AUDI A4 2008 B8 / 4.G Repair Manual

Lights and vision59
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Exterior lighting settings
You can change the settings for these functions on the
sound system or MMI*.Important: .
– Select: Function selector button > Exterior lighting.coming home
The coming home function lights up the area round the vehicle after
dark when the ignition has been switched off and the driver's door
opened. This function can be set to operate for a time interval
between 0 (off) and 60 seconds. The coming home function is oper-
ational when the light switch is set to AUTO.
leaving home
The leaving home function lights up the area round the vehicle after
dark when the vehicle is unlocked. The function can be switched on
or off as required. The leaving home function is operational when
the light switch is set to AUTO.
Automatic headlights*
The sensitivity of the light sensor (i.e. how soon the lights are
switched on) can be adjusted.Daytime running lights*
The daytime running lights are switched on and off together with
the ignition.
On vehicles for some markets the daytime running lights cannot be
switched off if the vehicle has halogen headlights.
Headlamp converter* for driving abroad
The asymmetric low beams of the headlights are designed to light
up the near side of the road more intensely. If you drive a right-hand
drive vehicle in a left-hand drive country, or vice versa, you will
dazzle oncoming traffic.
Vehicles with xenon headlights*: The headlamp converter should be
switched on to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
Vehicles with halogen headlights: Opaque stickers should be
applied to certain parts of the headlight lenses. For further informa-
tion, please consult an Audi dealer or other qualified workshop.
Instrument lighting
The background lighting of the instruments, the centre
console and the display can be adjusted as required.– Briefly press the knob to release it.
Fig. 56 Display: Exte-
rior lighting
CAR
Fig. 57 Instrument
lighting
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Lights and vision 60
– Turn the button clockwise +” to increase the brightness
of the instrument lighting in dark conditions.
– Turn the button anti-clockwise -” to reduce the bright-
ness of the instrument lighting in dark conditions.
– Press the knob in again to prevent the setting from being
changed unintentionally.The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illu-
mination and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a
light sensor incorporated in the instrument cluster. In bright condi-
tions any changes made to the brightness of the instrument lighting
have no effect.
Note
The instrument lighting (illumination of dials and needles) is
switched on when the ignition is on and the vehicle's lights are off.
The instrument lighting is dimmed automatically as the daylight
starts to fade; it is switched off completely when the light condi-
tions become very poor. This function is intended to remind the
driver to switch on the dipped-beam headlights in good time when
light conditions become poor.
Applies to vehicles: with headlight range controlHeadlight range control

When the dipped beam headlights are switched on, the
range of the headlights can be adjusted to suit the load
being carried.– Turn the thumbwheel
 ⇒fig. 58 to the appropriate
setting.
Adjustment settings
The settings correspond roughly to the following load conditions:
Two front occupants, luggage compartment empty
All seats occupied, luggage compartment empty
All seats occupied, luggage compartment loaded
Driver only, luggage compartment loaded
Caution
Always adjust the headlights to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
Make sure you lower the headlights when the vehicle is carrying a
heavy load.
Fig. 58 Headlight
range control
AOAIAIIAIII
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Lights and vision61
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with xenon headlight bulbsDynamic headlight range controlHeadlights with xenon gas-discharge bulbs automatically adapt to
suit the load being carried when the engine is switched on. The
headlights are also automatically adjusted when the vehicle is in
motion (e.g. when accelerating and braking).Applies to vehicles: with adaptive lightadaptive light
This feature provides better illumination when you drive
through a corner.The adaptive light gives better illumination of the bend and the side
of the road when driving through a corner ⇒fig. 59. The adaptive
light is controlled automatically, depending on the speed of the
vehicle and the steering wheel angle.
The headlights are regulated automatically when you drive through
a corner, depending on how far you turn the steering wheel. To
avoid having a dark spot in front of the vehicle the two headlights
are directed at different angles.
Note
The system is active at speeds from approximately 10 km/h to
110 km/h.Hazard warning lights

The hazard warning lights are used to make other road
users aware of your vehicle in hazardous situations.– Press the switch
 to switch the hazard warning lights
on or off ⇒fig. 60.
All four turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning
lights are switched on. The two turn signal indicator lamps
  and
the indicator lamp in the switch
 will flash at the same time. The
hazard warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
The hazard warning lights come on automatically in the event of an
accident in which an airbag is triggered or in the case of an emer-
gency stop (full brake application).
Note
You should switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road
users, for instance:
Fig. 59 adaptive light
when driving
Fig. 60 Switch for
hazard warning lights
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Lights and vision 62•
When reaching the tail end of a traffic jam
•
If your vehicle breaks down or there is an emergency
•
If your vehicle is being towed away, or if you are towing another
vehicle.
Turn signal and main beam lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the
parking lights and the headlight flasher.The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the
following functions:
Turn signals
 
– Move the lever all the way up to indicate right, or all the
way down to indicate left ⇒fig. 61.
– Move the lever briefly up or down just as far as the point
of resistance and then release it: the turn signals will
flash three times.
– Move the lever up or down just as far as the point of
resistance and hold it there: the turn signals flash for as
long as you hold the lever.Main beam headlights

– Press the lever forward to switch on the main beams.
– Pull the lever back towards you to switch the main beam
headlights off again.
Headlight flasher

– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel to operate the
flasher.
Parking lights

– Switch off the ignition.
– Move the lever up or down to turn on the right or left-
hand parking lights respectively.Notes on these functions•
The turn signals only work when the ignition is switched on. The
corresponding indicator lamp
 or
 flashes in the instrument
cluster.
•
The turn signals are cancelled automatically when the steering
wheel is returned to the straight-ahead position.
•
The main beam headlights can only be switched on if the dipped
beam headlights are already on. The main beam headlight indicator
lamp  then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
The headlight flasher comes on for as long as you pull the lever –
even if no other lights are switched on. The main beam headlight
indicator lamp
 then comes on in the instrument cluster.
•
When the parking lights are switched on, the headlight and the
rear light on one side of the car light up with reduced intensity. The
parking lights will only work with the ignition off. A warning buzzer
will sound for as long as the driver's door is open.
Fig. 61 Turn signal and
main beam headlight
lever
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Lights and vision63
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Caution
Do not use the main beam headlights or the headlight flasher if this
would dazzle oncoming traffic.Interior lightsFront interior lights
The front interior lighting also incorporates the reading
lights for the driver and passenger.The rocker switch ⇒fig. 62 for the interior light has the
following functions:
Courtesy light position
– Move switch to the centre position.
Interior light switched on
– Move switch to position I.
Interior light switched off
– Move switch to position O.Front reading lights

– Press one of the switches ⇒fig. 62 to switch the left
or right reading light on and off.If you switch on the courtesy lighting, the interior lights come on
automatically when the vehicle is unlocked or the doors are opened.
The light also comes on when the key is pulled out of the ignition. It
goes out approximately 30 seconds after the doors are closed. The
interior light is switched off immediately when the vehicle is locked
or when the ignition is switched on.
If a door is left open, the light is switched off after about 10 minutes
to prevent the battery from running flat.
The brightness of the light is automatically adjusted by a dimmer
when it is switched on.Rear interior lights
Reading lights are also provided for rear passengers.The reading lights are switched on and off with the switches
.
Fig. 62 Headliner:
Front interior
lighting/reading lights
AA
AAAAAA
AB
Fig. 63 Headliner: Rear
reading lights
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Lights and vision 64Clear visionSun visors
The sun visors can improve visibility and contribute to
safety.The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled
out of their mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned
towards the doors ⇒fig. 64 . Once the sun visor has been turned
towards the door you can pull it towards the rear as desired.
Make-up mirrors
There are covers on the make-up mirrors in the sun visors. The light
for the mirror (located in the headlining) comes on automatically
when the mirror cover is slid open. The light switches itself off
when the cover is closed and when the sun visor is pushed back
up.
Applies to vehicles: with sun blindsSun blinds
Sun blinds are provided for the rear window and the rear
side windows.Sun blinds (rear side windows)
– Pull out the blind and hook it into the retainers at the top
of the door frame.
Sun blind (rear window)
– Press the switch

⇒fig. 65 or ⇒fig. 66 to extend or
retract the sun blind for the rear window.
Fig. 64 Passenger's
side: Sun visor
A1
A2
Fig. 65 Switch for sun
blind (vehicles with
MMI)Fig. 66 Switch for sun
blind
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Lights and vision65
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
– To retract the sun blind automatically when reversing,
select: Function selector button > Windows >
Automatic rear blind > on.If you switch the Automatic rear blind function on in the sound
system or MMI*, the raised sun blind will be retracted automatically
when reverse gear is engaged ⇒page 55. In this way, the rear blind
will not obstruct your vision when reversing. The rear blind returns
to its raised position when reverse gear is disengaged and the
vehicle is driven forwards at a speed above about 15 km/h. The
current setting is automatically stored and assigned to the remote
control key.
If the rear blind was rolled in automatically when reversing and then
the ignition was switched off and on again, the blind will not roll
back out again when you select a forward gear and the speed
exceeds 15 km/h. You will then have to press the button
 on the
centre console to extend the blind again.
The sun blind for the rear window switches off automatically when
it reaches the end position. It can be made to move in the other
direction before it reaches its end position by briefly pressing the
switch a second time. If the ignition is turned off while the blind is
still moving, it continues until it reaches the end position before
switching off.
Note
•
An overload cut-out may be activated if the sun blind is operated
repeatedly. There will then be a short delay before the blind can be
operated again.
•
As the material of the sun blind is less flexible at low tempera-
tures the electric actuator is switched off when the temperature in
the car is below -5°C. The blind can only be operated when the
temperature in the car's interior rises above this level.
Windscreen wipersWindscreen wipers

The windscreen wiper lever controls the windscreen
wipers and the automatic wash and wipe.The windscreen wiper lever has the following settings:
Brief wipe
– Move the lever down to position to give the wind-
screen a brief wipe.
Intermittent wipe

(activating rain sensor)
– Move the lever up to the stop .
– Move the control to the left or right to set the sensi-
tivity of the rain sensor.
Slow wiper speed
– Move the lever up to the stop .
Fast wiper speed
– Move the lever up to the stop .
CAR
Fig. 67 Windscreen
wiper lever
A1
A2
AA
A3A4
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Lights and vision 66
Automatic wash and wipe
– Pull the lever to position .
– Release the lever again. The washer will stop and the
wipers will keep running for approximately 4 seconds.
The number of wipe cycles varies according to the length
of time the lever is pulled.
Switching off the wipers
– Move the lever to the "off" position .General notes
The washers and wipers will only work when the ignition is switched
on.
If you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights, the wiper speed will automat-
ically be reduced by one level.
The windscreen washer jets are heated when the ignition is
switched on if the outside temperature is low.
Dribble wipe
About 5 seconds after the wash and wipe cycle has finished, the
windscreen wiper system automatically gives the screen one extra
wipe to remove any dribbles of water.
If you want to deactivate the dribble wipe function while driving,
pull the lever to position again within 10 seconds.
The dribble wipe function will be re-activated the next time the igni-
tion is switched off and on.
Rain sensor*
The rain sensor will only function in the intermittent wipe position.
The intermittent wipe function is activated automatically when it
starts to rain.
Before you reach a road speed of 6 km/h you will have to activate the
rain sensor manually by switching it off and back on again.To reduce the sensitivity level of the rain sensor move control
⇒page 65, fig. 67 to the left. To increase the sensitivity level of the
rain sensor move the control to the right.
If you have selected a high sensitivity level for the rain sensor the
windscreen wipers will react sooner to any moisture on the wind-
screen. The wiper intervals in the intermittent wipe setting are also
varied automatically according to the road speed (in addition to the
sensitivity setting).
WARNING
•
Poor visibility can cause accidents. Always ensure that the
wiper blades are in good condition ⇒page 68, “Changing wiper
blades”.
•
The rain sensor is only intended to assist the driver. The driver
is still obliged to manually operate the windscreen wipers as
required depending on visibility.
•
Do not use water-repellent coatings on the windscreen. In bad
visibility conditions such as light rain, low sun or when driving at
night these coatings can cause increased dazzle, which is a
serious safety hazard. Such coatings can also cause the wiper
blades to judder.Caution
•
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not
frozen to the glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you
switch on the wipers when the wiper blades are frozen to the glass,
this could damage both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
•
Make sure you switch off the windscreen wiper system (lever in
position "0") before you use an automatic car wash. This will avoid
inadvertent triggering of the wipers and possible damage to the
wiper system.
A5
A0
A5
AA
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Lights and vision67
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Note
•
Check that the washer fluid reservoir is full before starting a long
journey. Filling the reservoir ⇒page 267.
•
Worn or dirty wiper blades can cause smearing on the glass
which can also impair the effectiveness of the rain sensor. Please
check the wiper blades regularly.
Applies to vehicles: with headlight washersHeadlight washer systemThe headlight washer system only operates when the lights
are switched on.
– Move the automatic wash and wipe lever to position
⇒page 65, fig. 67.The headlight washer system is always activated the first time you
operate the automatic wash and wipe. Subsequently, it is only acti-
vated about every five wash and wipe cycles. The headlights are
always washed if you hold the lever for longer than about
2seconds.
The headlight washer jets come out of the bumper automatically
(under water pressure).
Clean off stubborn dirt (insects, etc.) from the lenses at regular
intervals, for instance when stopping for fuel.
To ensure that the system works properly in winter, keep the nozzle
holders free of snow and remove any ice with a de-icer spray.
Service position
Use the service position to change the wiper blades.You can set the wipers to the service position on the sound
system or MMI*.
– If the wiper blades are not frozen to the windscreen,
move the windscreen wiper lever to the "off" position
⇒page 65, fig. 67.
– Select: Function selector button > Windscreen
wipers > Service position ⇒fig. 68.•
on - the wiper blades can only be replaced when the wiper arms
are in the service position ⇒fig. 69. If you only work on the wipers
A5
Fig. 68 Display: Wind-
screen wipersFig. 69 Service posi-
tion
A0
CAR
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Lights and vision 68when they are in the service position you will also avoid damaging
the paintwork on the bonnet.•
off - the windscreen wipers will be moved back to their original
position.Caution
Never move the vehicle with the front wiper arms in a raised posi-
tion as they are automatically moved back to their normal park posi-
tion above a speed of 6 km/h. The paintwork on the bonnet may be
damaged as a result.
Note
•
You can also use the service position, for example, if you want to
fix a cover over the windscreen in the winter to keep it clear of ice.
•
The service position is automatically set to off when you operate
the windscreen wiper lever or the road speed exceeds 6 km/h.
Changing wiper blades
Good wiper blades are essential for clear vision.Taking off the wiper blade
– Set the wipers to the service position ⇒page 67.– Lift the wiper arm away from the glass.
– Press the release button on the wiper blade ⇒fig. 70.
Hold the wiper blade firmly and press it forwards slightly
.
– Slide the wiper blade upwards .
Fitting the wiper blade
– Fit the new wiper blade into the mounting on the wiper
arm . You should hear it engage in the wiper arm.
– Fold the wiper arm back down onto the glass.
WARNING
•
To prevent smearing on the glass, the wiper blades should be
cleaned regularly using a window cleaner solution. If the wiper
blades are very dirty (insects etc.), they should be cleaned using a
sponge or cloth – bad visibility can cause accidents.
•
For safety, the wiper blades should be changed once or twice a
year.Caution
The windscreen wipers must be in the service position ⇒page 67
when replacing the blades! Otherwise the wiper motor or the paint-
work on the bonnet may be damaged.Rear-view mirrorsManual anti-dazzle adjustmentNormal setting
– Push the lever at the bottom of the mirror away from you.
Fig. 70 Removing the
wiper blades
A1
A2
A3
A4
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