Get Driving -> Electromechanical parking brake Guide for Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

Driving

– Observe the important information for driv-

ing downhill ðpage 112. This especially ap-

plies when towing a trailer.

The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-

od of time after turning off the ignition. Secure

the vehicle against rolling ðpage 100.

Other indicator lights

Tips

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.

– 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.

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

– Also refer to the information about brake

fluid ðpage 265.

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.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

WARNING

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

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.

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

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

can continue driving. Please contact Service

Operating the parking brake

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



110

Driving

– The parking brake goes through a self-test

cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is

stopped. Any noises associated with this are

normal.

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.

Emergency braking function

Automatically releasing the parking brake

when starting to drive

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.

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed

and the driver safety belt must be fastened.

►

Press the accelerator pedal to start to drive.

►

Pull and hold the  switch while driving.

►

An audio warning signal will sound and emer-

WARNING

gency braking will begin.

If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency

braking will be canceled.

– 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 100.

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

stop vehicle. See owner's manual

Tips

– 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 100. 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



111

Driving

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 the “P” position.

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

mum temperature of 158 °F (70 °C).

– Check the tire pressure when the tires are warm

and adjust it if necessary.

If necessary, use the following functions:

 /  Parking brake: warning! Vehicle parked

too steep

– dynamic Audi drive select mode* ðpage 115

– Launch control ðpage 104

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.

– Limit ESC ðpage 120

After driving on a driving track

– Before parking the vehicle, you should allow

the engine and brakes to cool back down to nor-

mal operating temperature by driving more

moderately.

 /  Parking brake: applied

The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake

pedal to release the parking brake.

– 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

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 108.

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.

– Do not try to turn around if you cannot safely

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

verse.

On the driving track

– Warm up the engine by driving no higher than

two-thirds of the maximum permitted engine



112

Driving -> Electromechanical parking brake for Your Audi Q8 SUV First Generation (2018-2026)

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