
Audi pre sense Preventative passenger
protection
Applies to: ve hicles with Audi pre sense
Pre sense can initiate steps to protect vehicle oc
cupants in certain dangerous situations. The
functions described are available depending on
veh icle equ ipment:
Pre sense basic*
The following functions can be triggered in cer
tain driving situations:
- Tightening of the safety belts (for examp le,
during emergency braking): the front safety
belts have reversib le belt pretensioners. If a
collision does not occur, the safety belts loosen
slightly and are ready to trigger aga in.
- Closing the w indows and the sunroof* (for ex
ample, when over- or understeering) : the win
dows and the sunroof* close until there is only
a small gap open .
Audi pre sense basic functions can be triggered at
speeds above 20 mph (30 km/h). Drive select: the deployment time is adapted in
Dynamic mode .
Pre sense front (vehicles with adaptive cruise
control*)
Pre sense front contains the functions of pre
sense basic . In addition, the likelihood of a rear
end collision with the vehicle ahead is also calcu
lated, within the limi ts of the system. If the risk
of a collision is detected, the following functions
can trigger:
- Braking guard
c> page 85
- Tensioning of the safety belts
- Closing the windows and the sunroof*
Pre sense rear (vehicles with side assist*)
Pre sense rear contains the functions of pre sense
bas ic. In addit ion, the lik el ihood of a rear-end
coll is ion from the vehicle behind is also calculat
ed, within the limits of the system. If the risk of a
collision is detected, the following functions can
trigger:
Audi pre sense
-Tensioning of the safety belts
- Closing the windows and the sunroof*
Pre sense plus*
Pre sense plus contains the functions of pre
sense front and pre sense rear .
Error message
Aud i pre sense: Unavailable
Preventative passenger protection is not availa
ble. Drive to your authorized Audi dealer or au
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have
the malfunction corrected.
A WARNING
=
Pre sense cannot overcome natural phys ica l
laws . It is a system designed to assist and it
cannot prevent a collision . Do not let the in
creased safety provided tempt you into taking
risks. This could increase your risk of a colli
sion.
- The system can dep loy incorrectly .
- Please note that the sensors do not always
detect all objects . This increases the risk of
a collision.
- Pre sense does not react to people or ani
mals or objects that are crossing the vehi
cle's path or are difficu lt to detect
.:>page 79.
-Reflective objects such as guard ra ils or the
entrance to a tunnel, heavy rain and ice can
affect the function of the radar sensors and
the system's ability to detect a collision risk.
(D Note
The sensors can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
un derbody. Pre sense can be impaired by this.
Have an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility check their function .
(D Tips
-Certain pre sense front functions switch off
when sport mode is switched off or when
driving in reverse. ..,.
177

Intelligent Technology
shared, please see your contract with the
wireless te lecommunications provider and the
"About Aud i connect" tab in your vehicle's
MMI:
! MENUI button> Audi connect > About
Audi connect .
Electronic Stabilization
Control (ESC)
Description
E SC helps to imp rove ro ad hold ing and vehicle
dynamics to help reduce the probab ility of skid
d ing and loss of veh icle control. It works only
when the engine is runn ing . ESC detects certain
d iffic ult dr iving situat io ns, including when the
ve hicl e is begin ning to spin (yaw) o ut of contro l
and h elps you to ge t the veh icle b ack u nde r con
trol by se lectively bra king the wheels, and/or re
ducing engine powe r and providing steering as
sistance to help hold the vehicle on the driver's
intended course. The indicator light
GI in the in
strument cluster blinks when ESC is tak ing action
t o he lp you contro l the vehicle.
ESC has lim itations. It is important to remembe r
that ESC cannot overcome the laws o f physics. It
will not a lways be able to help out under all con
d itions you may come up aga inst . For example,
ESC may not always be ab le to help you master
situations where there is a sudde n change in the
coeff ic ie nt of fr iction of the road surface. W hen
there is a se ction of dry roa d that is sudde nly cov
e red with w ater, slush o r sn ow , ESC c annot pe r
form the same way i t wou ld on the dry s urface. If
the vehicle hydrop lanes (rides on a cushion of wa
ter instead of t he road su rface), ESC w ill not be
ab le to he lp you stee r the veh icle because contact
with the pavement has been inte rru pted and the
ve hicle cannot be b raked or steered . Dur ing fast
cor nering, part icu la rly on w inding roads, ESC
can not always deal as effect ive ly w it h difficult
d riving situat ions than a t lowe r speeds .
Always ad just yo ur speed and driving sty le to
road, traffic and weath er cond itions . ESC canno t
over ride the vehicle's phys ical lim its, increase the
ava ilab le traction, o r keep a ve hicle on t he road if
roa d depa rture is a re su lt of driver in attention .
I nstead, ESC imp roves the possibili ty of keep ing
180
t h e veh icle unde r contro l and on t he road d uring
extreme mane uvers by using the driver's steer ing
i nputs to help keep the veh icle go ing in the in
tended direction. If you are traveling at a speed
that causes you to run off the road before ESC
can p rovide any assistance, you may not exper i
ence the be nefits of ESC.
ESC is switc hed on all the time. In certa in s itua
tions when you need less tract ion, you can sw itch
off ASR by press ing the button
[g] c:> page 181,
fig . 175 . Be sure to switc h ASR on aga in whe n
you no longer nee d less tract ion.
The following systems are integrated in the ESC:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
A BS prevents the w heels from locking w hen bra k
i ng . The veh icle can still be steered even dur ing
hard braking. App ly steady p ressure to the brake
pedal. Do not pump the pedal. A pulsing in the
brake peda l ind icates that the system is act ing to
stab ilize the veh icle.
Brake a ssist system
The brake assist system can decrease b raking dis
tance. It increases b raking powe r whe n the dr iver
presses the b rake peda l quickly in emergency sit
uat ions. You must press a nd hold the brake peda l
u nt il the dange rous situation is over . In vehicles
with adaptive cruise co ntrol*, the brake ass ist
syste m is more se nsitive if the distance detected
t o t he veh icle ah ead is too sm all. On vehicle s wi th
a ctiv ate d a nd fun ctioni ng nigh t vis ion assi st*, the
brake assis t sys tem can respond more sensit ively
i f there is a warning .
Anti-slip regulation (ASR )
ASR reduces e ngine powe r whe n the d rive whee ls
begin s pin nin g and ad apts the force to the ro ad
con ditions. This m akes i t easier to s tar t, a cce ler
ate and drive up incl ines .
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
E DL applies t he b rakes to a whee l th at s tarts
sp inning a nd transfers the dr ive power to the
othe r drivi ng whee ls . This fu nction is n ot a vail a-
b le at hig he r sp eeds . .,..

Intelligent Technology
- Driving in deep snow or on loose ground
ESC levels
- Driv ing with snow chains
Sport mode on ESC/ASR off Sport mode off or
ESC/ASRon
Beha vior
The ESC and ASR stabiliza- The stabiliza tion function is The f ull stabilization tune-
tion f unctions are limited not available ¢
,&. ESC and
tion of the ESC and ASR is
¢
&. . ASR are switched off . avai
lab le aga in .
Op eration Press the I B OFF I button Press and hold the !B OFFI Press the IB OFFI button
briefly . button longer than 3 sec- again.
onds.
I n d ica to r II turns on. II and lit turn on. II turns off or II and II
light s turn off .
Driver me s- Stabili zation cont rol (E SC): S tabilization control (E SC ):
Stabili zation cont rol
s age s Sport Warning ! Redu ced Off Wa
rning! Reduced sta - (ESC ): on
st abilit y
A WARNING
You should only switch sport mode on or
switch ESC/ ASR off if your driving abilities
and road conditions permit.
bility
- The stabilization function is limited when
sport mode is sw itched on. The driving
wheels co uld spin and the vehicle could
swerve , espec ially on s lick o r slippery road
s u rfaces.
- The re is no vehicle stab ilizat ion when ESC/
ASR a re swi tched off .
(D Tips
-ESC/ASR cannot be switched off or sport
mode cannot be switched on if the cru ise
control system* or the adaptive cruise con
tro l* is switched on .
- If the rear spoiler system malfunct ions,
sport mode may not switch on or it may switch off ag ain automatically .
Braking
What affects braking efficiency?
New brake pads
During the first 250 miles (400 km), new brake
pads do not possess the ir full braking effect, they
have to be "broken in" first¢&, . The b reak-in pe
riod can be considerably longe r fo r vehicles with
182
ceramic brake rotors* . You can compensate for
this slightly reduced braking power by pushing harder on the brake pedal. Avoid heavy braking
l oads during the break-in per iod.
Op erating c ondition s and dri ving habits
The brak es on today 's automobiles are still sub
ject to wear, depending large ly on operating con
dit ions and driving habits ¢&, . On vehicles that
are either driven mostly in stop-and-go city traf
fic or are driven hard, the brake pads shou ld be
checked by your authorized Audi dealer more of
ten than specified in the
Warr ant y & Maint e
nance booklet .
Failure to have your brake pads
i nspected ca n result in red uced b rake perfo rm
ance.
On steep slopes, you should use the brak ing ef
fect of the engine . Th is way, you prevent unnec
essa ry wea r on the brake system. If you must use
you r brakes, do not ho ld the brakes down contin
u ous ly. P ump the brakes at intervals.
Operating noi se
Noises may occur when brak ing depending on the
speed, braking force and outside conditions such as temperature and h umid ity.
Due to the nature of the mater ials used in ceram
i c brake rotors*, no ises may become more appa-
rent at low speeds. ..,.

The all wheel drive concept is designed for high
engine power. Your vehicle is exceptionally pow
erful and has excellent driving characterist ics
both under normal driving conditions and on
snow and ice. Always read and follow safety pre
cautions
¢ ,&. .
Winter tires
By using all wheel drive, your vehicle has good
forward motion with standard tires in winter con ditions . However, in winter we recommend using
winter or all season tires on all four wheels, be
cause this will improve the braking effect.
Snow chains
If there are snow chain laws, snow chains must
also be used on vehicles with all wheel drive
¢ page 233, Snow chains .
Replacing tires
For vehicles with all wheel drive, only wheels with
the same rolling circumference should be used .
Avoid wheels with different tread depths
¢ page 225, New tires or wheels.
Offroad vehicle?
Your Audi is not an offroad vehicle -there is not
enough ground clearance. For this reason, avoid
difficult terrain.
A WARNING
-Also, in vehicles with all wheel drive, adapt
your driving style to the current road and
traffic conditions. Do not let the increased
safety provided tempt you into taking risks,
because th is increases the r isk of an acci
dent.
- The braking ability of your veh icle is limited
to the tract ion of the wheels . In this way, it
is not diffe rent from a two wheel drive vehi
cle. Do not be tempted to accelerate to a
high speed when the road is slippery this in
creases the risk of an accident.
- Note that on wet streets, the front wheels
can "hydroplane" if driving at speeds that
are too high . Unlike front wheel drive
vehicles, the engine does not rev higher sud
denly when the vehicle begins hydroplaning.
Intelligent Technology
For this reason, pay attention to the road
conditions reg a rd less of your speed to re
duce the risk of an accident .
Rear spoiler
The extendable rear spoiler increases driving sta
bility .
Fig. 176 Center console: button for t he rear spoiler
The rear spoiler retracts and extends. Var ious op
erating modes (automatic or manua l mode) can
be activated .
Automatic mode (normal operation)
-Automatic deployment : At a speed of about 80
mph (130 km/h), the rear spoiler deploys auto
mat ically .
- Automatic retraction: When speed drops be low
about SO mph (80 km/h), the rear spoiler re
tracts automatically.
Manual mode
-Manual deployment: Tapping briefly on the
switch<=:>
fig. 176 deploys the rear spoiler.
- Manual retraction: At speeds up to about
10 mph (20 km/h), retract the rear spoiler by
pressing and holding the switch. At speeds be
tween 10 mph (20 km/h) and 80 mph (130
km/h), retract the rear spoiler by tapping on
the switch.
Indicator lights
l'J /. Rear spoiler: malfunction!
The rear spoiler may not have extended due to a
malfunction . This could change the vehicle's driv
ing character istics at high speeds . Do not exceed
85 mph (140 km/h). Drive to your authorized ..,.
185

Intelligent Technology
Audi dealer immediately to have the malfunction
corrected. The color of the indicator light depends on the vehicle speed.
_& WARNING
-
Driving at higher speeds without the rear
spoiler deployed can impair handling charac
teristics, making the vehicle harder to con
trol.
- Always make sure that the spoiler is de
ployed when driving at speeds over 85 mph
(140 km/h) . If the rear spoiler warning/indi
cator light in the instrument cluster comes
on, the rear spoiler may not have deployed.
- Never drive at speeds higher than 85 mph
(140 km/h) if the spoiler is not deployed .
Have the spoiler inspected as soon as possi
ble by an authorized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop.
- Always obey speed limits and other traffic
laws.
_& WARNING
Improper operation of the rear spoiler can
cause crushing injuries.
- Always make sure that nobody, especially
children, is in the way when the rear spoiler
is deployed or retracted.
@) Note
- Never push on the vehicle on the rear spoil
er . This could cause damage.
- To prevent damage to the rear spoiler do
not lean or place anything on it.
-
- Only operate the rear spoiler manually when
the luggage compartment lid is close and
the rear spoiler moving parts are not
blocked. Otherwise, damage could occur.
(D Tips
Clean the rear spoiler compartment every 2 to
3 months. To function correctly, the rear
spoiler must be free of ice, snow and leaves.
186
Energy management
' The starting ability is optimized
The energy management system manages the
electrical energy distribution and optimizes the
availability of electrical energy for starting the
engine.
When a vehicle with a conventional energy sys
tem is not driven for a long time, the battery is
drained by equipment (for example the immobil
izer). In certain circumstances , there could may
not be enough energy to start the engine .
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent ener
gy management system for distributing electrici
ty. This significantly improves the starting ability
and increases the battery life.
The energy management system Is made up of
battery diagnosis , idling current management
and dynamic energy management.
Battery diagnosis
The battery diagnosis determines the battery charge level. The sensors detect the battery, the
battery current, and the battery temperature .
The current charge level and the performance of
the battery are determined based on this.
Idling current management
The idling current management decreases the
energy used while parked . With the engine
switched off, it manages the energy distribution
to the different electrical components. Date from
battery diagnosis is taken into account for this.
Depending on the battery charge level, electrical
equipment is switched off one item after the oth
er, to prevent the battery from draining and to
retain the starting ability.
Dynamic energy management
While driving, dynamic energy management dis
tributes the appropriate amount of energy to the
electrical equipment .
It controls the battery
charge level so that more energy is not used then
is being generated in order to maintain an opti-
mal battery charge level.
ll>

CD Note
-Vehicle components such as the engine,
transm ission, suspension or electrical sys
tem can be severely damaged by driving
through water.
- Determine the depth before driv ing through
water.
- Do not stop the vehicle, drive in reverse or
switch the eng ine off when dr iving through
water.
- Keep in mind that oncoming veh icles may
create waves that raise the water level and
make it too deep for your vehicle to drive
through safely .
- Avo id d riving through salt water (corrosion).
Warming up and cooling
down
By carefully warm ing up and cool ing down your
veh icle, you can he lp ensure that it is not over
stressed un necessa rily during sporty driving.
When warming up, the vehicle is dr iven at a max
i mum eng ine speed of 6000 RPM in order to raise
the eng ine oi l temperature to a min imum of
140 °F (60 °C). The tires a lso on ly reac h their f ull
road ho ld ing capability once they have warmed
up .
The cooling fan can continue to run in your vehi cle after the engine is swi tched off. Howeve r,
d riving the vehicle to cool it dow n is particularly
important. D uring sporty dr iv ing, the engine and
brakes, the exhaust system, and the transmission
a ll become extremely hot. Before you park the
ve hicle, you shou ld drive it for a few m iles/kilo
meters at light load in the low rpm range to al
low it to cool down.
Driving and the envir onment
Catalytic converter
Applies to: veh icles w ith gasoli ne e ngi ne
It is very important that your emission control
system (catalytic converter) is functioning prop
erly to ensure that your vehicle is running in an
environmentally sound manner .
.. Always use lead-free gasoline¢ page 198,
Fuel supply.
.. Never run the tank down all the way to empty.
.. Never put too much motor o il in yo ur engine
¢ page 20 7, Adding engine oil 9:::r. .
.,. Never try to pus h- or tow-start your veh icle.
The catalytic co nverter is an efficient "clean-up"
device built into the exhaust sys tem of t he ve hi
cle. The catalyt ic conv erter b urns ma ny of the
po llutants in the exhaust gas before they are re
leased into the atmosphere.
The exclusive use of un leaded fuel is cr itically im
po rtant fo r the life of the catalytic converte r and
prope r fu nct io ni ng of the eng ine.
_&. WARNING
The tempe ra tu re o f th e exh aus t sys tem is
hi gh, bot h when driv ing and a fter stopping
the engine.
- Never tou ch the e xhaus t tail pipes on ce they
have become hot. This cou ld res ult in burns.
- Do not p ark or operate the vehicle in ar eas
where the hot exhaus t sys tem may come in
contact w ith dry grass, b rush, fuel spill or
other mate rial which can ca use a fire.
- Do not app ly additiona l undercoating or
r u stp roofing on or near the exhaust mani
fold, exha ust pipes, cata lytic converter or
heat shields. D uring driving, the substance
used for undercoat ing could overheat and
cause a fire.
CD Note
- Be aware that just one tank fi lling with
leaded fuel w ill already seriously degrade
the performance of the catalytic converter.
- Do not exceed the correct engine oil leve l
¢page 207.
189

Avoid full throttle
Driving at moderate speeds saves fuel and im
proves your mileage.
11-Try and keep well below your car's maximum
speed.
Accelerating gently reduces fuel consumption, engine wear, and does not disturb the environment.
Fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and engine
noise increase disproportionately at high speeds.
If you drive at approximately three quarters of
top speed, fuel consumption will be reduced by
one half. Never drive faster than the posted
speed limit and weather conditions permit.
Reducing unnecessary idling
Even when your car is just idling i t burns up fuel.
11-Shut the engine off when you are not driving
the vehicle.
11-Do not warm up the vehicle by letting the en-
gine run at idle .
It makes sense to shut off the engine in traffic
jams, when waiting for trains to pass at railroad crossings, or at traffic lights that have long waits
on red . Turning the engine off for just 30-40 sec
onds saves more fuel than is burned starting the
. . engine again.
It takes a long time for the engine to warm up
fully when it is running at idle. However, wear
and noxious emissions are especially high when
the eng ine is warm ing up. So you should drive
away as soon as you start the engine and avoid
running at high rpms while the engine is still
warming up.
CD Note
Do not leave engine idling unattended after
starting.
If warning lights should come on to
indicate improper operation, they would go
unheeded. Extended idling also produces
heat, which could result in overheating or
other damage to the vehicle or other proper
ty.
Driving and the environment
Regular maintenance
A badly tuned engine unnecessarily wastes a lot of fuel .
11-Have your vehicle serviced at regular intervals.
By having your vehicle regularly serviced by an
Audi dealer helps to ensure that it runs properly and economically. The condition of your vehicle
not only affects its safety and ability to hold its
value, it also affects
fuel consumption .
Check your oil each time you fill your tank.
The amount of oil used is related to engine load
and speed.
It is normal for the oil consumption of a new en
gine to reach its lowest value after a certain mile
age has been driven.
You must drive your vehicle about 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) before you can properly as
sess oil consumpt ion.
This also applies to fuel consumption and eng ine
output .
CD Note
-Have your vehicle maintained properly and
in accordance with the service recommenda
tions in your Warranty
& Maintenance book
let. Lack of proper maintenance as wel l as
improper use of the vehicle w ill impair the
function of the emission control system and
could lead to damage.
- Do not alter or remove any component of
the Emission Control System unless ap
proved by the manufacturer .
- Do not alter or remove any device, such as
heat shields, switches, ignition wires,
valves, which are designed to protect your
vehicle's Emission Control System and other important vehicle components.
Fewer short trips
Fuel consumption will always be relatively high
on short trips .
11-Try to avoid driving short distances with a cold
engine. .,.
191

Care and cleaning
General information
Regular, proper care helps to maintain your vehi
cle's value. It can a lso be a requirement when
submitting warranty claims for corrosion damage
and paint defects on the body.
The necessary care products can be obtained
from your authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility . Read and follow the instruc
tions for use on the packaging.
A WARNING
- Us ing clean ing and care products incorrectly
can be dangerous to your health.
- Always store clean ing and care products out
of reach of children to reduce the r isk of po i
soning .
@ For the sake of the environment
- Preferably use environmentally-friendly
products when buying cleaning agents.
- Do not dispose of leftover cleaning and care
products with household trash.
Car washes
The longer that deposits remain on the vehicle,
the more the surface may be damaged. High
temperatures such as those caused by sunlight increase the damag ing effect.
Befor e washing, rinse
off heavy depos its with
p lenty of water.
S tubborn depos its such as bird droppings or tree
sap are best removed with plenty of water and a
microfiber cloth.
A lso, wash t he underside of yo ur vehicle once
road sa lt stops being used for the season .
Pressure washers
When washing your ve hicles w ith a pressure
washer, always follow the ope rating inst ructions
p rovided w ith the pressure washe r. This is espe
cially important in regard to the pressu re and
sp raying distance. Do not a im the spray directly
at seals on side windows, doors, the hood, the
Ca re and cleaning
rea r lid or the s unroo f* or at tires, rubber hoses,
insulating material, sensors* or camera lenses* .
Keep a d istance of at least 16 inches (40 cm) .
Do not remove snow and ice with a pressure
washer.
Never use rota ry nozzles or high pressure noz
zles.
T he water temperatu re must not be above 140 °F
(60 °C).
Automatic car washe s
Spray off the vehicle before washing.
Make s ure that the windows and roo f* are closed
and the windshield wipers are
off . Follow instruc
tions from the car wash operator, especially if
there are accessories attached to your vehicle.
If possible, use car washes that do not have
brushes .
Only use car washes where the veh icle remains
sta tiona ry and the washing equipment moves
around the vehicle when washing and drying . Car
washes that move the vehicle through the car
wash using a chain are not recommended .
Washing by hand
Clean the vehicl e s tarting from the top and wor k
ing down using a soft sponge or cleaning br ush.
Use solvent -free cleaning products.
Washing vehicles with matte finish paint by
hand
To avo id damaging the pa int when washi ng, first
remove dust and large pa rticles from you r vehi
cl e. Insects, grease spo ts and fingerpr ints are
best removed w ith a special clea ner fo r matte
finish paint.
Apply t he product using a microfiber cloth . To
avo id damag ing the pa int surfa ce , do not use too
much pressure .
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly w ith wate r. Then
clean using a neutral shampoo and a soft mic ro-
fiber cloth. .,..
193