2019 AUDI Q3 Owners Manual

83A012721BA
Driving

— Turn off electrical equipment that is not need-
ed, for example seat heating*.
— Anticipate upcoming traffic situations while
driving to avoid unnecessary acceleration and
braking.
— Avoid driving at high speeds.
— Avoid adding extra weight to the vehicle if pos-
sible, for example by not leaving roof racks or
bike racks installed when they are not needed.
— Make sure the tire pressure is correct.
— Have maintenance performed regularly on the
vehicle.
— Do not let the engine run while the vehicle
parked.
— Do not drive with winter tires during the summ-
er.
— Use the Start/Stop system.
— Utilize the engine braking effect.
— Avoid driving short distances when possible.
@ Tips
The amount of noise produced by the vehicle
can increase significantly when driving with a
sporty style. Show respect to others around
you and the environment with the way you op-
erate your vehicle, especially at night.
Energy management
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent ener-
gy management system for distributing electrici-
ty. This significantly improves the starting ability
and increases the vehicle battery life.
@ Tips
— If you drive short distances frequently, the
vehicle battery may not charge enough
while driving. As a result, convenience func-
tions for electrical equipment may be tem-
porarily unavailable.
— The vehicle battery will gradually drain if
the vehicle is not driven for long periods of
time, or if electrical equipment is used
when the engine is not running. To ensure
that the vehicle can still be started, the
electrical equipment will be reduced or
switched off.
B Drive system: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-
cle
There is a malfunction in the drive system. The
brake
booster and the power steering may stop
working. Stop the vehicle immediately or as soon
as possible and do not continue driving. Have the
problem corrected by an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility.
B Drive system: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the drive system. Drive
slowly to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
Start/Stop system
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The Start/Stop system can help increase fuel
economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
In Start/Stop mode, the engine shuts off auto-
matically when stopped, for example at a traffic
light. The ignition and important assist systems
such as power steering and the brake booster will
remain available during the Stop phase. The en-
gine will restart automatically when needed.
The Start/Stop system is automatically activated
once the ignition is switched on.
Basic requirements
— The driver's door and hood must be closed.
—"P","N", or"D" must be engaged.
— The steering wheel must not be turned far in ei-
ther direction.
— The vehicle must have driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h) since the last time it stopped.
—The vehicle is not in trailer mode.
@) Note
Always switch the Start/Stop system off when
driving through water > page 88. >
87

Driving

@) Tips
— Depending on the driving situation, the en-
gine may already stop when coasting before
the vehicle has come to a complete stop »).
— If you select the "D" position after shifting
into reverse, the vehicle must be driven fast-
er than 6 mph (10 km/h) in order for the
Start/Stop system to become active again.
This makes it possible to maneuver without
stopping the engine.
Stopping and starting the engine
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
> Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle
has stopped. The @ indicator light appears in
the instrument cluster once the engine stops
automatically.
> The engine starts again when you remove your
foot from the brake pedal. The indicator light
turns off.
@) Tips
— Press the brake pedal during a Stop phase
to keep the vehicle from rolling.
— The ignition will turn off if you press the
START ENGINE STOP] button during a Stop
phase.
— If you leave the vehicle briefly during a Stop
phase, the driver's door must be closed and
the safety belt buckled for the engine to be
able to restart.
— You can control if the engine will stop or not
by reducing or increasing the amount of
force you use to press the brake pedal. For
example, if you only lightly press on the
brake pedal in stop-and-go traffic or when
turning, the engine will not switch off when
the vehicle is stationary. If you press the
brake pedal harder, the engine will switch
off.



D_ In certain countries.
88
Starting and stopping the engine automat-
ier] NY
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The system checks if certain conditions are met
before and during the Stop phase, and deter-
mines if the engine stops and how long it re-
mains stopped. For example, if power usage is
high, the engine will not be stopped. Along with
other conditions, the following factors influence
the automatic engine start or stop:
— Environmental conditions (slopes, inclines, ele-
vation, temperature)
— Battery (charge status, temperature, power us-
age)
— Engine temperature
— Assist systems
— Driving behavior
Depending on the engine, the indicator light
may appear if the engine is not stopped.
Manually switching the Start/Stop system
amare men)
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The & button is located above the selector lever
in the center console.
> Press §& to switch on or off. The LED in the but-
ton turns on when the function is switched off.
@ Tips
If you switch the system off during a Stop
phase, the engine will start again automati-
cally.
Messages
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Drive system: please start the vehicle manually
This message appears when specific conditions
are not met during a Stop phase. The Start/Stop
system will not be able to restart the engine. The
engine must be started with the
START ENGINE STOP] button.

83A012721BA
Driving

Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the Start/Stop system.
Drive the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Service Facility as soon as possible to
have the malfunction corrected.
Brakes
General information
You can apply the vehicle's brakes using the brake
pedal.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on the
speed, braking force, and outside conditions such
as temperature and humidity.
Braking effect
The response time from the brakes depends on
the weather and environmental conditions. To
ensure the optimal braking effect, the brake sys-
tem is cleaned at regular intervals. This is done
by applying the brake pads to the brake rotors for
a short period of time when driving at high
speeds when the windshield wipers are switched
on.
If the brake system becomes damp, for example
after driving in heavy rain, the braking effect may
be delayed. Other factors that could temporarily
increase the response time of the brakes include:
— Wet conditions
— Low temperatures, ice, and snow
— Roads covered in salt
— Dirty brake pads
Corrosion
Corrosion may form on the brake rotors if there is
no heavy braking, if the vehicle is not driven for
long periods of time, or if the vehicle is not driv-
en
frequently or for long distances. In this case,
braking heavily several times while driving at
high speeds can clean the brake rotors > A\.
Brake pads
New brake pads do not achieve their full braking
effect during the first 250 mi (400 km). They
must be “broken in” first. However, you can com-
pensate for the slightly reduced braking force by
pressing firmly on the brake pedal. Avoid heavy
braking during the break-in period.
Brake pad wear depends largely on the way the
vehicle is driven and on operating conditions.
Brake pad wear increases when driving frequently
in the city or short distances or when using a very
sporty driving style.
Ceramic brakes
Applies to: vehicles with ceramic brakes
Ceramic brakes provide excellent deceleration
rates.
The break-in period for new ceramic brakes may
be significantly longer than for standard brake
rotors. Due to the properties of the material,
they may cause noises at lower speeds. Ceramic
brakes also absorb more moisture in wet condi-
tions. Therefore, there will temporarily be less
braking force than when the brakes are dry. You
can compensate for this by pressing the brake
pedal harder.

ZA\ WARNING
— Only apply the brakes for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system when road and
traffic conditions permit. You must not en-
danger other road users. This increases the
risk of an accident.
— Due to the risk of injury, only have an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility work on the brake system.
Incorrect repairs could impair the function.
— Never let the vehicle roll while the engine is
stopped because this increases the risk of an
accident.
— During automatic braking maneuvers, the
brake pedal may move downward automati-
cally. To reduce the risk of injury, do not
place your foot under the brake pedal.

@) Note
— Never let the brakes “rub” by pressing the
pedal lightly when braking is not actually
89
>

Driving

necessary. This can cause the brakes to over-
heat and increases braking distance and
causes wear.
— Before driving on long stretches with steep
hills, reduce the vehicle speed and shift to a
lower gear to use the engine braking effect.
This reduces the load on the brakes. If you
need to brake additionally, brake in intervals
and not continuously.
@ Tips
— If you retrofit your vehicle with a front spoil-
er, wheel covers or similar items, make sure
that the air flow to the brakes is not ob-
structed. Otherwise the brake system can
overheat.
— Also refer to the information about brake
fluid > page 211.
Messages
Ga / @ Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
ES / Gana also turn on, there is a malfunc-
tion in the ABS, ESC, and braking distribution.
Do not continue driving. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance. Read and follow the other safety pre-
cautions > A\.
Ga / @ Warning! No brake booster function
If the brake booster is not working, you have to
use much more force when braking the vehicle.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
EG / fe) Brake pads: wear limit reached. You
can continue driving. Please contact Service
The brake pads are worn. Drive to an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility as
soon as possible to have the malfunction correct-
ed.
Brake booster: limited functionality. You can
continue driving. Please contact Service
There is a brake booster malfunction. The brake
booster is available, but its effectiveness is re-
90
duced. The braking performance may be different
compared to the usual performance. Drive to an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
Brake booster: deactivated. See owner's manual
The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-
od of time after switching off the ignition. Secure
the vehicle from rolling by selecting “P” and set-
ting the parking brake.

ZA\ WARNING
If a malfunction occurs in the ABS, ESC, and
braking distribution, interventions that stabi-
lize the vehicle will no longer be available.
This could cause the vehicle to swerve, which
increases the risk that the vehicle will slide.
Do not continue driving. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility
for assistance.

Electromechanical
parking brake
The @) switch is located under the selector lever
in the center console.
Your vehicle is equipped with an electromechani-
cal parking brake. The parking brake is designed
to prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentional-
ly and replaces the hand brake.
Setting/manually releasing the parking
brake
> Pull the ©) switch to set the parking brake. The
LED in the switch turns on. The PARK | indi-
cator light also turns on.
> To release the parking brake manually, press
the brake or accelerator pedal while the igni-
tion is switched on, and press the ©) switch at
the same time. The LED in the button and the
indicator light will turn off.
Releasing the parking brake automatically
Requirement: the doors must be closed and the
driver's safety belt must be fastened.

83A012721BA
Driving

> To start driving and release the parking brake
automatically, press the accelerator pedal as
usual.
In addition to releasing the parking brake auto-
matically, other convenience and safety functions
are available when you start driving > page 92,
Hold assist.
Preventing the automatic parking brake
release
The vehicle could begin rolling unintentionally,
depending on the hill or if towing a trailer.
> To prevent the parking brake from releasing au-
tomatically, pull and hold the switch and
press the accelerator pedal. The parking brake
remains set and prevents the vehicle from roll-
ing backward.
> You can release the ©) switch again once you
are sure that you are giving enough driving
force
to the wheels by pressing the accelerator
pedal.
Emergency braking function
You can use the emergency braking function in an
emergency situation, or if the standard brake op-
eration malfunctions or is disabled.
> Pull and hold the ©) switch.
> As soon as you release the ©) switch or acceler-
ate, the braking will stop.
Pulling and holding the ©) switch while driving
the vehicle activates the emergency braking func-
tion. The vehicle is braked at all four wheels by
activating the hydraulic brake system. The brak-
ing effect is similar to heavy braking > A\.
To reduce the risk of activating the emergency
braking by mistake, a warning tone (buzzer)
sounds when the ©) switch is pulled. Emergency
braking stops as soon as the ©) switch is released
or the accelerator pedal is pressed.
Parking
> Press the brake pedal to stop the vehicle.
> Pull the ©) switch to set the parking brake.
> Select “P”.
> Turn the engine off > A\.
> Turn the steering wheel when parking on in-
clines so that the wheels will roll into the curb
if the vehicle starts moving.

ZA\ WARNING
— Do not press the accelerator pedal inadver-
tently if a gear is selected when the vehicle
is stationary and the engine is running. Oth-
erwise, the vehicle will start to move imme-
diately and this could result in an accident.
— Emergency braking should only be used in
an emergency, when the normal brake pedal
has failed or the brake pedal is obstructed.
During emergency braking, your vehicle will
brake similar to heavy braking. ESC and the
associated components (ABS, ASR, EDL) can-
not overcome the laws of physics. Around
curves and when road or weather conditions
are bad, a full brake application can cause
the vehicle to skid or the rear end to swerve,
which increases the risk of an accident.
— Always set the parking brake when leaving
your vehicle, even if for a short period of
time. If the parking brake is not set, the ve-
hicle could roll away, increasing the risk of
an accident.
— If the power supply fails, you cannot set the
parking brake if it is released. In this case,
park the vehicle on level ground and secure
it by engaging the "P” gear. Contact an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
— If you leave the vehicle, switch the ignition
off and take the key with you. This applies
particularly when children remain in the ve-
hicle. Otherwise, children could start the ve-
hicle, release the parking brake, or operate
electrical equipment such as power win-
dows, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
— No one, especially children, should remain in
the vehicle when it is locked. Locked doors
make it more difficult for emergency work-
ers to get into the vehicle, which puts lives

at risk.

91

Driving

@) Note
Do not leave your vehicle unattended while
the engine is running, because this increases
the risk of an accident.
@ Tips
When stopping at a traffic signal or stopping
in city traffic, you can set the parking brake
manually. The vehicle does not have to be
held with the brake pedal. The parking brake
eliminates the tendency to creep when a se-
lector lever position is engaged. As soon as
you press the accelerator pedal, the parking
brake releases automatically and the vehicle
starts to move > page 92, Hold assist.
G) Tips
If you leave the vehicle when “D” or “R” are
engaged, the parking brake will be set auto-
matically.
G) Tips
— Occasional noises when the parking brake is
set and released are normal and are not a
cause for concern.
— The parking brake goes through a self-test
cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is
stopped. Any noises associated with this are
normal.
Hold assist
Various convenience and safety functions may be
available when the vehicle begins driving, de-
pending on vehicle equipment.
Starting on hills with the parking brake set
Requirement: the doors must be closed and the
driver's safety belt must be fastened.
> To start driving comfortably when ona hill, set
the parking brake and begin driving as usual.
The braking force of the parking brake does not
release automatically until the wheels build up
enough driving force.
92
Starting on hills with hill hold assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
Hill hold assist makes it easier to start on hills.
Requirement: the driver's door must be closed
and the engine must be running.
> To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the
brake pedal for several seconds. The vehicle
must be in an uphill direction of travel.
After releasing the brake pedal, the braking pow-
er is maintained for a brief moment > A\ to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling back when starting.
During this time, you can easily begin to move
your vehicle.

ZA\ WARNING
— Ifyou are using hill hold assist and do not
begin driving immediately after releasing
the brake pedal, your vehicle may begin to
roll backward. Press the brake pedal or set
the parking brake immediately.
— The intelligent technology of hill hold as-
sist* cannot overcome the limitations im-
posed by the natural laws of physics. The in-
creased comfort offered by hill hold assist*
should not cause you to take safety risks.
— Hill hold assist* cannot hold the vehicle in
place on all hills (for example, if the ground
is slippery or icy).
—To reduce the risk of an accident, always
make sure the vehicle is situated safely
while stationary.
If the Zi P © indicator light flashes, the brak-
ing force has not built up enough or it has de-
creased. Select the "P" gear to help secure the ve-
hicle. Make sure the indicator light is off before
you start driving.
EG / @ Parking brake: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle. See owner's manual

If the indicator light and the message appear
when the vehicle is stationary or after switching
the ignition on, check if you can release the park-
ing brake. If you cannot release the parking
brake, see an authorized Audi dealer or

83A012721BA
Driving

authorized Audi Service Facility. If you can re-
lease the parking brake and the message still ap-
pears, see an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the
malfunction corrected.
If the indicator light and message appear while
driving, the hill start assist or emergency braking
function may be malfunctioning. It may not be
possible to set the parking brake or release it
once it has been set. Do not park your vehicle on
hills. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
EG / @ Parking brake: malfunction! Please
release parking brake
There
is a malfunction in the parking brake. Re-
lease the parking brake and set it again.
jw Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the parking brake. Drive
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility immediately to have the malfunc-
tion corrected. Do not park the vehicle on hills,
because it could roll.
a i Parking brake: warning! Vehicle posi-
tion too steep
There is not enough braking force to hold the ve-
hicle in place. The brakes have overheated. The
vehicle could roll away, even on a small incline.
& / {Q) Parking brake: applied
If this message appears, press the brake pedal
first and then release the parking brake if neces-
sary.
Take over!
If this message appears, press the brake pedal.
Special driving situations
Driving uphill and downhill
Please note the following when driving on in-
clines and hills:
— Drive slowly and carefully.
— Do not try to turn around if you cannot safely
drive on an incline or hill. Instead, drive in re-
verse.
— When driving down hills, you can activate the
hill descent control if you press the brake pedal
while driving in “D” gear. The automatic trans-
mission will select a gear suitable for driving
down the hill and will attempt to maintain the
speed at which the vehicle was traveling at the
time the brake pedal was pressed. Press the
brake pedal if necessary. The hill descent con-
trol will switch off once the hill levels out or
you press the accelerator pedal.
— Utilize the engine braking effect when driving
downhill by selecting a lower gear > page 84.
This reduces the load on the brakes.
— Brake in intervals and do not press the brake
pedal continuously.
— Use the hill descent assist if necessary
= page 94

ZA WARNING
— Only drive on inclines that your vehicle is de-
signed to handle. Do not exceed the hill
climbing ability of your vehicle. Your vehicle
could tip or slide.
— Do not drive at an angle on steep inclines
and hills. If your vehicle is about to tip, you
must immediately start steering in the di-
rection of the downward slope to reduce the
risk of an accident.
— Always be ready to brake when using the hill
descent control function.
Ola teer(e Rails)
Your vehicle is not an offroad vehicle. Note the
following points when driving offroad:

— Drive slowly and carefully.
—To reduce the risk of underbody damage, pay
attention to the vehicle's ground clearance and
drive across raised areas of the ground with the
wheels on one side of the vehicle, instead of al-
lowing the center of the vehicle to pass over the
raised areas.
—To reduce the risk of becoming stuck, drive
through sandy or swampy areas at a steady
speed and without stopping, if possible.
93

Driving

If necessary, use the following functions:
— Audi drive select* offroad mode > page 96
— Hill descent assist* > page 94
— Limit ESC > page 99

Z\ WARNING
Only drive in terrain that is suitable for the ve-
hicle and your driving ability.

@ For the sake of the environment
Avoid actions that are damaging to the envi-
ronment. Show respect for the natural envi-
ronment and remain on marked routes.
@) Tips
Clean your vehicle after driving offroad. Dirt
and stones falling off your vehicle can affect
other road users.
Driving through water
If you must drive through water, follow these in-
structions:
— Check the stability of the ground, the current,
and the water depth. If the ground is unstable,
there is a strong current, or there are waves,
the water must only reach up to the lower edge
of the body at the most.
— Deactivate the Start/Stop system*.
— Drive carefully and no faster than at walking
speeds to prevent the front of the vehicle from
creating waves, because they could splash
above the lower edge of the body. Oncoming
vehicles could also create waves.
— Do not stop the vehicle while in the water.
— Drive in reverse.
— Do not turn the engine off.

ZA\ WARNING
After driving through water, press the brake
pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the
full braking effect will be restored.
@) Note
Vehicle components such as the engine, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system, can

94
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
ter.
G) Tips
If possible, avoid driving through salt water
because it increases the risk of corrosion. Use
fresh water to clean any vehicle components
that come into contact with salt water.
Hill descent assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
The “@ button is located above the selector lever
in the center console. It lights up when the sys-
tem is turned on.
Hill descent assist can assist you when driving
down hills by maintaining a constant vehicle
speed by automatically braking all four wheels.
You can adjust the speed using the accelerator
and brake pedals. The regulation depends on the
hill and the vehicle speed.
> Switching on: press “2.
> Switching off: press “2 again.
Active regulation
Regulation begins shortly after you start driving
and is possible at speeds up to approximately 19
mph (30 km/h) and on hills that have an approxi-
mately 10-60% grade. If these conditions are
met, regulation will be activated and the I indi-
cator light will turn on.
Ready mode
If one of the requirements for active regulation is
not met, the system will be in ready mode. The
indicator
light will turn on. Once the require-
ments are met again, the system will be able to
provide active regulation again.
Applies to: vehicles without Audi drive select: If
you exceed approximately 37 mph (60 km/h), the
system will switch off automatically.

Z\ WARNING
— Be ready to apply the brakes at all times
when using the hill hold assist.
— Always adjust the speed to the visibility,
weather, road, and traffic conditions. The >