2021 AUDI A4 Starting the vehicle

8W1012721BC
Driving

Switching the Start/Stop system off and on
The )* button is located above the selector lev-
er in the center console. The LED in the button
turns on when the function is switched off.
> Press (A)°* to switch the system on or off.
If you switch the system off during a Stop phase,
the engine will start again automatically.
Basic requirements
— The driver’s door and the hood must be closed
and the driver’s safety belt must be fastened.
—"P","N", or "D" must be engaged.
—The steering wheel must not be turned far in ei-
ther direction.
— The vehicle must have driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h) since the last time it stopped.
— The vehicle is not in trailer mode.
@ Note
Always switch the Start/Stop system off when
driving through water > page 103.
@ Tips
— Depending on the driving situation, the en-
gine may already stop when coasting before
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
— If you select the "D" position after shifting
into reverse, the vehicle must be driven fast-
er than 6 mph (10 km/h) in order for the
Start/Stop system to become active again.
This makes it possible to maneuver without
stopping the engine.
Stopping and starting the engine
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
> Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle
has stopped. The @] indicator light appears in
the instrument cluster once the engine stops
automatically.
> The engine starts again when you remove your
foot from the brake pedal. The indicator light
turns off.
If the parking brake is set, the engine will only
start again when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
@) Tips
— Press the brake pedal during a Stop phase
to keep the vehicle from rolling.
— The ignition will turn off if you press the
START ENGINE STOP] button during a Stop


phase.
— If you leave the vehicle briefly during a Stop
phase and then enter again, the driver's
door must be closed and the safety belt
must be fastened in order for the engine to
be able to restart.
— 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.
Starting and stopping the engine automat-
ically
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
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 Gy indicator light
may appear if the engine is not stopped.
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Drive system: please start the vehicle manually >
103

Driving

This message appears when specific conditions
are not met during a Stop phase. The Start/Stop
system will not be able to restart the engine. The
engine must be started with the
START ENGINE STOP] button.


Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the Start/Stop system.
Drive the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Service Facility as soon as possible to
have the malfunction corrected.
Brakes
General information
You can apply the vehicle's brakes using the brake
pedal.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on the
speed, braking force, and outside conditions such
as temperature and humidity.
Braking effect
The response time from the brakes depends on
the weather and environmental conditions. To
ensure the optimal braking effect, the brake sys-
tem is cleaned at regular intervals. This is done
by applying the brake pads to the brake rotors 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,
104
braking heavily several times while driving at
high speeds can clean the brake rotors > A\.
Brake pads
New brake pads do not achieve their full braking
effect during the first 250 miles (400 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.
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.
Ceramic brakes
Applies to: vehicles with ceramic brakes
Ceramic brakes provide excellent deceleration
rates.
The break-in period for new ceramic brakes may
be significantly longer than for standard brake
rotors. Due to the properties of the material,
they may cause noises at lower speeds. Ceramic
brakes also absorb more moisture in wet condi-
tions. Therefore, there will temporarily be less
braking force than when the brakes are dry. You
can compensate for this by pressing the brake
pedal harder.
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

Driving


stabilize the vehicle will no longer be availa-
ble. This could cause the vehicle to swerve,
which increases the risk that the vehicle will
slide. Do not continue driving. See an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Fa-
cility 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
> Setting: pull the ©) switch.
> 1f BM / © 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

106
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. Secure the vehicle against roll-
ing before exiting the vehicle > page 96. See
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility for assistance.
G) Tips
— On steep inclines, especially when in trailer
mode, the vehicle may roll backwards unin-
tentionally when starting to drive. To reduce
the risk of this happening, pull and hold the
switch while pressing the accelerator
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.

8W1012721BC
Driving dynamic

Suspension
CET tes un) Led
Applies to: vehicles with suspension control
The adaptive dampers are an electronically-con-
trolled damping system. The firmness of the sus-
pension 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

Z\ 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.

Werle
8 | 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. Secure the vehicle
against rolling before exiting the vehicle
=> page 96. Do not continue driving. See an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility for assistance.
|e —e| Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle
There is a malfunction in the electronic steering
lock. You cannot turn the ignition on. Secure the
vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehicle
= page 96. Do not tow your vehicle because it
cannot be steered. 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.
l@-| Steering lock: malfunction! Please contact
Service
111
>

Driving dynamic

There is a malfunction in the electronic steering
lock. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have
the malfunction repaired.
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.

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 there is a malfunction, the steering wheel
may be crooked when driving straight.
—Ifthe Ba or fal indicator light only stays on
for a short time, you may continue driving.

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 113.
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
112
snow and ice. Always read and follow safety pre-
cautions > A\.

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 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.
Sy amet
Applies to: vehicles with sport differential

The sport differential distributes the drive power
to the rear axle based on the situation. The goal
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.
WEE Tel
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

8W1012721BC
Driver assistance

Switching off
If you do not want to use the adaptive cruise con-
trol for a long period of time, you can switch it
off.
> Push the lever away from you into position @)
until it clicks into place.
The indicator light and the set speed will turn off.

Z\ WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 117.
— The activated adaptive cruise control is only
an assist system, and the driver is still re-
sponsible for controlling the vehicle. The
driver is especially responsible for braking,
steering, starting to drive, and controlling
the speed and the distance from other
vehicles.
— Turn on the adaptive cruise control only if
the surrounding conditions permit it. Always
adapt your driving style to the current visu-
al, weather, road, and traffic conditions.
— 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.
— If you press the [SET] button @) when driv-
ing at speeds below 15 mph (20 km/h)»,
the minimum possible speed that the sys-
tem can maintain will be set. If no vehicle is
detected ahead of you, the vehicle will accel-



erate up to that speed.

(i) Tips
— Always keep your hands on the steering
wheel so you can be ready to steer at any
time. The driver is always responsible for
adhering to the regulations applicable in
the country where the vehicle is being oper-
ated.

) Analog instrument cluster: 20 mph (30 km/h)
— If you switch the ignition or the adaptive
cruise control system off, the set speed is
erased for safety reasons.
— When adaptive cruise control is switched
on, the ESC and ASR automatically switch
on.
— The system cannot be switched off or it may
be interrupted if the road exceeds the maxi-
mum possible grade for safe operation.
Predictive control
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control and effi-
ciency assist
With predictive control, efficiency assist adapts
the set speed in adaptive cruise control @
=> page 131, fig. 107 based on detected speed
limits and the upcoming route. Once the system
no longer detects any incidents ahead, adaptive
cruise control will accelerate back up to the last
speed that the driver set. After switching on the
ignition, the availability of predictive control is
indicated by a message when the adaptive cruise
control is first activated.
Incident symbols indicate the situation to which
predictive control is reacting > page 129, Situa-
tion symbols.
Requirements
— Predictive control is switched on in the MMI
=> page 137.
— Adaptive cruise control is actively regulating
=> page 132.
— The system can only react to speed limits that
are 15 mph (20 km/h)” or higher.
Overriding control
The driver can override the predictive control to
the route ahead at any time by pressing the ac-
celerator or brake pedal. If the system changes
the vehicle speed to adapt to speed limits, you
can change the speed using the lever
=> page 132, fig. 110.
133

Driver assistance

Requirement: adaptive cruise control must be
switched on.
Overriding control
You can completely override the control, for ex-
ample when passing or if you would like to accel-
erate more quickly.
> To accelerate manually, pull the lever toward
you in the direction of the arrow and hold it
there, or press the accelerator pedal.
> To resume the usual cruise control, release the
lever or remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
When you are in the Driver assistance display,
the message Overridden will appear.
Decreasing the distance
The function decreases the set distance and pro-
vides assistance, for example when merging
when a lane is ending.
> To further reduce the distance to the vehicle
ahead temporarily, pull the lever toward your-
self in the direction of the arrow and hold it in
that position.
> To resume the system control, release the lever.
The adaptive cruise control reduces the distance
and, if necessary, accelerates the vehicle above
the set speed. When you are in the Driver assis-
tance display, the message Overridden will ap-
pear.

ZX WARNING
— Observe the safety precautions and note the
limits of the assist systems, sensors, and
cameras > page 117.
— Resting your foot on the accelerator pedal
could override the cruise control. Braking in-
terventions and corrective actions by the
system may not occur.


)) Depending on the engine
136
Driving in stop-and-go traffi
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control

Applies to: vehicles with safe start monitor
Fig. 113 Instrument cluster: safe start monitor
Stopping with adaptive cruise control
The adaptive cruise control system also assists
you in stop-and-go traffic!). Within the limits of
the system, your vehicle may brake and remain at
a stop if a vehicle driving ahead stops.
Starting to drive with adaptive cruise control
As long as the message a ready to drive and A
is displayed, your vehicle will begin driving when
the vehicle ahead starts to move > /\.
If you are stopped for several seconds, your vehi-
cle will no longer drive autonomously for safety
reasons, and the message will turn off.
> To extend B ready to drive mode for several
seconds or reactivate, pull the lever briefly to-
wards you in the direction of the arrow
=> page 135, fig. 112.
> To resume manual control of the vehicle, tap
the accelerator pedal.
Safe start monitor
Applies to: vehicles with safe start monitor
The vehicle can still start to drive even if certain
obstacles are detected when starting to drive
=> /\. If the surrounding area detection detects
an obstacle, you will be alerted to the danger by
the A indicator light.
If you are in the Driver assistance display, the
display @ © fig. 113 and the message Warning!
will also appear. An audio signal will also sound.
Your vehicle will drive more slowly when starting. >

Driver assistance

handling with predictive control, for example the
speed for driving through curves.
@) Tips
Certain settings are automatically stored and
assigned to the remote control key being
used.
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control
If or is displayed when there is a mal-
function, the adaptive cruise control or traffic
jam assist functions may be unavailable or may
be limited.
A message that indicates the cause and possible
solution may appear with some displays. The
weather conditions may be too poor or a sensor
may be covered. Clean the area in front of the
sensors > page 119 and try to turn on the sys-
tems again later.
If the malfunction remains, drive to an author-
ized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facili-
ty immediately to have the malfunction correct-
ed.
Please take over!

This message appears if the vehicle rolls back
when starting on a slight incline, even though the
systems are active. Press the brake pedal to pre-
vent the vehicle from rolling or starting to move.
Traffic jam assist
Applies to: vehicles with traffic jam assist

B8V-0692


Fig. 115 Turn signal lever: button for traffic jam assist and
Audi active lane assist
138
Traffic jam assist supports the driver when driv-
ing in traffic jams or in heavy traffic.
In a speed range under 40 mph (65 km/h), the
system can help to keep the vehicle within a lane
calculated by the system. Within the limits of the
system, the system controls the steering auto-
matically when adaptive cruise control is switch-
ed on. Since traffic jam assist is only an assist
system, the driver must always keep his or her
hands on the steering wheel and be ready to
steer. The driver can override the control at any
time by actively steering.
The system is designed for driving on express-
ways and highways.
Requirements for using traffic jam assist:
> The traffic jam assist is preselected in the MMI
settings: Select on the home screen: VEHICLE >
Driver assistance > Traffic jam assist.
> Adaptive cruise control must be switched on
and active > page 132.
If you open the Driver assist display in the on-
board computer => page 16, the indicator
light and the message Traffic jam assist will turn
on when a traffic jam is detected.
Activating or deactivating traffic jam assist
> To activate or deactivate traffic jam assist,
press the > fig. 115 button.
Always switch off traffic jam assist in the
following situations:
— When increased attention is needed from the
driver
— In construction zones
— In city driving
— On stretches of road with curves
—In unclear traffic situations such as at intersec-
tions or toll stations
— The turn signal was activated.
Indicator lights
Traffic jam assist is available.
B and B - Traffic jam assist is switched on.
Vehicles driving ahead were detected. Your vehi-
cle adapts while driving.