engine AUDI A8 2021 Owner's Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: AUDI, Model Year: 2021, Model line: A8, Model: AUDI A8 2021Pages: 362, PDF Size: 99.29 MB
Page 116 of 362
Driving
Drive system
Pier MU
A new vehicle must be broken in within the first
1,000 miles (1,500 km) so that all moving parts
work smoothly together, which helps to increase
the service life of the engine and other drive com-
ponents.
Do not drive higher than two-thirds of the maxi-
mum permitted engine RPM during the first 600
miles (1,000 km) and do not use full accelera-
tion. The engine can be increased RPM gradually
during the next 300 miles (500 km).
ete MaMa Lees LENS LL)
Applies to: vehicles with a conventional drive system or a mild
hybrid drive system
Vehicles with a conventional or mild hybrid drive
system are powered by a combustion engine. It
uses fuel to recover energy.
Vehicles with a mild hybrid drive system have ad-
ditional battery technology.
aero Ri mn delare Me Lah)
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
With plug-in hybrid drive, you can select between
the electric and combustion engine drive systems
or combine them > page 114, > page 111.
Recuperation
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The vehicle is able to recover energy by using “re-
cuperation”. The electric drive system operates
like a generator and converts a large portion of
kinetic energy into electrical energy that is stored
in the high-voltage battery. The vehicle is braked
during recuperation, which is similar to the en-
gine braking effect on a vehicle with a combus-
tion engine. This will happen automatically when
you press the brake pedal while driving in “D”
gear, or when you remove your foot from the ac-
celerator pedal.
When you press the brake pedal, recuperation is
used to brake the vehicle. The brakes will only be
activated if necessary. When driving normally,
114
this makes it possible to brake using only recu-
peration just before coming to stop and to lose
little energy and range from braking.
Settings options
You can set if recuperation should be adjusted to
be proactive*, for example, to the road.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Charging & Efficiency > Efficiency
assist > Intelligent coasting.
ZA\ WARNING
In certain situations, the recuperation may
brake proactively. However, the recuperation
braking effect is limited. Always be ready to
brake to reduce the risk of an accident.
G) Tips
If the ESC is limited or switched off, automat-
ic recuperation is not available and will not
brake.
Plug-in hybrid mode
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
Switching the plug-in hybrid mode
The <8" button is located in the function bar on
the lower display.
> Press
Hybrid driving
If the
with the combustion engine or with the electric
motor if the conditions for it have been met
= page 115, Conditions for electric driving.
Depending on the motor, you may be able to
switch among various hybrid modes:
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Charging & Efficiency > e-tron
mode.
& Auto Hybrid - The electric motor and combus-
tion engine work efficiently together. This mode
is particularly effective for long trips.
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Driving
“= Battery Hold - The vehicle is driven predomi-
nantly with the combustion engine to maintain
the high-voltage battery charge level for as long
as possible.
If &% is displayed, the navigation route guidance
is active and the vehicle is taking the route data
into account for selecting the drive mode. The ve-
hicle will calculate what sections of the route
should be driven on using electric power in order
to achieve the most efficient driving style that is
possible. Electric driving is preferred for sections
of the route predicted to have lower speeds, such
as in towns or traffic jams.
Electric driving
The <$Y button will be green when EV mode is
switched on. The vehicle can be driven by the
electric motor if the conditions for this have been
met > page 115, Conditions for electric driving.
Conditions for electric driving
— The high-voltage battery charge level and tem-
perature must be sufficient.
— Driving program “S” must not be selected.
— The vehicle speed must be below approximately
85 mph (140 km/h).
— The accelerator pedal must not be pressed too
hard.
Indicator lights
Symbol | Meaning
EV mode is switched on and active.
You are driving only with electric
power.
porarily in standby mode. Once the
conditions are met again, electric
driving will resume.
EV mode is not available, because
the conditions for electric driving
have not been met.
The combustion engine is running.
tive.
EV mode is switched on, but is tem-
The Battery Hold hybrid mode is ac-
Meaning
The Auto Hybrid hybrid mode is ac-
tive.
The Auto Hybrid hybrid mode is ac-
tive. Navigation data will be consid-
ered.
@) Tips
— Depending on the driving style, the high-
voltage battery charge level may still go
down when in HOLD mode.
— When map data is outdated, no navigation
data will be considered.
— If you select a destination in the navigation
that is outside of the electric range, the ve-
hicle may exit EV mode.
ane Chua LEN
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
Fig. 97 MMI: energy flow display
You can display the current energy distribution of
the vehicle.
> Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Vehicle data.
> You may need to scroll down to the Energy flow
display.
@ Combustion engine
— Orange: motor on
— Gray: motor off
@ High-voltage battery
— Green: charge level
— Gray: drive system not switched on
@®) Directional arrow
— Green: electric driving
— Orange: driving with combustion engine
— Green-orange: driving with boost function
@) Directional arrow
115
Page 118 of 362
Driving
— Green: recuperation
@ Tips
The energy flow display can also be displayed
in the instrument cluster under the vehicle
functions tab.
e monitor
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
RAX-0139 Doe cc ae ar 1)
Ire
Pl) 18 5)
Fig. 98 Range monitor
You can display the projected range of the vehi-
cle.
» Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:
VEHICLE > Vehicle data.
> You may need to scroll down to the Range
monitor display.
@ Range potential (value)
@ Range potential (graphic)
@®) Total range (graphic)
@ Total range (value)
© Electric range (value)
Range potential: the value indicates an addition-
al amount of distance that can be gained by turn-
ing off certain convenience functions. The con-
venience functions with high energy usage are
listed on the display.
@) Tips
— The range can also be displayed in the in-
strument cluster in the on-board computer.
— The range that is indicated is based on the
previous and predicted consumption values.
For example, these can be affected if con-
venience functions are turned on.
116
Statistics
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
You can display statistics about the trips traveled
using electric power and those using fuel. The
values are taken from the short-term memory
and long-term memory of the on-board comput-
er.
> Select on the home screen: VEHICLE > Vehicle
data.
> If necessary, scroll to the e-tron short-term
statistics or e-tron long-term statistics.
Vehicle sound
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive
The electric drive system generates considerably
less noise than a combustion engine. An artificial
engine sound is generated when driving electri-
cally so that the vehicle can be heard from the
outside when driving. The vehicle sound auto-
matically fades out at higher speeds when the
sounds from the tires and wind start increasing.
ZA\ WARNING
Other road users may not be able to defini-
tively hear electric vehicles when they are
driving. This increases the risk of an accident
particularly when driving in areas with little
traffic, when maneuvering, or when driving in
reverse.
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driving
Your driving style greatly influences the amount
of fuel and energy consumed, the environmental
impact, and the wear on the engine, brakes, and
tires. Note the following information for efficient
and environmentally-conscious driving:
— Turn off electrical equipment that is not need-
ed, for example seat heating*.
— Anticipate upcoming traffic situations while
driving to avoid unnecessary acceleration and
braking.
— Avoid driving at high speeds.
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Driving
— Avoid adding extra weight to the vehicle if pos-
sible, for example by not leaving roof racks or
bike racks installed when they are not needed.
— Make sure the tire pressure is correct.
— Have maintenance performed regularly on the
vehicle.
— Do not let the engine run while the vehicle
parked.
— Do not drive with winter tires during the summ-
er.
— Use the Start/Stop system.
— Utilize the engine braking effect.
— Avoid driving short distances when possible.
@) Tips
The amount of noise produced by the vehicle
can increase significantly when driving with a
sporty style. Show respect to others around
you and the environment with the way you op-
erate your vehicle, especially at night.
eh Me lele 4
Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent ener-
gy management system for distributing electrici-
ty. This significantly improves the starting ability
and increases the vehicle battery life.
@ Tips
— If you drive short distances frequently, the
vehicle battery may not charge enough
while driving. As a result, convenience func-
tions for electrical equipment may be tem-
porarily unavailable.
— The vehicle battery will gradually drain if
the vehicle is not driven for long periods of
time, or if electrical equipment is used
when the engine is not running. To ensure
that the vehicle can still be started, the
electrical equipment will be limited or
switched off.
Messages
B Drive system: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-
cle
There is a malfunction in the drive system. The
brake booster and the power steering may stop
working. Stop the vehicle immediately or as soon
as possible and do not continue driving. Secure
the vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehi-
cle > page 108. Have the problem corrected by
an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility.
B Drive system: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the drive system. Drive
slowly to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized
Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction cor-
rected.
B Vehicle sound: malfunction! Pedestrians
cannot hear vehicle. Please contact Service
There is a malfunction in the vehicle sound func-
tion. Drive extremely carefully, since other road
users may not be able to hear your electric vehi-
cle. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or author-
ized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the
malfunction corrected.
Other indicator lights
rg turns on, vehicle performance is limited,
for example because the combustion engine may
not be available. Also note the additional instruc-
tions in the instrument cluster.
Start/Stop system
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The Start/Stop system can help increase fuel
economy and reduce CO2 emissions.
In Start/Stop mode, the engine shuts off auto-
matically when stopped, for example at a traffic
light. If certain conditions are met, the engine
may stop before the vehicle has come to a com-
plete stop. If you press the accelerator pedal
when this happens, the engine will start and driv-
ing power will be transmitted.
The ignition and important assist systems such
as the brake booster will remain available during
the Stop phase. The engine will restart automati-
cally when needed.
117
>
Page 120 of 362
Driving
The Start/Stop system is automatically activated
once
the ignition is switched on.
Switching the Start/Stop system off and on
The & button is located above the selector lever
in the center console. The LED in the button turns
on when the function is switched off.
> Press & to switch the system on or off.
If you switch the system off during a Stop phase,
the engine will start again automatically.
Basic requirements
— The driver's door and hood must be closed.
—"P","N", or "D" must be engaged.
— The steering wheel must not be turned far in ei-
ther direction.
— The vehicle must have driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h) since the last time it stopped.
— The vehicle is not in trailer mode.
® Note
Always switch the Start/Stop system off when
driving through water > page 118.
G) Tips
— Depending on the driving situation, the en-
gine may already stop when coasting before
the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
— If you select the "D" position after shifting
into reverse, the vehicle must be driven fast-
er than 6 mph (10 km/h) in order for the
Start/Stop system to become active again.
This makes it possible to maneuver without
stopping the engine.
Stopping and starting the engine
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
> Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle
has stopped. The @ indicator light appears in
the instrument cluster once the engine stops
automatically.
> The engine starts again when you remove your
foot from the brake pedal. The indicator light
turns off.
If the parking brake is set, the engine will only
start again when the accelerator pedal is pressed.
118
G) Tips
— Press the brake pedal during a Stop phase
to keep the vehicle from rolling.
— The ignition will turn off if you press the
START ENGINE STOP] button during a Stop
phase.
— If you leave the vehicle briefly during a Stop
phase and then enter again, the driver's
door must be closed and the safety belt
must be fastened in order for the engine to
be able to restart.
— You can control if the engine will stop or not
by reducing or increasing the amount of
force you use to press the brake pedal. For
example, if you only lightly press on the
brake pedal in stop-and-go traffic or when
turning, the engine will not switch off when
the vehicle is stationary. If you press the
brake pedal harder, the engine will switch
off.
Starting and stopping the engine automat-
rely
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
The system checks if certain conditions are met
before and during the Stop phase, and deter-
mines if the engine stops and how long it re-
mains stopped. For example, if power usage is
high, the engine will not be stopped. Along with
other conditions, the following factors influence
the automatic engine start or stop:
— Environmental conditions (slopes, inclines, ele-
vation, temperature)
— Battery (charge status, temperature, power us-
age)
— Engine temperature
— Assist systems
— Driving behavior
Depending on the engine, the indicator light
may appear if the engine is not stopped.
Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system
Drive system: please start the vehicle manually >
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Driving
This message appears when specific conditions
are not met during a Stop phase. The Start/Stop
system will not be able to restart the engine. The
engine must be started with the
START ENGINE STOP] button.
Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please
contact Service
There is a malfunction in the Start/Stop system.
Drive the vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or
authorized Service Facility as soon as possible to
have the malfunction corrected.
Brakes
General information
You can apply the vehicle's brakes using the brake
pedal.
Operating noise
Noises may occur when braking depending on the
speed, braking force, and outside conditions such
as temperature and humidity.
Braking effect
The response time from the brakes depends on
the weather and environmental conditions. To
ensure the optimal braking effect, the brake sys-
tem is cleaned at regular intervals. This is done
by applying the brake pads to the brake rotors for
a short period of time when driving at high
speeds when the windshield wipers are switched
on.
If the brake system becomes damp, for example
after driving in heavy rain, the braking effect may
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\.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Se-
lect the “N” gear so that recuperation is not used
for braking.
Brake pads
New brake pads do not achieve their full braking
effect during the first 250 miles (400 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.
Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Be-
cause 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.
Ceramic brakes
Applies to: vehicles with ceramic brakes
Ceramic brakes provide excellent deceleration
rates.
The break-in period for new ceramic brakes may
be significantly longer than for standard brake
rotors. Due to the properties of the material,
they may cause noises at lower speeds. Ceramic
brakes also absorb more moisture in wet condi-
tions. Therefore, there will temporarily be less
braking force than when the brakes are dry. You
can compensate for this by pressing the brake
pedal harder.
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 >
119
Page 122 of 362
Driving
— 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 engine is
stopped 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.
@) 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 122. This especially ap-
plies when towing a trailer.
G@) 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 283.
Messages
GG i @ Brakes: malfunction! Stop vehicle
safely
120
There is a malfunction in the brake system. If
[S/ Bana B also turn on, there is a malfunc-
tion in the ABS, ESC, and braking distribution. If
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\.
fie 7 © 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.
Brake booster: deactivated. See owner's manual
The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-
od of time after switching off the ignition. Secure
the vehicle against rolling > page 108.
Other indicator lights
When you switch the ignition on, the GG / @®
indicator light turns on briefly to check the func-
tion. If the indicator light does not turn on, there
is a system malfunction.
1f Ba / @ stays on, there is a malfunction in
the brake system.
@- A high 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.
ZA WARNING
If a malfunction occurs in the ABS, ESC, and
braking distribution, interventions that >
Page 124 of 362
Driving
ZA\ 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.
Messages
ERNG / B) Parking brake: malfunction! Safely
stop vehicle. See owner's manual
Gg / © Parking brake: malfunction! Please
release parking brake
If one of the two messages appears, there is a
malfunction in the parking brake. If the message
appears while stationary, check if the parking
brake is released and can be reset. If this is the
case, switch the ignition off and back on.
If the message stays on, if the parking brake can-
not be released, or if the message appears while
driving, do not continue driving. Secure the vehi-
cle against rolling before exiting the vehicle
= page 108. See an authorized Audi dealer or au-
thorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
we Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact
Service
There is a malfunction in the parking brake. Drive
to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi
Service Facility immediately to have the malfunc-
tion corrected. Do not park the vehicle on inclines
and shift to “P”.
a / Parking brake: warning! Vehicle parked
too steep
The braking force may not be enough to secure
the vehicle from rolling away. Park the vehicle in
a place with less of an incline.
FS / () Parking brake: applied
The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake
pedal to release the parking brake.
122
Special driving situations
Driving uphill and downhill
When driving uphill, downhill, or at high alti-
tudes, note the following information:
— Drive slowly and carefully.
— Do not try to turn around if you cannot safely
drive on an incline or hill. Instead, drive in re-
verse.
— When driving down hills, you can activate the
hill descent control if you press the brake pedal
while driving in “D” gear. The automatic trans-
mission will select a gear suitable for driving
down the hill and will attempt to maintain the
speed at which the vehicle was traveling at the
time the brake pedal was pressed. Press the
brake pedal if necessary. The hill descent con-
trol will switch off once the hill levels out or
you press the accelerator pedal.
— Utilize the engine braking effect when driving
downhill by selecting the “S” driving program
= page 110. This especially applies when tow-
ing a trailer. This reduces the load on the
brakes.
— Apply the brakes in intervals and do not press
the brake pedal continuously.
ZA\ WARNING
— Only drive on inclines that your vehicle is de-
signed to handle. Do not exceed the hill
climbing ability of your vehicle. Your vehicle
could tip or slide.
— Do not drive at an angle on steep inclines
and hills. If your vehicle is about to tip, you
must immediately start steering in the di-
rection of the downward slope to reduce the
risk of an accident.
— Always be ready to brake when using the hill
descent control function.
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, >
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Driving
the water must only reach up to the lower edge
of the body at the most.
— Deactivate the Start/Stop system.
— 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 turn the engine off.
After driving through water, press the brake
pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the
full braking effect will be restored.
Vehicle components such as the engine, drive
system, suspension, or electrical system can
be severely damaged by driving through wa-
dele,
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.
123
Page 126 of 362
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:
comfort - Provides a comfort-oriented vehicle
setup and is suited for long drives on highways.
comfort+ - Provides a comfort-oriented vehicle
setup and switches on the curve tilting function
in the active suspension system. This mode is
suitable for long trips on highways and smooth
driving around curves, for example.
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.
124
Individual - Provides the option for personalized
vehicle settings. Press &% to configure the mode
= page 124, Individual settings.
G) 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. The shift points are placed in higher or lower
speed ranges.
Depending on the setting, the drive power at the
rear axle will be distributed with the sport differ-
ential* to be more sporty or moderate
=> page 128.
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.
Based on the selected setting, the air suspen-
sion* will adjust the ground clearance and the ac-
tive suspension* will provide various degrees of
compensation for vehicle movements.
Engine sound
The engine sound adapts and can be subtle to
sporty. In the automatic setting, the engine
sound depends on the selected driving program.