brake light AUDI A4 2008 B8 / 4.G Owner's Manual

Driving 126
– Pull the lever to position ⇒page 125, fig. 134 to
switch on the system.
– Drive at the speed you wish to set the system to.
– Press the button marked to store the speed.The display will indicate the stored speed, and the green symbol

will appear ⇒fig. 135. The display can vary according to the display
status. In addition, the indicator lamp
 in the instrument cluster
will light up.
A constant speed is maintained by adjusting the engine power or
braking the vehicle accordingly.
WARNING
•
Always direct your full attention to the road, even when you are
using the cruise control system. 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 cruise control system must not be used
in city traffic, stop-and-go traffic, roads with a lot of bends or in
difficult driving conditions (such as ice, fog, loose grit or gravel,
heavy rain, aquaplaning) - this could cause an accident!
•
When you take a turn-off, drive along a motorway exit lane or
pass through roadwork sections, please temporarily switch off the
cruise control system.
•
Please make sure you do not unintentionally rest your foot on
the accelerator - this will override the cruise control system which,
as a result, will not brake the vehicle.Note
•
Vehicles with manual gearbox: The set speed cannot be reached
if the currently selected gear is too high or too low. Change down to
a lower gear if the engine is no longer running smoothly or change
up a gear to avoid overrevving the engine.
•
The brake lights come on when the system brakes the vehicle.
Applies to vehicles: with cruise control systemAdjusting the speed– Push the lever up towards or down towards
⇒page 125, fig. 134 in order to increase or reduce the
cruising speed setting.
– Release the lever to store the current cruising speed.You can alter the set speed in steps of 1 km/h by briefly pressing the
lever upwards or downwards. When you press and hold the lever,
the speed is changed in steps of 10 km/h.
You can still use the accelerator pedal to increase speed in the
normal way, for example to overtake another vehicle. Once you
release the accelerator, the system will revert to the speed you
stored initially.
However, if the vehicle exceeds the programmed speed by more
than 10 km/h for more than 5 minutes, the cruise control system will
Fig. 135 Display:
Selected speed
AA
A1
AB
WARNING (continued)
AA
A+
A-
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)131
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSwitching the system on and off– Pull the control lever to position ⇒fig. 138 to switch
on the system.
– Press the control lever to position (click stop engaged)
to switch the system off.Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSetting the speedImportant: The system must be switched on.– Drive at the desired speed. The speed must be in the
range between 30 and 200 km/h.
– Press the button -arrow- ⇒fig. 139 to confirm the
target speed you wish to store.
When the button is released, the current speed is stored in the
memory and the vehicle will then maintain this speed.
One or two red diodes will light up in the speedometer dial
⇒page 134 to mark the speed which is currently stored in the
system. At the same time, the speed will briefly be displayed in the
system status indicator ⇒page 136.
Note
For safety reasons, the speed setting will be deleted when the igni-
tion is switched off.Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlSetting a new speed
The speed can be altered without touching the acceler-
ator or the brake.
Fig. 138 Control lever
for: Switching the
system on and off
A1A2
Fig. 139 Control lever
for: Setting speed
SET
SET
Fig. 140 Control lever
for: Setting a new
speed
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adaptive cruise control (ACC)135
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data Target speed
The target speed set by the driver is indicated by a red diode in the
speedometer.
If the speed setting is between two graduations on the speedom-
eter dial, the two closest diodes will both light up ⇒fig. 143.
It is only possible to set target speeds ranging from 30 to 200 km/h.
This speed range is illuminated slightly by the diodes on the speed-
ometer dial.
Indicator lamp (symbol)
•
No vehicle in front: The green indicator lamp ⇒page 134,
fig. 144 shows that the adaptive cruise control system is in cruise
mode and that there is no vehicle in front. It maintains the stored
target speed.
•
Vehicle in front: The green indicator lamp shows that the
system has detected a vehicle in front. The speed is adapted to the
vehicle in front. The adaptive cruise control system accelerates and
brakes the vehicle automatically.
•
Driver intervention prompt: When the red indicator lamp
flashes , this is a warning for the driver to intervene. The driver
has to brake the vehicle with the foot brake. This warning lamp will
always appear when the adaptive cruise control system alone is not
able to brake the vehicle sufficiently to maintain a safe distance to
a vehicle in front. An audible alarm (warning tone) will also sound
when the lamp starts to flash. For further information on the driver
intervention prompt ⇒page 138.Note
•
If you exceed the target speed by using the accelerator, the
driver intervention prompt will not be accompanied by a warning
tone. The indicator lamp shown in the speedometer will also switch
off if the target speed is exceeded.
•
You can change the volume of the warning tone on the sound
system or MMI* ⇒page 139, “Setting the warning tone volume and
driving program”.
Applies to vehicles: with adaptive cruise controlInstrument cluster displayRepeatedly press the button on the windscreen wiper lever
to select whether you wish to display information regarding the on-
board computer, the navigation system* or the adaptive cruise
control in this section of the display screen.
Vehicle image
Distance
System status
Vehicle image
The vehicle image will show you whether the system has detected a
vehicle in front.•
Vehicle outlined: No vehicle in front
•
Vehicle in white: A vehicle in front has been detected
•
Vehicle in red: Driver intervention prompt
Distance
The arrows and scale indicate the distance to the vehicle in front.
•
No vehicle in front: If there is no vehicle in front, no arrows will
be shown.
AA
AA
AB
AB
AC
AC
Fig. 145 Instrument
cluster: Display
RESET
AAABACAAAB
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Automatic gearbox 162Automatic gearboxmultitronic
®, tiptronic (6-speed
gearbox)
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicIntroductionApplies to vehicles with multitronic
® gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled continu-
ously variable transmission (multitronic
®). Unlike conventional
automatics, the gear ratios are not shifted in fixed steps but contin-
uously variable. This gives smoother transmission and makes for
better fuel economy.
The gearbox selects the gear ratio and shifts up or down automati-
cally according to the gear change programmes stored in the
control unit ⇒page 166.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Please note that on vehicles with a multitronic® gearbox, torque is
transmitted via a multi-plate clutch, and not via a torque converter
as on conventional automatics. This means that the car will not
“creep” as much as conventional automatics when the engine is
idling if you stop temporarily with the selector lever in position D, S
or R.
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
The vehicle is equipped with an electronically controlled 6-speed
automatic gearbox. The gearbox changes up and down automati-
cally.
If desired, you can also select the gears manually (tiptronic mode)
⇒page 166.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicGeneral notes on using multitronic
®
The gears are changed automatically.Driving away from a standstill
– Press and hold the brake pedal.
– Press and hold the interlock button (the button in the
selector lever handle), move the selector lever to the
desired position, for instance D, and release the interlock
button.
– Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight move-
ment can be felt).
– Release the brake and press the accelerator ⇒.
Stopping briefly
– Apply the foot brake to hold the vehicle when stationary
(for instance at traffic lights).
Fig. 177 Detail of the
centre console:
Selector lever with
interlock button
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Automatic gearbox 164moving the selector lever either in or out of position P. The lever can
only be moved out of position P when the ignition is on.
R - Reverse gear
When reverse gear is engaged the gearbox automatically selects the
lowest gear ratio.
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary
and the engine is idling ⇒.
To move the selector lever to position R, press in the interlock
button and at the same time press the brake pedal. Depending on
the model, one or two reversing lights will come on in selector lever
position R (when ignition is switched on).
N - Neutral
In this position the gearbox is in neutral ⇒.
D - Drive (forwards)
In this position the gearbox automatically selects the best gear
ratio. This depends on the engine load, the road speed and the
dynamic gear control program (DCP).
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to D if
the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
In some situations (such as on mountain roads or when towing a
trailer or caravan) it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to
tiptronic mode ⇒page 166, so that the gear ratios can be selected
manually to suit the driving conditions.
S - Sport position
Select this position if you wish to take full advantage of the car's
performance. This setting makes use of the engine's maximum
power output. When accelerating the gear shifts will be noticeable.
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to S if
the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h ⇒.
WARNING
•
Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving, as this
could cause an accident.
•
In selector position D or S the vehicle must always be held with
the foot brake when the engine is running. This is because an auto-
matic gearbox still transmits power even at idling speed, and the
vehicle tends to “creep”. The throttle must on no account be
opened inadvertently (for instance by hand from the engine
compartment) when a gear is engaged with the vehicle stationary.
The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately (in some
cases even if the parking brake is engaged) and possibly cause an
accident.
•
To avoid accidents, apply the parking brake and put the
selector lever in position P before opening the bonnet and working
on the vehicle with the engine running. Please observe the impor-
tant safety warnings ⇒page 255, “Working on components in the
engine compartment”.Note
You can select the sport program for gear changes on vehicles with
Audi drive select* by activating the DYNAMIC mode. There is no S
position on the selector lever.•
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox:
•
If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, release the
accelerator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting
D or S again.
•
For the sake of fuel economy (and the environment), the gearbox
ratios on some models are designed so that maximum speed is only
obtained when the selector lever is at position S.
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Automatic gearbox165
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicSelector lever lock
The selector lever lock prevents gears from being
engaged inadvertently, so that the vehicle is not set in
motion unintentionally.The selector lever lock is released as follows:
– Switch on the ignition.
– Press the brake pedal and at the same time press in the
interlock button.Automatic selector lever lock
The selector lever is locked in the P and N positions when the igni-
tion is on. The brake pedal must be depressed before the lever can
be moved out of either of these positions. The following message
appears in the instrument display as a reminder for the driver when
the selector lever is in position P or N:
WHEN STATIONARY APPLY FOOTBRAKE WHILE SELECTING GEAR.
The selector lever lock only works if the vehicle is stationary or
driving at speeds up to 5 km/h. At higher speeds the selector lever
lock in the N position is disengaged automatically.
The selector lever lock is not engaged if the selector lever is moved
quickly through position N (e.g. when shifting from R to D). This makes it possible, for instance, to “rock” the vehicle backwards and
forwards if it is stuck in snow or mud. The selector lever lock
engages automatically if the brake pedal is not depressed and the
lever is in position N for more than about a second.
Interlock button
The interlock button on the selector lever handle prevents the driver
from inadvertently engaging particular gears. Press the button in to
disengage the selector lever lock. The illustration shows the selector
lever positions in which the button has to be pressed, highlighted in
colour ⇒fig. 179.
Safety interlock for ignition key
The key can only be withdrawn with the ignition switched off and
the selector lever in position P. When the ignition key is removed,
the selector lever is locked in position P.
Applies to vehicles: with multitronic® or tiptronicKick-down feature
The kick-down feature is designed to give maximum
acceleration.Applies to vehicles with multitronic
® gearbox
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of
resistance at full throttle, the gearbox will select a lower gear ratio,
depending on road speed and engine speed. While you keep the
accelerator depressed the engine speed is automatically controlled
to give your vehicle maximum acceleration.
Applies to vehicles with tiptronic gearbox
When the accelerator pedal is pressed right down past the point of
resistance at full throttle, the gearbox will shift down to a lower
gear, depending on road speed and engine speed. The upshift to the
next higher gear is delayed until the engine reaches maximum rpm.
Fig. 179 Selector lever
lock functions
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Safe driving 188Correct sitting positionsCorrect sitting position for driver
The correct driving position is important for safe and
fatigue-free driving.For your own safety, and to reduce the risk of injury in the
event of an accident, we recommend the following driving
position.
– Adjust the steering wheel so there is a distance of at least
25 cm between the steering wheel and your breastbone
⇒fig. 199.– Move the driver's seat forwards or backwards so that you
can press the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals all the
way to the floor with your knees slightly bent ⇒.
– Make sure that you can comfortably reach the top of the
steering wheel.
– Adjust the head restraint so that the top of the head
restraint is level with the top of your head ⇒fig. 200.
– Adjust the backrest to an upright position so that your
back remains in contact with the upholstery.
– Fasten your seat belt correctly ⇒page 194.
– Keep both feet in the footwell so that you are in full
control of the vehicle at all times.
For detailed information on how to adjust the driver's seat, see
⇒page 73, “Seats and storage”.
WARNING
•
A driver who is not sitting in the correct position or who is not
wearing a seat belt can be fatally injured if the airbag is triggered.
•
Adjust the driver's seat so there is a distance of at least 25 cm
between your breastbone and the centre of the steering wheel
⇒fig. 199.
•
While driving, always hold the steering wheel with both hands
on the outside of the rim at about the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock posi-
tion. This reduces the risk of injury if the driver's airbag inflates.
•
Never hold the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position, or
with your hands inside the rim or on the steering wheel hub. This
could result in serious injuries to the arms, hands and head if the
driver's airbag inflates.
•
To reduce any risk of injury to the driver during a sudden brake
application or in an accident, never drive with the backrest tilted
Fig. 199 Minimum
distance between
driver and steering
wheelFig. 200 Correct head
restraint position for
the driver
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Intelligent technology 224
WARNING
You should switch off the ESP only if your driving ability and traffic
conditions allow you to do so safely. Please note that, when the
ASR and ESP are switched off, the driven wheels may start to spin,
causing the vehicle to lose grip, in particular on slippery or wet
roads - danger of skidding!
Note
The ASR and ESP cannot be switched off when the adaptive cruise
control (ACC)* is on.BrakesNew brake pads
New brake pads do not give full braking effect for the first 400 km,
they must first be “bedded in”. However, you can compensate for
the slightly reduced braking effect by applying more pressure on
the brake pedal. Avoid placing a heavy load on the brakes during the
running-in period.
We ar
The rate of wear on the brake pads depends a great deal on how you
drive and the conditions in which the vehicle is operated. Negative
factors are, for instance, city traffic, frequent short trips or hard
driving with abrupt starts and stops.
Wet roads; road salt
When you are driving at a speed higher than 80 km/h and have the
windscreen wipers switched on the brake pads are very briefly
brought into contact with the brake discs. This automatic process
which goes unnoticed by the driver is carried out at regular intervals
and is intended to improve braking response in wet conditions.In certain conditions, such as in heavy rain, or after washing the car
or driving through water, the full braking effect can be delayed by
moisture (or in winter by ice) on the discs and brake pads. The
brakes should be “dried” by pressing the pedal to restore full
braking effect.
The effectiveness of the brakes can also be temporarily reduced if
the car is driven for some distance without using the brakes when
there is a lot of salt on the road in winter. The layer of salt that accu-
mulates on the discs and pads can be removed with a few cautious
brake applications.
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and
corrosion to form on the discs if the car is used infrequently, or if
you only drive low mileages without using the brakes very much.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if corrosion has formed on
the discs, it is advisable to clean off the pads and discs by braking
firmly a few times from a moderately high speed ⇒.
Faults in the brake system
If the brake pedal travel should ever increase suddenly, this may
mean that one of the two brake circuits has failed. Drive immedi-
ately to the nearest qualified workshop and have the fault rectified.
On the way to the dealer, be prepared to use more pressure on the
brake pedal and allow for longer stopping distances.
Low brake fluid level
Malfunctions can occur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is
too low. The brake fluid level is monitored electronically.
Brake servo
The brake servo amplifies the pressure you apply to the brake pedal.
It only works when the engine is running.
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Your vehicle and the environment229
Controls
Safety
Driving tips
General maintenance
Self-help
Technical data
Your vehicle and the environmentRunning inA new vehicle should be run in over a distance of 1,500 km. For the
first 1,000 km the engine speed should not exceed 2/3 of the
maximum permissible engine speed – do not use full throttle and do
not tow a trailer or caravan. From 1,000 to 1,500 km you can gradu-
ally increase the engine rpm and road speed.
During its first few hours of running, the internal friction in the
engine is greater than later on when all the moving parts have
bedded down.
How the vehicle is driven for the first 1,500 km also influences the
engine quality. After the first 1,500 km you should continue driving
at moderate engine speeds, in particular when the engine is cold.
This helps to reduce wear and tear on the engine and increases the
potential mileage which can be covered by the engine.
You should also avoid driving with the engine speed too low.
Change down to a lower gear when the engine no longer runs
“smoothly”. Excessively high engine speeds are prevented by an
automatic rev limiter.Emission control systemsCatalytic converter
Applies to vehicles with petrol engine: The vehicle must only be
used with unleaded petrol, otherwise the catalytic converter will be
destroyed.
Never run the tank completely dry. The irregular fuel supply can
cause misfiring, which would allow unburnt fuel to enter the
exhaust system, which could cause overheating and damage the
catalytic converter.Diesel particulate filter
Applies to vehicles with diesel engine: The diesel particulate filter
can filter out almost all soot particles contained in the exhaust gas.
In normal driving conditions the filter is self-cleaning. Should the
self-cleaning function of the filter not be able to operate, e.g. when
the vehicle is continuously used only for short trips, the filter
becomes obstructed with soot and the symbol

for the diesel
particulate filter lights up ⇒page 38.
WARNING
•
Because of the high temperatures which can occur in the emis-
sion control system (catalytic converter or diesel particulate
filter), do not park the vehicle where the exhaust can come into
contact with flammable materials under the car (e.g. on grass or
at the forest edge). - Fire hazard!
•
Do not apply any underseal agents in the area around the
exhaust system - fire hazard!
How to improve economy and minimise pollutionFuel economy, environmental impact and wear on the engine,
brakes and tyres depend largely on the way you drive the vehicle. By
adopting an economical driving style and anticipating the traffic
situation ahead, you can reduce fuel consumption by 10-15%. The
following section gives you some tips on lessening the impact on
the environment and reducing your operating costs at the same
time.
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Your vehicle and the environment 230Anticipate well in advance
A car uses most fuel when accelerating. If you anticipate hazards
and speed changes well in advance, you will need to brake less and
thus accelerate less. Wherever possible, let the car slow down grad-
ually with a gear engaged, for instance when you can see that the
next traffic lights are red. This takes advantage of the engine
braking effect, reducing wear on the brakes and tyres. Emissions
and fuel consumption will drop to zero due to the overrun fuel cut-
off.
Change gear early to save fuel
An effective way of saving fuel is to change up quickly through the
gears. Running the engine at high rpm in the lower gears uses an
unnecessary amount of fuel.
Manual gearbox: Shift up to second gear as soon as possible. If
possible, we recommend shifting up to the next gear at approx.
2,000 rpm.
Automatic gearbox: Press the accelerator slowly and avoid using
the “kick-down” feature.
Avoid driving at high speed
Avoid travelling at top speed. Fuel consumption, exhaust emissions
and noise levels all increase very rapidly at higher speeds. Driving at
moderate speeds will help to save fuel.
Do not let the engine idle for longer than necessary
It is worthwhile switching off the engine when waiting in a traffic
jam, at level crossings or at traffic lights with a long red phase. The
fuel saved after only 30 - 40 seconds is greater than the amount of
fuel needed to restart the engine.
The engine takes a very long time to warm up when it is running at
idling speed. Mechanical wear and pollutant emissions are also
especially high during this initial warm-up phase. It is therefore best
to drive off immediately after starting the engine. Avoid running the
engine at high speed.Regular servicing
Regular servicing can establish a basis for good fuel economy
before you start driving. A well-serviced engine gives you the
benefit of improved fuel efficiency as well as maximum reliability
and an enhanced resale value. A badly tuned engine can consume
up to ten percent more fuel than necessary.
Avoid short trips
The engine and emission control system need to reach their proper
working temperature in order to minimise fuel consumption and
emissions.
A cold engine uses disproportionately more fuel. The engine only
reaches its working temperature after about four kilometres, when
fuel consumption will return to a normal level. This is the reason
why we recommend avoiding short trips wherever possible.
Maintain the correct tyre pressures
Always make sure the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures
⇒page 268 to save fuel. If the tyre pressures are just 0.5 bar too low,
this can increase the fuel consumption by as much as 5 %. Due to
the greater rolling resistance, under-inflation also increases tyre
wear and impairs handling.
Do not use winter tyres all through the year; they will increase fuel
consumption by up to 10 %.
Avoid carrying unnecessary loads
Every kilo of extra weight will increase the fuel consumption, so it is
worth checking the luggage compartment occasionally to make
sure that no unnecessary loads are being transported.
A roof carrier is often left in place for the sake of convenience, even
when it is no longer needed. At a speed of 100-120 km/h your car will
use about 12 % more fuel as a result of the extra wind resistance
caused by the roof carrier - even when it is empty.
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