8S8012721BA
Driving
@) 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 61.
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.
— If there is a power failure, the parking brake
will not set if it is released, and it will not
release if it is set > A\. See an authorized
Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility for assistance.
Starting to drive
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 driver's door must be closed.
> To start driving comfortably when on a 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.
Starting on hills 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 facing uphill.
After releasing the brake pedal, the braking pow-
er is maintained briefly > A\ to prevent the vehi-
cle from rolling back when starting. This allows
you to begin driving more easily.
ZX WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
— If you do not begin driving immediately or
the engine stalls after releasing the brake
pedal, your vehicle may begin to roll back-
ward. Press the brake pedal or set the park-
ing brake immediately.
— The intelligent technology of hill hold assist
cannot overcome the limitations imposed by
natural physical laws. The increased 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.
Automatic transmission
Introduction
Your vehicle is equipped with an electronically-
controlled DSG transmission called S tronic. Two
independent clutches transfer the power be-
tween the engine and transmission. It allows the
vehicle to accelerate without a noticeable inter-
ruption in traction.
The transmission upshifts or downshifts auto-
matically. The driving style continuously influen-
ces the selection of the driving program.
When a moderate driving style is used, the
transmission selects the most economical driving
mode. The transmission upshifts at a lower RPM
and downshifts at a higher RPM to improve fuel
efficiency.
The transmission switches to a sporty mode after
a kick-down or when the driver uses a sporty driv-
ing style characterized by quick accelerator pedal
movements, heavy acceleration, frequent
61
>
Intelligent Technology
Is this an offroad vehicle?
Your Audi is not an offroad vehicle - there is not
enough ground clearance. For this reason, avoid
difficult terrain.
ZA\ 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 this increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
— The braking ability of your vehicle is limited
to the traction of the wheels. In this way, it
is not different from a two wheel drive vehi-
cle. Do not be tempted to accelerate to a
high speed when the road is slippery, be-
cause this increases 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 vehi-
cles, the engine RPM does not increase sud-
denly when the vehicle begins hydroplaning.
For this reason, adapt your speed to the
road conditions to reduce the risk of an acci-
dent.
Rear spoiler
Applies to: vehicles with retractable rear spoiler
The extendable rear spoiler increases driving sta-
bility.
a
g| = z
a.
Fig. 92 Center console: button for the rear spoiler
The rear spoiler retracts and extends. It can be
activated in various operating modes (manual
mode or automatic mode).
90
Automatic mode (normal operation)
— Automatic extension: the rear spoiler will auto-
matically extend when speeds exceed approxi-
mately 75 mph (120 km/h).
— Automatic retraction: the rear spoiler will auto-
matically retract when speeds decrease to un-
der approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
Manual mode
— Extending manually: briefly tap the > fig. 92
button to fully extend the rear spoiler.
— Retracting manually: when driving at speeds
below approximately 10 mph (20 km/h), press
and hold the button to retract the rear spoiler.
When at speeds between 10 mph (20 km/h)
and 75 mph (120 km/h), the rear spoiler will
completely retract when you tap the button.
Indicator lights
8 / | Rear spoiler: malfunction! Please con-
tact Service
The rear spoiler may not have extended due toa
malfunction. This could change the vehicle's driv-
ing characteristics at high speeds. Do not drive
faster than 85 mph (140 km/h). Drive to an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected. The color of the indicator light depends
on the vehicle speed.
ZA WARNING
Driving at higher speeds without the rear
spoiler deployed can impair handling charac-
teristics, making the vehicle harder to control.
— 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.
Wheels
pounds shown on the sticker Wheel bolts and rims
=> page 250, fig. 183. Wheel bolts
4. The resulting figure equals the Wheel bolts must be clean and loosen/tighten
. ily.
available amount of cargoand =“
luggage load capacity. For ex-
ample if the “XXX” amount Rims with a bolted rim ring* or with bolted wheel
, . covers* consist of multiple pieces. These compo-
equals 1400 lbs and there will nents were bolted together using special bolts
be five 150 lbs passengers in and a special procedure. You must not repair or
. disassemble them > A.
your vehicle, the amount of .
available cargo and luggage ZX WARNING
tee Wheel bolts that are tightened or repaired in-
load capacity is 650 lbs correctly can become loose and result in loss
(1400-750 (5 X 150) = 650 lbs) of vehicle control, which increases the risk of
5. Determine the combined an accident. For the correct tightening specifi-
, cation, see > page 273, Finishing.
Rims
weight of luggage and cargo — Always keep the wheel bolts and the threads
being loaded on the vehicle. in the wheel hub clean and free of grease.
3 — Only use wheel bolts that fit the rim.
That weight may not safely ex: — Always have damaged rims repaired by an
ceed the available cargo and authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
. Service Facility. Never repair or disassemble
luggage load capacity calculat- rims yourself, because this increases the risk
edin Step 4. of an accident.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a
. . Winter ti trailer, load from your trailer
will be transferred to your vehi- Winter tires significantly improve the vehicle's
handling when driving in winter conditions. Be-
cle. Consult this manual to de- cause of their construction (width, compound,
termine how this reduces the tread pattern), summer tires provide less traction
: on ice and snow.
available cargo and luggage
i 5 >» Use winter tires on all four wheels.
load capacity of your vehicle. > Only use winter tires that are approved for your
>Check the tire sidewall vehicle.
. > Please note that the maximum permitted
(> page 241, fig. 181) to deter- speed may be lower with winter tires > A\ in
mine the designated load rating General information on page 240. An author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility can inform you about the maximum per-
mitted speed for your tires.
> Check the tire pressure after installing wheels
=> page 250.
for a specific tire.
254
8S8012721BA
Wheels
The effectiveness of winter tires is reduced great-
ly when the tread is worn down to a depth of
0.157 in (4 mm). The characteristics of winter
tires also decrease greatly as the tire ages, re-
gardless of the remaining tread.
@) For the sake of the environment
Reinstall summer tires at the appropriate
time, because they provide better handling
when roads are free of snow and ice. Summer
tires cause less road noise, tire wear, and fuel
consumption.
G) Tips
You can also use all season tires instead of
winter tires. Please note that in some coun-
tries where winter tires are required, only win-
ter tires with the “ symbol may be permit-
ted.
Snow chains improve both driving and braking in
winter road conditions.
> Only install snow chains on the front wheels.
> Check and correct the seating of the snow
chains after driving a few feet, if necessary. Fol-
low the instructions from the manufacturer.
> Note the maximum speed of 30 mph
(50 km/h). Observe the local regulations.
Use of snow chains is only permitted with certain
rim/tire combinations due to technical reasons.
Check with an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility to see if you may use
snow chains.
You must remove the snow chains on roads with-
out snow. Otherwise, you could impair driving
ability and damage the tires.
ZA\ WARNING
Using incorrect snow chains or installing snow
chains incorrectly can result in loss of vehicle
control, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
CG) Note
— Snow chains can damage the rims and
wheel covers* if the chains come into direct
contact with them. Remove the wheel cov-
ers* first. Use coated snow chains.
— Using snow chains that add more than 0.53
in (13,5 mm) of height can severely damage
the wheel housings and other vehicle com-
ponents.
@) Tips
When using snow chains, it may be advisable
to limit the ESC > page 87.
ee cil med
Applies to: vehicles with low-profile tires
Compared to other tire/rim combinations, low-
profile tires offer a wider tread surface and a
larger rim diameter with shorter tire sidewalls.
This results in an agile driving style. However, it
may reduce the level of comfort and increase
road noise when driving on roads in poor condi-
tion.
Low-profile tires can become damaged more
quickly than standard tires when driving over
large bumps, potholes, manhole covers, and
curbs. Therefore, it is particularly important to
maintain the correct tire pressure > page 250.
To reduce the risk of damage to the tires and
rims, drive very carefully on poor roads.
Check your wheels regularly every 2,000 mi
(3,000 km) for damage. For example, check for
bulges/cracks on the tires or deformations/cracks
on the rims.
After a heavy impact or damage, have the tires
and rims inspected or replaced immediately by
an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
Low-profile tires can wear out faster than stand-
ard tires.
Uniform tire quality grading
— Tread wear
— Traction AAABC
255
Wheels
— Temperature ABC
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width > page 241, fig. 181.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured un-
der controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
>A.
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C, representing the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature can cause the mate-
rial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure > A.
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car tires must meet un-
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
256
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Z\ WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.
ZA WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
ZA WARNING
Temperature grades apply to tires that are
properly inflated and not over or underinflat-
ed.
Tire pressure monitoring
system
(1) General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inflat-
ed to the inflation pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla-
tion pressure for those tires).
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell-
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving ona signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to >