audible warning tone
(buzzer) sounds when the @switch is pulled.
E mergency braking stops as soon as the@
switch is released or the accelerator pedal is pressed.
A WARNING
Emergency braking should only be used in
an emergency, when the normal brake
pedal has failed or the brake pedal is ob­
structed . During emergency braking, your
vehicle will brake similar to heavy braking .
ESC and the associated components (ABS,
ASR, EDL) cannot overcome the laws of
physics. In corners and when road or
weather conditions are bad, a full brake
application can cause the vehicle to skid or
the rear end to break away, which increas­
es the risk of an accident.
Hill hold
Applies to vehicles: wit h Hill Hold
Hill hold makes it easier to start on hills.
Requirement: The driver door must be closed
and the engine must be running.
The system is activated when the brake pedal
is pressed while the vehicle is stationary.
To prevent the vehicle from rolling back when
starting, the brake power is held for a brief
moment after releasing the brake pedal. Dur­
ing this time, you can easily begin to move
your vehicle.
A WARNING ......_
- The intelligent technology of Hill Hold
cannot overcome the limitations im­
posed by natural physical laws. The in­
creased comfort offered by Hill Hold
should not cause you to take safety risks .
- Hill Hold cannot hold the vehicle in all
hill start situations (for example, if the
ground is slippery or icy).
- If you do not begin moving immediately
after releasing the brake pedal, the vehi­
cle could begin to roll backward under
certain circumstances. Press the brake
pedal or set the parking brake immedi­
ately.
- If the engine "stalls", press the brake
pedal or set the parking brake immedi­
ately.
-

128 Driving safety
-Place heavy objects as far forward in
the luggage compartment as possible.
- Never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rat­
ing or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
specified on the safety compliance stick­
er on the left door jamb. Exceeding per­
missible weight standards can cause the
vehicle to slide and handle differently .
- Please observe information on safe driv­
ing
~ page 121.
A WARNING
To help prevent poisonous exhaust gas
from being drawn into the vehicle, always
keep the rear lid closed while driving.
- Never transport objects larger than
those fitting completely into the luggage
area because the rear lid cannot be fully
closed.
- If you absolutely must drive with the rear
lid open, observe the following notes to
reduce the risk of poisoning:
- Close all windows,
- Close the power roof",
- Open all air outlets in the instrument
panel,
- Switch off the air recirculation,
- Set the fresh air fan to the highest
speed.
A WARNING
Always make sure that the doors, all win­
dows, the power roof* and the rear lid are
securely closed and locked to reduce the
risk of injury when the vehicle is not being
used.
- After closing the rear lid, always make
sure that it is properly closed and locked.
- Never leave your vehicle unattended, es­
pecially with the luggage compartment
lid left open. A child could crawl into the
vehicle through the luggage compart­
ment and close the rear lid becoming
trapped and unable to get out. Being
trapped in a vehicle can lead to serious
personal injury.
-
'
- Never let children play in or around the
vehicle.
- Never let passengers ride in the luggage
compartment. Vehicle occupants must
always be properly restrained in one of
the vehicle's seating positions .
(D Tips
-Air circulation helps to reduce window
fogging. Stale air escapes to the outside
through vents in the trim panel. Be sure
to keep these slots free and open.
- The tire pressure must correspond to the load. The tire pressure is shown on the
tire pressure label. The tire pressure la­
bel is located on the driver's side B-pillar.
The tire pressure label lists the recom­
mended cold tire inflation pressures for
the vehicle at its maximum capacity
weight and the tires that were on your
vehicle at the time it was manufactured.
For recommended tire pressures for nor­
mal load conditions, please see chapter
~ page 229.
Tie-downs
The luggage compartment is equipped with
four tie-downs to secure luggage and other
items.
Use the tie-downs to secure your cargo prop­
erly ~
page 12 7, Loading th e luggage com­
par tment.
In a collision, the laws of physics mean that
even smaller items that are loose in the vehi­
cle will become heavy missiles that can cause
serious injury. Items in the vehicle possess en­
ergy which vary with vehicle speed and the
weight of the item . Vehicle speed is the most
significant factor.
For example, in a frontal collision at a speed
of 30 mph (48 km/h), the forces acting on a 10-lb (4 .S kg) object are about 20 times the
normal weight of the item . This means that
the weight of the item would suddenly be about 200 lbs. (90 kg). You can imagine the
injuries that a 200 lbs. (90 kg) item flying ..,_

13 2 Safet y belt s
-Failure to pay attention to the warning
light that come on, could lead to person­
al injury.
Why safety belts?
Frontal collisions and the law of physics
Frontal crashes create very strong forces for
people riding in vehicles.
F ig. 11 2 Unbelted occ upants in a ve hicle h eading for a
wall
Fig. 1 13 Th e vehicle c rash es into t he wall
The physical principles are simp le. Both the
vehicle and the passengers possess energy
which varies w ith veh icle speed and body
weight . Engineers call this energy "kinetic en­
e rgy ."
T he higher the speed of the vehicle and the
g reater the vehicle's we ight, the more energy
that has to be "absorbed" in the crash .
Vehicle speed is the most sign ificant factor.
If
the speed doubles from 15 to 30 mph (25 to
50 km/h), the energy inc reases 4 t imes!
Because the passengers of this veh icle are not
using safety belts
c::;, fig. 112, they w ill keep
mov ing at the same speed the vehicle was
mov ing just before the c rash, unt il something
stops them - here, the wall ¢
fig. 113 .
The same principles apply to people s itting in
a vehicle that is involved in a frontal collision .
Even at c ity speeds of 20 to 30 mph (30 to 50
km/h), the forces acting on the body can
reach one ton (2,000 lbs , or 1,000 kg) or
more . At greater speeds, these forces are even
highe r.
Peop le who do not use safety belts are also
not attached to their vehicle. In a frontal colli­
s io n they will also keep moving forward at the
speed their veh icle was t ravell ing just before
the crash . Of co urse, the laws of physics don't
just app ly to frontal collisions, they determine
wh at happens i n all kinds of acc idents and col­
lisions .
What happens to occupants not wearing
safety belts?
In crashes unbelted occupants cannot stop
themselves from flying forward and being in­
jured or killed. Always wear your safety belts!
F ig . 11 4 A driver not wea ring a safety b elt is viol en tly
thrown fo rwa rd
F ig . 11 5 A rear passe nge r no t wea ring a safety be lt
w ill fl y forward a nd strike the dr iver
Un belted oc cupants a re not able to resist the
t remendous forces o f impac t by ho lding tight
o r bracing themse lves. Withou t the benefit of
safety restraint systems , the unrestrained
ll-