Get High-voltage system -> Charging the high-voltage battery Guide for Audi Rs Q8 SUV First Generation (2020-2026)

High-voltage system

Charging the high-voltage battery

Introduction

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

The following options are available for charging

the high-voltage battery:

Charging method

Charging cable

Charging at a domestic or industrial AC power

outlet

Audi e-tron compact charging system ðpage 150

Charging at a public charging station (with AC

power)

Factory-supplied charging cable ðpage 149 or

charging cable at charging station

When using alternating current to charge the

high-voltage battery, Audi recommends connect-

ing to an industrial power outlet, charging sta-

tion or wallbox. The efficiency will be higher and

the charging time much lower compared with

charging at a domestic power outlet.

– Ignition switched on/off.

Important safety notes

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

WARNING

You should only charge the vehicle at a domestic

power outlet with the Audi e-tron compact charg-

ing system if an industrial AC power outlet or a

public AC charging station is not available.

Improper battery charging, (e.g. failure to ob-

serve generally applicable safety precautions,

the use of unsuitable or damaged outlets and

charging cables, or charging at unsuitable

electrical installations) can result in short-cir-

cuits, electric shocks, explosions, fire and seri-

ous burns – risk of fatal injury!

The driving range of a high-voltage battery di-

minishes over time as the battery ages. The age-

ing process can be accelerated and the available

range reduced even more if the high-voltage bat-

tery is frequently charged to its maximum capaci-

ty.

– Do not charge the vehicle at a power outlet

or electrical installation if it shows signs of

damage or improper installation.

– Never use charging equipment which is visi-

bly damaged and/or dirty. Always check the

charging equipment for damage before use.

– Never make modifications or repairs to elec-

trical components and in particular to the

high-voltage system.

Charging time

The amount of time required to charge the vehi-

cle can vary depending on the following:

– Type of power outlet used (domestic or indus-

trial).

– Never charge the vehicle in potentially ex-

plosive atmospheres. The components of

the charging equipment can produce sparks

and ignite flammable or explosive vapours.

To reduce the risk of explosions, especially

in garages, please ensure that the operating

unit of the Audi e-tron charging system is at

least 50 cm above the ground during charg-

ing.

– The country’s grid voltage, current rating and

number of phases available.

– Domestic connection.

– Charging capacity setting on Audi charging sys-

tem operating unit.

– Fluctuations in mains supply.

– Ambient temperature surrounding the vehicle.

– Temperature of high-voltage battery and Audi

charging system operating unit.

– Air conditioner settings for interior tempera-

ture.

– Never use an extension cable, a cable reel, a

multiple outlet strip or adapter (e.g. a travel

adapter or time switch) with the charging

equipment.



– Electrical capacity of charging connector.

141

High-voltage system

– Do not touch the contacts on the vehicle

charging socket and charging equipment.

– Do not insert any objects in the vehicle

charging socket or charging equipment.

– Always protect power outlets and plug con-

nections against water, humidity and other

fluids.

battery is charged via the domestic/industri-

al power outlet. Audi recommends that the

electrical installations used for charging be

checked regularly by an electrician.

– Whenever possible, disconnect Audi charg-

ing systems from the charging infrastruc-

ture during thunderstorms.

– Never immerse Audi charging systems or

the connectors in water.

– Use only the factory-supplied charging

equipment provided with your vehicle or the

charging cable at the charging station.

– Only clean Audi charging systems when the

operating unit is fully disconnected from the

power grid and from the vehicle. Use a dry

cloth for cleaning.

WARNING

Applies to: Audi charging systems

– Audi charging systems are only suitable for

use with Audi vehicles. These charging sys-

tems are not approved for use with vehicles

manufactured by other companies.

Improperly installed power sockets can result

in electric shock or fire when the high-voltage

battery is charged via the vehicle charging

socket.

– The home power outlet for Audi charging

systems must be installed and commis-

sioned by a qualified electrician. The electri-

cian is responsible for full compliance with

existing regulations and standards.

CAUTION

– The high-voltage battery can be damaged if

it is allowed to discharge completely.

Charge the high-voltage battery within

2 months when the remaining electrical

range shows 0 km. Charge the high-voltage

battery immediately if the remaining elec-

trical range shows 0 km and the vehicle will

not be used for an indeterminate period.

Even if the vehicle is not used, the charge

level of the high-voltage battery will drop

naturally over time. Before parking the vehi-

cle, charge the high-voltage battery to

around 80 % (penultimate charging bar) to

avoid deep discharge when the vehicle is out

of service for a long time (over one year).

– Please ensure that you always carry suitable

charging equipment for the country in

which you are travelling. For more informa-

tion, contact a qualified workshop.

– Make sure that the domestic power outlet is

earthed and protected from water.

– If Audi charging systems do not operate as

described in the operating instructions, they

must not be used. Please contact a qualified

workshop.

– Audi charging systems are designed for use

in private and semi-public areas (e.g. on pri-

vate land or company car parks). In some

countries (e.g. Italy and New Zealand),

mode 2 charging (which includes charging

with the Audi charging system) is prohibited

in public areas. In some countries and re-

gions (e.g. Abu Dhabi, Israel, Singapore and

India), it is prohibited to charge vehicles at

domestic power outlets. For more informa-

tion, contact a qualified workshop.

Note

– Audi charging systems should be used in

properly earthed power grids. Operation in

unearthed networks (e.g. IT networks) is on-

ly possible using Audi charging systems with

deactivated protective earth conductor

monitoring ðpage 151.

– Only charging stations which meet the fol-

lowing standards (minimum requirement)

and the standards applicable in your coun-

try can be used to charge the vehicle:

– GB/T 18487.1 and GB/T 20234 (China)

– IEC 61851 and IEC 62196 (Europe)

– SAE J1772 (North America, Japan)

– The electrical installation can be loaded to

maximum capacity when the high-voltage



142

High-voltage system

– If the charging station has a domestic or in-

dustrial connection, you can use your Audi

charging system.

Vehicle: label for direct current (DC) and

CCS connector with a voltage of 50 V to

500 V

Vehicle: label for direct current (DC) and

CCS connector with a voltage of 200 V to

920 V

Note

Applies to: Audi charging systems

– For uninterrupted charging, Audi recom-

mends only charging the vehicle at power

outlets which are connected via a separately

fused power circuit.

Please observe the safety notes and warnings

ðpage 141.

Compatibility of vehicle and charging

infrastructure

– Audi recommends keeping Audi charging

systems in the clip wall mount* during oper-

ation. If this is not possible, always place

Audi charging systems on a firm, stable sur-

The DIN EN 17186 labels indicate whether the lo-

cal power supply is suitable for the vehicle ð

They can be found on the vehicle’s charging sock-

et, on the components of the local charging in-

frastructure (charging station, mains socket) and

on the charging cable. The labels are designed to

help you find the appropriate charging station for

your vehicle. They refer to standardised charging

systems that conform to the DIN EN 62196

standard.

face when charging ð

– To prevent overheating during use, do not

expose Audi charging systems to direct sun-

light for long periods of time. If the operat-

ing unit overheats, the charging cycle is au-

tomatically interrupted until the tempera-

ture drops again to within the normal

range.

WARNING

Charging infrastructure labelling

Charging at electrical installations that have

not been checked can cause damage and seri-

ous injury.

– If there is no label or if you are unfamiliar

with the charging infrastructure, contact an

electrician before using the infrastructure.

Fig. 98 Labels used on charging infrastructure

Meaning

Vehicle: label for alternating current (AC)

and type 2 connector

Charging station: label for alternating

current (AC) and type 2 connector

May vary in different countries.

143

High-voltage system

– Take the cap off the vehicle charging socket and

place it on the retainer on the charging flap.

– Plug the charging connector into the vehicle

charging socket and push it in for 5 seconds to

secure it in the charging socket.

Charging

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

– Check whether the charging mode 3 shown is

the one you wish to use for the charging cycle

ðpage 145. You can switch between charging

modes during the charging cycle if necessary.

To do so, press the corresponding button 1 or

2 ðpage 147.

While the vehicle is being charged

Fig. 99 Rear left side of vehicle: Opening high-voltage

charging flap

The charging indicator on the charging unit

pulsates in green during the charging cycle.



pulsates in the instrument cluster. For the mean-

ing of the colours on the charging indicator

please refer to ðpage 145.

The charging connector is locked during charging

and cannot be removed.

The current charge level and range of the high-

voltage battery is displayed in the instrument

cluster when you open the driver's door with the

vehicle's ignition switched off. The charging time

remaining is also shown if the vehicle is currently

being charged.

Fig. 100 Charging unit: Charging socket and buttons/

charging indicator

Connecting the charging cable

The sequence of the following steps may vary

when you charge your vehicle at a charging sta-

tion. Follow the instructions and operating tips

provided by the charging station manufacturer.

Ending the charging cycle

You can interrupt and terminate the charging cy-

cle at any time.

– Unlock the vehicle and press the button 1 / 2

on which the LED is lit.

Important: Transmission position P must be se-

lected, the parking brake must be applied and ve-

hicle status must be not ready.

– Unplug the charging connector. If the charging

connector is not unplugged within 30 seconds,

it will be locked again automatically and the

charging cycle will be resumed if appropriate.

– Refit the cap on the charging socket.

– Close the charging flap.

– Set the desired charging mode so that the vehi-

cle is charged immediately or at a later time

ðpage 146.

– Take the charging cable out of the vehicle if

necessary ðpage 148, Transport.

– Disconnect the charging cable from the power

supply if necessary or secure it to the charging

station again.

– Remove the protective caps on the charging ca-

ble if necessary.

– Connect the charging cable to the power supply

first or take it out of the charging station.

– Unwind the charging cable completely.

– Unlock the vehicle to release the charging flap.

– To open the charging flap, press the right side

of the flap ðFig. 99.

– Put available protective caps back onto the

charging cable.

– If you are transporting the charging cable in the

vehicle, stow it safely ðpage 148.



144

High-voltage system

If it is not possible to disconnect the charging

connector from the vehicle, you will need to re-

lease it manually ðpage 146.

– If the charging unit is damaged, or if the

charging flap cannot be closed or is missing,

drive immediately to a workshop and have

this rectified – risk of injury!

If it is not possible to unplug the charging con-

nector from the charging station, please authen-

ticate yourself at the charging station again and

attempt to unplug the connector. If it is still not

possible to unplug the charging connector from

the charging station, please contact the operator

of the charging station.

CAUTION

The charging flap and the electronic compo-

nents behind it can be damaged if you drive

with the charging unit open. Before you start

a journey after charging, please check that

the charging flap is properly closed.

WARNING

Note

– Do not unplug the charging cable from the

charging socket or the vehicle charging

socket while the vehicle is being charged.

Terminate the charging cycle before you un-

plug the charging cable from the socket –

risk of damage to the connector contacts

due to spark generation.

– If you hear a noise when plugging in the

charging connector, this may be because the

parking brake is being applied.

– Use a small brush and a solvent-free de-icer

spray to remove ice and snow from the

charging unit.

– If the charging unit is damaged, you must

not use it to charge the vehicle – risk of in-

jury!

– There may be some interference in the vehi-

cle's onboard systems, e.g. radio reception,

while the vehicle is being charged.

Charging indicator

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

An LED on the charging unit 3 ðpage 144,

Fig. 100 indicates the charging status. The LED

indicator logic is described in the following table.

LED on charging unit

Meaning

Vehicle charging system in standby mode. A timer may be active

but charging has not yet started.

off

Charging cycle has been interrupted.

pulsating

flashing

lit

The high-voltage battery is being charged.

Timer is active but charging has not yet started.

High-voltage battery charge cycle finished.

green

When using the Audi charging system, please ensure that the

mains plug is plugged into the power outlet ðpage 150. Charg-

ing cable connected but no mains power detected. Have the

power supply or mains checked. Check the LED indicators on the

operating unit when using the Audi charging system ðtable on

page 151. Seek professional assistance if necessary.

lit

yellow

The vehicle is not secured against rolling away. Check that trans-

mission position P is selected and that the parking brake is ap-

plied. If the LED continues to flash, seek professional assistance. 

flashing

145

High-voltage system -> Charging the high-voltage battery for Your Audi Rs Q8 SUV First Generation (2020-2026)

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