Get Driving Guide for Audi A5 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

Driving

Turning on or off

Driving

If you would like to only turn the ignition on or

off without starting the engine, follow these

steps:

Starting the vehicle

Convenience key

Applies to: vehicles with convenience key

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button without

pressing the brake pedal.

Turning off the ignition automatically

To prevent the vehicle battery from draining, the

ignition and possibly the exterior lighting may

turn off automatically.

Requirements:

– The Start/Stop system must have stopped the

engine.

Fig. 88 Center console: starting the engine

– You must have left the vehicle for longer than

30 seconds.

Requirement: the key must be in the vehicle.

– The ignition must be turned on.

Starting the engine

Among other indicators, the system detects that

you have left the vehicle based on the following

factors:

►

Press and hold the brake pedal.

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button. The en-

gine will start.

– The driver's door has been opened.

Equipment that uses a lot of electricity is turned

off temporarily when you start the engine. If the

engine does not start immediately, the starting

procedure stops automatically after a short time.

If this is the case, repeat the starting procedure

after approximately 30 seconds.

– The driver's safety belt has been unbuckled.

– The brake pedal is not being pressed.

The ignition will also be turned off after 30 mi-

nutes or if you lock the vehicle from the outside.

WARNING

Stopping the engine

– To reduce the risk of asphyxiation, never al-

low the engine to run in confined spaces.

– Never turn off the engine before the vehicle

has come to a complete stop and the “P” po-

sition is engaged. The full functionality of

the brake booster and power steering may

not be available. You would then need to use

more force to steer and brake the vehicle.

The fact that you cannot steer and brake as

usual may increase the risk of accidents and

serious injuries.

►

Bring the vehicle to a full stop.

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button. The en-

gine will turn off.

Applies to: vehicles with steering lock: The steer-

ing is locked when you turn off the engine and

open the driver's door. The steering lock helps

prevent vehicle theft. The “P” position must be

engaged on vehicles with an automatic transmis-

sion.

– Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-

iting the vehicle ðpage 98.

Stopping the engine in an emergency

If necessary in an emergency, the engine can also

be stopped while driving using the emergency off

function*.

Note

– Avoid high engine speed, full throttle, and

heavy engine load if the engine has not

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button twice in



a row or press and hold it one time.

97

Driving

reached operating temperature yet. You

you must also hold the vehicle key against the lo-

could damage the engine.

cation shown  ðpage 97, fig. 88.

– If the engine has been under heavy load for

an extended period of time, heat builds up

in the engine compartment after the engine

is turned off and there is a risk of damaging

the engine. For this reason, let the engine

run at idle for approximately two minutes

before shutting it off.

If the malfunction remains, drive immediately to

an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility to have the malfunction correct-

ed.

When driving

Starting to drive, stopping, and parking

Tips

Starting from a stop

– Brief noises are normal when starting and

parking the vehicle and are no cause for

concern.

►

Press and hold the brake pedal.

►

Start the engine.

►

Select the “D” or “R” position.

Release the parking brake.

Release the brake pedal. The vehicle may roll.

Press the accelerator pedal to accelerate.

– For up to 10 minutes after stopping the en-

gine, the radiator fan may turn on again au-

tomatically or it may continue to run, even if

the ignition is turned off.

►

– It may not be possible to start the vehicle in

extremely low temperatures.

Securing the vehicle against rolling

Secure your vehicle to prevent it from rolling be-

fore exiting the vehicle.

– Power will be fully available once the engine

is at operating temperature.

►

Set the parking brake.

►

Messages

Select the “P” position.

►

If parking on a steep road, turn the steering

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

wheel so that your vehicle will roll against the

curb in case it should start to move.



Engine start system: malfunction! Please

If one of these measures is not possible, for ex-

ample because there is no vehicle power, you

must secure your vehicle against rolling using ad-

ditional measures.

contact Service

There is a malfunction in the engine start system.

Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer

or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the

malfunction corrected.

►

Only park the vehicle on a level surface.

►

Use suitable objects to block the front and rear

wheels.



Remote control key: key not detected. Is the

Set the parking brake before selecting the “P” po-

sition. This prevents too much stress from being

put on the locking mechanism when parking on a

steep surface.

key still in the vehicle?

The vehicle key was removed from the vehicle

while the engine is running. If the vehicle key is

no longer in the vehicle, you cannot turn on the

ignition or start the engine once you stop it. You

also cannot lock the vehicle from the outside.

WARNING

– Always set the parking brake when leaving

your vehicle, even if only for a short period

of time. If the parking brake is not set, the

vehicle could roll, increasing the risk of an

accident.

 Remote control key: hold back of key

against the designated area. See owner's man-

ual



The battery in the vehicle key may be drained or

there may be a malfunction. To start the vehicle,

98

Driving

– Do not leave your vehicle unattended while

the engine is running, because this increases

the risk of an accident.

WARNING

– If you do not begin driving immediately after

releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle may

begin to roll backward. Press the brake ped-

al or set the parking brake immediately.

– The hill hold assist cannot hold the vehicle

on inclines in every scenario (for example,

on slippery or icy ground).

– If the parking brake is set, it can release au-

tomatically when the accelerator pedal is

pressed. To reduce the risk of an accident,

do not inadvertently press the accelerator

pedal and always shift into the “P” position

when the vehicle is stopped.

– If you leave the vehicle, turn off the ignition

and take the key with you. This is especially

important when leaving persons or animals

in the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle could

start unintentionally, the parking brake

could release, or electronic equipment could

activate, which increases the risk of an acci-

dent.

Transmission selector positions and driving

programs

– No persons or animals should be left in a

locked vehicle. Locked doors make it more

difficult for emergency workers to enter the

vehicle, which increases the risk of death.

– If you do not begin driving immediately after

releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle may

begin to roll backward. Press the brake ped-

al or set the parking brake immediately.

Fig. 89 Center console: transmission selector

The automatic transmission shifts automatically

depending on the selected position and the cur-

rent driving style. When driving with a moderate

driving style, upshifting early and downshifting

late will help to improve fuel economy. When

driving with a sporty driving style, the transmis-

sion permits higher RPMs.

Note

If you have to stop on an incline, always press

the brake pedal to hold the vehicle in place to

reduce the risk of the vehicle rolling back-

ward. Do not try to hold the vehicle in place

by pressing and holding the accelerator pedal.

The transmission can overheat, which increas-

es the risk of damage.

Transmission selector positions

The positions are displayed next to the transmis-

sion selector.

– P (Park): parking lock

Hill hold assist

– R (Reverse): driving in reverse

– N (Neutral): idling

If you take your foot off of the brake pedal when

driving on hills, the braking force will be held for

several seconds. At that time, you can start driv-

ing without the vehicle rolling backward.

– D (Drive): driving forward

Driving programs

Various driving programs can be selected when in

the “D” position. These programs influence, for

example, when the transmission shifts and how

the accelerator pedal responds.

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed,

the engine must be on, and the vehicle must be

traveling uphill.

►

To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the

brake pedal for several seconds while the vehi-

cle is stationary.

The selected driving program is displayed in the

instrument cluster.



99

Driving

– D (Drive): normal driving mode

– S (Sport): sporty driving mode

If you cannot shift out of the “P” position, for ex-

ample because the vehicle has no power, you may

need to use the manual release for the parking

lock ðpage 102.

Selecting a position

Requirement: the ignition must be turned on.

Selecting a driving program

– Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the

brake pedal.

To switch between the current driving program

and “S”, push the selector toward the rear.

– Press the release button 1 on the selector.

– To select the nearest position, move the selec-

tor forward or back until you feel the first pres-

sure point.

If you select the dynamic mode in Audi drive se-

lect*, the “S” driving program will be activated.

When the ignition is turned off, the driving pro-

gram may be reset to “D”.

– To skip a position (for example, to move from

“D” directly to “R”), move the selector past the

pressure point in the desired direction.

– The label next to the selector for the selected

position will illuminate.

WARNING

– Before you start driving, check if the label

for the desired position next to the selector

is illuminated.

“N” (Neutral) position

– Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-

iting the vehicle ðpage 98.

In the “N” position, power is not transmitted to

the driving wheels. Use the “N” position in a car

wash (with conveyor belts), for example.

– Power is still transmitted to the wheels

when the engine is running at idle. To pre-

vent the vehicle from “creeping”, you must

keep your foot on the brake in all selector

positions (except "P" and "N") when the en-

gine is running.

If you unintentionally select the “N” position

while driving (faster than 1 mph (2 km/h)), you

can select “D” again without pressing the brake

pedal.

– To reduce the risk of an accident, do not

press the accelerator pedal when changing

selector positions if the vehicle is stationary

and the engine is running.

For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked

when the "N” position is engaged.

“P” (Park) position

– Never select the “R" position while driving.

Doing so could cause an accident.

– The vehicle can roll even if the ignition is

turned off.

Requirement: the ignition must be turned on.

The parking lock secures the vehicle from rolling

when the “P” position is selected. The parking

lock is a mechanical locking mechanism in the

transmission.

Tips

– If you shift back and forth between “D” and

“R” within one second, you do not need to

press the brake pedal. This makes it possi-

ble to “rock” if it is stuck, for example.

– Audi recommends the “D” driving program

for everyday driving.

– Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the

brake pedal.

– Press the “P” button 2 on the selector.

– The “P” next to the selector will illuminate.

“P” engages automatically if you turn off the en-

gine while the “D” or “R” position is selected. If

you turn off the engine while n the “N” position,

“P” will engage automatically after approximate-

ly 30 minutes.

If you want to switch from “P” to “D” or “R”, the

engine must be running.

100

Driving

►

To switch back to automatic mode, press and

hold the shift paddle or push the selector to-

ward the rear.

Manual shifting

+

If you stop using the shift paddles temporarily,

the transmission will switch back to automatic

mode. To keep shifting manually, tilt the selector

toward the front passenger's side.

Tips

– The transmission only allows manual shift-

ing when the engine speed is within the per-

mitted range.

Fig. 90 Center console: shifting manually with the selector

– The transmission automatically shifts up or

down before critical engine speed is

reached.

– Applies to: RS models: Depending on the

engine, the “M” in the instrument cluster

will be displayed in red font in certain situa-

tions. The manual shifting mode reacts par-

ticularly sporty in this case. When accelerat-

ing, the transmission does not automatical-

ly shift to the next gear shortly before the

maximum permitted engine RPM is

reached. Shift to the next highest gear at

the right time.

Fig. 91 Steering wheel: shift paddles*

You can shift the gears manually when in the “D”

position. The transmission is in tiptronic mode

and “M” is displayed in the instrument cluster.

You can shift into manual shifting mode while the

vehicle is stationary or while driving.

Accelerator pedal

You can accelerate the vehicle using the accelera-

tor pedal.

Shifting with the selector

►

To switch to manual shifting mode, tilt the se-

lector toward the front passenger's side

ðfig. 90. “M” will be displayed in the instru-

ment cluster.

Upshifting: push the selector forward + .

Downshifting: push the selector toward the

Maximum acceleration

If you press the accelerator pedal all the way

down, the engine’s full power will be used and

you will reach maximum acceleration, also called

“kick-down”.

►

rear – .

►

To switch back to automatic mode, tilt the se-

WARNING

lector toward the driver's side.

The driving wheels could spin and the vehicle

could swerve on slick or slippery road surfaces

when using kick-down, which increases the

risk of an accident.

Shifting with the shift paddles

Applies to: vehicles with shift paddles

►

Upshifting: press the

Downshifting: press the

Applies to: RS models: To engage the lowest

possible gear for maximum acceleration, press

+

shift paddle ðfig. 91.

shift paddle.

–

Launch control

Applies to: vehicles with launch control

and hold the

–

shift paddle.

Launch control provides the best possible accel-

eration when starting from a stop.



101

Driving

Requirements

Tips

– The engine must be at operating temperature.

– The steering wheel must not be turned.

– Start/Stop system* must be deactivated

ðpage 105.

After accelerating using launch control, the

temperature of some vehicle components

may increase greatly. If that happens, the

function will not be available for a few mi-

nutes to reduce the risk of damage. After a

cool-down period, launch control will be avail-

able again.

– ESC must be limited ðpage 122.

– The “S” driving program ðpage 100 and the

dynamic Audi drive select* mode must be se-

lected ðpage 112.

Manually releasing the parking lock

Using launch control

– Press the brake pedal with your left foot and

hold it all the way down for at least one second.

– With the brake pedal pressed, press the accel-

erator pedal all the way down with your right

foot at the same time.

– Once the engine reaches a constant speed, re-

move your foot from the brake pedal.

– Applies to: RS models: The Launch control pro-

gram: activated message will appear, depend-

ing on the vehicle equipment. Once the engine

reaches a constant speed, remove your foot

from the brake pedal.

Fig. 92 Front cup holder: removing the cover

Once the vehicle has started moving or the accel-

eration process is finished, reactivate the ESC so

that it is fully functional.

WARNING

Only use launch control when road and traffic

conditions allow it and other road users will

not be endangered or impacted by your driv-

ing and the vehicle's acceleration. The driving

wheels could spin and the vehicle could

swerve, especially on slick or slippery road

surfaces, which increases the risk of an acci-

dent.

Fig. 93 Front cup holder: parking lock emergency release

The emergency release is located in the front cup

holder under a cover.

You will need the screwdriver and the socket

wrench from the vehicle tool kit in order to re-

lease ðpage 285. Use the flat side of the reversi-

ble screwdriver blade.

Note

– When accelerating using launch control, all

vehicle components are subject to heavy

loads. This can result in increased wear.

– To reduce the risk of damaging the vehicle,

trailer, and cargo, avoid using launch control

while in trailer towing mode.

Releasing the parking lock using the manual

release

►

Secure the vehicle against rolling ðpage 98.

►

Remove the rubber mat.

►

Pry the cover off the opening using the screw-

driver inserted in the slot.

►

Insert the socket wrench from the vehicle tool

kit into the opening.



102

Driving

►

Turn the socket wrench clockwise until it stops

1 and press it downward until it locks into

place 2 .

 Transmission: too hot. Please adapt driving

style

The transmission temperature has increased sig-

nificantly. Drive very cautiously or take a break

from driving until the temperature returns to the

normal range and the indicator light turns off.

Leave the socket wrench inserted.

Resetting the parking lock

►

Press the brake pedal and start the engine.

►

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

Keep the brake pedal pressed and engage the

ue driving. See owner's manual

following positions one after the other: "N",

"D", and back to "N".

Turn the engine off again.

Grasp the socket wrench with both hands and

carefully pull it upward to remove.

There is a system malfunction in the transmis-

sion. You may continue driving. Drive to an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility soon to have the malfunction corrected.

►

Reinsert the cover and rubber mat.

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving with limited function. Please contact

Service

WARNING

– Only use the parking lock manual release if

the vehicle is secured against rolling

ðpage 98. An unsecured vehicle may roll,

which increases the risk of an accident.

– Only activate the manual release while on a

level surface or a slight slope.

There is a system malfunction in the transmis-

sion. The transmission is switching to emergency

mode. This mode only shifts into certain gears or

may no longer shift at all. The engine may stall.

Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized

Audi Service Facility immediately to have the

malfunction corrected.

– To reduce the risk of an accident, you must

not drive when the manual release is activat-

ed.

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving with limited function. No reverse

gear

Note

Due to the risk of damage, carefully remove

the socket wrench when you reset the parking

lock.

There is a system malfunction in the transmis-

sion. The transmission is switching to emergency

mode. This mode only shifts into certain gears or

may no longer shift at all. The engine may stall.

You cannot engage the reverse gear. Drive to an

authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility immediately to have the malfunction cor-

rected.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

 Transmission: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-

cle

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving in D until engine is off

Do not continue driving. Stop the vehicle as soon

as possible in a safe location and secure it so it

does not roll ðpage 98. See an authorized Audi

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for as-

sistance.

There is a system malfunction in the transmis-

sion. The transmission is switching to emergency

mode. If you turn the engine off, you will not be

able to select any other selector positions after

restarting the engine. Drive to an authorized Audi

dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immedi-

ately to have the malfunction corrected.

 Transmission: too hot. Please stop vehicle

Do not continue driving. Select the "P" position

and contact an authorized Audi dealer or author-

ized Audi Service Facility for assistance.

 Danger of rolling away! P not possible.

Please apply parking brake



103

Driving

– The parking lock was released using the manual

release ðpage 102. Or

the service life of the engine and other drive com-

ponents.

– The parking lock can no longer be engaged.

Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or author-

ized Audi Service Facility immediately to have

the malfunction corrected. Secure the vehicle

against rolling before exiting the vehicle

ðpage 98.

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).

 Selector lever: malfunction! Gear change on-

ly possible using both shift paddles

Efficient and environmentally-friendly

driving

There is a system malfunction in the selector. You

can continue driving with limited functionality.

The selector is not working. Selector positions

can only be selected by tapping both shift pad-

dles at the same time when the vehicle is station-

ary. The “P” position engages automatically when

you turn off the engine. Drive to an authorized

Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility im-

mediately to have the malfunction corrected.

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.

 Selector lever: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving. Please contact Service

– Avoid driving at high speeds.

– 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.

There is a system malfunction in the selector.

Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer

or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the

malfunction corrected.

 P button: malfunction! Auto P when engine

off. Please contact Service

– Do not let the engine run while the vehicle

parked.

There is a malfunction in the parking brake but-

ton on the selector. The “P” position engages au-

tomatically when you turn off the engine. Drive

to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility immediately to have the malfunc-

tion corrected.

– 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.

 Move selector lever to automatic position

Tips

There is a malfunction in the tiptronic mode. End

tiptronic mode by pushing the selector to the left

into the "D/S" position.

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.

Drive system

Breaking in

Energy management

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

Your vehicle is equipped with an intelligent ener-

gy management system for distributing



104

Driving

If certain conditions are met, the engine may

stop before the vehicle has come to a complete

stop. If you release the brake pedal or press the

accelerator pedal when this happens, the engine

will start and driving power will be transmitted.

electricity. This significantly improves the start-

ing 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 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.

– 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

turned off.

The Start/Stop system is automatically activated

once the ignition is turned on.

Turning the Start/Stop system off or on

The  button is located in front of the trans-

mission selector in the center console. The but-

ton will be illuminated when the function is

turned off.

Messages

►

Press  to turn on or off.

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

If you turn off the system during a Stop phase,

the engine will start again automatically.



Drive system: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-

Basic requirements

cle

– The driver’s door and the hood must be closed

and the driver’s safety belt must be fastened.

– The "P", "N", or "D" position must be engaged.

– The steering wheel must not be turned far in ei-

ther direction.

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 ðpage 98. Have the problem corrected by an

authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility.

– 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.



Drive system: malfunction! Please contact

Note

Service

Always turn off the Start/Stop system when

driving through water ðpage 105.

There is a malfunction in the drive system. The

driving power is limited. Drive slowly to an au-

thorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility to have the malfunction corrected.

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.

Start/Stop system

Description

Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system

The Start/Stop system can help increase fuel

economy and reduce CO emissions. In Start/

2

Stop mode, the engine shuts off automatically

when stopped, for example at a traffic light.

105

Driving

– Battery (charge status, temperature, power us-

Stopping and starting the engine

age)

Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system

– Engine temperature

– Assist systems

– Driving behavior

►

Press and hold the brake pedal until the vehicle

has stopped. The  indicator light appears in

the instrument cluster once the engine stops

automatically.

Depending on the engine, the

. indicator light

►

The engine starts again when you remove your

may appear if the engine is not stopped.

foot from the brake pedal. The indicator light

turns off.

Messages

Applies to: vehicles with Start/Stop system

If the parking brake is set, the engine will only

start again when the accelerator pedal is press-

ed.

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

Drive system: please start the vehicle manually

Tips

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

– 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

START ENGINE STOP

button.

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.

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.

– 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 turn off when

the vehicle is stationary. If you press the

brake pedal harder, the engine will turn off.

Brakes

General information

You can apply the vehicle's brakes using the brake

pedal.

Operating noise

Starting and stopping the engine automat-

ically

Noises may occur when braking depending on the

speed, braking force, and outside conditions such

as temperature and humidity.

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:

Braking effect

To ensure an optimal braking effect, the brake

pads will be applied to the brake rotors for a

short period of time when driving at high speeds

while the windshield wipers are turned on.

If the brake system becomes damp, for example

after driving in heavy rain, the braking effect may 

– Environmental conditions (slopes, inclines, ele-

vation, temperature)

106

Driving

trol module detects a collision, the vehicle is

be delayed. Other factors that could temporarily

increase the response time of the brakes include:

braked by the ESC.

– Wet conditions

The vehicle does not brake automatically if one of

the following occurs:

– Low temperatures, ice, and snow

– Roads covered in salt

– Dirty brake pads

– You are pressing the accelerator pedal.

– 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.

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

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 because this in-

creases the risk of an accident.

high speeds can clean the brake rotors ð

.

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.

– 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.

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.

– 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.

Ceramic brakes

Applies to: vehicles with ceramic brakes

Note

Ceramic brakes provide excellent deceleration

rates.

– 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.

The break-in period for new ceramic brakes may

be significantly longer than for standard brake

rotors. The properties of the material may also

cause noise, especially when driving at lower

speeds. Ceramic brakes also absorb more mois-

ture in wet conditions. Therefore, there will tem-

porarily be less braking force than when the

brakes are dry. You can compensate for this by

pressing the brake pedal harder.

– Observe the important information for driv-

ing downhill ðpage 110. This especially ap-

plies when towing a trailer.

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.

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-

– Also refer to the information about brake

fluid ðpage 247.

107

Driving

the instructions in the message to utilize the en-

gine braking effect and to relieve the brakes.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

WARNING

If a malfunction occurs in the ABS, ESC, and

braking distribution, interventions that stabi-

lize the vehicle will no longer be available.

This could cause the vehicle to swerve, which

increases the risk that the vehicle will slide.

Do not continue driving. See an authorized

Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility

for assistance.

 /  Brakes: malfunction! Safely stop ve-

hicle

There is a malfunction in the brake system. If

 /  and  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-

Electromechanical

parking brake

cautions ð

.

Operating the parking brake

 /  Brake pads: wear limit reached. You

can continue driving. Please contact Service

The electromechanical parking brake is used to

secure the vehicle from rolling unintentionally.

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.

The  switch is located below the transmission

selector in the center console. It turns on when

the parking brake is set. You can release the park-

ing brake manually or automatically when you

start to drive.

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.

Setting and releasing the parking brake

►

Setting: pull the  switch.

►

If  /  appears, the parking brake is hold-

ing the vehicle. You can remove your foot from

the brake pedal.

►

Releasing: when the ignition is turned on, press

and hold the brake pedal and press the  but-

ton.

Brake booster: deactivated. See owner's manual

If the red indicator light flashes, the braking

force has not built up enough or it has decreased.

You can also secure the vehicle by selecting the

“P” position or pressing the brake pedal. Make

sure the indicator light is off before you start

driving.

The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-

od of time after turning off the ignition. Secure

the vehicle against rolling ðpage 98.

Other indicator lights

When you turn on the ignition, the  /  in-

dicator light turns on briefly to check the func-

tion. If the indicator light does not turn on, there

is a system malfunction.

Automatically releasing the parking brake

when starting to drive

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed

and the driver safety belt must be fastened.

If  /  stays on, there is a malfunction in

the brake system.

►

Press the accelerator pedal to start to drive.



 – A high load was placed on the brakes from

driving downhill for a long period of time. Follow

108

Driving

►

An audio warning signal will sound and emer-

gency braking will begin.

If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency

braking will be canceled.

WARNING

– To reduce the risk of an accident, always

make sure the vehicle is situated safely

while stationary.

– If the parking brake is set, it can release au-

tomatically when the accelerator pedal is

pressed. To reduce the risk of an accident,

do not inadvertently press the accelerator

pedal and always shift into the “P” position

when the vehicle is stopped.

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.

– If the power supply fails, you cannot set the

parking brake once it is released, or release

it if it is set. Secure the vehicle against roll-

ing before exiting the vehicle ðpage 98.

See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized

Audi Service Facility for assistance.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

 /  Parking brake: malfunction! Safely

Tips

stop vehicle. See owner's manual

– On steep inclines, especially when in trailer

mode, the vehicle may roll backwards unin-

tentionally when starting to drive. To reduce

the risk of this happening, pull and hold the

 switch while pressing the accelerator

pedal. If enough drive power has built up at

the wheels and the vehicle does not roll

backwards, then release the switch to start

to drive.

 /  Parking brake: malfunction! Please

release parking brake

If one of these messages appears, there is a mal-

function in the parking brake. If the message ap-

pears while stationary, check if the parking brake

is released and can be reset. If this is the case,

turn 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

ðpage 98. See an authorized Audi dealer or au-

thorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.

– If you leave the vehicle when the “D” or “R”

position is engaged, the parking brake will

be set automatically.

– Noises when the parking brake is set and re-

leased are normal and are not a cause for

concern.

 Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact

Service

– The parking brake goes through a self-test

cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is

stopped. Any noises associated with this are

normal.

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 secure it against rolling before exiting the

vehicle ðpage 98.

Emergency braking function

Emergency braking should only be used in an

emergency, if the standard brake pedal is mal-

functioning or obstructed. When the emergency

braking function is activated, the braking effect is

similar to a heavy braking maneuver.

 /  Parking brake: warning! Vehicle posi-

tion 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.

►

Pull and hold the  switch while driving.



109

Driving

 /  Parking brake: applied

– Launch control ðpage 101

– Limit ESC ðpage 122

The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake

pedal to release the parking brake.

After driving on a driving track



Take over!

– Before parking the vehicle, you should allow

the engine and brakes to cool back down to nor-

mal operating temperature by driving more

moderately.

The vehicle cannot be held in place automatically.

Press the brake pedal to secure the vehicle from

rolling unintentionally.

– Check the brake pads using a suitable method.

Heavy diagonal wear can only be detected by in-

specting visually. This is only possible to a limit-

ed extent from the outside.

Special driving situations

Sporty driving

Applies to: RS models

– Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold

and adjust it if necessary.

Driving in a sporty style, for example on a driving

track, places more stress than usual on all vehicle

components, especially the engine, transmission,

tires, brakes, and suspension. This type of opera-

tion requires additional inspection and mainte-

nance work and may require components to be

replaced earlier than usual.

WARNING

– A sporty driving style will increase wear, es-

pecially on drive system and suspension

components and tires.

– Driving in the threshold range increases the

risk of an accident, and therefore requires

driving skills suitable for the situation and

special care in handling the vehicle, the driv-

ing situation, and the risk associated with it.

– Make sure that the vehicle is in sound condi-

tion at all times.

Your vehicle is designed and approved for road

use. Therefore, driving on a driving track is only

possible for a limited distance.

Contact an authorized Audi dealer or authorized

Audi Service Facility. Have your vehicle inspected

there to make sure it is suitable for driving on a

track, and make sure you are aware of all current,

applicable guidelines. The following are some of

the special requirements:

Tips

Wear caused by load does not constitute a ve-

hicle fault as defined by the terms of the war-

ranty.

– The boiling point for the brake fluid must be

within the tolerance range.

Driving uphill and downhill

– New brake pads require a certain break-in peri-

od ðpage 106.

When driving uphill, downhill, or at high alti-

tudes, note the following information:

– The tires, brake system, brake pads, and brake

rotors must be in sound condition.

– Drive slowly and carefully.

On the driving track

– Do not try to turn around if you cannot safely

drive on an incline or hill. Instead, drive in re-

verse.

– Warm up the engine by driving no higher than

two-thirds of the maximum permitted engine

RPM. The engine oil must be brought to a mini-

mum temperature of 158 °F (70 °C).

– When driving down hills, you can activate the

hill descent control if you press the brake pedal

while driving in the “D” position. The automatic

transmission will select a gear suitable for driv-

ing 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 

– Check the tire pressure when the tires are warm

and adjust it if necessary.

If necessary, use the following functions:

– dynamic Audi drive select mode* ðpage 112

110

Driving

brake pedal if necessary. The hill descent con-

trol will turn off once the hill levels out or you

press the accelerator pedal.

Note

Vehicle components such as the engine, drive

system, suspension, or electrical system can

be severely damaged by driving through wa-

ter.

– Utilize the engine braking effect when driving

downhill by selecting the “S” driving program

ðpage 100. This especially applies when tow-

ing a trailer. This reduces the load on the

brakes.

Tips

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.

– Apply the brakes in intervals and do not press

the brake pedal continuously.

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,

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 a walking

pace 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.

– Do not drive in reverse.

– Do not turn the engine off.

WARNING

After driving through water, press the brake

pedal carefully to dry the brakes so that the

full braking effect will be restored.

111

Driving for Your Audi A5 4 Door Third Generation (2025-2026)

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