Get Driving Guide for Audi S Q5 SUV Third Generation (2025-2026)

Warm and cold

You can control the auxiliary climate control in

the MMI and using the myAudi app.

By setting the departure time, you determine

when your vehicle should reach the desired tem-

perature. The departure time can be a maximum

of six days in the future.

Operating requirements

– The fuel level in the tank is sufficient.

– The charge level of the high-voltage battery

must be sufficient.

The auxiliary climate control will continue to run

approximately ten minutes after the departure

time is reached.

Tips

After turning off the ignition

– The vehicle will turn on the auxiliary climate

control if needed, depending on the last

temperature that was set with the climate

control system controls.

Information about the active timer will appear in

the display after turning off the ignition. You can

start the set climate control settings immediate-

ly with the  button, or go to the auxiliary climate

control menu with the  button.

– Using the auxiliary climate control while

charging can also reduce the charge level of

the high-voltage battery.

Tips

– Starting or parking the vehicle will not turn

off the auxiliary climate control automati-

cally.

– Make sure the time and date match in the

system settings so that the timer can func-

tion correctly ðpage 242.

– The auxiliary climate control system will not

turn on automatically or will turn off earlier

if the high-voltage battery charge level is

too low, even if the vehicle is being charged

at the time.

– The auxiliary climate control can also be

turned on and off immediately when a timer

is set.

– You can operate the climate control in the

vehicle interior when the high-voltage bat-

tery is charging using the charging timer

ðpage 124. The climate control output de-

pends on the power supply capacity.

Operation

Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control

Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: VE-

HICLE > Air conditioning > Auxiliary air condi-

tioning.

Additional settings

Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control

►

Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:

Immediate start

VEHICLE > Air conditioning > Auxiliary air con-

ditioning > .

You can immediately turn the auxiliary climate

control on and off using the  button. When this

function is turned on, a colored bar lights up over

the button and the remaining time is displayed.

Start A/C after unlocking

If this function is activated, the climate control

will continue to run for five minutes after the ve-

hicle has been unlocked.

The auxiliary climate control will run for a maxi-

mum of 30 minutes after the immediate start.

Timer programming

Comfort aux. A/C

Applies to: vehicles with comfort auxiliary climate control

You can set up and activate up to two timers for

the departure time.

You can select if convenience heating functions

that are equipped on your vehicle (such as seat

heating) should also be activated when using

auxiliary climate control. You can select the re-

spective zones.

►

Select a timer using >.

►

Set the date and press Next.

►

Set the time (departure time) and press OK.



►

Activate the timer with .

►

Set the second timer, if necessary.

95

Warm and cold

Window and mirror heating

Applies to: vehicles with comfort auxiliary climate control and

Symbol Meaning

window and mirror heating

Flammable refrigerant



You can set if the rear window and mirrors should

also be heated during auxiliary climate control.

Make sure all components are dis-

posed of correctly and never install

components in the vehicle that have

been removed from old vehicles or

taken from recycling.

Tips



Applies to: vehicles with comfort auxiliary cli-

mate control: The comfort auxiliary climate

control may be restricted during charging, de-

pending on the charging method that is se-

lected.

Refrigerant oil in the A/C system

The sticker in the engine compartment provides

information about the type and amount of refrig-

erant oil used in the vehicle’s A/C system. For in-

formation about the amount of refrigerant oil

used, contact an authorized Audi dealer or au-

thorized Audi Service Facility.

Messages

Applies to: vehicles with auxiliary climate control

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

WARNING



The auxiliary air conditioning is currently un-

The climate control system may only be serv-

iced by qualified and certified technicians who

have been trained according to the country-

specific standards, for example SAE standards

J2845 and J2911.

available due to a malfunction.

If this message appears, there is a system mal-

function. Drive immediately to an authorized

Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to

have the malfunction corrected.

– Refrigerant is flammable. Keep the vehicle

away from open flames, sparks, and other

ignition sources to reduce the risk of serious

injuries or death.

Fluids in the A/C system

Refrigerant in the A/C system

– The refrigerant is under pressure and can ex-

plode if heated, which increases the risk of

serious injuries or death.

The sticker in the engine compartment provides

information about the type and amount of refrig-

erant used in the vehicle’s A/C system. The stick-

er is located in the front section of the engine

compartment or at the front or back of the hood.

– The refrigerant can create toxic vapors when

it comes in contact with hot surfaces. To re-

duce the risk of serious injuries or death, do

not inhale these vapors.

Symbol Meaning

Warning: the A/C system must only

be serviced by qualified technicians.

Tips



– Never repair the A/C system evaporator with

components from old vehicles or from recy-

cling.

Refrigerant type



– New replacement evaporators for portable

A/C systems must be certified and labeled

as such, so that they comply with the SAE

standard J2842 HFO-1234yf and R744.

Refrigerant oil type

.

Refer to the service information

(only available to authorized Audi



dealers or authorized Audi Service

Facilities)

The A/C system must only be serv-



iced by qualified technicians.

96

Driving

Stopping the engine in an emergency

Driving

If necessary in an emergency, the engine can also

be stopped while driving using the emergency off

function*.

Starting the vehicle

Convenience key

Applies to: vehicles with convenience key

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button twice in

a row or press and hold it one time.

Turning on or off

If you would like to only turn the ignition on or

off without starting the engine, follow these

steps:

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button without

pressing the brake pedal.

Turning off the ignition automatically

Fig. 92 Center console: starting the engine

To prevent the vehicle battery from draining, the

ignition and possibly the exterior lighting may

turn off automatically.

Requirement: the key must be in the vehicle.

Starting the engine

Requirements:

►

Press and hold the brake pedal.

START ENGINE STOP

– Conventional drive system: the Start/Stop sys-

tem must have stopped the engine.

– Plug-in hybrid drive: you must have driven the

vehicle. The combustion engine must not be

running.

►

Press the

button. The en-

gine will start.

Plug-in hybrid drive: the electric drive system is

turned on. The combustion engine only starts

when necessary. The power meter indicates if the

electric drive system is turned on ðpage 17.

– You must have left the vehicle for longer than

30 seconds.

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 ignition must be turned on.

Among other indicators, the system detects that

you have left the vehicle based on the following

factors:

– The driver's door has been opened.

– The driver's safety belt has been unbuckled.

– The brake pedal is not being pressed.

Stopping the engine

►

Bring the vehicle to a full stop.

The ignition will also be turned off after 30 mi-

nutes or if you lock the vehicle from the outside.

START ENGINE STOP

►

Press the

button. The en-

gine will turn off.

Plug-in-hybrid drive: the electric drive system and

the combustion engine are turned off.

WARNING

– 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.

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.



97

Driving

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.

The fact that you cannot steer and brake as

usual may increase the risk of accidents and

serious injuries.

– Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-

iting the vehicle ðpage 98.

 Remote control key: hold back of key

against the designated area. See owner's man-

ual

Note

The battery in the vehicle key may be drained or

there may be a malfunction. To start the vehicle,

you must also hold the vehicle key against the lo-

cation shown  ðpage 97, fig. 92.

– Avoid high engine speed, full throttle, and

heavy engine load if the engine has not

reached operating temperature yet. You

could damage the engine.

If the malfunction remains, drive immediately to

an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi

Service Facility to have the malfunction correct-

ed.

– 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.

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.

►

– 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.

►

Release the parking brake.

Release the brake pedal. The vehicle may roll.

Press the accelerator pedal to accelerate.

►

Securing the vehicle against rolling

– It may not be possible to start the vehicle in

extremely low temperatures.

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.

►

Select the “P” position.

Messages

►

If parking on a steep road, turn the steering

wheel so that your vehicle will roll against the

curb in case it should start to move.

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

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.



Engine start system: malfunction! Please

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



98

Driving

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed,

the engine must be on, and the vehicle must be

traveling uphill.

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.

►

To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the

brake pedal for several seconds while the vehi-

cle is stationary.

– 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. 93 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 selector positions are displayed next to the

transmission 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



99

Driving

Driving programs

“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 in the “N” position,

“P” will engage automatically after approximate-

ly 30 minutes.

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.

Conventional drive system: If you want to switch

from “P” to the “D” or “R” position, the engine

must be running.

The selected driving program is displayed in the

instrument cluster.

– D (Drive): normal driving mode

– S (Sport): sporty driving mode

Plug-in hybrid drive system: If you want to switch

from “P” to the “D” or “R” position, the electric

drive system must be turned on or the motor

must be running.

Selecting a position

Requirement: the ignition must be turned on.

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 103.

– Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the

brake pedal.

– 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.

Selecting a driving program

To switch between the current driving program

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

– 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.

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”.

“N” (Neutral) position

The S driving program might not be available in

the Audi drive select* offroad mode.

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.

Plug-in hybrid drive system: Not all plug-in hy-

brid modes are available in the “S” driving pro-

gram. The driving program or plug-in hybrid

mode will be automatically adjusted if it is not

compatible with an operation.

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.

WARNING

For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked

when the "N” position is selected.

– Before you start driving, check if the label

for the desired selector position next to the

transmission selector is illuminated.

– Secure the vehicle against rolling before ex-

iting the vehicle ðpage 98.

“P” (Park) position

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.

– 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.

– 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.

100

Driving

Shifting with the transmission selector

– 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.

►

To switch to manual shifting mode, tilt the se-

lector toward the front passenger's side

ðfig. 94. “M” will be displayed in the instru-

ment cluster.

– Never select the “R" position while driving.

Doing so could cause an accident.

– The vehicle can roll even if the ignition is

turned off.

►

Upshifting: push the selector forward + .

Downshifting: push the selector toward the

rear – .

►

To switch back to automatic mode, tilt the se-

lector toward the driver's side.

Tips

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

and “R” position within one second, you do

not need to press the brake pedal. This

makes it possible to “rock free” the vehicle

if it is stuck, for example.

Shifting with the shift paddles

Applies to: vehicles with shift paddles

►

Upshifting: press the

Downshifting: press the

+

shift paddle ðfig. 95.

shift paddle.

To switch back to automatic mode, press and

hold the shift paddle or push the selector to-

ward the rear.

►

–

– Audi recommends the “D” driving program

for everyday driving.

+

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.

Manual shifting

Tips

– The transmission only allows manual shift-

ing when the engine speed is within the per-

mitted range.

– The transmission automatically shifts up or

down before critical engine speed is

reached.

Fig. 94 Center console: shifting manually with the trans-

mission selector

Accelerator pedal

Fig. 95 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.

Fig. 96 Footwell: accelerator pedal

You can accelerate the vehicle using the accelera-

tor pedal.



101

Driving

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

Depending on the equipment, you may be able to

adjust the haptic feedback for the accelerator

pedal in the MMI.

Launch control

Applies to: vehicles with launch control

Launch control provides the best possible accel-

eration when starting from a stop.

– Select on the home screen: VEHICLE > (Charg-

ing & Efficiency) > Efficiency assist > (Interac-

tive accelerator).

Requirements

– The engine must be at operating temperature.

– The steering wheel must not be turned.

– Start/Stop system* must be deactivated

ðpage 108.

Accelerator pedal feedback

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

– ESC must be limited ðpage 120.

– The “S” driving program ðpage 100 and the

dynamic Audi drive select* mode must be se-

lected ðpage 116.

Haptic feedback in the accelerator pedal indi-

cates when you should take your foot off the ac-

celerator pedal to drive more efficiently.

Combustion engine startup

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

Using launch control

A haptic pressure point indicates when the com-

bustion engine will be started. The pressure

point is variable and depends on the high-voltage

battery charge level.

– 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.

1

2

3

4

5

Recuperation

– Once the engine reaches a constant speed, re-

move your foot from the brake pedal.

Power by electric motor

Pressure point

Once the vehicle has started moving or the accel-

eration process is finished, reactivate the ESC so

that it is fully functional.

Power by combustion engine

Maximum acceleration

WARNING

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”.

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.

Applies to: vehicles with boost function: The elec-

tric motor can turn on for a brief period if the ac-

celerator pedal is pressed all the way down in the

“D” and “S” driving program. The availability of

this function depends on the charge level of the

high-voltage battery and the temperature of the

drive system components, among other things.

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.

WARNING

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.



102

Driving

– Only activate the manual release while on a

Tips

level surface or a slight slope.

– To reduce the risk of an accident, you must

not drive when the manual release is activat-

ed.

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.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

Manually releasing the parking lock

 Transmission: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-

cle

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.

 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.

Fig. 97 Driver's side footwell: releasing the parking lock

using the manual release

The manual release is located under the floor

mat on the driver's side.

 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.

Releasing the parking lock using the manual

release

►

Secure the vehicle against rolling ðpage 98.

►

Pry the cover off the opening using the screw-

driver inserted in the slot.

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

►

Insert the socket wrench from the vehicle tool

ue driving. See owner's manual

kit into the opening.

Turn the socket wrench clockwise until it stops

1 and press it downward until it locks into

place 2 .

Leave the socket wrench inserted.

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.

►

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving with limited function. Please contact

Service

Resetting the parking lock

►

Grasp the socket wrench with both hands and

carefully pull it upward to remove.

Install the cover.

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.

►

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.



103

Driving

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving with limited function. No reverse

gear

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.

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.

 P button: malfunction! Auto P when engine

off. Please contact Service

There is a malfunction in the parking brake but-

ton on the transmission selector. The “P” position

engages automatically when you turn off the en-

gine. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or au-

thorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have

the malfunction corrected.

 Transmission: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving in D until engine is off

 Move selector lever to automatic position

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.

There is a malfunction in the tiptronic mode. End

tiptronic mode by pushing the selector to the left

into the "D/S" position.

Drive system

Breaking in

 Danger of rolling away! P not possible.

Please apply parking brake

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.

– The parking lock was released using the manual

release ðpage 103. Or

– 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

Plug-in hybrid drive

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

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.

With plug-in hybrid drive, you can select between

the electric and combustion engine drive systems

or combine them ðpage 105, ðpage 101.

Recuperation

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

The vehicle is able to recover energy using recu-

peration. This converts the majority of the move-

ment energy into electric energy, which is stored

in the hybrid drive system battery. In addition to

the engine braking effect from the combustion

 Selector lever: malfunction! You can contin-

ue driving. Please contact Service



104

Driving

engine, the vehicle is braked by recuperation. Re-

cuperation can activate when in the “D” position

if you press the brake pedal or take your foot off

the accelerator pedal.

 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.

When you press the brake pedal, recuperation is

used to brake the vehicle. The brakes will only be

activated if necessary. Driving with a moderate

style makes it possible to brake almost to a stop

using only recuperation.

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.

WARNING

In certain situations, recuperation may brake

proactively. However, the recuperation brak-

ing effect is limited. Always be ready to brake

to reduce the risk of an accident.

Electric driving

The  button will turn green when EV mode is

turned on. The vehicle can be driven by the elec-

tric motor if the conditions for this have been

met ðpage 105, Conditions for electric driving.

Tips

If the ESC is limited or turned off, automatic

recuperation is not available and it will not

brake the vehicle.

Conditions for electric driving

– The high-voltage battery charge level and tem-

perature must be sufficient.

Plug-in hybrid mode

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

– Driving program “S” must not be selected.

– The driving speed must be below approximately

85 mph (140 km/h).

Switching the plug-in hybrid mode

The  button is located in front of the trans-

mission selector in the center console.

– The accelerator pedal must not be pressed too

hard.

►

Press  to switch between electric and hybrid

Indicator lights

driving.

Symbol Meaning

Hybrid driving

EV mode is turned on and active.

If the  button does not turn on, you are driv-

ing in hybrid mode. The vehicle can be driven

with the combustion engine or with the electric

motor if the conditions for it have been met

ðpage 105, Conditions for electric driving.





You are driving only with electric

power.

EV mode is turned on, but is tempo-

rarily in standby mode. Once the

conditions are met again, electric

driving will resume.

Depending on the motor, you may be able to

switch among various hybrid modes:

EV mode is not available, because

the conditions for electric driving

have not been met.

►

Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:

VEHICLE > Charging & Efficiency > e-tron

mode.



The combustion engine is running.

The Battery Hold hybrid mode is ac-

tive.

 Auto Hybrid – The electric motor and combus-

tion engine work efficiently together. This mode

is particularly effective for long trips.





105

Driving

– Green: recuperation

Symbol Meaning

The Auto Hybrid hybrid mode is ac-

tive.



Tips

The energy flow display can also be displayed

in the instrument cluster under the vehicle

functions tab.

The Auto Hybrid hybrid mode is ac-

tive. Navigation data will be consid-

ered.



Range monitor

Tips

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

– Depending on the driving style, the high-

voltage battery charge level may still go

down when in Battery 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.

Fig. 99 Range monitor

Energy flow display

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

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.

1

2

3

4

5

Range potential (value)

Range potential (graphic)

Total range (graphic)

Total range (value)

Fig. 98 MMI: energy flow display

You can display the current energy distribution of

the vehicle.

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 in the display.

Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:

VEHICLE > Vehicle data.

You may need to scroll down to the Energy flow

display.

►

1

Combustion engine

– Orange: motor on

Tips

– Gray: motor off

– The range can also be displayed in the trip

computer in the instrument cluster.

2

3

High-voltage battery

– Green: charge level

– 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.

– Gray: drive system not turned on

Directional arrow

– Green: electric driving

– Orange: driving with combustion engine

– Green-orange: driving with boost function

Directional arrow

4

106

Driving

– Have maintenance performed regularly on the

vehicle.

Statistics

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

– Do not let the engine run while the vehicle

parked.

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 trip computer.

– Do not drive with winter tires during the summ-

er.

– Use the Start/Stop system.

►

Select on the home screen: VEHICLE > Vehicle

data.

If necessary, scroll to the e-tron short-term

statistics or e-tron long-term statistics.

– Utilize the engine braking effect.

– Avoid driving short distances when possible.

– Plug-in hybrid drive: If you must brake the vehi-

cle and coasting is not possible, then switch

quickly from the accelerator pedal to the brake

pedal and press the brake with steady pressure.

This allows the best possible use of recupera-

tion.

►

Vehicle sound

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive

The electric drive system generates considerably

less noise than a combustion engine. An artificial

vehicle sound is generated during electric driving

so that the vehicle can be heard from the outside.

At high speeds, the vehicle sound will fade out.

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.

WARNING

Other road users may not be able to clearly

hear electric vehicles when they are driving.

This increases the risk of an accident, particu-

larly when driving in areas with little traffic,

when maneuvering, or when driving in re-

verse.

Energy management

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.

Efficient and environmentally-friendly

driving

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.

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:

– 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.

– 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.

– 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.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:



107

Driving



Drive system: malfunction! Safely stop vehi-

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.

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 ðpage 98. Have the problem corrected by an

authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service

Facility.

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.



Drive system: malfunction! Please contact

Service

►

Press  to turn on or off.

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.

If you turn off the system during a Stop phase,

the engine will start again automatically.

Basic requirements



Vehicle sound: malfunction! Pedestrians

– 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.

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.

– 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.

Other indicator lights

Note

If  turns on, vehicle performance is limited, for

example because the combustion engine may not

be available. Also note the additional instructions

in the instrument cluster.

Always turn off the Start/Stop system when

driving through water ðpage 108.

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.

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.

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



108

Driving

the instrument cluster once the engine stops

automatically.

Depending on the engine, the . indicator light

may appear if the engine is not stopped.

►

The engine starts again when you remove your

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.

button during a Stop

phase.

Vehicle starting system: malfunction! Please

contact Service

– 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.

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

Noises may occur when braking depending on the

speed, braking force, and outside conditions such

as temperature and humidity.

Starting and stopping the engine automat-

ically

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

be delayed. Other factors that could temporarily

increase the response time of the brakes include:

– Environmental conditions (slopes, inclines, ele-

vation, temperature)

– Battery (charge status, temperature, power us-

age)

– Wet conditions

– Low temperatures, ice, and snow

– Roads covered in salt

– Dirty brake pads

– Engine temperature

– Assist systems



– Driving behavior

109

Driving

Corrosion

WARNING

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

– 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

.

– 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.

Applies to: vehicles with plug-in hybrid drive: Se-

lect the “N” position 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.

– 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

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.

– 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.

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).

– Observe the important information for driv-

ing downhill ðpage 113. This especially ap-

plies when towing a trailer.

Tips

Automatic post-collision braking system

– 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.

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.

– Also refer to the information about brake

fluid ðpage 260.

The vehicle does not brake automatically if one of

the following occurs:

– 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.

Messages

The following messages may appear, depending

on the vehicle equipment:

 /  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



110

Driving

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 assistance.

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

The brake booster remains active for a brief peri-

od of time after turning off the ignition. Secure

the vehicle against rolling ðpage 98.

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.

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

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

the brake system.

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed

and the driver safety belt must be fastened.

 – 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.

►

Press the accelerator pedal to start to drive.

WARNING

– To reduce the risk of an accident, always

make sure the vehicle is situated safely

while stationary.

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.

– 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



111

Driving

pedal and always shift into the “P” position

when the vehicle is stopped.

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

stop vehicle. See owner's manual

Tips

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

release parking brake

– 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.

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.

►

An audio warning signal will sound and emer-

gency braking will begin.

 /  Parking brake: applied

The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake

pedal to release the parking brake.

►

If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency

braking will be canceled.



Take over!

WARNING

The vehicle cannot be held in place automatically.

Press the brake pedal to secure the vehicle from

rolling unintentionally.

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

112

Driving

The steering wheel angle, the elevation, the com-

pass direction, and the geo-coordinates of the

current vehicle position are displayed in addition

to the current vehicle angle. You will also receive

information about the maximum sideways and

lengthwise angle that was reached in the current

driving cycle. These values are reset when the ig-

nition is turned off.

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.

Note that the accuracy of the display depends on

the driving situation.

– 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

brake pedal if necessary. The hill descent con-

trol will turn off once the hill levels out or you

press the accelerator pedal.

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.

– 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.

– Always be ready to brake when using the hill

descent control function.

– Applies to: vehicles with an inclinometer: Do

not rely only on the inclinometer when as-

sessing the driving situation.

– Applies to: plug-in hybrid drive: In high temper-

atures, make sure the high-voltage battery is

charged to at least 1/4 if towing a trailer while

driving on long stretches of roads with hills.

This relieves some of the load on the cooling

system.

Offroad driving

Your vehicle is not an offroad vehicle. Note the

following points when driving offroad:

– Apply the brakes in intervals and do not press

the brake pedal continuously.

– Drive slowly and carefully.

– Use the hill descent assist ðpage 114.

– To reduce the risk of underbody damage, pay

attention to the vehicle's ground clearance and

drive across raised areas of the ground using

the wheels on only one side of the vehicle, in-

stead of allowing the center of the vehicle to

pass over the raised areas.

Inclinometer

Applies to: vehicles with a tilt angle display

You can display the vehicle's sideways angle and

lengthwise angle in relation to the horizon.

– To reduce the risk of becoming stuck, drive

through sandy or swampy areas at a steady

speed and without stopping, if possible.

– Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen:

VEHICLE > Vehicle data.

– You may need to scroll down to the Inclinome-

ter display.

If necessary, use the following functions:

The sideways angle of your vehicle should not ex-

ceed the yellow range in the gauge. If it reaches

the red range, there is a risk that the vehicle

might tip.

– Audi drive select* offroad mode ðpage 116

– Hill descent assist* ðpage 114

– Limit ESC ðpage 121



113

Driving for Your Audi S Q5 SUV Third Generation (2025-2026)

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