Audi A4 Owners Manual

Auto-check control

Introduction

The auto-check control checks important components and vehicle systems. These background checks are run constantly, as long as the ignition is switched on.

A message is displayed in the instrument cluster if a fault should occur or if any maintenance or repairs are urgently required. This is accompanied by an audible warning signal. Depending on the priority of the fault, a red or yellow warning symbol lights up in the display.

The red symbols indicate a serious malfunction, whereas the yellow ones represent other malfunctions or items requiring attention. Additional messages to assist the driver may be shown with the red or yellow symbols.

Automatic gearbox* function test

The auto-check control automatically checks the vehicle systems when the ignition is switched on. If the selector lever is in position P or N, the following instruction will appear:

When stationary apply footbrake while selecting gear

When a gear (R, D etc.) is selected, this message disappears and the auto-check control function is displayed.

The driver message will disappear 30 seconds after switching on the ignition or earlier, if there are other driver messages or malfunctions.

If one or more faults are detected, the driver information message (as above) will disappear about 15 seconds after the engine has been started and the appropriate fault symbol(s) will appear in the display. The warning display will be accompanied by the corresponding warning chime.

Driver messages

Additional messages to assist the driver are displayed together with the warning symbols in the instrument cluster.

Audi A4: Auto-check control. Instrument cluster: SET button

Instrument cluster: SET button

For example, the following driver message will appear if the selector lever for the automatic gearbox* is not in position P when you switch off the engine:

Shift to P, otherwise vehicle can roll away. Doors do not lock if lever is not in P.

The ignition key can only be withdrawn when the selector lever is in this position. Similar messages will be displayed if other functions of this kind cannot be carried out.

Driver messages and red symbols

If a red warning symbol appears in the display, it will automatically be accompanied by the corresponding driver message.

For example, in the event of an oil pressure malfunction the oil pressure symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. the following message will appear: will appear in the display. In addition, the following message will appear:

Switch off engine and check oil level

The message will disappear from the display after about 5 seconds. If required, the message can be called up again by briefly pressing the button SET, fig. 24.

Driver messages and yellow symbols

If a yellow warning symbol appears in the display, it will automatically be accompanied by the corresponding driver message.

For example, if the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. (windscreen washer fluid low), the display will also show the message: appears (windscreen washer fluid low), the display will also show the message:

Please top up washer fluid

The message will disappear after a few seconds. If required, the message can be called up again by briefly pressing the SET button.

Red symbols

A red symbol warns of a serious malfunction.

Audi A4: Auto-check control. Display: Symbol for serious malfunction

Display: Symbol for serious malfunction

– Switch off the engine.
– Check the function displayed. Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

The red symbols indicate a Priority 1 fault (serious malfunction).

Should a Priority 1 fault occur, a red warning symbol will appear at the top of the display ⇒ fig. 25. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This symbol is accompanied by three warning chimes. The symbol will keep flashing until the fault is corrected.

If several Priority 1 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time.

This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button.

Audi A4: Auto-check control. Alternator fault

Alternator fault

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. cluster display, there is an alternator fault or a fault in the vehicle's electrical flashes in the instrument cluster display, there is an alternator fault or a fault in the vehicle's electrical system. In addition, a message will appear. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the button.

You should normally be able to drive to the next available qualified workshop. However, you should avoid using electrical equipment that is not absolutely necessary because this will drain the battery.

Caution

If the coolant warning lamp in the instrument display lights up as well as the alternator warning lamp while driving ⇒ page 33, stop the vehicle immediately and switch off the engine. In this case the coolant pump is no longer being driven, and there is a risk of engine damage.

Fault in the brake system

A fault in the brake system should be corrected as soon as possible.

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. there is a fault in the brake system. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message flashes in the display, there is a fault in the brake system. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button:

Stop vehicle and check brake fluid level

– Stop the vehicle.
– Check the brake fluid level.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

Warning! Fault in ABS brake system. Contact workshop

– Drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the fault rectified ⇒ Audi A4: Auto-check control. Parking brake ! Please contact workshop .

Parking brake ! Please contact workshop

– If the symbol appears after you switch on the ignition when the vehicle is stationary, please check whether you can release the parking brake. If this is possible, you should drive without delay to the nearest qualified workshop and have the fault rectified. If the parking brake cannot be released you should obtain professional assistance.
– If this symbol should appear while driving, there may be a malfunction in the drive-away assist or the emergency brake functions. You may not be able to apply the parking brake. It is also possible that you cannot release the parking brake after it has been applied. Drive the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the fault repaired.

If the ABS fails, the ABS warning lamp Audi A4: Auto-check control. warning symbol ⇒ will light up together with the brake warning symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. . ⇒ .

WARNING

• Before opening the bonnet and checking the brake fluid level, observe the warning information on, “Working on components in the engine compartment”.
• If the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low, this could result in an accident. Do not drive on. You should obtain professional assistance.
• If the brake warning lamp lights up together with the ABS warning lamp, this can mean that the control function of the ABS is out of action. As a result the rear wheels can lock relatively easily when braking. This could cause the tail of the vehicle to skid sideways. Drive carefully to the nearest qualified workshop and have the fault rectified.

Note

The warning lamp in the instrument cluster will start flashing as well if there is a fault in the brake system.

Fault in the cooling system

Faults in the cooling system must be rectified immediately.

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. this means that either the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level symbol flashes in the display, this means that either the coolant temperature is too high or the coolant level is too low. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button:

Switch off engine, check coolant level

– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch off the engine.
– Check the coolant level.
– Add more coolant if necessary.
– Wait for the symbol to go out before driving on.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

If the coolant level is correct, the overheating may be caused by a malfunction of the radiator fan.

If the alternator warning lamp lights up as well, it is possible that the drive belt has broken.

WARNING

• If your vehicle should break down for technical reasons, stop it at a safe distance away from moving traffic, switch off the engine and turn on the hazard warning lights, “Hazard warning lights ”.

• Never open the bonnet if you can see or hear steam or coolant escaping from the engine compartment; there is a risk of being scalded. Wait until you can no longer see or hear escaping steam or coolant.

• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a dangerous place. Before carrying out any work in the engine compartment, switch off the engine and allow it to cool down. Please observe the important safety warningsgggggg 255, “Working on components in the engine compartment”.

Caution

Do not drive on if the symbol has come on to indicate a fault in the cooling system, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the engine.

Engine oil pressure too low

If the engine oil pressure is too low the fault must be rectified immediately.

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. the oil pressure is too low. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving symbol flashes in the display, the oil pressure is too low. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button:

Switch off engine and check oil level

– Stop the vehicle.
– Switch off the engine.
– Check the engine oil level.
– Obtain professional assistance if necessary.

If the engine oil level is too low

If the engine oil level is too low, add more oil.

If the engine oil level is correct

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. oil level is correct, obtain professional assistance. Do not drive on. Do not continue symbol flashes and the engine oil level is correct, obtain professional assistance. Do not drive on. Do not continue to run the engine, not even at idle speed.

Note

The oil pressure warning lamp is not an indicator for the oil level. The oil level should therefore be checked regularly.

Add engine oil immediately

Audi A4: Auto-check control. If the symbol lights up, you must WARNING! Please add oil immediately

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. add oil immediately. symbol lights up, you must add oil immediately.

Fault in the steering system

The steering wheel cannot be unlocked if there is a fault in the electronic steering lock.

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. there is a malfunction in the electronic steering lock. The symbol is accompanied flashes in the display, there is a malfunction in the electronic steering lock. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button:

Do not drive vehicle. Steering defective

– You should obtain professional assistance.
– Do not have the vehicle towed away.

WARNING

The vehicle must not be towed if there is a fault in the electronic steering lock: the steering will be locked and the vehicle cannot be steered. Towing a vehicle with locked steering can cause an accident.

Note

On some models the symbol may look slightly different.

Ignition lock defective

A fault in the ignition lock must be rectified immediately.

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. there is a malfunction in the electronic ignition lock. The symbol is accompanied flashes in the display, there is a malfunction in the electronic ignition lock. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the button:

Ignition lock defective. Contact workshop!

– Do not switch off the engine.
– Drive the vehicle without delay to a qualified workshop and have the fault repaired.

The ignition cannot be switched off if there is a fault in the electronic ignition lock. For this reason, you should drive the vehicle without delay to a qualified workshop and have the cause of the fault repaired.

If the vehicle is equipped with the advanced key* feature, you should not switch off the engine with the Stop/Start button because it cannot be started again after the ignition has been switched off.

Note

On some models the symbol may look slightly different.

Yellow symbols

A yellow symbol indicates a malfunction or other item requiring attention.

Audi A4: Auto-check control. Display: Yellow warning symbol

Display: Yellow warning symbol

Yellow symbols indicate a Priority 2 fault.

Yellow symbols are accompanied by one warning chime. The symbol is accompanied by a driver message giving you more information about the fault. This message will disappear after about 5 seconds, but you can call it up again at any time by pressing the SET button.

The function indicated should be checked as soon as possible. The yellow symbol will only go out when the fault has been rectified.

If several Priority 2 faults are detected at the same time, the symbols are displayed one after the other for about 2 seconds at a time.

Audi A4: Auto-check control.

Audi A4: Auto-check control. Note

Note

On some models the speed limit warning 1 Audi A4: Auto-check control. will also be displayed as yellow symbols. and speed limit warning 2 Audi A4: Auto-check control. These always appear as a small symbol at the top of the display. will also be displayed as yellow symbols. These always appear as a small symbol at the top of the display.

Dynamic steering

Dynamic steering: system fault

This message and the symbol will appear if a fault develops in the system while the vehicle is moving. You can continue driving carefully at reduced speed to the next qualified workshop, however the steering may feel heavier and its response may be more sensitive than usual. In addition, it is possible that the steering wheel will be off centre when driving in a straight line.

Dynamic steering: initialising

If this message appears and the warning lamp flashes in the instrument cluster, this indicates that the dynamic steering is being initialised. The steering wheel will move slightly after the engine is started. The dynamic steering may be initialised if the steering wheel was moved while the vehicle was stopped. The warning lamp will go out when the initialisation has been completed.

WARNING

Have the system malfunction in the dynamic steering repaired by a qualified workshop as soon as possible – risk of accident.

Note

The stabilisation functions of the dynamic steering are not available in the event of a system malfunction.

Key not in vehicle

This message will appear together with the symbol if the remote control key is removed from the vehicle while the engine is running. This is to remind you not to continue driving without the key (for example if you change drivers).

If the remote control key is not in the vehicle you will not be able to switch on the ignition or restart the engine after it has been switched off. You will also not be able to lock the vehicle from the outside.

Light sensor / rain sensor defective

Automatic headlights / automatic wipers defective

If the symbol appears, this means that the light sensor / rain sensor is not functioning.For safety reasons, the dipped beam headlights will then be switched on permanently when the light switch is set to the AUTO position. However, you can still switch the lights on and off in the normal way with the light switch. If the rain sensor is defective, the functions operated via the windscreen wiper lever will still be available. You should have the light sensor / rain sensor checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Brake pads worn

i Brake pads!

If the i symbol lights up, have the front brake pads (and, for safety's sake the rear pads as well) inspected by a qualified workshop.

Bulb monitor

The bulb monitor checks whether the lights on the vehicle are working.

The bulb monitor checks whether the lights on the vehicle are working. If it detects a defective bulb on the vehicle it will show a yellow warning symbol together with a message indicating which light is not working.

Bulb failure

If the symbol lights up, this means that one of the turn signals (front or rear), headlights, brake lights, rear lights, fog lights or the rear fog light is not working.

WARNING

• Bulbs are sensitive to pressure. The glass can break when you touch the bulb, causing injury.
• Incorrect handling of the high-voltage element of xenon gasdischarge bulbs* can have potentially fatal consequences.

Note

Have the components repaired or replaced by a qualified workshop.

Washer fluid level low

Please top up washer fluid

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. the fluid for the windscreen washer and headlight washer system*. symbol lights up, top up the fluid for the windscreen washer and headlight washer system*.

Fuel level low

Please refuel

When this symbol comes on for the first time, there are about 8 litres of fuel left in the tank. You should fill up as soon as possible.

If this warning symbol lights up although the fuel tank is sufficiently filled, there is a malfunction in the fuel tank system. The display will also show the driver message Tank system malfunction ! Contact workshop. Please contact a qualified workshop.

Battery power

If battery power drops to a level at which you may encounter problems when starting the engine, the display will show the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. charge: Battery will be charged while driving. and the driver message Low battery charge: Battery will be charged while driving.

Please bear in mind that the starting ability of the engine may be impaired while this message is shown.

Message comes on and goes out again

If the message appears in the display after the ignition is switched on or while driving, and goes out again after a period of time, the battery has been charged up again sufficiently while the vehicle was being driven.

Message comes on and does not go out

If the message appears in the display after the ignition is switched on or while driving, and does not go out again, the battery is not being maintained at the proper power level. Starting reliability may be impaired. You should have the battery checked by a qualified workshop as soon as possible.

Engine oil level (without dipstick)

Add oil, max. 1L. You may continue driving.

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. with this driver message, add not more than 1 litre of oil at the next opportunity symbol lights up in conjunction with this driver message, add not more than 1 litre of oil at the next opportunity ⇒ page 259.

Check engine oil level (with dipstick)

Please check oil level

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. with this driver message, please check the engine oil level as soon as possible symbol lights up in conjunction with this driver message, please check the engine oil level as soon as possible ⇒ page 258. Top up the oil at the next opportunity.

Engine oil sensor defective

Audi A4: Auto-check control. If the symbol lights up, take the Oil level ! Sensor defective

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the oil level sensor checked. Until then symbol lights up, take the vehicle to a qualified workshop and have the oil level sensor checked. Until then it is advisable to check the oil level every time you fill up with fuel.

Diesel particulate filter obstructed

Audi A4: Auto-check control. When the symbol lights up you can Particle filter. See Owner's Manual

When the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. assist the self-cleaning function of the filter by driving accordingly. You should lights up you can assist the self-cleaning function of the filter by driving accordingly. You should drive at a speed of at least 60 km/h (engine speed about 2,000 rpm) for about 15 minutes in 4th or 5th gear, or with the selector lever in position S on vehicles with automatic gearbox*. As a result of the increase in temperature the soot in the filter will be burned off. The symbol will disappear once the cleaning process has been completed successfully.

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. contact a qualified workshop and have the fault rectified. does not go out, please contact a qualified workshop and have the fault rectified.

For further information on the diesel particulate filter.

WARNING

It is essential that you adjust your speed to suit the weather, road, terrain and traffic conditions. The recommended driving speed must never lead to the driver disregarding the traffic regulations.

Headlight range control defective

This symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. in the dynamic headlight range control. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop indicates a malfunction in the dynamic headlight range control. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the dynamic headlight range control function repaired.

adaptive light defective

This symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. light is defective. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the headlights indicates that the adaptive light is defective. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the headlights and/or the control unit for the adaptive light repaired.

Ignition lock defective

Audi A4: Auto-check control. If the symbol lights up in the display, Ignition lock defective

If the symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. there is a malfunction in the electronic ignition lock. Take the vehicle to a qualified lights up in the display, there is a malfunction in the electronic ignition lock. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the problem remedied.

Suspension control

This warning lamp monitors the damping effect of the shock absorbers.

Suspension: system fault

If the Audi A4: Auto-check control. there is a malfunction in the vehicle suspension. Take the vehicle to a qualified symbol lights up in the display, there is a malfunction in the vehicle suspension. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the problem remedied.

Windscreen wipers defective

Audi A4: Auto-check control. This symbol indicates a malfunction Windscreen wipers defective

This symbol Audi A4: Auto-check control. in the electronics for the windscreen wipers. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop indicates a malfunction in the electronics for the windscreen wipers. Take the vehicle to a qualified workshop to have the windscreen wiper system repaired.

Audi A4 Owners Manual

Auto-check controlControls / Driver information system / Auto-check control

Auto-check control
Controls / Driver information system / Auto-check control