2015 AUDI S4 suspension

22 Instruments and warning/indicator lights
If the symbol II illuminates, the dynam ic
headlight range cont rol is no longer wo rking
properly. Have the system checked and re­
pa ired at your author iz ed Audi dealer.
~O Adaptive Light
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive light
111 Aud i adaptive l ight: defective
If t he indicator lig ht t urns on a nd th is mes­
sage appears, t he re is a ma lfunction in the
adapt ive light system. The headlig hts still
function.
Go to an a uth o rized dea le rship to have the
headlights or the contro l unit for the adapt ive
light repa ired.
~ o Light/rain sensor
Applies to vehicles: with light/rain sensor
£I Automatic headlights/ automatic wipers
defectiv e
If the indicator light t urns on and th is mes­
sage appears, the lig ht/ra in sensor is n ot
f u nctioning cor rectly .
For safety reasons the low beams are turned
on permanent ly w ith the switch in AUTO .
H owever, you can c ontinue to turn the lights
on and off using the light switc h. You can still
con trol a ll funct ions tha t are in depe nden t of
the rai n sensor through the wi ndshi eld wipe r
l eve r.
Contact your author ized Audi dealer as soon
as possible to have the prob lem cor rected .
Q Adaptive dampers
Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive select and adaptive
dampers
H Suspension: System fault!
If t he
H symbol in the disp lay comes on,
there is a malfunction in the adaptive damp ­
e rs . Please go to an authorized Audi dea ler or
qua lified workshop to have the malfu nction
repaired.
I-: Sport differential
Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive select and sport dif­
ferential
Sport differential : System fault!
There is a malfunction with t he sport d iffe ren­
tia l.
D rive to your au thorized A udi dealer immedi ­
ate ly to have the ma lfunction corrected.
Sport differential : Overheating
T he trans missio n tempera ture has inc reased
s ignifica ntly due to t he spor ty d riving manner .
Dr ive in a less sporty ma nner until the tem­
p era ture re tur ns to the normal range and t he
in dica to r li ght switc he s of.
_& WARNING ... -
Co ntac t your author ized Audi dealer or
qu alified wor kshop if the s port differential
i s faulty or malfunct io ning. T he repair
must be perf ormed by t rained personnel
usi ng the co rrect oil in o rder to ensure
safety.
~ Ignition lock
l3 Ignition lock defective
There is a malfunction in the e lectronic igni­
t ion loc k. Please go to a n author ized Audi
dealer or other qualified worksh op to have t he
malfu nction repa ired .
¢ Q Turn signals
Wh eneve r yo u use the left
Ill o r th e r ight 8]
tu rn s ignal, the in dicato r li ght blin ks. W he n
yo u use t he emerge ncy fla she rs, bo th indic a­
tor lights flash.
If one of the turn s igna l light bulbs bu rn o ut,
t h e tur n sig nal w ill bli nk twi ce as fast as no r­
m al. Ca ref ully dr ive to you r a utho rized Aud i
dealer imme diate ly to have the m alfunction
cor rected.

Audi drive select Driving settings
Introduction
App lies to vehicles: with Audi drive select
Drive select provides the possibility to experi­
ence diffe rent types of vehicle sett ings in one
vehicle. For instance, using the three
Com­
fort, Auto and Dynamic modes, the driver can
switch from a sporty to a comfortab le driving
mode with the press of a button.
Addit ionally, in vehicles with
MM I*, the vehi ­
cle setup for
Individual* mode can be cus­
tomized by you. This makes it possib le to
combine settings such as a sporty engine tun­
ing with comfortable steering.
A WARNING
Improper use of the Audi drive select can
cause collisions, other acc idents and seri­
ous personal injury.
Description
Applies to vehicles: with Audi drive select
The vehicle setup in each mode depends on
the vehicle's features . However, the engine,
automatic t ransmission* and steering are al­
ways involved.
-
Engine and automatic transmission*
Depending on the mode, the engine and the
automatic transmission respond quicker or in
a more ba lanced manner to acce lerator pedal
movements. In the sporty dynamic mode, the
automatic transmission shifts at higher RPMs .
Steering
The steering adapts in terms of steering effort
and steering ratios . Indirect steer ing that
moves easily, like the steering in comfort
mode , is best su ited to long dr ives on a high­
way. In contrast, dynamic mode prov ides
~ sporty, di rect steering.
0
11'5 The follow ing applies to vehicles with dynam ic ,....,
~ steer ing*: the steering ratio changes based on
~ vehicle speed in order to maintain optimum ,....,
Audi drive select 115
steering effort for the driver at all times. This
sets the steering to be less sensitive at higher
speeds in order to provide improved vehicle
control. At reduced speeds, however, steering
is more direct in order to keep the steering ef­
fort as minimal as possible when the driver is
maneuveri ng the veh icle . At low and average
speeds, dynamic steering addit iona lly pro­
vides more responsive steering performance.
Adaptive dampers*
The adaptive dampers* use sensors to record
information regarding steering movements,
braking and acceleration operations by the
driver , road surface, driving speed, and load.
T his makes it possible to adapt damp ing to
the driving situation v irtually i n rea l time.
Drive select also makes it possible to satisfy
the desire for sporty suspension (Dynamic)
and comfortab le suspension (Comfort) with­
out giving up balanced tuning (Auto) .
Sport differential*
As a component of the all whee l dr ive system
(quattro)
~ page 190, the sport differential*
distributes the driving power to the rear axle
depending on the situation . The distribution
of power varies depending on the mode se­ lected. The goal is a high level of agility and
ability to accelerate on curves . The vehicle is
very respons ive to steering .
Audi adaptive cruise control*
The behavior when accelerating can be adjust­
ed from comfortab le to sporty, depending on
the drive select mode. Adaptive cruise control
also responds to the driving behavior of the
vehicle ahead in a more conservative or sporty
manner .
Engine sound*
The sound of the engine is adapted to the se­
lected mode and ranges from subtle to sporty.
0) Tips
-In some models, the maximum vehicle
speed can only be reached in the
Auto
and Dynamic modes.

158 Airbag system
-Never attach any objects such as cu­
pholders or telephone mountings to the
surfaces covering the airbag units.
- For cleaning the horn pad or instrument
panel, use only a soft, dry cloth or one
moistened with plain water. Solvents or
cleaners could damage the airbag cover
or change the stiffness or strength of the
material so that the airbag cannot de­
ploy and protect properly.
- Never repair, adjust, or change any parts
of the airbag system .
- All work on the steering wheel, instru­
ment panel, front seats or electrical sys­
tem (including the installation of audio
equipment, cellular telephones and CB
radios, etc.) must be performed by a
qualified technician who has the training
and special equipment necessary.
- For any work on the airbag system, we
strongly recommend that you see your
authorized Audi dealer or qualified work­
shop.
- Never modify the front bumper or parts
of the vehicle body.
- Always make sure that the side airbag
can inflate without interference:
- Never install seat covers or replace­
ment upholstery over the front seat­
backs that have not been specifically
approved by Audi.
- Never use additional seat cushions that
cover the areas where the side airbags
inflate.
- Damage to the original seat covers or
to the seam in the area of the side air­
bag module must always be repaired
immediately by an authorized Audi
dealer.
- The airbag system can be activated only
once. After an airbag has inflated, it
must be replaced by an authorized Audi
dealer or qualified technician who has
the technical information, training and
special equipment necessary.
- The airbag system can be deployed only once. After an airbag has been deployed,
it must be replaced with new replace -ment parts designed and approved espe­
cially for your Audi model version . Re­
placement of complete airbag systems
or airbag components must be per­
formed by qualified workshops only. Make sure that any airbag service action
is entered in your Audi Warranty
& Main­
tenance booklet under
AIRBAG REPLACE­
MENT RECORD.
- In accidents when an airbag is deployed,
the vehicle battery separates the alterna­
tor and the starter from the vehicle elec­
trical system for safety reasons with a pyrotechnic circuit interrupter.
- Work on the pyrotechnic circuit inter­ rupter must only be performed by a
qualified dealer -risk of an accident!
- If the vehicle or the circuit interrupter
is scrapped, all applicable safety pre­
cautions must be followed.
@ For the sake of the environment
Undeployed airbag modules and preten ­
sioners might be classified as Perchlorate
Material -special handling may apply, see
www .dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/per­
chlorate. When the vehicle or parts of the restraint system including airbag modules
safety belts with pretensioners are scrap­
ped, all applicable laws and regulations
must be observed. Your authorized Audi
dealer is familiar with these requirements
and we recommend that you have your
dealer perform this service for you.
Other things that can affect Advanced
Airbag performance
Changing the vehicle's suspension system can
change the way that the Advanced Airbag Sys­
tem performs in a crash. For example, using
tire-rim combinations not approved by Audi, lowering the vehicle, changing the stiffness of
the suspension, including the springs, suspen­
sion struts, shock absorbers etc. can change
the forces that are measured by the airbag sensors and sent to the electronic control
unit. Some suspension changes can, for

M N
~ co
rl I.O
"' rl
"' rl
example, increase the force levels measured
by the sensors and make the airbag system
deploy in crashes in which it wo uld not deploy
if the changes had not been made. Other
kinds of changes may reduce the force levels
measured by the sensors and p revent the air ­
bag from deploying when it should.
& WARNING
Changing the vehicle's suspension includ­
ing use of unapproved tire-rim combina­
tions can change Advanced Airbag pe r­
formance and increase the risk of ser ious
personal injury in a crash.
- Never ins tall suspe nsio n components
that do not have the same per formance
characteristics as the components origi­
nally insta lled on your vehicle .
- Never use ti re -rim combinations that
have not bee n approved by A udi.
A WARNING 1= -
Items stored between the safety belt
buckle and the center console can cause
the sensors in the buckle to send the
wrong informat io n to the electronic con­
trol modu le and prevent the Advanced A ir­
bag System from work ing proper ly.
- Always make sure that noth ing can inter-
fere w ith the safe ty belt buckles and that
they are not obst ructed.
Side airbags
Description of side airbags
The airbag system can provide supplemental
protection to properly restrained occupants .
Fig. 157 Side a irbag locat ion in the driver' s seat
A irba g sy stem 159
The side airbags are located in the sides o f the
front seat backrests
r=> fig . 157 and the rear
backrest facing the doors . They are ident if ied
by the word "AIRBAG".
The side airbag system b asically con sis t s o f:
- the electron ic cont rol module and external
side impa ct sensors
- t he two a irbags located in the s ides of the
front backrests and the two a irbags* loca ted
in the rear backrest
- the airbag warning light in the instrumen t
cluste r.
The airbag system is mon itored electronically
to make ce rtain that it is f unctioning p roperly
at all times. Each time you turn on the ign i­
ti on, the airbag system ind icator light will
come on for a few seconds (se lf diagnostics).
T he side airbag system supplements the safe­
ty belts a nd can help to reduce the risk of i n­
jury to the driver's and front passenger's up­
per torso on the s ide of the vehicle th at is
struck in a s ide collision . The airbag deploys
only in side impacts and only when the vehicle
acce lerat ion reg istered by the control unit is
high enough. If this rate is be low the refer­
ence value programmed into the control unit,
the side airbags will not be triggered,
even
though the car may be badly damaged as a re­
sult of the co llision .
It is not possib le to de­
fine an airbag trigge ring range that will cover
every possib le ang le of impact, s ince the c ir ­
c u mstances will vary cons iderably be tween
one collis ion and another . Important factors
include, for example, the nature (hard or soft)
of the impacting object, the angle of impact,
vehicle speed, etc.
r::!> page 161, Important
safety instructions on the side airbag system.
Aside from their normal safety function, safe­
ty belts work to help keep the driver or front
passenger in position in the event of a side
collision so that the side airbags can provide
protection .
The airbag system is
not a substitute for your
safety belt . Rather, it is part of the overall oc­
cupant restraint system in your vehicle. Al-
ways remember that the side airbag system
IIJJ,

194 Driving and en vironm ent
8_ WARNING
After driving through water, mud, slush,
etc ., the brakes may be slow to take effect
because of wet brake rotors and pads . Dry
the brakes first by braking carefully to re­
store the full braking effect.
(D Note
Vehicle components such as the engine,
transmiss ion, suspension or electrical sys­
tem can be severely damaged by driving
through wate r.
@ Tips
- Check the depth of the water before dr iv­
i ng through it .
- Do not stop the veh icle, dr ive in reverse
or switc h the engine off when driving
t hr ough water .
- Keep in mind that oncoming vehicles
may c reate waves that raise the water
l evel and make it too deep fo r you r vehi­
cle to dr ive through safely.
-
- Avoid dr iving thro ugh salt water because
i t can ca use corrosion.
Catalytic converter
It is very important that your emission con­
trol system (catalytic conv ert er) is function ­
ing properly to ensure that your vehicle is run­
ning in on env ironm entally sound manner.
,,. Always use lead-free gaso line Q page 207,
Fuel supply .
,,. Never run the tank down a ll th e way to emp ­
ty.
,,. Never put too much moto r oil in your engine
Q page 216, ~ Adding engine oil .
,,. Never try to push -or tow -start your ve hicle .
T he cata lytic converter is an eff ic ient "clean­
up" device built in to the exhaust system of
the vehicle . The catalytic converter burns
many of the polluta nts in the exhaust gas be ­
fore they are released into the atmosphe re . The exclus
ive use of unleaded f uel is critica lly
important for the life of the catalytic conv ert­
er and p roper funct ion ing of the eng ine .
A WARNING
=
-The temperature of the exhaust system
is high, both when driving and after stop­
p ing the eng ine .
- Never touch the exhaust tail pipes once
they have become hot. This could result
in burns.
- Do not park or operate the vehicle i n
areas where the hot exhaust system may
come in co ntact with dry grass, brush,
fue l spill or other material wh ich can
cause a fire .
- Do not app ly additional undercoating or
r u stp roofing on or nea r the exhaust
manifold, exhaust pipes, cataly tic con­
ver ter or he at s hields. Dur ing driv ing, the
substance used fo r undercoating could
overheat and cause a fire.
CI) Note
- Be aware tha t just o ne tank filling with
leaded fu el w ill alre ady ser io usly de ­
grade the performance of the cata lytic
converter .
- Do not exceed the cor rect engine oil level
Q poge 216.
-Do not drive until the fuel t ank becomes
comple tely empty . The engine cou ld mis ­
fire . Unburned fuel could also get into
the exhaust system and th is co uld cause
the catalytic converter to overheat.
- Do not turn off the ignition while the ve­
hicle is mov ing.
- Do not contin ue to ope rate your veh icle
under these conditions, as otherwise fuel
can reach the catalyt ic converter. Th is
co uld result in overheating of the con­
verter, requir ing its replacement.
- To assure efficient operation of the Emis -
sion Control System: .,..

246 Tires and whee ls
symbols) indicate the positions
of the tread wear indicators .
Worn tires must be replaced. Different figures may apply in
other countries
s> .1:. .
Tire pressure
Incorrect tire pressure causes
premature wear and can cause
sudden tire blow-out. For this
reason, tire pressure must be
checked at least once a month
r::::>page239 .
Driving style
Driving fast around curves,
heavy acceleration and hard
b raking increase tire wear .
Rotating tires for more even
wear
For all four tires on your vehic le
to have the same service life,
we recommend that the front and rear tires are rota ted ac­
cord ing to the tire man ufactur ­
er's s uggested tire rotat ion in­
tervals. Please remember the
following:
-Tire rotation intervals may dif­ fer from the vehicle service in ­
tervals outlined in your Main­
tenance and Warranty Book­ let . -
The longer one tire is used in
o ne location on the ve hicle,
the more it wears at certain points; therefore, we recom­
mend tha t you follow the tire
manufact ure r's suggested tire
rotat ion interva ls .
- Vehicles with front -wheel
drive expe rience more tread
wear on the front whee ls com­
p ared to all wheel drive (q uat­
tro).
-Please rota te t ires as shown
r::::> fig . 192 .
-Extra care must be taken when
rotat ing direction-speci fic
tires c:> page 26 7.
Wheel balancing
The wheels on new vehicles are
balanced . Howeve r, various sit ­
uations d uring everyday drivi ng
can cause them to become un­
balanced , resulting in vibra ­
tions you can usu ally feel
through the s teering wheel.
Unbalanced wheels must be re­
ba lanced to avoid excessive
wea r on steering, suspension
and tires. A wheel must also be
rebalanced when a new tire is
insta lled .