2020 AUDI A3 emergency towing

Table of contents

About this Owner's Manual......
SUMIMALY: ; « ss6% : osen ss sean cs poe s
QC CCeS Skis: si esis a 6 ores os ewe
Controls ataglance..................
Indicator lights overview...........0.
Display and operation............
Instrument cluster...............
Instrument cluster overview...........
Coolant temperature display...........
Tachometer.......... 0.0 eee eee eee
Power iiet@l ss « + wes + s wees 2 x ews 2 ae
Odometer icc oo sisiecs a wrens eo ooarae eo were
Outside temperature display...........
Multifunction steering wheel plus......
Multifunction steering wheel..........
Vehicle functions. ............000 000s
Starting and driving.............
Opening and closing.............
Central locking 2.2% ieee seven a eevee
Luggage compartment lid.............
Child safety lock... 0... 0... cece eee ee
Power windows..............2000005
Panoramic glass TOOf sis s « sayoe « x eoven xs
Power top........... 0. cece eee eee
Automatic power top.................
Wind deflector sicavi x 0 snare a 0 wesc a 0 acaven
Power top emergency operation........
Lights and Vision.................
Exterior lighting...................4.
Interior Ughtingcs « ¢ cean a cas cs ews 5
VISIONS « & comes oo man a 8 eee a a oa 3 oe
Windshield wipers...................
Digital compass.............0.-00 00
PrOntsS@ats = wise s x esven = ¢ eee + & ete os
Head restraimtst. +. coms + 0 anseans 4 2 omamm © # »
Steering wheel............00 2. eee ee
Stowing and using...............
Power sources ......... 00-00 e eee eaee
StOrinG’: « e meme =e sees + Sees Gy ee & Ee
10
14 14 14
15
15
16 17 17 17
20
21
25
25
25 31 33 33 35
36 36 39 39
43
43
46
47
49
52
54
54
54
56 58 59 59 59
Luggage compartment ...............
Roof rack... eee eee
MV APEC OUE 05 3 3 aise ¥ & maseen @ owe
Climate control system...............
Steering wheel heating.............-.
Auxiliary climate control.............-
Fluids in the A/C system. ...........-.
DFIVIFIG:: « yeas os « wow o ¢ Rome se RED oc ow
Starting the vehicle..................
Electromechanical parking brake.......
Releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release............2..000.
Special driving situations..............
Driving dynamic..................
Audi drive'select:, .c.icisiseicascnaene
SUSPONSIOM ac « 2 covsces so cmswsm oo soso oo cee
SEOORIIAG » sinsoes ue vanes a» wisenge ou upnenie & ¥ ote
All wheel drive (quattro)..............
Electronic Stabilization Control.........
High-voltage system.............
General information.................
Charging the high-voltage battery......
Charging at public charging stations....
Charging the battery with the Audi
ChargingsySteM « wsccuc x x sewers a w anaes vv oe
Audi e-tron compact charging system...
Indicator lights and messages.........
Emergency releases. & iseiis 6 + wae w 6 wos
Trailer towing....................
Driving with atrailer.................
Driver assistance.................
Assist systems...................
Speed warning system..............--
Cruise control system............0005
Lap timer eens so cong s pees ss ees oo eee
Audi adaptive cruise control...........
Audi presense............-.002-000-
60
63
65
65
68 68 69
FE 71 73
78
83 85
87
88 89
SI 91
92.
92
93 93
96 96 97
100

Table of contents


Audi smartphone interface...... 228
Setup... eee eee ee eee 228
OPeratintg’s + ease s x mows « woeE se ow ee 229
Troubleshooting wwii «s wwine ev eee ae eae 229
System settings.................. 230
Setting the date andtime............. 230
MMI SOMOS: » sunses 0 » anexeiae o anseane » 0 exons 230
Connection manager................. 231
System update isis ss wows x ¢ seows a eaves 234
Sound settingS............0 ee eee eee 234
Volume settings ..............000000. 234
Restarting the MMI.................. 235
Software license information.......... 235
237 237 237
Correct passenger seating positions..... 238
Driver's and front passenger's footwell.. 241
Pedal area.......... eee eee eee eee 241
Active rollover protection system....... 242
Safety belts...................0.. 245
General notes.................00005. 245
Why use safety belts?................ 246
Safety belts. ............... 00000005 248
Belt tensioners... 0.02... cece eee eee 252
Airbag system.................00. 253
Important information............... 253
Front:airbags’: = seis s = canes + = esis + oer 257
Monitoring the Advanced Airbag System. 265
Knee airbags...............-0 ee eee 269
Side@:airbags x: < sews se eewes te eee ee oe 271
Sidercurtain airbags « swe ss wei sv woes 274
GAUGES AATEC iss 5 « nee a 5 Baa GE EE Be 278
Important information............... 278
Child safety seats................000. 284
Securing child safety seats............ 289
LATCH system (lower anchorages and
tethers forichildren) sic. o = essere x 3 awmin « 5 aoe 292
Additional information............... 297
Maintenance and Care........... 298
Checking and Filling............. 298
FUGlaves: «2 wows s 2 seems © a meee 4 S oweme a 2 a 298
Reftieling crass « sccswes e neness xe aeiceme x acer 299
Refueling ......... 0... cee ee eee eee 302
Emissions control system............. 303
Engine compartment...........0.500% 304
Engineoil........ 0... eee eee eee 307
Cooling SYSteM . <= sees ic sees be tees we 311
Brake Pluidhise «2 ascii 2 2 soos 2 x comes © x sree 313
Electrical system. ...........002-000 314
Battenysa « 5 news so ASS & ROS TE BaF 315
Windshield washer system............ 317
Service interval display............... 318
Whe6US: « ses ss sess os ees ss eee 2 a 319
Wheelsiand Tiresis « scsinin + « sore © a eneron » 319
Tire Pressure Monitoring System indicator . 337
Tire pressure monitoring system....... 339
Care and cleaning................ 342
General information................. 342
Gar washesi: « sosus so ime a 0 mana + omen 6 342
Cleaning and care information......... 343
Taking your vehicle out of service....... 347
Troubleshooting................. 348
Emergency assistance........... 348
Trunk escape latch............-.0000- 348
General
information................. 348
Equipment............. 00. cece eee 348
Tire Mobility kit’: goss « 2 sewn 2 y eweE a eos 349
Replacing wheels...........00ee eens 352
Sparetire........ 2... eee eee eee 357
Fuses and bulbs.................. 360
FUSES 2... eee ete eee 360
BULDS- Emergency situations............ 364
General...............0. 0000 cece 364
Starting by pushing or towing.......... 364
JUIMPESTAREIIG . « suerns 6 & sasnnes » « sanree wo samme 364
Towing with atowtruck............... 367
Raising the vehicle.................-. 369

8V2012721BK
Driving


Z\ WARNING
— The parking lock may only be released using
the emergency release if the parking brake
is set. If it is not working, secure the vehicle
from rolling using the brake pedal or other
suitable means, such as blocking a front and
a rear wheel. An unsecured vehicle may roll
away, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
— Only activate the emergency release while
ona level surface or a slight slope.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you must
not drive when the emergency release is ac-
tivated.
Emergency release operation


®@
RAZ-0760


Fig. 95 Selector lever: release button
> Press and hold the yellow release button on the
side with a screwdriver.
> Now press the unlock button on the selector
lever and move the selector lever to the “N” po-
sition.
Special driving situations
Sy Toa AS ENA Las |
Applies to: RS models
When driving in a sporty style, for example ona
driving track, the wear on all vehicle components
is greatly increased, especially on the engine,
transmission, tires, brakes, and suspension. This
can result in increased wear. Also note the fol-
lowing points:
— Make sure the vehicle is in good condition.
Make sure to check the brake pads, tire tread,
and tire pressure (when tires are warm).
— Beforehand, warm up the engine by driving no
higher than two-thirds of the maximum permit-
ted engine RPM. The engine oil must be
brought to a minimum temperature of 158 °F
(70°C).
— Before stopping the vehicle, allow the engine
and brakes to cool back down to a regular oper-
ating temperature by driving normally.
If necessary, use the following functions:
— Audi drive select* dynamic mode = page 91
— Launch Control > page 77
— Limit ESC > page 94
@® Tips
Wear caused by load does not constitute a ve-
hicle fault as defined by the terms of the war-
ranty.
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 the “S” driving program
=> page 75. This especially applies when towing
a trailer. This reduces the load on the brakes.
— Brake in intervals and do not press the brake
pedal continuously.

A WARNING
— Only drive on inclines that your vehicle is de-
signed to handle. Do not exceed the hill >

89

Emergency assistance

Replacing wheels
Before changing a wheel
Observe the following precautions for your own
and your passenger's safety when changing a
wheel.
>» After you experience a tire failure, pull the car
well away from moving traffic and try to reach
level ground before you stop > A\.
> All passengers should leave the car and move
toa safe location (for instance, behind the
guardrail) > A\.
> Engage the parking brake to prevent your vehi-
cle from rolling unintentionally > A\.
> Move selector lever to position P > /\.
> If you are towing a trailer, unhitch the trailer
from your vehicle.
> Take the jack* > page 348 and the spare tire*
=> page 357 out of the luggage compartment.

ZA\ WARNING
You or your passengers could be injured while
changing a wheel if you do not follow these
safety precautions:
— If you have a flat tire, move a safe distance
off the road. Turn off the engine, turn the
emergency flashers on and use other warn-
ing devices to alert other motorists.
— Make sure that passengers wait in a safe
place away from the vehicle and well away
from the road and traffic.
—To help prevent the vehicle from moving
suddenly and possibly slipping off the jack*,
always fully set the parking brake and block
the front and back of the wheel diagonally
opposite the wheel being changed. When
one front wheel is lifted off the ground,
placing the Automatic Transmission in P
(Park) will not prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing.
— Before you change a wheel, be sure the
ground is level and firm. If necessary, use a
sturdy board under the jack”.
— Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack*
and the replaced tire in the luggage com-
partment > page 60.

352
G) Tips
Obey all laws.
Changing a wheel
When you change a wheel, follow the sequence
described below step-by-step and in exactly that
order.
1. Remove the decorative wheel cover*. For
more details see also > page 353, Decorative
wheel covers or > page 353, Wheels with
wheel bolt caps.
2. Loosen the wheel bolts > page 353.
3. Locate the proper mounting point for the
jack* and align the jack* below that point
=> page 354.
4. Raise the car with the jack* > page 354.
Remove the wheel with the flat tire and then
install the spare > page 355.
6. Tighten all wheel bolts lightly.
Lower the vehicle with the jack*.
8. Use the wheel bolt wrench and firmly tighten
all wheel bolts > page 353.
9. Replace the decorative wheel cover*.
wn
=

ZA WARNING
Always read and follow all WARNINGS and in-
formation > A\ in Raising the vehicle on
page 355 and > page 356.
After changing a wheel
A wheel change is not complete without the do-
ing the following.


> Always store the vehicle tool kit, the jack* and
the replaced tire in the luggage compartment
=> page 60.
> Check the tire pressure on the spare wheel im-
mediately after mounting it.
> As soon as possible, have the tightening tor-
ques on all wheel bolts checked with a torque
wrench. The correct tightening torque is
90 ft lb (120 Nm).
> Have the flat tire replaced as soon as possible.

Emergency situations

Emergency situations
General
This chapter is intended for trained emergency
crews and working personnel who have the nec-
essary tools and equipment to perform these
operations.
Starting by pushing or
towing
@) Note
Vehicles with an automatic transmission can-
not be started by pushing or towing.
Jump starting
If needed, the engine can be jump started by an-
other vehicle battery.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: The
connection points for the jump start cable are
different > page 365.
If the engine does not start because the vehicle
battery is drained, you can jump start your vehi-
cle using another vehicle. Jump start cables are
needed to do this.
Both vehicle batteries must have 12 V nominal
voltage. The voltage capacity (Ah) of the vehicle
battery that is giving power must not be less
than the capacity of the drained vehicle battery.
Jump start cable
Only use a jump start cable with a large enough
diameter. Note the manufacturer's specifica-
tions.
Only use a jump start cable with insulated termi-
nal clamps.
Positive cable - usually red.
Negative cable - usually black.

A WARNING
— A drained battery can freeze at tempera-
tures around 32 °F (0 °C). If the vehicle bat-

364


tery is frozen, it must be thawed before con-
necting the jump start cables. If it is not,
the risk of an explosion and chemical burns
increases. After jump starting the vehicle,
drive to an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility immediately to
have the vehicle battery checked.
— Read the warnings when working in the en-
gine compartment > page 304.
— Handling the jump start cables incorrectly
may cause the vehicle battery to explode
and lead to serious injuries.
— Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid
drive: You must not give a jump start with
your vehicle. This could cause significant
damage to the electrical system in your ve-
hicle > page 365.
— Applies to: vehicles with the battery in the
engine compartment: To reduce the risk of
chemical burns, do not bend over the vehicle
battery.

@) Note
Jump start cables can cause considerable
damage to the vehicle electrical system if
they are connected incorrectly.
G@) Tips
— There must be no contact between the
vehicles, or else voltage could flow when
connecting the positive terminal and drain
the vehicle battery of the vehicle providing
the jump start.
— The drained vehicle battery must be con-
nected correctly to the electrical system.
— Switch off electrical equipment that is not
needed.

8V2012721BK
Emergency situations

Follow the information about the vehicle battery
=> page 315.
Preparations
1. Read the following carefully > page 364,
Preparation.
2. Set the parking brake and place the selector
lever in the "P" position.
3. Turn the ignition and electrical equipment off
in both vehicles.
Connecting/disconnecting the jump start
cable
4. Open the cover on the positive terminal.
5. Clamp the end of the red jump start cable to
the positive terminal @ > page 365, fig. 284
on your vehicle >@) in Preparation on
page 364.
6. Clamp the other end of the red jump start ca-
ble to the positive terminal (2) on the vehicle
battery providing the current.
7. Clamp the black end of the jump start cable
preferably to the ground point, or to the
negative terminal of the vehicle battery @)
on the vehicle providing the current.
8. Clamp the other end of the black jump start
cable only to the ground point (4) on your ve-
hicle.
9. Route the jump start cables so they cannot
get caught in the moving parts in the engine
compartment.
Starting the engine
10. First start the engine in the vehicle giving the
charge and let it run at idle.
11. Now start the engine in the vehicle with the
drained vehicle battery and wait two to three
minutes until it “runs smoothly”.
12. If the engine does not start, stop the starting
procedure after 10 seconds and then repeat
it after approximately 30 seconds.
13. In the vehicle that is being jump started,
switch the heater fan and rear window de-
froster on to reduce any voltage peaks that
may occur when disconnecting the jumper ca-
bles. The headlights must be switched off.
14. While the engines are running, remove the
cables in reverse order from the way they
were installed, as described in > page 365.
Make sure the cables do not get caught in
moving engine components.
15. Close the cap on the positive terminal.
16. Switch the heater fan and rear window de-
froster off.

ZA\ WARNING
— Never connect the jump start cable directly
to your vehicle battery. Only use the connec-
tions in the engine compartment.
— Do not touch the non-insulated parts of the
terminal clamps. The cable must also not
come into contact with vehicle components
that conduct electricity when it is connected
to the positive vehicle battery terminal. This
can cause a short circuit.
— The plugs on the battery cells must not be
opened.
— Keep ignition sources (such as open flames,
burning cigarettes, etc.) away from the vehi-
cle batteries to reduce the risk of an explo-
sion.
— Route the jump start cables so they cannot
get caught in the moving parts in the other


vehicle's engine compartment.
@) Note
Please note that the connecting process previ-
ously described for the jump start cables is in-
tended for when your vehicle is being jump
started.
(i) Tips
Make sure that the connected jump start ca-
bles have sufficient contact with metal.

Towing with a tow truck
General hints
Your Audi requires special handling for towing.
The following information is to be used by com-
mercial tow truck operators who know how to op-
erate their equipment safely.
— Never tow your Audi. Towing will cause dam-
age to the engine and transmission. >
367

Emergency situations

— Never wrap the safety chains or winch cables
around the brake lines.
— To prevent unnecessary damage, your Audi
must be transported with a flatbed truck.
— To load the vehicle on to the flatbed, use the
towing loop found in the vehicle tools and at-
tach to the front or rear anchorage > page 368
and > page 368.

Z\ WARNING
A vehicle being towed is not safe for passen-
gers. Never allow anyone to ride in a vehicle
being towed, for any reason.
Front towing loop


2
| = z
a

Fig. 287 Right side of front bumper: installing the towing
loop
The threaded opening for the towing loop is lo-
cated behind a cover on the right side of the front
bumper.
> Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit > page 348.
> Press inward on the upper left area of the cap
with brief, strong pressure to remove it from
the bumper © fig. 287.
> Insert the towing loop in the threaded opening
until it stops, and then tighten it with the
wheel wrench.
> After using, place the towing loop back in the
vehicle tool kit.

ZA WARNING
If the towing loop is not tightened until it
stops when installing, the threads may be
pulled out when towing the vehicle and result
in an accident.

368
G) Tips
Depending on the model, the shape of the
cover can vary.
Rear towing loop
a
2
S| > im a


Fig. 288 Right side of rear bumper: installing the towing
loop
The towing loop threaded opening is located in
the right of the rear bumper cover under a cover.
> Remove the towing loop from the vehicle tool
kit > page 348.
> To remove the cap from the bumper, press in on
the upper area of the cap with brief, strong
pressure and Lift it up from the lower area
> fig. 288.
> Tighten the towing loop in the threaded open-
ing until it stops and then tighten it with a
wheel wrench.
> After using, place the towing loop back in the
vehicle tool kit.
Depending on the model, the shape of the cover
can vary.

ZA\ WARNING
If the towing loop is not tightened until it
stops when installing, the threads may be
pulled out when towing the vehicle and result
in an accident.
@ Tips
Depending on the model, the shape of the
cover can vary.