
Driving
Check that the brakes work properly (especially
after driving through water).
WARNING
- You should exercise particular care when
driving on difficult road surfaces, and try to
anticipate hazards in advance. Excessive
speed or careless manoeuvres can result in
personal injury or damage to the vehicle.
- Always adjust your speed to suit the terrain
or road surface and weather or traffic condi
tions.
Drive extra slowly when visibility is
limited by uneven terrain.
- Please note that there can be an increased
tendency for the wheeLs to spin in ESC off-
road mode, causing the vehicLe to lose grip,
in particular on slippery or wet roads -
dan
ger of skidding!
-The car's stability is restricted in ESC off-
road mode.
CO
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00
•} For
the sake of the environment
Take care not to damage the environment and
respect natural surroundings.
Note
Only drive where access by motor vehicles is
permitted and keep to the marked tracks and
routes.
Driving tips
When driving on rough tracks always drive slowly
and be aware of possible hazards.
Please observe the following precautions if you
drive the vehicle on unsurfaced tracks or off-
road:
•
When driving off-road you are advised to avoid
tracks or terrain which are not suited to the de
sign of the car and your own driving skills and
experience. Do
not
take risks.
•
Drive slowly and be ready for possible hazards.
•
Be aware of the maximum ground clearance of
your vehicle. The figure in actual conditions
may be different, depending on the type of sur
face,
the surrounding terrain and the load be
ing carried. With certain types of suspension,
such as sports suspension, the ground clear
ance is reduced. It is the responsibility of the
driver to decide whether or not the vehicLe is
capable of safely negotiating a particular situa
tion.
•
Activate the ESC off-road mode if required
^>page
146.
Unsurfaced tracks
On unfamiliar roads and off-road terrain, drive
slowly and be prepared for unexpected obstacles,
such as pot-holes, rocks or tree stumps, etc.
To prevent ground contact and possible damage
to the underside, do not drive the bottom of your
vehicle directly over raised obstacles. Instead,
drive the wheels on one side of the car up and
across the top of the obstacle.
When driving over sand or soft mud, maintain a
moderate speed and avoid stopping if possible.
Driving through water on roads
Please observe the important safety warnings on
^>page
72.
Automatic gearbox
Introduction
Applies to: vehicles with automatic gearbox
The automatic gearbox is controlled electronical
ly. The gearbox changes up and down automati
cally.
When you drive at moderate speeds the gearbox
will select the most economical shift pro
gramme. It will then change up early and delay
the downshifts to give better fuel economy.
If you drive at higher speeds with heavy accelera
tion,
if you open the throttle quickly, or if you use
the kick-down or the car's maximum speed, the
gearbox will automatically select the more "spor
ty" shift programmes when the selector lever is
in position S.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually
(tiptronic mode)
^page
90, Manual gear se
lection (tiptronic mode). •
85

Towing a trailer
Requirements for correct functioning of the
trailer stabilisation system
If these conditions are not met in
full,
the trailer
stabilisation system will only intervene to a
limi
ted extent or not at all
>=>
A-
- The electrical connection between the towing
vehicle and the trailer must be functioning cor
rectly.
- The load on the trailer must be properly se
cured.
- The tyre pressures on both the vehicLe and the
trailer must be adapted to the load that is be
ing carried.
- Where possible, operate the trailer with the
maximum permitted draw bar weight.
- The trailer overrun brake must be set correctly.
This is important to ensure that the trailer can
be braked correctly, to avoid the vehicle and
trailer "jack-knifing" and to prevent excess
braking of the trailer.
- At low outside temperatures, both the towing
vehicle and the trailer should be fitted with
winter tyres.
A WARNING
It is essential that you adjust your speed to
suit the weather, road and traffic conditions.
Do not let the trailer stabilisation system
tempt you into taking any risks when driving -
this can cause accidents.
- The ESC and trailer stabilisation system
can
not defy the Laws of physics. This should be
kept in mind, particularly on slippery and
wet roads and when towing a trailer with a
light Load.
- The trailer stabilisation system is function
al,
regardless of whether the trailer has a
mechanical overrun brake or not.
- The trailer stabilisation system is not always
able to detect swaying of trailers with a
light load and will therefore not intervene.
- A trailer can still "jack-knife" on slippery
roads with little grip, even if the towing ve
hicle is equipped with the trailer stabilisa
tion system.
-Trailers with a high centre of gravity may
even tip over before they start to sway
side
ways.
-If
you
are not towing a trailer,
but
the
trail
er socket is being used (e.g. for an illumina
ted bicycle rack), the trailer stabilisation
system may be activated in extreme driving
conditions.
- Please note the additional information and
warnings
^>page
98, Driving tips.
Driving tips
Driving with a trailer always requires extra care.
Weight distribution
Try to avoid towing a loaded trailer with an unla
den vehicle. If this cannot be avoided, drive extra
slowly to allow for the unbalanced weight distri
bution.
Speed
Normally, you must not exceed 80 km/h when
towing a trailer or caravan. However, if the
trail
er/caravan is equipped with a trailer stabilisation
system,
you can drive at max. 100 km/h. Please
observe any other regulations applicable in the
country in which you are travelling.
The stability of the car and trailer is reduced with
increasing speed. For this reason it is advisable
not to drive at the maximum permissible top
speed in unfavourable
road,
weather or wind
con
ditions. This applies especially on a downhill gra
dient.
You should always reduce speed immediately if
the trailer shows the slightest sign of swaying.
Never try to stop the swaying by accelerating fur
ther.
Always brake in good time. If the trailer has an
overrun brake, apply the brakes gently at first
and then firmly. This will prevent the jerking that
can be caused by the trailer wheels locking.
Change down in good time before going down a
steep hill so
that
you can use the engine braking
effect to slow down the vehicLe.
Swaying and pitching can be reduced by attach
ing an extra stabiliser to the trailer. It should •
98

Towing
a
trailer
CO
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have friction linings at the sides to prevent exces
sive wear. Degrease and clean the ball joint be
fore using a stabiLiser. The stabiliser can be pur
chased and installed
at
a qualified workshop.
Electronic stabilisation control
The
ESC
-
in particular in conjunction with the
trailer stabilisation system
o^page
97 - makes
it
easier to stabilise a trailer
if it
starts to skid
or
sway. You should therefore keep the
ESC
switch
ed on
at
all times.
Overheating
In hot weather, keep an eye on the coolant
tem
perature gauge
^page
13. When climbing long
hills with the engine running fast in low gear, the
coolant temperature can increase. Reduce speed
immediately
if
the needle moves to the right end
of the scale. For information on the warning
lamp
||
refer to
opage
30.
Rear carrier systems
When using rear carrier systems (e.g. bicycle
racks) on the towing bracket,
it
is important not
to exceed the maximum load.
The total weight
of
the rear carrier system and
its
load must not exceed
75
kg for this vehicle. How
ever,
it
is also important to observe the maxi
mum permissible load for the rear carrier sys
tem.
The greater the distance from the towing brack
et, the smaller the maximum permissible Load
on
the rear carrier system. For this reason, you
should secure heavy objects as near as possible
to the towing bracket.
Note the instructions provided by the manufac
turer of the rear carrier system.
Please make sure that the rear carrier system
is
approved for use on your vehicle.
l
Note
A WARNING
The use of an unsuitable rear carrier system
could cause severe damage
to
the towing
bracket. The towing bracket could then break
and cause an accident.
Degrease and clean the ball joint before using
a rear carrier system.
Removable towing
bracket
Introduction
Applies to: vehicles with removable towing bracket
Special care is required when fitting and remov
ing the towing bracket.
Fig.
84 Luggage compartment:
Ball
joint for towing brack
et (stowage example)
The removable ball joint attachment for the tow
ing bracket is stored under the floor panel or in a
separate bag on the floor of the luggage com
partment.
The ball joint can be fitted and removed by hand.
WARNING
Never use tools of any kind when fitting and
removing the ball joint. This could damage
the mechanism which locks the
ball
joint
in
place and impair its safety
-
risk of accident!
© Note
- Do not attempt to modify or repair the ball
joint or other towing bracket components.
- Should you have any difficulties when using
the towing bracket, or suspect that
it
is not
fitted properly, contact
a
qualified work
shop.
- Before setting off, always check that the
ball
joint is secured properly
Opage
101.
99

Driver assist systems
Automatic deactivation
Cruise control system: currently unavailable.
See owner's manual
The cruise control system has been automatically
deactivated because the system has detected a
fault which could impair its function. Try switch
ing the cruise control system on again later.
A WARNING
Do not resume the programmed cruising
speed if this is too high
for
the traffic condi
tions - this can cause accidents.
Speed Limiter
Description
Applies to: vehicles with speed limiter
®
LIM
•
km/h
|
Fig.
95 Speed limiter:
©
LIM
100
km/h
illustration
BFV-0268
LIM
100
km/h
At speeds above approximately 30 km/h, the
speed limiter helps prevent the driver from ex
ceeding a set cut-off
speed.
The indicator lamp
Q
Lights up as soon as you switch on the speed
limiter. Information is also provided in the head-
up display*.
Speed limiter displays
© - The speed limiter is in passive mode, but a
cut-off speed has
not
yet been set.
®
- The speed limiter is in passive mode, and a
set cut-off speed has been stored.
® - The speed limiter is activated. The indicator
lamp
BH
flashes briefly when the speed limiter is
applied.
A WARNING
- Always direct your full attention to the
road,
even when you are using the speed limiter.
It is always the driver who is responsible for
determining the speed and for keeping a
safe distance to the other vehicles on the
road.
- For safety reasons, the speed limiter must
not be used in adverse weather or difficult
driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose
grit or gravel, heavy
rain,
etc.) - risk of
acci
dent!
- Only accelerate quickly or use the kick-down
feature when the visibility and weather
con
ditions are suitable, and when the road and
traffic conditions allow you do do so safely.
Before driving down a
long,
steep gradient, it
is advisable to reduce speed and select a low
er gear. In this way you will make use of the
engine braking effect and relieve the Load on
the brakes.
Switching on
Applies to: vehicles with speed limiter
Fig.
96 Control lever for cruise control system (example)
•
Pull the lever to position © to switch the sys
tem on.
•
Applies to vehicles with cruise control system
or Audi adaptive cruise control: To switch to the
speed limiter, press the button
®1)
until the
driver message
QQ
Speed limiter: selected ap
pears in the instrument cluster. •
l)
On some equipment versions, the speed limiter is not
available and button
(B)
has no function.
106

Driver assist systems
Camera-based traffic
sign recognition
Description
Applies to: vehicles with camera-based traffic sign recogni
tion
Fig.
97 Instrument cluster: Traffic sign recognition
Fig.
98 Windscreen: Camera window for traffic sign recog
nition
Traffic signs detected by the system appear in
the instrument cluster display to keep you in
formed of current speed restrictions and no-over
taking zones
^>Fig.
97. Within certain system
limits,
it will display these additional traffic re
strictions:
£5
///
s
G
^-if?
Speed limits in wet weather
Speed limits in foggy conditions (only dis
played when the all-weather lights or rear
fog light are switched on)
Speed limits at certain times of day
Speed limits when towing a trailer
General notes
The traffic sign recognition system can detect
standardised speed Limit signs within the cam
era's range of
vision.
It makes use of the naviga
tion data to evaluate the detected speed limits
and show them on the display. Under certain
con
ditions, the system will also display the legal
speed limits on roads without speed Limit signs.
The traffic sign for the currently detected speed
limit will flash on the display if
a
speed warning
threshold,
which has been set on the infotain
ment system, is exceeded
^page
109.
Traffic sign recognition is not available in all
countries. For
a
current list, see the Internet (e.g.
www.audi.com). The system is also subject to
certain inherent restrictions and may be partially
or completely unavailable in the following situa
tions:
- If visibility is impaired by snow,
rain,
fog or
heavy road spray.
- In dazzling light, e.g. from the sun or oncom
ing traffic.
-At high speeds.
- If the camera's range of vision
^>Fig.
98 is im
paired,
e.g. by dirt or stickers. Notes on clean
ing
•=>
page 312.
- If the traffic signs are partially or completely
obscured,
e.g. by trees, snow, mud or other
vehicles.
- If traffic signs deviate from the standard ap
pearance (round with red border).
- If traffic signs are damaged or bent.
- If matrix traffic signs are mounted on overhead
gantries.
- If traffic signs or routes have changed (naviga
tion data out of date).
- If the system detects a speed sticker on a slow-
moving vehicle (such as a heavy goods vehicle).
WARNING
Always direct your full attention to the road
and surroundings, even when you are using
traffic sign recognition. The actual traffic
signs on your route always take precedence
over
the information on the display. It is al
ways the driver's responsibility to assess the
traffic situation and take appropriate care.
- Under adverse conditions, the traffic sign
recognition system may misinterpret or fail
to detect traffic signs. It is therefore possi
ble that the speed limit display may occa
sionally be unavailable or even incorrect.
108

Driver assist systems
CO
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- The traffic sign detection system does not
adjust the speed of your vehicle to the speed
limits.
The speed limit displayed in the instrument
cluster is given in the units applicable in a
particular country.
Controls
Applies to: vehicles with camera-based traffic sign recogni
tion
-22.0-C
Fig.
99 Instrument cluster: Secondary display
Calling up the traffic sign recognition
•
Call up the first tab (on-board computer) using
the
GL>]
button on the multi-function steering
wheel.
•
Applies to vehicles with analogue instrument
cluster: Press the
LU]
button and select Traffic
signs from the menu.
•
Applies to vehicles with Audi virtual cockpit: Se
lect the display for Traffic signs.
Displaying signs for trailers
You can also display speed limits which apply
specifically to vehicles towing a trailer1).
•
Select the following on the infotainment sys
tem:
|MENU|
button > Car
>
left control button
Driver assist
>
Traffic signs
>
Automatic trailer
recognition.
Setting the maximum speed for a trailer
You can set the maximum speed permitted for
your
type of
trailer15.
If
you
do not enter
a
value,
x)
Applies to factory-fitted towing brackets only
the system will show the maximum national
speed limit for vehicles towing a trailer.
•
Select the following on the infotainment sys
tem:
|MENU|
button Car
>
left control button
Driver assist
>
Traffic signs
>
Trailer: highest
speed.
Setting speed warning
You can set a warning threshold up to
15
km/h.
The traffic sign for the currently detected speed
limit will flash on the display if the selected
warning threshold is exceeded.
•
Select the following on the infotainment sys
tem:
IMENU|
button > Car
>
left control button
> Driver assist
>
Speed warning
>
Traffic sign
based.
Secondary display
If the instrument cluster is currently showing a
function other than traffic sign recognition, the
speed limit will be displayed in the top right-
hand corner
^Fig.
99. If the system is able to de
tect
a
temporary speed restriction in a given sit
uation,
it will update the display accordingly.
Temporary speed restrictions are displayed in the
following situations:
- A temporary speed restriction for wet weather
is detected while the windscreen wipers are op
erating.
- A speed restriction for fog is detected while the
vehicle's rear fog light or all-weather lights are
switched on.
- A speed restriction applying at certain times of
day has been detected and corresponds to the
time displayed in the instrument cluster.
- The vehicle is towing a trailer and the Automat
ic trailer recognition option is activated on the
infotainment system. In this case, restrictions
applying to trailers are
displayed15.
© Note
- Your speed warning settings and the maxi
mum trailer speed will be automatically
stored and assigned to the remote control
109

Driver assist systems
key in use. If you change to a different type
of trailer, you may need to change the maxi
mum trailer speed setting.
- Information is also provided in the head-up
display*.
- Please note
that
the navigation system (SD
card)*
is immediately no longer available if
the SD card is removed from the SD card
reader.
Driver messages
Applies to: vehicles with camera-based traffic sign
recogni
tion
EJ
Traffic sign recognition: currently unavaila
ble.
No camera view
This message will appear if the camera view is
obstructed
^>page
108. The system will switch
it
self off.
EJ
Traffic sign recognition: currently restricted
This message appears, for instance, in the event
of a navigation system fault. The Limited func
tionality may cause fewer speed limits to be dis
played (which increases the possibility of an er
ror).
Traffic sign based speed warning: currently
unavailable. See owner's manual
No warning will be given if the selected warning
threshold is exceeded.
Traffic sign recognition: system fault
The function of the system is impaired; the sys
tem will be deactivated. Drive to a qualified
workshop soon.
No traffic sign recognised
No relevant navigation data are available, and no
speed limit has been detected.
Traffic sign recognition: outside operational
area
Function unavailable in this country
The vehicLe is being driven in a country outside
the system's operational area.
Rest recommendation
General notes
Applies to: vehicles with rest recommendation
Under certain conditions, the system can detect
that the driver needs to take a break.
At the beginning of a trip, the system monitors
the driver's general steering style. Using this as a
reference, the system continuously compares the
current steering input at speeds of between 60
km/h and 200 km/h. If the evaluation of the
steering input implies a lapse in the driver's
con
centration,
the system will then recommend a
break
^>page
111,
Instrument cluster display.
The rest recommendation function is designed
for journeys on motorways and major roads.
System limitations
The rest recommendation function may misinter
pret the steering input in certain driving situa
tions,
such as the following:
- On twisty roads.
- On rough roads.
- In poor weather.
- During performance driving.
- When the driver's attention is distracted.
Resetting the system
The system is automatically reset if
you...
- switch off the ignition.
- release the driver's seat belt and open the driv
er's door.
- drive slower than 60 km/h for a while. If you
subsequently increase your speed again, the
system will reevaluate the driving style.
/\
WARNING
- Never drive when you are
tired.
As a driver
you are always responsible for ensuring that
you
are
fit to drive.
- On
Long
journeys, make sure to take
quate breaks at regular intervals.
ade-
- The system cannot always tell if
you
need a
break.
110

Driver assist systems
General notes
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control/Audi pre
sense front
Fig.
101 Front of
vehicle:
Sensor
The area surrounding the radar sensor
of/g.
101
must be kept free of stickers, deposits and any
other substances which could impair the function
of the adaptive cruise control and pre sense front
systems. Notes on cleaning
^>page
312. Please
bear the above in mind if technical modifications
are made to the front of the vehicle.
The functionality of the adaptive cruise control or
pre sense front systems is restricted in certain
situations:
- Vehicles cannot be detected until they are
with
in the range of the sensor
^>page
111,
Fig.
100.
- The ability of the system to detect vehicles in
front is Limited when they are too close, travel
ling out of line, or moving into your lane.
- Vehicles that are not clearly discernible, e.g. a
motorcycle or cyclist travelling in front of you
and vehicles with high ground clearance or a
protruding
load,
are often identified late or are
not detected at all.
-When driving through bends
opage
112.
-When vehicles are stationary
^page
113.
A WARNING
Please always direct your full attention to the
road,
even when you are using adaptive cruise
control.
It is always the driver who is respon
sible for pulling away safely and maintaining
a safe speed and distance from other vehicles.
The purpose of the adaptive cruise control is
to assist the driver. The driver must always in
tervene manually to avoid an impending
colli
sion.
As the driver you are always responsible
for braking in good time.
- For safety reasons, the adaptive cruise
con
trol must not be used on roads with a lot of
bends or in poor weather or difficult or slip
pery driving conditions (such as ice, fog,
loose grit or gravel, heavy
rain,
etc.) - risk of
accident!
- When you take a turn-off, drive along a mo
torway exit lane or pass through roadwork
sections, please temporarily switch off the
adaptive cruise control system. This is to en
sure that the vehicle does not accelerate to
the cruising speed in such situations.
- The adaptive cruise control system will not
brake the vehicle automatically if
you
rest
your foot on the accelerator pedal. Resting
your foot on the accelerator pedal overrides
the speed and distance control function.
- The adaptive cruise control does not react to
pedestrians, animals or crossing or oncom
ing traffic.
- Reflecting objects, such as crash barriers,
the entrance to a tunnel, heavy rain or ice
can impair the function of the radar sensor.
© CAUTION
Impacts or damage to the bumper, wheel
arches or underbody can cause misalignment
of the sensor. This can impair the effective
ness of the adaptive cruise control. Have the
systems checked by a qualified workshop.
When driving through a corner
Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive cruise control/Audi pre
sense front
»)
Fig.
102 Example: Driving into a bend
112