2021 AUDI E-TRON light

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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.
— Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-

iting the vehicle > page 91.

— 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” 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.
93
>

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Driving

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 mi (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

ZA 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.
CG) 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 100. 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 236.
We Te(4
EG / @ Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
BS / Gana B also turn on, there is a malfunc-
tion in the ABS, ESC, and braking distribution. If >
97

Driving

the brake booster is not working, you have to use
much more force when braking the vehicle.
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 BRING / @)
indicator light turns on briefly to check the func-
tion. If the indicator light does not turn on, there
is a system malfunction.
1f RG / @ 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.

Z\ 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.

98
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 i ii ® 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. Secure the vehicle against >

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rolling before exiting the vehicle > page 91.
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.
atl Cei- ty
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.
® 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.
CALA mi ad(ela)
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.

Z\ 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.

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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.
— 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.
@) Note
Vehicle components such as the motor, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system can
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
tele
@) 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 “& 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 e
> Switching off: press “ 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
— 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.

101

Driving dynamic

Driving dynamic
Audi drive select
Introduction
Applies to: vehicles with Audi drive select
Drive select makes it possible to experience dif-
ferent types of vehicle characteristics in one vehi-
cle. With different driving modes, the driver can
switch the setting, for example from sporty to
comfortable. This allows you to adjust the set-
tings to your personal preferences. This makes it
possible to combine settings such as a sporty
drivetrain setting with comfortable steering.
Selecting an Audi drive select mode
Applies to: vehicles with Audi drive select
The sie button is located above the selector lever
in the center console.
> Press the left or right arrow key until the de-
sired mode appears in the MMI. Or:
» Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
You can change the driving mode when the vehi-
cle is stationary or while driving. If traffic per-
mits, briefly remove your foot from the accelera-
tor pedal after changing modes so that the mode
you have selected will be activated for the drive
system.
The following modes may be available depending
on the equipment:
offroad - Provides assistance when driving off-
road. The vehicle will be raised to the second-
highest level using the air suspension®. The ESC
will be restricted and the hill descent assist* will
be activated. The vehicle will exit this mode after
the ignition is switched off.
allroad - Provides balanced vehicle handling. The
vehicle will be raised to the second-highest level
using the air suspension*.
efficiency - The vehicle switches to a fuel-effi-
cient vehicle setup and supports the driver with
fuel economy messages. The “E” driving program
is selected.
102
comfort - Provides a comfort-oriented vehicle
setup and is suited for long drives on highways.
auto - Provides an overall comfortable yet dy-
namic driving feel and is suited for everyday use.
dynamic - Gives the driver a sporty driving feel
and is suited to a sporty driving style. The “S”
driving program is selected.
Individual - Provides the option for personalized
vehicle settings. Press [7 to configure the mode
= page 102, Individual settings.
(i) Tips
When the ignition is being switched on, indi-
vidual systems, such as the drive system, will
be reset to a balanced setting. Select the cur-
rent mode again to attain its full configura-
tion.
Individual settings
Applies to: vehicles with Audi drive select
The equipment in your vehicle will determine
which settings you can adjust.
Drive
The drive system will react to accelerator pedal
moves more quickly or in a more balanced man-
ner.
Steering
The power steering will adapt. Light steering is
suitable for long trips on highways or smooth
driving around curves, for example.
Suspension
The suspension adjusts to be tighter or more
comfort-oriented when it comes to compensat-
ing for uneven spots on the road.
The vehicle ground clearance is adjusted by the
air suspension* based on the setting.

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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.
Air suspension
Applies to: vehicles with air suspension
The air suspension is an electronically-controlled
suspension and leveling system. The firmness of
the suspension will adapt to the driving condi-
tions and the driving situation. The system balan-
ces out changes in load. The vehicle level will also
adapt gradually to the vehicle speed in order to
reduce the wind resistance at high speeds and in-
crease the ground clearance at low speeds. The
settings depend on the selected Audi drive se-
lect* mode.
Displaying the vehicle level
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
The filled-in boxes represent the current vehicle
level. The more boxes that are filled in, the high-
er the ground clearance. The box that corre-
sponds with the current vehicle level will flash
while the vehicle is lifting or lowering. The target
level is highlighted in color.
Raising the vehicle
> Applies to MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-
HICLE > Audi drive select.
> Press Raise to reach the highest vehicle level
and thus the maximum ground clearance.
> Press Lower to lower the vehicle down again.
The Audi drive select* mode will be changed if
necessary when the vehicle is raised.
The vehicle will lower at speeds of approximately
22 mph (35 km/h) and below. This function may
only be used temporarily when increased ground
clearance is necessary. It is not intended for long
drives.
CG) Note
—Also refer to the information about ground
clearance > page 103.
— When transporting the vehicle on a road
carrier, rail carrier, ship carrier, or other car-
rier, it may only be secured at the running
surfaces of the tires (circumference). Secur-
ing the vehicle at the axle components, sus-
pension struts, or towing eyes is not permit-
ted because the pressure in the air suspen-
sion struts can change during transport. The
vehicle might not be secured sufficiently if
this happens.
Ground clearance
The vehicle height and clearance can be influ-
enced by the following factors:
— Change in temperature
— Change in load
— Change to the Audi drive select* mode
— Lifting and lowering via the air suspension*

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.
CG) 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.
B Air suspension: malfunction! You may con-
tinue driving slowly at max. XX mph (km/h)

103
>

Driving dynamic

There is a malfunction. Driving stability may be
limited. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately. Do not
drive
faster than the speed given in the message.
B Air suspension: malfunction! You can contin-
ue driving. Speed limited to max. XXX
There is a malfunction. Driving stability may be
limited. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility immediately. The
maximum speed has been limited.
B Air suspension: malfunction! Safely stop ve-
hicle.
Steering and ground clearance limited
There is a malfunction. Do not continue driving.
Secure the vehicle against rolling before exiting
the vehicle > page 91. Avoid turning the steering
wheel, because the vehicle ground clearance may
be so low that turning the steering wheel could
result in damage to the wheels and wheel hous-
ings.
i Suspension: malfunction! You can continue
driving
There is a malfunction. See an authorized Audi
dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-
sistance.
B Air suspension: vehicle too low. Limited
ground clearance
The vehicle ground clearance is very low. Wait un-
til the air suspension system has restored normal
ground clearance. Have an authorized Audi dealer
or authorized Audi Service Facility repair the mal-
function immediately if the indicator light does
not turn off after a significant period of time.
B Air suspension: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction. The driving stability may
be limited and the ground clearance may be low.
See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility for assistance.
Audi drive select: automatic suspension low-
ering. See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 29.
104
Audi drive select: automatic suspension Lift.
See owner's manual
The vehicle level is adjusted to the setting stored
for the active personal profile > page 29.
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.
Messages
1} 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.
| —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 91. 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 drive system. Do not continue
driving if it does.
|@—e| Steering lock: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the electronic steering
lock. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi >