2020 AUDI E-TRON warning light

Driving

Driving
Starting the vehicle
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Fig. 82 Center console: switching on the drive system
Your vehicle is powered by electricity. Similar to a
vehicle with a combustion engine, the ignition
and drive system can be switched on separately.
When only the ignition is switched on, electronic
systems such as the MMI are available. However,
the vehicle is not ready to drive. Electric power is
able to move the vehicle once the drive system is
switched on and becomes active.
Requirement: the key must be in the vehicle.
Switching the drive system on
> Press and hold the brake pedal.
> Press the [START STOP] button. The drive sys-
tem switches on.


It is indicated in the power meter whether the
drive system is switched on > page 13.
Switching the drive system off
> Bring the vehicle to a full stop.
> Press the [START STOP] button. The drive sys-
tem switches off.


The steering is locked when you switch off the
drive
system in “P” and open the driver's door.
The steering lock helps prevent vehicle theft.
Switching the drive system off in an
emergency
If necessary in an emergency, the drive system
can also be switched off while driving using the
emergency off function*.
88

> Press the [START STOP] button twice in a row or
press and hold it one time.

Switching on and off
If you would like to switch the ignition on or off
without switching on the drive system, follow
these steps:

> Press the [START STOP] button without pressing
the brake pedal.

Switching the ignition off automatically
To prevent the vehicle battery from draining, the
ignition and possibly the exterior lighting may
switch off automatically.
Requirements:
— You must have driven the vehicle.
— You must have left the vehicle for longer than
30 seconds.
— The ignition must be switched on.
Among other indicators, the system detects that
you have left the vehicle based on the following
factors:
— The driver's door has been opened.
— The driver's safety belt has been unbuckled.
— The brake pedal is not being pressed.
— The driver's seat is not occupied.
The ignition will also be switched off after 30 mi-
nutes or if you lock the vehicle from the outside.

ZA WARNING
— Never switch off the drive system before the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Switching it off before the vehicle has stop-
ped may impair the function of the brake
booster and power steering. You would then
need to use more force to steer and brake
the vehicle. The fact that you cannot steer
and brake as usual may increase the risk of
accidents and serious injuries.
— Always select the “P” selector lever position
when parking the vehicle; otherwise, the ve-
hicle could roll away. >

Driving


pedal and always shift into “P” when the ve-
hicle is stopped.
— If you leave the vehicle, switch the ignition
off and take the key with you. This is espe-
cially important when leaving persons or an-
imals in the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle
could start unintentionally, the parking
brake could release, or electronic equipment
could activate, which increases the risk of an
accident.
— No persons or animals should be left in a
locked vehicle. Locked doors make it more
difficult for emergency workers to enter the
vehicle, which puts lives at risk.
— If you do not begin driving immediately af-
ter releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle
may begin to roll backward. Press the brake
pedal or set the parking brake immediately.
@) Note
If you have to stop on an incline, always press
the brake pedal to hold the vehicle in place to
reduce the risk of the vehicle rolling back-
ward. Do not try to hold the vehicle in place
by pressing and holding the accelerator pedal.
The transmission can overheat, which increas-
es the risk of damage.
Hill hold assist
If you take your foot off of the brake pedal when
driving on hills, the braking force will be held for
several seconds. At that time, you can start driv-
ing without the vehicle rolling backward.


Requirement: the driver's door must be closed,
the drive system must be active, and the vehicle
must be traveling uphill.
> To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the
brake pedal for several seconds while the vehi-
cle is stationary.
Use the hold assist > page 97 when the braking
force should be applied for more than several
seconds.
90
ZA WARNING
— If you do not begin driving immediately af-
ter releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle
may begin to roll backward. Press the brake
pedal
or set the parking brake immediately.
— The hill hold assist cannot hold the vehicle
on inclines in every scenario (for example,
on slippery or icy ground).
Gears and driving programs



RAZ-0570




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Fig. 83 Center console: hand rest with selector lever


The selector Lever is located on the side of the
hand rest. You can operate the selector lever us-
ing your thumb and index finder. Operation is
similar to a vehicle with an automatic transmis-
sion.
The gears are displayed next to the hand rest.
— P (Park)
— R (Reverse)
—N (Neutral)
—D (Drive)
Selecting a gear
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
— Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the
brake pedal.
—To select the nearest gear, move the selector
lever forward or back until you feel the first
pressure point.
—To skip a gear (for example, move from “D” to
“R”), move the selector lever past the pressure
point in the desired direction.
— The label next to the selector lever for the se-
lected gear will light up.

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Driving

“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.
— Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the
brake pedal.
— Press the “P” button @ on the selector lever.
— The “P” next to the selector lever will light up.
“P” engages automatically if you switch the drive
system off while the “D” or “R” gear is selected.
If you switch the drive system off in “N”, “P” will
engage automatically after approximately 30 mi-
nutes.
If you want to switch from “P” to “D” or “R”, the
drive system must be active.
Selecting the driving program
Various driving programs can be selected when in
the “D” gear. The programs influence how the ac-
celerator pedal and drive system respond.
If you select the dynamic or offroad Audi drive
select* mode, the “S” driving program will be ac-
tivated. If you select efficiency, “E” will be acti-
vated. When the ignition is switched off, the driv-
ing program may be reset to “D”.
To switch between the current driving program
and “S”, push the selector lever toward the rear.

ZA WARNING
— Before you start driving, check if the label
for the desired selector lever position next
to the selector lever is lit up.
— 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.


— To reduce the risk of an accident, do not
press the accelerator pedal when changing
gears if the vehicle is stationary and the
drive system is active.
— 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.
(Gi) 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.
Accelerator pedal
You can accelerate the vehicle using the accelera-
tor pedal.

Maximum acceleration
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: In the
“S” driving program, even more power is utilized
for a brief period of time via the boost function.
The availability of this function depends on the
charge level of the high-voltage battery and the
temperature of the drive system components,
among other things.

Z\ WARNING
The driving wheels could spin and the vehicle
could swerve on slick or slippery road surfaces
when using kick-down, which increases the
risk of an accident.
Launch Control
Applies to: vehicles with Launch Control

Launch Control provides the best possible accel-
eration when starting from a stop.
91

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Driving

system is cleaned at regular intervals. This is
done by applying the brake pads to the brake ro-
tors for a short period of time when driving at
high speeds when the windshield wipers are
switched on.
If the brake system becomes damp, for example
after driving in heavy rain, the braking effect may
be delayed. Other factors that could temporarily
increase the response time of the brakes include:
— Wet conditions
— Low temperatures, ice, and snow
— Roads covered in salt
— Dirty brake pads
Corrosion
Corrosion may form on the brake rotors if there is
no heavy braking, if the vehicle is not driven for
long periods of time, or if the vehicle is not driv-
en
frequently or for long distances. In this case,
braking heavily several times while driving at
high speeds can clean the brake rotors > A\.
To do this, select the “N” gear so that recupera-
tion is not used for braking.
Brake pads
New brake pads do not achieve their full braking
effect during the first 500 miles (800 km). They
must be “broken in” first. However, you can com-
pensate for the slightly reduced braking force by
pressing firmly on the brake pedal. Avoid heavy
braking during the break-in period.
Because recuperation is also used for braking, the
break-in period for new brake pads is 500 miles
(800 km).
Brake pad wear depends largely on the way the
vehicle is driven and on operating conditions.
Brake pad wear increases when driving frequently
in the city or short distances or when using a very
sporty driving style.
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
— Only apply the brakes for the purpose of
cleaning the brake system when road and
traffic conditions permit. You must not en-
danger other road users and increase the
risk of an accident.
— Due to the risk of injury, only have an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility work on the brake system.
Incorrect repairs could impair the function.
— Never let the vehicle roll while the drive sys-
tem is switched off because this increases
the risk of an accident.
— During automatic braking maneuvers, the
brake pedal may move downward automati-
cally. To reduce the risk of injury, do not
place your foot under the brake pedal.
() 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 98. 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 243.
95

Driving

— Wear caused by load does not constitute a
vehicle fault as defined by the terms of the
warranty.
Messages
GG / | Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
EES / Gana Bialso 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\.
Ga / @ 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
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.
Other indicator lights
When you switch the ignition on, the indicator
light BREN / Wiurns on briefly to check the
function. If the indicator light does not turn on,
there is a system malfunction.
If Be / B® stays on, there is a malfunction in
the brake system.
- Ahigh load was placed on the brakes from
driving downhill for a long period of time. Follow
the instructions in the message to utilize the en-
gine braking effect and to relieve the brakes.
96

AN 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
manually or automatically when you start to
drive.
Setting and releasing the parking brake
> Closing: Pull the © switch.
> 1 / oa 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. >

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Driving


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.
ei eoh 4g
Applies to: vehicles with hold assist

If the vehicle is stopping frequently, the system
can assist the driver in a comfortable transition
when starting to drive from a stop, for example,
at a red light, ona hill, or in stop-and-go traffic.
Switching the hold assist on and off
You can switch the hold assist on and off in the
MMI.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Settings & Service > Hold assist.
Starting to drive with hold assist
Requirement: the driver's door must be closed
and the drive system must be active.
> Press and hold the brake pedal for several sec-
onds while the vehicle is stationary.
> r@ appears, the hold assist is holding the ve-
hicle. You can remove your foot from the brake
pedal.
> Press the accelerator pedal to start to drive.
In certain situations, the hold assist may transfer
the function of holding the vehicle to the parking
brake.
Depending on the equipment, hold assist may be
switched off when in “R” gear to help improve
maneuverability. If this is the case, press the
brake pedal to secure the vehicle.

Z\ WARNING
—The hold assist cannot hold the vehicle on
inclines in every scenario (for example, on
slippery or icy ground). Be ready to apply the
brakes at all times when using the hold as-
sist.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, always
make sure the vehicle is situated safely
while stationary.
CG) Note
Switch hold assist off before driving your vehi-
cle into a car wash with a conveyor belt. Oth-
erwise, the parking brake could engage auto-
matically.
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. >

97

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Driving

Offroad driving
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* dynamic mode > page 101
— Hill descent assist* > page 99
— Raising the vehicle > page 102
— Limit ESC > page 105

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

@) 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.
PUN Mule mules
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.
— 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 switch off the drive system.

Z\ WARNING
After driving through water, press the brake
pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the
full braking effect will be restored.
C) Note
Vehicle components such as the motor, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system, can
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
it

er.
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.
Hill descent assist
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
The “2 button is located in the function bar on
the lower display. It lights up when the system 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 “2.
> 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 Ba indicator
light will turn on. >
99

Driving dynamic

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have
the malfunction repaired.

ZA\ WARNING
Do not tow your vehicle if there is a malfunc-
tion in the electronic steering lock because
this increases the risk of an accident.
@ Tips
If the & or a indicator light only stays on
for a short time, then you may continue driv-
ing.

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 around curves > page 105.
The all-wheel drive system is designed for high
motor power. Your vehicle is exceptionally power-
ful and has excellent driving characteristics both
under normal driving conditions and on snow and
ice. Always read and follow safety precautions
oA.

ZA 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 motor 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.

104
IY ett Tel -1
EH All-wheel drive: malfunction! Limited stabil-
ity. Please contact Service
Driving stability is reduced. Continue driving with
caution. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately.
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 oversteering and understeering of
the vehicle, the drive wheels spinning, or the risk
of the vehicle tipping.
The brakes are applied or the motor torque is re-
duced in order to stabilize the vehicle.
The following stabilization functions are integrat-
ed into the ESC, among others:
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.
Noises will indicate when the system is working.
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.