2020 AUDI A3 brake

Trailer towing

Exterior lighting
Follow the legal regulations regarding the light-
ing equipment on your trailer. Contact an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty for more information.
Before you start driving, check all lighting equip-
ment on the trailer while it is hitched to the vehi-
cle.
The headlight range control automatically ad-
justs the light range of the headlights.
Safety chains
Make sure the safety chains are correctly applied
when pulling a trailer. The chains should hang
enough so that the trailer can drive around
curves. However, they must not touch the
ground.
G) Tips
— Block the wheels with chocks when parking
on inclines if the trailer is loaded.
— Having the vehicle inspected between the
inspection intervals is recommended if you
tow a trailer frequently.
— Avoid driving with a trailer during the vehi-
cle break-in period.
Driving with a trailer
Driving with a trailer requires extra caution.
Speed
Adhere to the legal speed limits. Follow the legal
regulations specific to the country.
As the speed increases, the driving stability of
the trailer decreases. Therefore you should not
exceed the maximum legal speed limit when
there are unfavorable road, weather, and/or wind
conditions. This especially applies when driving
downhill.
Hill
When you start driving uphill or downhill, trailers
may tilt or sway sooner than when driving ona
level surface. If small swaying movements have
already occurred, you can stabilize the trailer by
114
firmly braking immediately. Never attempt to
“straighten out” the trailer by accelerating.
Downshift before driving on hills to utilize the en-
gine braking effect > A\.
Brakes
When using a trailer with overrun brakes, first
brake gently then quickly. This reduces the risk of
jerking while braking if the trailer wheels lock up.
Engine coolant temperature
Pay attention specifically to the coolant tempera-
ture display when there are high outside temper-
atures, and when driving on long inclines
=> page 15. Shift to a higher gear in a timely man-
ner.

Z\ WARNING
Constant braking causes the brakes to over-
heat and can substantially reduce braking per-
formance, increase braking distance, or cause
complete failure of the brake system.

8V2012721BK
Assist systems

Assist systems
Speed warning system
Applies to: vehicles with speed warning system
The speed warning system helps you to stay be-
low a specified maximum speed that can be set,
changed or deleted in the Infotainment system.
The speed warning system warns you if you are
exceeding the maximum speed that you have set.
A warning tone will sound as soon as your speed
exceeds the stored value slightly. The ow in-
dicator light will appear at the same time in the
instrument cluster display along with a message.
The fe) indicator light and the message turn
off if the speed falls back below the stored maxi-
mum speed.
Setting a threshold is recommended if you would
like to be reminded when you reach a certain
maximum speed. Situations where you may want
to do so include driving in a country with a gener-
al speed limit or if there is a specified maximum
speed for winter tires.
Setting the warning threshold

> Select in the Infotainment system: [MENU] but-
ton > Vehicle > left control button > Driver as-
sistance > Speed warning > Manual.
G) Tips
Regardless of the speed warning system, you
should always monitor your speed using the
speedometer and make sure you are following
the legal speed limit.
Messages
Applies to: vehicles with speed warning system
Manually set speed limit XX mph
(km/h) exceeded

The stored speed was exceeded.
Cruise control system
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
The cruise control system assists the driver in
maintaining a constant speed above approxi-
mately 15 mph (20 km/h). The system maintains
the desired speed by braking and accelerating.

ZA WARNING
— Always pay attention to the traffic around
your vehicle when the cruise control system
is in operation. As the driver, you are always
responsible for controlling your vehicle
speed and the distance between your vehicle
and
other vehicles.
— For safety reasons, cruise control should not
be used in the city, in stop-and-go traffic, on
winding roads, and when road conditions are
poor (such as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain,
and conditions that could lead to hydroplan-
ing), because this increases the risk of an ac-
cident.
— Switch the cruise control off temporarily
when driving in turning lanes, highway exits,
or in construction zones.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you should
only resume the stored speed if it is suitable
for the current traffic conditions.
@) Note
— Conventional drive system: before driving
downhill a long distance on a steep hill, de-
crease your speed and select a lower gear.
This makes use of the engine braking effect
and reduces the load placed on the brakes.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: before driving downhill
a long distance on a steep hill, decrease
your speed and use the recuperation braking
effect > page 78. This reduces the load on
the brakes.
(i) Tips
The brake lights turn on when the brakes are
applied automatically.

115

Assist systems

Switching the system on
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system

@ #
©
f°
Fig. 107 Lever: switching on the cruise control system

Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
> To switch the system on, pull the lever toward
you to position @).
The (a or 8] indicator light and the corre-
sponding message will appear in the instrument
cluster.

ZA WARNING
If the brakes are malfunctioning (for example,
overheating) while the cruise control system
is switched on, it may shut off automatically.
Preselecting or activating a cruise control
Cy ey-t-te)
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system

When the vehicle is stationary, you can preselect
the cruise control speed or activate the speed
while driving.
Requirement: the system must be switched on.
> To preselect a cruise control speed when the ve-
hicle is stationary, tap the lever toward @)/G)
=> page 116, fig. 107.
> To activate the cruise control speed, pull the
lever toward position @ while driving, or
> To set the current driving speed as the cruise
control speed, press the button @) on the lever.
The active cruise control speed is indicated with
the ICRUISE| or i=} indicator light in the instrument
cluster.
116
Changing the cruise control speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
> To increase or decrease the cruise control speed
in increments, tap the lever toward @)/G)
=> page 116, fig. 107.
> To increase or decrease the cruise control speed
continuously, press and hold the lever to-
ward @/@).
Overriding or deactivating the cruise
control speed
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
You can override or deactivate the cruise control
system. When you deactivate the system, your
cruise control speed will be stored and you can
resume that speed.
Requirement: the system must be switched on
and activated.
Overriding
> To temporarily override the cruise control
speed, press the accelerator pedal.
> Once you release the accelerator pedal, the sys-
tem will adjust back to the stored cruise control
speed.
If you override the cruise control system for a
long period of time, the cruise control system
will be deactivated. The ICRUISE| or indicator
light will be displayed and the cruise control
speed will be saved.
Deactivating
> To deactivate the cruise control speed, press
the lever toward (2) (not locked into place)
=> page 116, fig. 107.
> Press the brake pedal.

ZA WARNING
Resting your foot on the accelerator pedal
could override the cruise control. This will pre-

vent braking interventions by the system.

8V2012721BK
Assist systems

Switching the system off
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
When you switch the system off completely, the
cruise control speed will be deleted.
Requirement: the system must be switched on.
> To switch the system off, press the lever toward
@ (locked into place) > page 116, fig. 107, or
> Switch the ignition off.
Applies to: vehicles with cruise control system
ICRUISE| / 3) Speed control system: currently un-
available. See owner's manual
If the indicator light turns on and this message
appears, the cruise control system has been deac-
tivated. There is a temporary malfunction, for ex-
ample the brakes are overheating. Switch the
cruise control system on again later.
Lap timer
Applies to: vehicles with lap timer
You can measure and analyze lap times with the
lap timer in the display.
Opening the lap timer
> Open the first Vehicle tab (trip computer) using
the |<>] button on the multifunction steering
wheel.


> Applies to: vehicles with analog instrument
cluster: Press the [=] button on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel and select Lap timer in the
menu.
> Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit:
On the multifunction steering wheel, select:
left control button > Lap times.
Operating the lap timer
> On the multifunction steering wheel, turn the
left thumbwheel @) > page 17 or @ > page 20
until the desired menu item is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
> Press the left thumbwheel to confirm the selec-
tion.

ZX WARNING
Your focus should always be on driving your
vehicle safely. As the driver, you have com-
plete responsibility for safety in traffic. Only
use the functions such as the lap timer in such
a way that you always maintain complete con-
trol over your vehicle in all traffic situations.
(i) Tips
You can retrieve information from the trip
computer while the lap timer stopwatch is
running.
times and timing
Applies to: vehicles with lap timer

Requirement: the lap timer must be open
=> page 117.
Timing laps
> To start timing, select Lap 1 - press OK or Start
lap 1 in the menu.
> Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit: To
start timing automatically when you start driv-
ing, select Start lap 1 by driving off or Start by
driving off in the menu.
> To measure the lap time, select New lap - press
OK or New lap in the menu. This starts timing
the next lap at the same time.
After completing, the difference between the last
lap and the previous best lap time will be indicat-
ed witha “—"@ or “"/.
Pausing timing and displaying a split time
> To insert a pause i select Pause in the menu.
> To continue timing, select Press OK to resume
or Resume in the menu.
> To display a split time, select Split time in the
menu. The split time {@] appears for approxi-
mately 10 seconds in the instrument cluster.
The timing of the current lap continues.
Resetting timing
> Using the multifunction steering wheel, select
Reset or Reset times in the menu. >
117

Assist systems


—A maximum of 30 lap times (analog instru-
ment cluster) or 99 lap times (Audi virtual
cockpit*) can be measured.
— If timing is paused, you can continue it later
even if you switch the ignition off.
— Saved lap times cannot be individually de-
leted from the total results.
— The saved lap timer values will remain after
switching the ignition off.
Lap statistics
Applies to: vehicles with lap timer
Tips
Displaying lap statistics
You can display the number of laps driven, the
fastest lap “+”, the slowest lap “—”, and the aver-
age time “®” in the instrument cluster.
> Applies to: vehicles with analog instrument
cluster: Select Statistics in the menu using the
multifunction steering wheel.
» Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit:
On the multifunction steering wheel, select:
left control button > Lap statistics or Statis-
tics.
> Turn the thumbwheel down or up to display the
individual lap times.
> To return to the lap timing that was begun,
press the left thumbwheel.
Resetting lap statistics
Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit
> On the multifunction steering wheel, select:
the right control button > Reset statistics.

— The lap statistics list the lap times for the
last 30 laps.
— Applies to: vehicles with Audi virtual cock-
pit: The fastest and slowest lap times from
up to 99 timed laps will be displayed.
118

Audi adaptive cruise
control
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control

B8V-0126

Fig. 108 Detection range
The adaptive cruise control system is a combina-
tion of speed and distance regulation. It assists
the driver by both regulating the speed and
maintaining a distance to the vehicle driving
ahead, within the limits of the system. If the sys-
tem detects a vehicle driving ahead, the adaptive
cruise control can brake and accelerate your vehi-
cle. This increases driving comfort during long
trips on highways and in stop-and-go traffic.
What can adaptive cruise control do?
The adaptive cruise control system uses radar.
The radar is subject to designated system limits
=> page 119.
On open roads with no traffic, it functions like a
cruise control system. The stored speed is main-
tained. When approaching a vehicle ahead and
the system detects it, the adaptive cruise control
system automatically brakes to match that ob-
ject's speed and then maintains the stored dis-
tance. As soon as the system does not detect a
vehicle driving ahead, adaptive cruise control ac-
celerates up to the stored speed.
Within the limits of the system, adaptive cruise
control can brake in stop-and-go traffic until the
vehicle is stationary and then begin driving again
under certain conditions > page 122, Driving in
stop-and-go traffic.

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Assist systems

Which functions can be controlled?
When you switch adaptive cruise control on, you
can set the current speed as the “control speed”
= page 120, Switching on and off.
When driving, you can stop cruise control
= page 122 or change the speed > page 121 at
any time.
You can also set the distance to the vehicle ahead
and set the adaptive cruise control driving pro-
gram > page 123.
er l eieleurlsela)
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control/Audi pre
sense front



Fig. 109 Front of vehicle: sensor
The radar sensor area > fig. 109 must not be cov-
ered with stickers, deposits or any other obstruc-
tions as it may impair the function of the adap-
tive cruise control or the pre sense front. For in-
formation on cleaning, see > page 342. The
same applies for any modifications made in the
front area.
The function of the adaptive cruise control sys-
tem or pre sense front is limited in some condi-
tions:
— Vehicles can only be detected when they are
within the sensor range > page 118, fig. 108.
—The system has a limited ability to detect
vehicles that are a short distance ahead, off to
the side of your vehicle or moving into your
lane.
— Objects that are difficult to detect such as mo-
torcycles, vehicles with high ground clearance
or an overhanging load are detected late or not
detected at all.
— When driving through curves > page 120.
— When the vehicle is stationary > page 120.


Z\ WARNING
Always pay attention to the traffic around you
when adaptive cruise control is switched on.
As the driver, you are still responsible for your
own speed and the distance to other vehicles.
The adaptive cruise control is used to assist
you. The driver must always take action to
avoid a collision. The driver is always responsi-
ble for braking at the correct time.
— For safety reasons, do not use adaptive
cruise control when driving on roads with
many curves, when the road surface is in
poor condition and/or in bad weather (such
as ice, fog, gravel, heavy rain and hydroplan-
ing). Using the system under these condi-
tions could result in a collision.
— Switch adaptive cruise control off temporari-
ly when driving in turning lanes, on express-
way exits or in construction zones. This pre-
vents the vehicle from accelerating to the
stored speed when in these situations.
— The adaptive cruise control system will not
brake by itself if you put your foot on the ac-
celerator pedal. Doing so can override the
speed and distance regulation.
— Adaptive cruise control does not respond to
people, animals, or crossing or oncoming
objects.
— The function of the radar sensors can be af-
fected by reflective objects such as guard
rails, the entrance to a tunnel, heavy rain or
ice

@) Note
The sensor can be displaced by impacts or
damage to the bumper, wheel housing and
underbody. This can impair the adaptive
cruise control. Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility check their
function.
@) Tips
For an explanation on conformity with the
FCC regulations in the United States and the
Industry Canada regulations, see > page 377.
119

Assist systems

In curves
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control/Audi pre
sense front


Fig. 110 Example: driving into a curve
When driving into a curve > fig. 110 and out of a
curve, the system may react to a vehicle in the
neighboring lane and apply the brakes. You can
prevent that by pressing the accelerator pedal
briefly.
Stationary vehicles
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control

B8V-0630

Fig. 111 Example: vehicle changing lanes and stationary
vehicle
The adaptive cruise control system only reacts to
vehicles that being moving or to vehicles that the
system has already detected as moving. For ex-
ample, it can react when a vehicle that has al-
ready been detected (@ turns or changes lanes,
but adaptive cruise control does not react toa
stationary
vehicle @). Press the brake pedal to
slow the vehicle down.
120

Switching on and off
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control

B4M-0231


Fig. 113 Instrument cluster: adaptive cruise control
ACC: you can set any speed between 20 and 95
mph (30 and 150 km/h).
Indicator lights and messages in the instrument
cluster display inform you about the current sit-
uation and setting.
Switching adaptive cruise control on
> Pull the lever toward you into position @)
> fig. 112.
Storing the speed and activating regulation
> To store the current speed and activate the reg-
ulation, press the [SET] button > fig. 112 > /\.
The stored speed is shown in the tachometer
LED line @) and appears briefly in the informa-
tion line © © fig. 113.
> To activate the regulation while stationary, you
must press the brake pedal.


Switching adaptive cruise control off
> Push the lever away from you into position @
until it clicks into place. The message ACC: off
appears.
The stored speed in the LED line is erased.

8V2012721BK
Assist systems

@® Indicator lights
B - Adaptive cruise control must be switched
on. No vehicles are detected ahead. The stored
speed is maintained.
B - Avehicle driving ahead was detected. The
adaptive cruise control system regulates the
speed and distance to the vehicle ahead and
brakes/accelerates automatically.
B - Adaptive cruise control must be switched
on. A vehicle was detected ahead. Your vehicle re-
mains stopped and will not start driving auto-
matically.
B - The automatic braking is not enough to
maintain a sufficient distance to a vehicle driving
ahead. You must intervene > page 124, Driver in-
tervention request.
@ Instrument cluster display
If adaptive cruise control is not shown in the in-
strument cluster display, you can call it up using
the multifunction steering wheel buttons
=> page 17.
Based on the graphics in the display, you can de-
termine if the system is maintaining a distance to
a vehicle ahead and what that distance to this ve-
hicle is:
No vehicle - No vehicle was detected driving
ahead.
Silver vehicle - A vehicle was detected driving
ahead.
Red vehicle - Request for driver intervention
=> page 124.
The five distance bars on the gauge (4) represent
the set distance (refer to > page 123 for infor-
mation on how to change the distance). If you
fall below the selected distance, the distance
bars become red from the bottom upward.

ZA\ WARNING
If you press the [SET] button when driving at
speeds below 20 mph (30 km/h), the vehicle
accelerates automatically up to 20 mph (30
km/h), which is the minimum speed that can



be set.

@) Tips
— If you switch the ignition or the adaptive
cruise control system off, the set speed is
erased for safety reasons.
— The Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)
and the Anti-Slip-Regulation (ASR) are auto-
matically switched on when the adaptive
cruise control is switched on.
Changing the speed
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control

[RAZ-0344


Fig. 114 Operating lever: changing the speed
> To increase or decrease the speed in incre-
ments, tap the lever in the @/G) direction.
> To increase or decrease the speed quickly, hold
the lever toward )/G) until the red LED @)
=> page 120, fig. 113 reaches the desired
speed.
You can also preselect the speed when adaptive
cruise control is not active by moving the lever in
the desired direction @)/©). Activate the previ-
ously selected speed by pulling the lever into po-
sition @ > page 120, fig. 112.
After each change, the new stored speed appears
briefly in the status line > page 120, fig. 113 ©.
When adaptive cruise control is active, the or
a indicator light turns on, and when adaptive
cruise control is not active, the gy indicator light
turns on. In the Audi virtual cockpit*, the indi-
cator light turns on instead.
121