Driving
— Plug-in hybrid drive: never leave the vehicle
unattended in drive ready mode while a gear
is engaged. The vehicle can start moving
(“creeping”) even if the gasoline engine is
switched off, since the electric motor is still
operating. This may cause collisions and se-
vere or fatal injuries. When the vehicle en-
ters drive ready mode, the status message
e-tron READY appears briefly in the instru-
ment cluster display and the needle in the
power meter points to READY > page 16.
@) Note
— Avoid high engine speed, full throttle, and
heavy engine load if the engine has not
reached operating temperature yet. You
could damage the engine.
— If the engine has been under heavy load for
an extended period of time, heat builds up
in the engine compartment after the engine
is switched off and there is a risk of damag-
ing the engine. For this reason, let the en-
gine run at idle for approximately two mi-
nutes before shutting it off.
G) Tips
— Brief noises are normal when starting and
stopping the vehicle and are no cause for
concern.
— For up to 10 minutes after stopping the en-
gine, the radiator fan may turn on again au-
tomatically or it may continue to run, even if
the ignition is switched off.
— It may not be possible to start the vehicle in
extremely low temperatures.
72
Ignition key
Applies to: vehicles with ignition lock
Fig. 85 Steering column: ignition lock
Starting the engine
> Press the brake pedal.
> Insert the ignition key into the ignition lock.
> Turn the key briefly to position @). The ignition
key automatically returns to position @). Do not
press the accelerator pedal when doing this.
> The engine will start and the vehicle will then
be ready to drive.
Equipment that uses a lot of electricity is switch-
ed off temporarily when you start the engine. If
the engine does not start immediately, stop the
starting procedure by turning the ignition key to
position © and repeat after 30 seconds.
When temperatures are low, the engine may only
start in “P”.
If it is difficult to turn the key to position @, turn
the steering wheel back and forth slightly to re-
lease the steering lock.
Stopping the engine
> Bring the vehicle to a full stop.
> Turn the key to position ©. The engine will
switch off.
The key can only be removed when the vehicle is
in “P”.
Activating the steering lock
Applies to: vehicles with steering lock
The steering lock helps prevent vehicle theft.
> Remove the ignition key.
> Turn the steering wheel until the steering
wheel audibly locks.
8V2012721BK
Driving
Gears and driving programs
RAZ-0405
HEeEes
D/S .
a
Fig. 86 Center console: selector lever
The automatic transmission shifts automatically
depending on the selected gear and the current
driving style. When driving with a moderate driv-
ing style, upshifting early and downshifting late
will help to improve fuel economy. When driving
with a sporty driving style, the transmission per-
mits higher RPMs.
The gears are displayed next to the selector lever.
— P (Park): parking lock
—R (Reverse): driving in reverse
—N (Neutral)
— D (Drive): driving forward
Selecting a gear
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
— Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the
brake pedal.
— Press the release button (@) on the selector lev-
er.
—To select a gear, move the selector lever into
the corresponding position.
— The label next to the selector lever for the se-
lected gear will light up.
“N” (Neutral) gear
In the “N” gear, power is not transmitted to the
driving wheels. Use the “N” gear in a car wash
(with conveyor belts), for example.
If you unintentionally select “N” while driving
(faster than 1 mph (2 km/h)), you can also shift
back to “D” without pressing the brake pedal.
For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked
when the transmission is in the "N” gear.
“Pp” (Park) gear
The vehicle is secured from rolling away by the
parking lock when in the “P” gear.
If you cannot shift out of “P”, for example be-
cause the vehicle has no power, you may need to
use the emergency release for the parking lock
=> page 88.
Selecting a driving program
Various driving programs can be selected when in
the “D” gear. The programs influence when the
transmission shifts and how the accelerator ped-
al responds.
The selected driving program is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
—D (Drive): normal driving mode
—S (Sport): sporty driving mode
If you select the Dynamic mode in Audi drive se-
lect*, the “S” driving program will be activated.
When the ignition is switched off, the driving pro-
gram may be reset to “D”.
To switch between the current driving program
and “S”, push the selector lever toward the rear.
Plug-in hybrid drive: if you press the
while in “S”, the “D” driving program will be se-
lected.
Z\ WARNING
— Before starting to drive, check if the desired
gear is displayed next to the selector lever.
— Always secure your vehicle from rolling
away. Press the brake pedal or shift to “P”.
When leaving the vehicle, also set the park-
ing brake.
— Power is still transmitted to the wheels
when the engine is running at idle. To pre-
vent the vehicle from “creeping”, you must
keep your foot on the brake in all selector
lever positions (except "P" and "N") when
the engine is running.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, do not
press the accelerator pedal when changing
gears if the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is running.
75
Driving
— Never select the “R" or "P” gears while driv-
ing. Doing so could cause an accident.
— The vehicle can roll even if the ignition is
switched off.
iG) Tips
If you shift between “D” and “R” within one
second, you do not need to press the brake
pedal. This makes it possible to “rock the ve-
hicle if it is stuck”, for example.
Manual shifting
RAZ-0406
Fig. 87 Center console: shifting manually with the selector
lever
RAZ-0003|
—
Fig. 88 Steering wheel: shift paddles*
You can shift the gears manually when in “D”
mode. The transmission must be in tiptronic
mode.
Shifting with the selector lever
You can shift into manual shifting mode while the
vehicle is stationary or while driving.
> To switch to manual shifting mode, tilt the se-
lector lever toward the front passenger's side
> fig. 87. “M” will be displayed in the instru-
ment cluster.
> Upshifting: push the selector lever forward ().
76
> Downshifting: push the selector lever toward
the rear ().
> To switch back to automatic mode, tilt the se-
lector lever toward the driver's side.
Shifting with the shift paddles
Applies to: vehicles with shift paddles
> Upshifting: press the @) shift paddle > fig. 88.
> Downshifting: press the ©) shift paddle.
> Applies to: RS models: To engage the lowest
possible gear for maximum acceleration, press
and hold the ©) shift paddle.
> To switch back to automatic mode, press and
hold the (#) shift paddle or push the selector
lever toward the rear.
If you stop using the shift paddles temporarily,
the transmission will switch back to automatic
mode. To keep shifting manually, tilt the selector
lever toward the front passenger's side.
@ Tips
— The transmission only allows manual shift-
ing when the engine speed is within the per-
mitted range.
— The transmission automatically shifts up or
down before critical engine speed is
reached.
— Applies to: RS models: When accelerating,
the transmission will not automatically shift
to the next gear shortly before the maxi-
mum permitted engine RPM is reached.
Shift to the next highest gear at the right
time.
Accelerator pedal
Maximum acceleration
You can accelerate the vehicle using the accelera-
tor pedal. If you press the accelerator pedal all
the way down, the motor’s full power will be
used and you will reach maximum acceleration,
also called “kick-down”.
Applies to: vehicles with boost function: The elec-
tric motor can switch on for a brief period if the
accelerator pedal is pressed all the way down in
the “D” and “S” driving program. The availability
of this function depends on the charge level of >
Driving
may no longer shift at all. The engine may stall.
Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility immediately to have the
malfunction corrected.
fs} Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-
ue driving with limited function. No reverse
gear
There is a system malfunction in the transmis-
sion. The transmission is switching to emergency
mode. This mode only shifts into certain gears or
may no longer shift at all. The engine may stall.
You cannot engage the reverse gear. Drive to an
authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
i Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-
ue driving in D until engine is off
There is a system malfunction in the transmis-
sion. The transmission is switching to emergency
mode. If you turn the engine off, you will not be
able to select any other gears after restarting the
engine. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have
the malfunction corrected.
fs} Danger of rolling away! P not possible.
Please apply parking brake
— The parking lock was released using the emer-
gency
release > page 88. Or
— The parking lock can no longer be engaged.
Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility immediately to have
the malfunction corrected.
Drive system
A new vehicle must be broken in within the first
1,000 miles (1,500 km) so that all moving parts
work smoothly together, which helps to increase
the service life of the engine and other drive com-
ponents.
Do not drive higher than two-thirds of the maxi-
mum permitted engine RPM during the first 600
miles (1,000 km) and do not use full accelera-
78
tion. The engine can be increased RPM gradually
during the next 300 miles (S500 km).
Conventional drive system
Applies to: vehicles with conventional drive system
Vehicles with a conventional drive system are
powered by a combustion engine. It uses fuel to
recover energy.
ate RMN elec: me Lah)
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
With plug-in hybrid drive, you can select between
the electric and combustion engine drive systems
or combine them > page 79, > page 76.
Coasting
Applies to: vehicles with coasting function
Similar to vehicles with a conventional drive sys-
tem, plug-in hybrid drive vehicles can also disen-
gage the combustion engine to save fuel. The ve-
hicle rolls without an engine braking effect in this
mode, which is “similar to coasting”. However,
the electric portion of the drive system remains
engaged and recuperates if necessary. You can
activate the coasting function in the “D” driving
program up to approximately 112 mph
(180 km/h). This occurs automatically when you
take your foot off the accelerator pedal.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The vehicle is able to recover energy by using “re-
cuperation”. The electric drive system operates
like a generator and converts a large portion of
kinetic energy into electrical energy that is stored
in the high-voltage battery. The vehicle is braked
during recuperation, which is similar to the en-
gine braking effect on a vehicle with a combus-
tion engine. This will happen automatically when
you press the brake pedal while driving in “D”
gear, or when you remove your foot from the ac-
celerator pedal.
The energy recovery is displayed in the energy
flow display > page 80. The recuperation
8V2012721BK
Driving
strength can depend on various factors, for ex-
ample:
— If you are in tiptronic mode > page 76. Or
—If the sport driving mode "S" was selected.
Plug-in hybrid drive modes
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
Adjusting the plug-in-hybrid mode
The <8" button is located above the selector lever
in the center console.
> Press the <$" button repeatedly until the de-
sired mode is displayed in the instrument clus-
ter.
The active mode is displayed the first time the
Hybrid driving
If the <8Y button does not turn on, you are driv-
ing in hybrid mode. The vehicle can be driven
with the combustion engine or with the electric
motor if the conditions for it have been met
=> page 79, Conditions for electric driving.
© e-tron mode: Hybrid - The electric motor and
combustion engine are working efficiently to-
gether. Hybrid mode is particularly effective for
long trips.
* e-tron mode: Battery Hold - The vehicle is
driven predominantly with the combustion en-
gine to maintain the high-voltage battery charge
level for as long as possible.
Electric driving
can be driven by the electric motor if the condi-
tions for this have been met > page 79, Condi-
tions for electric driving.
Conditions for electric driving
— Driving program “S” must not be selected.
— The charge level of the high-voltage battery
must be sufficient.
— The temperature of the high-voltage battery
must be adequate (outside temperatures not
below approximately 14°F / -10°C and not
above approximately 104°F / 40°C).
— The driving speed must be under approximately
80 mph (130 km/h).
— The accelerator pedal must not be pressed too
hard.
Indicator lights
Symbol |Meaning
EV mode is switched on and active.
You are driving only with electric
power.
EV mode is not available, because
the conditions for electric driving
have not been met.
The combustion engine is running.
The hybrid mode e-tron mode: Bat-
tery Hold is active.
The hybrid mode e-tron mode: Hy-
brid is active.
G) Tips
— When temperatures are below approximate-
ly 14 °F (-10 °C), the vehicle heat output in
EV mode is reduced in order to attain higher
ranges. If the windows fog up or a higher
heat output is desired, switch on the Hybrid
or Battery Hold mode.
— Applies to: Battery Hold mode: The high-
voltage battery charge level can still de-
crease depending on the driving behavior.
—If you select the sport driving mode "S", the
Battery Hold mode is automatically select-
ed
@
— It may be necessary for the gasoline engine
to run longer for technical reasons, such as
when condensation accumulates in the en-
gine. Driving exclusively in electric mode is
not possible in this phase.
— Before driving downhill a long distance ona
steep hill, decrease your speed and select a
lower gear. When driving with a trailer, the
"S" selector lever position must be selected.
This makes use of the engine braking effect
and reduces the load placed on the brakes.
Tips
79
>
Driving
If you need to brake additionally, brake in
intervals and not continuously.
nce md Cua SEN
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
B8V-0675
Fig. 89 Instrument cluster: energy flow display
An energy flow display can be shown in the in-
strument cluster display/Infotainment system )).
The image is animated in the Infotainment sys-
tem).
Display of energy flow indicator in the
instrument cluster display
> Open the first Vehicle tab (trip computer) using
the [<>] button on the multifunction steering
wheel.
> Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit:
Select on the multifunction steering wheel: left
control button > Energy flow.
Comfort
Auto
DES
Biante
Fig. 90 Infotainment system*: energy flow display
> Applies to: vehicles with analog instrument
cluster: Open the Energy flow indicator by
turning the left thumbwheel on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
Image in the Infotainment display”)
> In the Infotainment system, select: [MENU
button > Vehicle > left control button > Audi
drive select.
Component Color Meaning
@ Gasoline engine Orange The gasoline engine is running
Gray The gasoline engine is off
@ High-voltage battery Green High-voltage battery charge level
Green The high-voltage battery is charging
(animated in the
Infotainment sys-
tem?)
Gray
The vehicle is not in drive ready mode >
))_ Not available in all Infotainment systems.
80
8V2012721BK
Driving
Component Color Meaning
Motion arrow Green Electric driving
Orange Driving with the gasoline engine
Green-orange Driving with the gasoline engine and electric mo-
tor (boost)
Green
@®) Motion arrow
Recuperation
a) Not available in all Infotainment systems.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
RAX-0108, Range potenti
+3 miles (1)
net)
eis)
te ace aera etre)
Bt 15 mites —@)) =
Fig. 91 Range monitor
You can display the projected range of the vehi-
cle.
> Select in the Infotainment system: [MENU] but-
ton > Vehicle > left control button > Range &
statistics > Range.
@ Range potential (value)
@ Range potential (graphic)
@®) Total range (graphic)
@ Total range (value)
Range potential: the value indicates an addition-
al amount of distance that can be gained by turn-
ing off certain convenience functions. The con-
venience functions with high energy usage are
listed on the display.
@) Tips
— The range can also be displayed in the in-
strument cluster in the on-board computer.
— The values given are based on the latest
consumption values.
— The range that is indicated is based on the
previous and predicted consumption values.
For example, these can be affected if con-
venience functions are turned on.
Statistics
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
You can display statistics about the trips traveled
using electric power and those using fuel. The
values are taken from the short-term memory
and long-term memory of the on-board comput-
er.
> Select in the Infotainment system: [MENU] but-
ton > Vehicle > left control button > Range &
statistics > e-tron statistics.
Vehicle sound
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The electric drive system generates considerably
less noise than a combustion engine. An artificial
engine sound is generated when driving electri-
cally so that the vehicle can be heard from the
outside when driving. The vehicle sound auto-
matically fades out at higher speeds when the
sounds from the tires and wind start increasing.
ZA WARNING
Other road users may not be able to defini-
tively hear electric vehicles when they are
driving. This increases the risk of an accident
particularly when driving in areas with little
traffic, when maneuvering, or when driving in
reverse.
aie e- Riedie liereliea lt)
driving
Your driving style greatly influences the amount
of fuel and energy consumed, the environmental
impact, and the wear on the engine, brakes, and
tires. Note the following information for efficient
and environmentally-conscious driving: >
81
Driving
Stopping/starting the engine
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
2 S
Ss S.
= & a
|
Fig. 92 Instrument cluster: engine switched off (Stop
phase)
> Brake the vehicle to a stop. The engine stops
shortly before the vehicle comes to a stop or if
the vehicle is stationary ». Keep your foot on
the brake pedal. The AY indicator light ap-
pears in the display. The needle in the tachome-
ter also moves into the READY position.
> The engine starts again when you remove your
foot from the brake pedal. The indicator light
turns off.
Additional information
The engine stops in the "P", "N" and "D" selector
lever positions.
If you select the "R" selector lever position during
a Stop phase, the engine will start again.
Shift to "P" quickly to prevent the engine from
starting unintentionally when shifting through
"RH
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.
@ Tips
— Press the brake pedal during a Stop phase
to keep the vehicle from rolling.
D_Incertain countries.
84
— The ignition will turn off if you press the
START ENGINE STOP] button* during a
Stop phase. The needle in the tachometer
moves into the OFF position.
General information
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Starting and stopping the engine automat-
ically
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.
Z\ WARNING
To reduce the risk of asphyxiation, never allow
the engine to run in confined spaces.
@) Tips
If you select the "D" or "N" selector lever posi-
tion in a vehicle with an automatic transmis-
sion after shifting into reverse, the vehicle
must be driven faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
in order for the engine to switch off again.