2020 AUDI A4 ESP

Driving

@) Note
— Never let the brakes “rub” by pressing the
pedal lightly when braking is not actually
necessary. This can cause the brakes to over-
heat and increases braking distance and
causes wear.
— Observe the important information for driv-
ing downhill > page 104. This especially ap-
plies when towing a trailer.
@ 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 222.
WEEE Tel
GG 7 @ Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
fs) and 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.
Gia / © 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.
fia i 1] 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
102
There is a brake booster malfunction. The brake
booster is available, but its effectiveness is re-
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.
Other indicator lights
When you switch the ignition on, the indicator
light EG if @® turns on briefly to check the
function. If the indicator light does not turn on,
there is a system malfunction.
iff / stays on, there is a malfunction in
the brake system.
@® - There was a heavy load on the brakes. Fol-
low the instructions in the message to utilize the
engine braking effect and to relieve the brakes.

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
Operating the parking brake
The electromechanical parking brake is used to
secure the vehicle from rolling away unintention-
ally.
The ©) switch is located under the selector lever
in the center console. It turns on when the park-
ing brake is set. You can release the parking brake >

8W1012721BB
Driving

manually or automatically when you start to
drive.
Setting and releasing the parking brake
> Setting: pull the ©) switch.
> ris appears, the parking brake is hold-
ing the vehicle. You can remove your foot from
the brake pedal.
> Releasing: when the ignition is switched on,
press and hold the brake pedal and press the ©)
button.
If the red indicator light flashes, the braking
force has not built up enough or it has decreased.
You can also secure the vehicle by selecting the
“P” gear or pressing the brake pedal. Make sure
the indicator light is off before you start driving.
Automatically releasing the parking brake
when starting to drive
Requirement: the driver's door must be closed
and the driver’s safety belt must be fastened.
> Press the accelerator pedal to start to drive.

ZA\ WARNING
—To reduce the risk of an accident, always
make sure the vehicle is situated safely
while stationary.
— If the parking brake is set, it can release au-
tomatically when the accelerator pedal is
pressed. To reduce the risk of an accident,
do not inadvertently press the accelerator
pedal and always shift into “P” when the ve-
hicle is stopped.
— If the power supply fails, you cannot set the
parking brake once it is released, or release
it if it is set. In this case, park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it by engaging the
"P” gear. Contact an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility for assis-

tance.

@) Tips
— On steep inclines, especially when in trailer
mode, the vehicle may roll backwards unin-
tentionally when starting to drive. To re-
duces the risk of this happening, pull and
hold the ©) switch while pressing the accel-
erator pedal. If enough drive power has
built up at the wheels and the vehicle does
not roll backwards, then release the switch
to start to drive.
— If you leave the vehicle when “D” or “R” are
engaged, the parking brake will be set auto-
matically.
— Noises when the parking brake is set and re-
leased 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.
Emergency braking function
Emergency braking should only be used in an
emergency, if the standard brake pedal is mal-
functioning or obstructed. When the emergency
braking function is activated, the braking effect is
similar to a heavy braking maneuver.
> Pull and hold the ©) switch while driving.
» An audio warning signal will sound and emer-
gency braking will begin.
> If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency
braking will be canceled.

ZA WARNING
Heavy braking while driving through curves or
in poor road or weather conditions can cause
the vehicle to slide or the rear of the vehicle to
swerve, which increases the risk of an acci-
dent.
Ea / @ Parking brake: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle. See owner's manual
EG / @ Parking brake: malfunction! Please
release parking brake

If one of the two messages appears, there is a
malfunction in the parking brake. If the message
appears while stationary, check if the parking
brake is released and can be reset. If this is the
case,
switch the ignition off and back on.
103

Driving

If the message continues to appear, if the park-
ing brake cannot be released, or if the message
appears while driving, then stop the vehicle on
level ground and shift to “P”. Do not continue
driving. See an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
ew 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 inclines
and shift to “P”.
f/f) Parking brake: warning! Vehicle parked
too steep
The braking force may not be enough to secure
the vehicle from rolling away. Park the vehicle in
a place with less of an incline.
| / Parking brake: applied
The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake
pedal to release the parking brake.
Take over!
The vehicle cannot be held in place automatically.
Press the brake pedal to secure the vehicle from
rolling away unintentionally.
Special driving situations
Driving uphill and downhill
When driving uphill, downhill, or at high alti-
tudes, note the following information:
— 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-
104
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 95. 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.
— Use the hill hold assist > page 105.

A 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.
Ooi LEAT)
Applies to: allroad

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.
If necessary, use the following functions:
— Audi drive select* mode offroad > page 106
— Hill descent assist* > page 105
— Limit ESC > page 110

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

8W1012721BB
Driving

@ 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.
Hill descent assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
The “2 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 a
> 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 6-60% grade. If these conditions are met,
regulation will be activated and the indicator
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
a indicator light will turn on. Once the require-
ments are met again, the system will be able to
provide active regulation again.

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
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
ter.
@ 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.

ZA 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
system cannot replace the driver's atten-
tion.
— The system cannot maintain a constant vehi-
cle speed in all situations, for example when
on smooth or slippery ground. This can in-
crease the risk of an accident.
G) Tips
If you select the Audi drive select* Offroad
mode, hill descent assist will switch on.

105

8W1012721BB
Driving dynamic

suspension will adapt to the driving conditions
and the driving situation. The settings depend on
the selected Audi drive select* mode.
Ground clearance
The vehicle height and clearance can be influ-
enced by the following factors:
— Change in temperature
— Change in load

ZA WARNING
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure no one
gets pinched when the vehicle level is chang-
ing, for example when cleaning the under-
body or the wheel housings.
@) Note
Always make sure there is enough clearance
above and below the vehicle. This is especially
important for entrances with height restric-
tions, for example, before driving into under-
ground garages. You could also scrape the
ground when driving over the edges of curbs
or on steep ramps, which could damage your
vehicle.
Hi Suspension: malfunction! You can continue
driving


There is a malfunction. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.
Steering
Electromechanical steering supports the driver's
steering movements by electronically adapting
the power steering depending on the vehicle
speed. The settings depend on the selected Audi
drive select* mode.
Dynamic steering
Applies
to: vehicles with dynamic steering
The driving dynamic and driving stability are in-
creased by the steering ratio based on the speed.
At reduced speeds, steering is direct in order to
provide agile steering behavior and keep the
steering effort as minimal as possible when the
driver is maneuvering the vehicle. This sets the
steering to be less sensitive at higher speeds in
order to provide improved vehicle control.
a Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle
The power steering may have failed. Adapt your
driving style immediately to compensate for the
fact that it may be more difficult to turn the
steering wheel, and stop your vehicle in a safe lo-
cation as soon as possible. Do not continue driv-
ing. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
A Steering: malfunction! You can continue
driving
There is a malfunction in the steering system.
Steering may be more difficult or more sensitive.
Adapt your driving style. Have the steering sys-
tem checked immediately by an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility. Please
note that the red indicator light may turn on af-
ter restarting the engine. Do not continue driving
if it does.
Dynamic steering: correcting steering wheel
Position
The steering is reinitializing. The steering wheel
will move easily after starting the vehicle. Reiniti-
alization might be necessary if the steering wheel
was moved while the engine was switched off.
The display turns off if the initialization was suc-
cessful.
@) Tips
—If there is a malfunction, the steering wheel
may be crooked when driving straight.
—Ifthe a or Ee indicator light only stays on
for a short time, you may continue driving.
107

Driving dynamic

All wheel drive (quattro)
Applies to: vehicles with all wheel drive
The all-wheel drive system distributes the driving
power variably to the front and rear axle to im-
prove the driving characteristics. It works togeth-
er with selective wheel torque control, which can
activate when driving through curves
=> page 109.
Applies to: vehicles with quattro ultra: If the driv-
ing situation does not require all wheel drive,
then the rear section of the drivetrain will decou-
ple to save fuel. The system constantly deter-
mines and anticipates if all wheel drive is needed.
This allows the rear drivetrain to recouple shortly
before it is needed.
The all-wheel drive system is designed for high
engine power. Your vehicle is exceptionally pow-
erful and has excellent driving characteristics
both under normal driving conditions and on
snow and ice. Always read and follow safety pre-
cautions > A.

ZX WARNING
— Even in vehicles with all wheel drive, you
should adapt your driving style to the cur-
rent road and traffic conditions to reduce
the risk of an accident.
— 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 drive too fast because this in-
creases 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
vehicles, the engine RPM does not increase
suddenly when the vehicle begins hydro-
planing. Adapt your speed to the road condi-
tions to reduce the risk of an accident.
Sport differential
Applies to: vehicles with sport differential

The sport differential distributes the drive power
to the rear axle based on the situation. The goal
108
is a high level of agility and ability to accelerate
on curves. The vehicle is very responsive to steer-
ing. The settings depend on the selected Audi
drive select* mode.
it} All wheel drive: malfunction! You can con-
tinue driving. Please contact Service
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
it} Sport differential: malfunction! Please con-
tact Service
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
it} All wheel drive: too hot. Please adapt driv-
ing style. See owner’s manual
The transmission temperature has increased sig-
nificantly due to the sporty driving manner. Drive
in a less sporty manner until the temperature re-
turns to the normal range and the indicator light
switches of.
it} Sport differential: temperature too high.
Please adapt driving style
The transmission temperature has increased sig-
nificantly due to the sporty driving manner. Drive
in a less sporty manner until the temperature re-
turns to the normal range and the indicator light
switches of.

ZA WARNING
Contact an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility if the sport differen-
tial is faulty or malfunctioning. The repair
must be performed by trained personnel us-
ing the correct oil in order to ensure safety.

8W1012721BB
Driving dynamic

Electronic Stabilization
Control
Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) supports
driver safety. It reduces the risk of slipping and
improves driving stability. ESC detects critical sit-
uations, such as if the vehicle is oversteering or
understeering, or if the wheels are spinning. The
brakes are applied or the engine torque is re-
duced in order to stabilize the vehicle.
If the BB indicator light blinks while driving, the
ESC is actively regulating.
If the BB indicator light turns on, the system has
switched the ESC off. In this case, you can switch
the ignition off and then on to switch the ESC on
again. The indicator light turns off when the sys-
tem is fully functional.
If the B indicator light turns on, ESC was limit-
ed or switched off manually > page 110.
The following systems are integrated in the ESC:
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
ABS prevents the wheels from locking when brak-
ing. The vehicle can still be steered even during
hard braking. Apply steady pressure to the brake
pedal. Do not pump the pedal.
A pulsing in the brake pedal indicates that the
system is acting to stabilize the vehicle.
Brake assist
The brake assist system can decrease braking dis-
tance. It increases braking power when the driver
presses the brake pedal quickly in emergency sit-
uations. You must press and hold the brake pedal
until the dangerous situation is over. Depending
on the activated driver assistance systems, the
brake assist system may react with increased sen-
sitivity.
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
ASR reduces drive power when the wheels begin
spinning and adapts the power to the road condi-
tions. This will increase the driving stability.
Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
The EDL applies the brakes to wheels that are
slipping and transfers the drive power to the oth-
er wheels. This function is not available at higher
speeds.
In extreme cases, EDL automatically switches off
to keep the brake on the braked wheel from over-
heating. The vehicle is still functioning correctly.
EDL will switch on again automatically when con-
ditions have returned to normal.
Power steering
The ESC can also support vehicle stability
through steering.
Selective wheel torque control
Selective wheel torque control is used when driv-
ing on curves. Braking is targeted toward the
wheels on the inside of the curve as needed. This
allows more precise driving in curves.
Automatic post-collision braking system
The automatic post-collision braking system can
help to reduce the risk of sliding and of addition-
al collisions after an accident. If the airbag con-
trol module detects a collision, the vehicle is
braked by the ESC.
The vehicle does not brake automatically if one of
the following occurs:
— The driver presses the accelerator pedal, or
— The braking force generated by the pressed
brake pedal is greater than the braking force
that would be initiated by the system
— The ESC, the brake system, or the vehicle elec-
trical system is not functioning

Z\ WARNING
— The ESC and its integrated systems cannot
overcome the limits imposed by natural
physical laws. This is especially important on
slippery or wet roads. If the systems begin
acting to stabilize your vehicle, you should
immediately alter your speed to match the


109

Driving dynamic


road and traffic conditions. Do not let the in-
creased safety provided tempt you into tak-
ing risks. This could increase your risk of a
collision.
— Please note the risk of a collision increases
when driving fast, especially through curves
and on slippery or wet roads, and when driv-
ing too close to objects ahead. There is still
a risk of accidents because the ESC and its
integrated systems cannot always prevent
collisions.
— Accelerate carefully when driving on
smooth, slippery surfaces such as ice and
snow. The drive wheels can spin even when
these control systems are installed and this
can affect driving stability and increase the
risk of a collision.

G) Tips
— The ABS and ASR only function correctly
when all four wheels have a similar wear
condition. Different tire sizes can lead toa
reduction in engine power.
— You may hear noises when the systems de-
scribed are working.
The 0 button for controlling the ESC is located
in the center console, in front of the selector lev-
er.
The ESC is automatically switched on when the
ignition is switched on. It may make sense in
some situations to limit the ESC so that the
wheels can spin:
— Rocking the vehicle to free it when it is stuck
— Driving in deep snow, on unpaved ground, or
with snow chains
— Applies to: allroad: Driving downhill while brak-
ing on loose ground
— Applies to: allroad: Driving with axle articula-
tion
Limiting ESC (Sport/Offroad mode)
—To limit the ESC, press the 20" button briefly.
The B indicator light turns on.
110
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
light turns off.
When ESC is limited, allroad models switch to
Offroad mode. All other model versions switch to
Sport mode. Sport mode is particularly suited for
driving on an even road surface. Offroad mode is
designed for uneven terrain or loose ground.
Switching off ESC
— To switch off the ESC, press and hold the Sor
button for more than three seconds. The B
and Ea indicator lights turn on.
— To completely reactivate the ESC stabilization
function, press the button again. The indicator
lights turn off.

Z\ WARNING
— When the ESC is switched off or limited,
there will be no vehicle stabilization or it will
be limited. The driving wheels could spin
and the vehicle could swerve, especially on
slick or slippery road surfaces, which in-
creases the risk of an accident.
— Because of the increased risk of an accident,
only drive with the ESC switched off or limit-
ed when it is necessary. Reactivate the ESC
as soon as possible.
@ Tips
— If the ESC is limited, switched off, or mal-
functioning, systems with an automatic
braking intervention function may not be
fully available.
— If malfunctions occur in other systems or
certain driver assist systems are active, the
ESC must be switched on by the system. The
ESC
may switch on automatically and can-
not be operated with the button.
B fs i B © Stabilization control (ESC/
ABS): malfunction! See owner's manual

There is a malfunction in the ABS or EDL. This al-
so causes the ESC to malfunction. The brakes still >