2021 AUDI A8 stop start

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Driving

Driving
Starting the vehicle
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Fig. 91 Center console: starting the engine

Requirement: the key must be in the vehicle.
Starting the engine
> Press and hold the brake pedal.
> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button. The
engine will start.


Plug-in hybrid drive: the electric drive system is
switched on. The combustion engine only starts
when necessary. The power meter indicates if the
electric drive system is switched on > page 15.
Equipment that uses a lot of electricity is switch-
ed off temporarily when you start the engine. If
the engine does not start immediately, the start-
ing procedure stops automatically after a short
time. If this is the case, repeat the starting pro-
cedure after approximately 30 seconds.
Stopping the engine
> Bring the vehicle to a full stop.
> Press the [START ENGINE STOP] button. The
engine will switch off.


Plug-in-hybrid drive: the electric drive system and
the combustion engine are switched off.
Applies to: vehicles with steering lock: The steer-
ing is locked when you turn off the engine with
the selector lever in the “P” position and open
the driver's door. The steering lock helps prevent
vehicle theft.
Stopping the engine in an emergency
If necessary in an emergency, the engine can also
be stopped while driving using the emergency off
function*.

> Press the [START ENGINE 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 starting the engine, follow these steps:

> Press the [START ENGINE 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:
— Conventional drive system: the Start/Stop sys-
tem must have stopped the engine.
— Plug-in hybrid drive: you must have driven the
vehicle. The combustion engine must not be
running.
— 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 ignition will also be switched off after 30 mi-
nutes or if you lock the vehicle from the outside.

ZA WARNING
—To reduce the risk of asphyxiation, never al-
low the engine to run in confined spaces.
— Never turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. Switching it
off before the vehicle has stopped may im-
pair 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 [>


107

Driving


usual may increase the risk of accidents and
serious injuries.
— Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-
iting the vehicle > page 108.

@) Note
— Avoid high engine speed, full throttle, and
heavy engine load if the engine has not
reached operating temperature yet. You
could damage the engine.
— If the engine has been under heavy load for
an extended period of time, heat builds up
in the engine compartment after the engine
is switched off and there is a risk of damag-
ing the engine. For this reason, let the en-
gine run at idle for approximately two mi-
nutes before shutting it off.
@ Tips
— Brief noises are normal when starting and
stopping the vehicle and are no cause for
concern.
— For up to 10 minutes after stopping the en-
gine, the radiator fan may turn on again au-
tomatically or it may continue to run, even if
the ignition is switched off.
— It may not be possible to start the vehicle in
extremely low temperatures.
— Power will be fully available once the engine
is at operating temperature.
Messages
Hj Engine start system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
Do not switch the ignition off because you may
not be able to switch it on again. Drive to an au-
thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service
Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
B Engine start system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the engine start system.
Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the
malfunction repaired.
108
B Remote control key: key not detected. Is the
key still in the vehicle?
The vehicle key was removed from the vehicle
while the engine is running. If the vehicle key is
no longer in the vehicle, you cannot switch the ig-
nition on or start the engine once you stop it. You
also cannot lock the vehicle from the outside.
Remote control key: hold back of key
against the designated area. See owner's man-
ual
The battery in the vehicle key may be drained or
there may be a malfunction. To start the vehicle,
you must also hold the vehicle key against the lo-
cation shown ?) > page 107, fig. 91.
If the malfunction remains, drive immediately to
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility to have the malfunction correct-
ed.
When driving
Starting to drive, stopping, and parking
Starting from a stop
> Press and hold the brake pedal.
> Start the engine.
> Select a gear.
> Release the parking brake.
> Release the brake pedal. The vehicle may roll.
> Press the accelerator pedal to accelerate.
Securing the vehicle against rolling
Secure your vehicle to prevent it from rolling be-
fore exiting the vehicle.
> Set the parking brake.
> Select the “P” selector lever position.
> If parking on a steep road, turn the steering
wheel so that your vehicle will roll against the
curb in case it should start to move.
If one of these measures is not possible, for ex-
ample because there is no vehicle power, you
must secure your vehicle against rolling using ad-
ditional measures.
> Only park the vehicle on a level surface.
> Use suitable objects to block the front and rear
wheels.

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Driving

Set the parking brake before selecting the “P” se-
lector lever position. This prevents too much
stress from being placed on the locking mecha-
nism when parking on a steep surface.

ZX WARNING
— Always set the parking brake when leaving
your vehicle, even if for a short period of
time. If the parking brake is not set, the ve-
hicle could roll away, increasing the risk of
an accident.
— Do not leave your vehicle unattended while
the engine is running, because this increases
the risk of an accident.
— 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 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 engine must be on, 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.

Z\ 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
(1)
(2S




[RAZ-0410



R
N
:
D/S
~— SI
Fig. 92 Center console: selector lever


The automatic transmission shifts automatically
depending on the selected gear and the current
driving style. When driving with a moderate driv-
ing style, upshifting early and downshifting late
will help to improve fuel economy. When driving
with a sporty driving style, the transmission per-
mits higher RPMs.
The gears are displayed next to the selector lever.
— P (Park)
— R (Reverse): driving in reverse
—N (Neutral): idle
109

Driving

— D (Drive)
Selecting a gear
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
— Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the
brake pedal.
— Press the release button @ on the selector lev-
er.
—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.
“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
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
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 (2) on the selector lever.
— The “P” next to the selector lever will light up.
“P” engages automatically if you switch the en-
gine off while the “D” or “R” gear is selected. If
you switch the engine off in “N”, “P” will engage
automatically after approximately 30 minutes.
If you want to switch to another gear from “P”,
the engine must be running.
If you cannot shift out of “P”, for example be-
cause the vehicle has no power, you may need to
use the emergency release for the parking lock
=> page 112.
110
Selecting the driving program
Various driving programs can be selected when in
the “D” gear. The programs influence when the
transmission shifts and how the accelerator ped-
al responds.
The selected driving program is displayed in the
instrument cluster.
—D (Drive): normal driving mode
—S (Sport): sporty driving mode
If you select the Dynamic mode in Audi drive se-
lect*, the “S” driving program will be activated.
When the ignition is switched off, the driving pro-
gram may be reset to “D”.
To switch between the current driving program
and “S”, push the selector lever toward the rear.
Plug-in hybrid drive system: Not all plug-in hy-
brid modes are available in the “S” driving pro-
gram. The driving program or plug-in hybrid
mode will be automatically adjusted if it is not
compatible with an operation.

ZA\ WARNING
— Before you start driving, check if the label
for the desired selector lever position next
to the selector lever is lit up.
— Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex:
iting the vehicle > page 108.
— Power is still transmitted to the wheels
when the engine is running at idle. To pre-
vent the vehicle from “creeping”, you must
keep your foot on the brake in all selector
lever positions (except "P" and "N") when
the engine is running.
— To reduce the risk of an accident, do not
press the accelerator pedal when changing
gears if the vehicle is stationary and the en-
gine is running.
— 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.

G) Tips
If you shift between “D” and “R” within one
second, you do not need to press the brake >

Driving

Combustion engine startup
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
A haptic pressure point indicates when the com-
bustion engine will be started. The pressure point
is variable and depends on the high-voltage bat-
tery charge level.
@ Recuperation
@ Power by electric motor
@) Pressure point
@ Power by combustion engine
© Maximum acceleration
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: The elec-
tric motor can switch on for a brief period if the
accelerator pedal is pressed all the way down in
the “D” and “S” driving program. 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.

Parking lock emergency release

B4mM-0189




@

@

Fig. 96 Footwell: releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
112
The emergency release is located under the floor
mat on the driver's side. Read and follow the im-
portant instructions about towing > page 325.
Releasing the parking lock using the
emergency release
> Secure the vehicle against rolling > page 108.
> Pry the cover off at one of the openings using
the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit
=> page 317.
> Insert the socket wrench from the vehicle tool
kit into the opening.
> Turn the socket wrench clockwise () until it
stops and press it downward @) until it locks in-
to place.
> Leave the socket wrench inserted.
Resetting the parking lock
> Grasp the socket wrench with both hands and
carefully pull it upward to remove.
> Install the cover.

Z\ WARNING
— The parking lock must be released using the
emergency release before towing the vehi-
cle.
— Only use the parking lock emergency release
if the vehicle is secured against rolling
= page 108. An unsecured vehicle may roll,
which increases the risk of an accident.
— Only activate the emergency release while
on a level surface or a slight slope.
—To reduce the risk of an accident, you must
not drive when the emergency release is ac-

tivated.
i Transmission: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-
cle

Do not continue driving. Stop the vehicle as soon
as possible in a safe location and secure it so it
does not roll > page 108. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.
Bi Transmission: too hot. Please stop vehicle >

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Driving

— Avoid adding extra weight to the vehicle if pos-
sible, for example by not leaving roof racks or
bike racks installed when they are not needed.
— Make sure the tire pressure is correct.
— Have maintenance performed regularly on the
vehicle.
— Do not let the engine run while the vehicle
parked.
— Do not drive with winter tires during the summ-
er.
— Use the Start/Stop system.
— Utilize the engine braking effect.
— Avoid driving short distances when possible.
@) Tips
The amount of noise produced by the vehicle
can increase significantly when driving with a
sporty style. Show respect to others around
you and the environment with the way you op-
erate your vehicle, especially at night.
eh Me lele 4
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent ener-
gy management system for distributing electrici-
ty. This significantly improves the starting ability
and increases the vehicle battery life.
@ Tips
— If you drive short distances frequently, the
vehicle battery may not charge enough
while driving. As a result, convenience func-
tions for electrical equipment may be tem-
porarily unavailable.
— The vehicle battery will gradually drain if
the vehicle is not driven for long periods of
time, or if electrical equipment is used
when the engine is not running. To ensure
that the vehicle can still be started, the
electrical equipment will be limited or
switched off.
Messages
B Drive system: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-
cle
There is a malfunction in the drive system. The
brake booster and the power steering may stop
working. Stop the vehicle immediately or as soon
as possible and do not continue driving. Secure
the vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehi-
cle > page 108. Have the problem corrected by
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
B Drive system: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the drive system. Drive
slowly to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
B Vehicle sound: malfunction! Pedestrians
cannot hear vehicle. Please contact Service
There is a malfunction in the vehicle sound func-
tion. Drive extremely carefully, since other road
users may not be able to hear your electric vehi-
cle. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the
malfunction corrected.
Other indicator lights
rg turns on, vehicle performance is limited,
for example because the combustion engine may
not be available. Also note the additional instruc-
tions in the instrument cluster.
Start/Stop system
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The Start/Stop system can help increase fuel
economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
In Start/Stop mode, the engine shuts off auto-
matically when stopped, for example at a traffic
light. If certain conditions are met, the engine
may stop before the vehicle has come to a com-
plete stop. If you press the accelerator pedal
when this happens, the engine will start and driv-
ing power will be transmitted.
The ignition and important assist systems such
as the brake booster will remain available during
the Stop phase. The engine will restart automati-
cally when needed.
117
>

Driving

The Start/Stop system is automatically activated
once
the ignition is switched on.
Switching the Start/Stop system off and on
The & button is located above the selector lever
in the center console. The LED in the button turns
on when the function is switched off.
> Press & 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 hood must be closed.
—"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 118.
G) 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.
118
G) 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-
rely
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 indicator light
may appear if the engine is not stopped.
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Drive system: please start the vehicle manually >

4N0012721BF
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,
braking heavily several times while driving at
high speeds can clean the brake rotors > A\.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Se-
lect the “N” gear so that recuperation is not used
for braking.
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.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Be-
cause 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.
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 >
119