AUDI A4 AVANT 2008 Owner's Guide

Driver information messages
Along with some particular warning/indicator lights and instrument cluster symbols, additional messages will
appear in the display .
A driver information message will appear in the display when, for
example :
a light bulb has burnt
out => page 35,
or if you drive off with the parking brake s till engaged (pulled up).
or before you move the selector lever in gear (automatic transmis­
sion).
Driver information messages can be switched o n by the driver when
a priority 1 symbol appears and flashes =>
page 28.
Sw it c hing on th e dri ver inf orm ati on me ssage
For example, if there is a malfunction in the engine oil pressure, the
~ symbo l will appear in the display . If you press the CHECK button ,
the following message will appear:
Sw itch off en gin e, check oil l evel
The message goes out after approximately 5 seconds. Press the
CHECK button to display the message again.
[ i ] Tip s
The following two messages, Handb ra ke i s a pplie d and Wh en
s tati onary ap ply foot br ake while selecting g ear ,
cannot be
switched on again . T hese messages will remain in the display until
you release the parking brake or unti l you move the selector lever
into a gear .•
Controls and equip ­
ment
Dri ver inf orma tio n di spl ay
Parking brake warning
To release the parking brake, first press the release button in the
lever and lift the lever s lightly. Then lower it all the way down.
If you should drive off with the parking brake still engaged, a
warning tone will sound to remind you to release the pa rking brake.
Also, the following message will appear in the display :
Handbrake is a pplied
The parking brake warning is activated when you drive longer than
3 seconds and faster than 3 mph (5 km/h) .•
Ap plies to vehi cles: w it h ma nua l trans mission
Function test : manual transmission
Fig. 17 Dis pl ay:
man ual trans missio n
fu ncti on test
perfo rmed
The Auto -Check Control will automatically perform a test each time
you switch on the ignition.
If the functions monitored by the Auto-Check Control are working
properly, the
O K => fig. 17 will light up for a few seconds. .,_
irechnical data

Driver information display
If one or more faults exist, the driver information disappears
approximately 15 seconds after the engine has been started and the
appropriate fault symbol appears in the display.
If neither the OK message nor a malfunction message appears in
the display, have the Auto-Check Contro l inspec ted by your autho­
rized Audi dealer. •
Function test: automatic transmission
Fig. 18 Dis play: func ­
tion test automatic
transmission, ignition
ju st turned on
The Auto-Check Contro l will automatically perform a test each time
you switch on the ignition . When the selector lever in
P or N , the
following message appears in the display:
When stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear.
When you a select a different gear (for example : R, D, etc.), the
message will disappear and the Auto-Check function is displayed. If
there are no ma lfunctions, the OK message illuminates for a few
seconds => fig. 18.
If there is a malfunction, then the malfunction message wil l appear
about 15 seconds after the you start the vehicle. At the same time
you will hear a warning tone . If
neither the OK message nor a malfunction message appear in the
display, have the Auto -Check Control inspected by your authorized
Audi dea ler .•
Red symbols
A red symbol means DANGER.
-Pull of the road and stop the vehicle.
Turn off the engine.
Fig. 19 Display: engine
coolant level warning
( p rio rity 1 )
-Check the malfunctioning system. Contact your autho­
rized Audi dealer or a qualified workshop for assistance.
The red symbols mean:

BRAKE
(Ci))
BRAKE
_j_
COOLANT
~
OIL
PRESSURE USA
models:
Malfunction in the brake system
Canada models:
Malfunction in the brake system
Engine coolant level too low/
engine coolant temperature too
high
-
Engine oil pressure
too low =>
page 31
=> page 31
=> page 31
=> page 32
Red symbols indicate a priority 1 malfunction -Danger!
When a red symbol appears , a warning tone will sound consecu­
tively three times. The symbol continues to flash until the malfunc ­
tion has been repaired. If there are more than one priority 1 malfunc­
tions, the symbols appear one after the other for about two
seconds .a
Brake system malfunction BRAKE (USA models)/
(CD) (Canada models)
A malfunction in the brake system must be repaired as soon as possible.
When BRAKE/ (CD) (Canada models) appears in the display
and flashes, this means there is a malfunction in the brake
system. In addition to the symbol, one of the following two
messages also appears in the display:
Stop vehicle, check brake fluid and hydraulic fluid levels
Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact workshop!
- Pull of the road and stop the vehicle.
- Check the brake fluid
level :::;, page 284.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Driver information display
USA models : if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the ABS
warning/indicator light illuminates along with the BRAKE system
malfunction warning/indicator
light=> ,&..
Canada models: if there is a malfunction in the ABS system, the 0
warning/indicator light illuminates together with the ((l)) brake
system malfunction warning/indicator
light =>,&. .
& WARNING
• Always observe the warnings in => page 265, "Engine compart­
ment", before opening the engine hood and checking the brake
fluid.
• Driving with low brake fluid is a safety hazard! Stop the car and
get professional assistance.
• If the brake system warning/indicator light illuminates
together with the ABS warning/indicator light, then the ABS
system is malfunctioning. The rear wheels could quickly lock up
when you apply the brakes. This could lead to loss of control and
your vehicle could slide! Drive carefully to the nearest authorized
Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected. •
Engine cooling system malfunction -L
A malfunction in the engine cooling system must be
repaired as soon as possible.
When the - L symbol in the display flashes, then either the
engine coolant
temperature is too high, or the coolant level
is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following message
also appears in the display:
Switch off engine, check coolant level
- Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
- Turn off the engine.

Driver information display
-Check coolant level :::> page 281.
-Add coolant if necessary=> page 282.
-Continue driving only after the engine coolant
warning/indicator light goes out.
-Contact your authorized Audi dealer for assistance if
necessary.
If the engine coolant level is correct, then the radiator fan may be
the cause of the malfunction.
I f the generator warning/indicator light should also illuminate
=> page 22, then the fan belt may be damaged.
& WARNING
• If your vehicle should break down for mechanical or other
reasons, park at a safe distance from moving traffic, turn off the
engine and turn on the hazard warning lights
=> page 79, "Emer­
gency flasher
A" .
• Never open the hood if you see or hear steam or coolant
escaping from the engine compartment -you risk being scalded .
Wait until you can no longer see or hear steam or coolant escaping.
• The engine compartment of any vehicle is a dangerous area.
Before you perform any work in the engine compartment, turn of
the engine and allow it to cool. Follow the warning stickers
=> page 265, "Engine compartment" .
0 Note
Do not continue driving if the-~-symbol illuminates. It indicates a
cooling system malfunction likely to result in serious damage to the
engine. •
Engine oil pressure malfunction ~
The red engine oil pressure warning symbol requires
immediate service or repair. Driving with a low-oil-pres­
sure indication is likely to result in serious damage to the
engine.
If the 9=::;,. symbol appears in the display and blinks, the oil
pressure is too low. In addition to the symbol, the following
message also appears in the display:
Switch off engine, check oil level
Immediate actions
-Pull off the road and stop the vehicle.
-Shut the engine down.
-Check the engine oil level with the dipstick=> page 277.
Dipstick reading checks too lovv
-Top off oil to the proper level => page 278.
-Make sure that the oil pressure warning symbol 9=::;f.
appears no longer in the display before you start driving
again.
Dipstick reading checks OK
-If the 9=::;f. symbol starts flashing again even though the
engine oil level checks OK on the dipstick,
do not start
driving again and do not let the engine run at idle .
Instead, contact your authorized Audi dealer for assis-
tance.
.,_

[ i J Tips
• The engine oil pressure symbol ~ is not an indicator for a low
engine oil level. Do not rely on it . Instead , check the oil level in your
engine at regular interval s, preferably each time you refuel , and
always before going on a long trip.
• The yellow oil level warning indication requires oil refill or
workshop service without delay . Do not wait until the red oil pre s­
s ure warning symbol
~ starts to fla sh before you respond to the
low oil level warning
-... . By then , your engine may already have
s uffered serious damage. •
Yellow symbols
A yellow symbol means WARNING .
Yellow symbols mean:
Controls and equip ­
ment
Fig . 2 0 Display : lo w
fu el lev el warn ing
( priority 2 )
Driver information display
Low fuel leve l ~ page34
Check engine oil level ~ page34
Engine oil sensor malfunction ~ page34
-
Light/rain* senso r defective ~ page34
Worn b rake pad s ~ page34
USA models: ~ page34 Speed wa rn ing 1 ..
Canada models: ~ page34 Speed wa rning 1
Dyn amic headl ight ra nge con-
~ page34 trol* defect ive
W inds hield washer fluid level low
~ page34
-
USA models : ~ page34 Speed warn ing 2
Canada models : ~ page34 Speed war ning 2
Battery voltage too high or too
~ page35 low
Defective light bulb
~ page35
Adaptiv e light* defective ~ page35
Ye llow symbo ls ind icate a p riority 2 mal funct ion - Warning!
When a yellow symbo l appears, a warning tone wil l sound
once.
Check the displaye d functio n as so on as possi ble. I f more than one ._
irechnical data

Driver inf ormation di spl ay
priority 2 malfunction is detected, al l symbols will appear one after
t he other for about two seconds. •
Applie s to ve hicles: with Ligh ting pac kage
Light/rain* sensor defective fif>
~o Aut om atic hea dlig ht s/a utom atic w ipers defe ct iv e
If the symbol il luminates, the light /rain sensor has failed. For safety
reasons the low beams a re turned on permanently with the switch
in
AUTO. H owever, you can continue to turn the lights on and off
using the light sw itch . In the case of a defect in the ra in se nsor, the
windshield wiper lever functions are still available. Have the
l ight/ra in sensor checked as soon as poss ible at a dealersh ip .•
Fuel supply too low flt)
When the .ffi symbol illuminates, th is means there is about 2 to 2 .5
gallons (8 to 10 l itres) of fue l left in the fue l tank. Time to refuel!
=> page 268 . •
Checking the engine oil level ~ ..
When the ~ symbol illum inates, check the engine o il leve l as soon
as
possib le => page 277. Top off the oil at your ear liest opportunity
=> page 278 . •
Engine oil sensor defective ~ ...
If the ~-symbo l il lum inates, contact your authorized Audi dea ler
and have the oil sensor inspected . Until you have this done, check
the oi l leve l each t ime you refuel just to be on t he safe side
=> page 277. •
Worn brake pads 0
If the O symbo l illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer to
have the front brake pads inspected (on that occasion have the rear
brakes inspected as we ll to be safe) .•
Speed warning 1 8 (USA models)/ 0 (Canada
models)
I f the 0 symbo l il luminates, this means you are driving faster than
the set vehicle speed. Slow
down! => page 35. •
Applies to ve hicles : w ith d ynami c head light rang e adjus tment
Headlight range control defective {a:>
If the t0 illuminates, the dynamic head light range control is no
longer working properly. Have the system checked a nd repaired at
your Audi dealer .•
t·,···
Windshield washer fluid level too low <;p
If the O symbol illuminates, add windshield washer fluid to the
washer system and a lso fo r the headlight washer system*
=> page 291. •
Speed warning 2
0, (USA models)/ 9. (Canada models)
If the 0 symbol illum inates, this means you have driven faster than
the second set vehic le speed . S low
down!=> page 35 . •

Battery voltage low .::::3
If the symbol illuminates, contact your authorized Audi dealer
and have the following components inspected:
• drive belt
• generator
• battery charge
Also see if the generator warning/indicator light illuminates
=> page 22. •
Defective light bulb warning ~
The defective light bulb warning tells you when a vehicle
light bulb has become defective.
If a defective bulb has been detected by the system or a light bulb
burns out, the symbol wi th a message appears in the display to
tell you which bulb is burnt out and where it is located . For example :
REAR LEFT TURN SIGNAL
After 5 seconds, the message d isappears . If you want to reca ll the
message into the display, press the CHECK button.
There are three reasons why the defective bulb message wou ld
appear in the display:
• the light bulb has burnt
out => page 328.
• the fuse is "blown"=> page 326, "Replacing a fuse" .
• the wire connec tion to the light bulb is defective .
Have the bulb replaced or the connection repaired by your autho­
rized Audi Service department .
& WARNING
• Light bulb s are pres sur ized and c ou ld expl ode whi le they are
be ing changed causing seri ou s pe rso nal inju ry .
Controls and equip ­
ment
Dri ver inf orma tio n di spl ay
& WARNI NG ( conti nued )
• Work with due care wh en h andling th e high-vol tage s ecti on of
gas disch arge (xe non
I la mp s*. Fa ili ng to d o so could result in de ath
or se riou s inj ury !
•
Ap plie s to veh ic les: with a dapt iv e ligh t
Adaptive light defective
When th is symbol illuminates, it means that adaptive light is
defective. Go to an authorized dea lership to have the headlights or
the control unit for the adaptive light repa ired. •
Speed warning system
Overview
The speed warning system helps you to keep your driving
speed below a
set speed limit.
Fig . 21 Disp lay : s pee d
wa rning syste m
.,.
irechnical data

Driver inf orma tion di spl ay
The speed warning system warns the driver if he exceeds a previ­
ously stored maximum speed . A warning tone wi ll sound as soon as
the vehic le speed exceeds the set speed by about 6 miles per hour
(10 km/h) . At the same time, a warning symbol appears in the
display~ fig. 21 .
The speed warning system has
t wo wa rning thre sholds that func ­
tion independent ly of each other and that have somewhat different
purposes:
Sp eed w arnin g 1 -
You can use speed warning 1 to set the maximum speed while you
are driving . This setting will remain in effect until you turn off the
ignition, assuming that you have not changed or reset the setting.
The speed warning symbol (USA models)/ (: (Canada models) in
the warning 1 disp lay appears when you exceed the maximum
speed. It goes out when the speed falls be low the stored maximum
speed .
The speed warning symbol will also go out if the speed
exceeds the
stored maximum speed by more than about 25 mph (40 km/h) for at
least 10 seconds. The stored maximum speed is de leted.
Setting speed warning 1
~ page 36 .
S pee d w arni ng 2
Storing warning 2 is recommended if you always want to be
reminded of a certain speed, for example when you are traveling in
a country that has a genera l maximum speed limit, or if you do not
want to exceed a specified speed for winter tires.
The speed warning 2 symbol, (USA models)/ (Canada models) appears in the disp lay when you exceed the stored speed limit .
Unlike warning 1, it wil l not go out until the vehicle speed drops
below the stored speed limit .
Setting speed warning 2
~ page 37.
[ i ] Tip s
Even though your vehicle is equipped with a speed warning system,
you shou ld still watch the speedometer to make sure you are not
driving faster than the speed l imit. •
Speed warning 1: setting a speed limit
Warning thresh old 1 is set by the CHECK button .
Storing the maximum s pee d
- Drive at the desired maximu m speed.
Fig. 22 C HECK button
i n t he in strum ent
c lust er
Briefly press the CHECK button ~ fig. 22 .
Resetting th e ma ximum sp eed
Drive the ve hicle at a speed of at least 3 mph (5 km/h)
Press the CH EC K butto n for at least two seconds .
The speed warning symbo l r I· (Canada models) appears briefly
in the display when you re lease the button to indicate that the
maximum speed has been stored success ful ly . The maximum speed
~

will remain stored in the system until it is changed by briefly
pressing the button again or until it is reset by holding down the
button for at least two seconds. •
Speed warning 2: setting a speed limit
Switches in the wiper arm are used to operate warning
threshold 2.
Controls and equip ­
ment
Fig . 23 CHECK button
in the instrument
cluster
Fig. 24 Wiper arm:
function selector
switches
Driver information display
Saving a maximum speed
-Turn off the ignition.
-Briefly press the CHECK button in the instrument cluster
=> fig. 23 . The odometer and the digital clock will now be
illuminated.
-Press the CHECK button for at least two seconds. The
currently stored maximum speed
or the crossed out
symbol for warning 2 will appear in the display if a maximum speed has not yet been set.
Press the function selector switch in the wiper
arm @
=> fig. 24 up or down to change the set value. The values
increase or decrease in increments of 6.2 mph (10 km/h).
Resetting the maximum speed
-Turn off the ignition.
- Briefly press the CHECK button in the instrument cluster
=> fig. 23. The odometer and the digital clock will now
illuminate briefly.
-Press the CHECK button for at least two seconds. The
currently stored maximum speed will appear in the
display.
-Press the reset button in the wiper arm ©=> fig. 24 until
the display shows the symbol for speed warning 2 crossed out with a line.
The odometer and the digital clock displays will go out again a few
seconds after this adjustment is completed. •
irechnical data

Driver inf orma tion di spl ay
Trip computer
A pplie s to v ehicl es: w ith trip com pu te r
Introduction
The trip computer gives you information on current and
average fuel consumption rates, average speed, cruising
distance and driving time.
Fi g. 25 Trip computer
di sp lay: c urre nt
mi leag e
The fol lowi ng information is eva luated by the trip compu ter and
shown in th e display :
Cruis ing range
Driving time
Average fuel consumption
Average speed
Ins tantaneous fuel consumption
=:> page 40
=:> page 40
=> page 40
=:> page 41
=:> page 47
The five different information contents -cruis ing range, driving
ti me, ave rage fuel economy , average speed and ins tan taneous fuel consumpt
ion
-rota te in the display in the same sequen ce as they
appear in the
table =:> fig. 25. •
Applies t o ve hic les: with t rip co mpute r
Memories
The trip c omputer is equipped with tw o fully automatic
memones.
F ig . 2 6 Tr ip co mput er
d isp lay : m emor y le vel 1
A smal l tag -arrow -=:> fig . 26 identifies which memory leve l is
current ly being displayed . The tag
"1 " indicates the single-tr ip
memory leve l 1, the tag "2 " the complete -trip memory leve l 2.
S ingle -t rip m emor y
The singl e-trip memory stores the trip information from the time th e
ignition is turned on until it is turned off . If the tr ip is con tinued
within two hour s from the time the ignition was turned off, the new
data w ill be included in the ca lculation o f the current trip in forma­
tion . If the trip is interrupted for
more than two hours , the memory
is automatically reset to zero . _..