Audi A4: Electromechanical parking brake

Operating the parking brake

The electromechanical parking brake is used to secure the vehicle from rolling away unintentionally.

The switch is located under the selector lever in the center console. It turns on when the parking brake is set. You can release the parking brake manually or automatically when you start to drive.

Setting and releasing the parking brake

• Setting: pull the switch.
• If appears, the parking brake is holding the vehicle. You can remove your foot from the brake pedal.
• Releasing: when the ignition is switched on, press and hold the brake pedal and press the button.

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" gear or pressing the brake pedal. Make sure the indicator light is off before you start driving.

Automatically releasing the parking brake when starting to drive

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed and the driver's safety belt must be fastened.

• 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.
• If the parking brake is set, it can release automatically when the accelerator pedal is pressed. To reduce the risk of an accident, do not inadvertently press the accelerator pedal and always shift into "P" when the vehicle is stopped.
• 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 rolling before exiting the vehicle.

  See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.

Tips

• On steep inclines, especially when in trailer mode, the vehicle may roll backwards unintentionally 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 you leave the vehicle when "D" or "R" are engaged, the parking brake will be set automatically.
• Noises when the parking brake is set and released are normal and are not a cause for concern.
• The parking brake goes through a self-test cycle at regular intervals when the vehicle is stopped. Any noises associated with this are normal.

Emergency braking function

Emergency braking should only be used in an emergency, if the standard brake pedal is malfunctioning or obstructed. When the emergency braking function is activated, the braking effect is similar to a heavy braking maneuver.

• Pull and hold the switch while driving.
• An audio warning signal will sound and emergency braking will begin.
• If you press the accelerator pedal, emergency braking will be canceled.

WARNING

Heavy braking while driving through curves or in poor road or weather conditions can cause the vehicle to slide or the rear of the vehicle to swerve, which increases the risk of an accident.

Messages

The following messages may appear depending on the vehicle equipment:

Parking brake: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle. See owner's manual

Parking brake: malfunction! Please release parking brake

If one of the two messages appears, there is a malfunction in the parking brake. If the message appears while stationary, check if the parking brake is released and can be reset. If this is the case, switch the ignition off and back on.

If the message stays on, if the parking brake cannot be released, or if the message appears while driving, do not continue driving. Secure the vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehicle. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.

Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact Service

There is a malfunction in the parking brake. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the malfunction corrected. Do not park the vehicle on inclines and secure it against rolling before exiting the vehicle.

Parking brake: warning! Vehicle position 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.

Parking brake: applied

The parking brake is set. Press and hold the brake pedal to release the parking brake.

Take over!

The vehicle cannot be held in place automatically.

Press the brake pedal to secure the vehicle from rolling away unintentionally.

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