Audi A4: Exterior lighting

Switching the lights on and off

Fig. 42 Instrument panel: light switch with button

1. Light switch

Turn the light switch (1) to the corresponding position when the ignition is switched on. The symbol and the selected position will turn on (except position 0).

O - The daytime running lights* will automatically turn on. In vehicles for some markets, you can switch the automatic daytime running lights on and off in the MMI.

AUTO - The headlights will automatically adapt to the surrounding brightness.

- Parking lights

- Low beam headlights

When the low beam headlights or parking lights are switched on, the corresponding or indicator light will turn on depending on vehicle equipment.

2. All-weather lights

Requirement: the light switch must be in the AUTO or position.

The headlights automatically adjust so that there will be less glare, for example when the road surface is wet.

Automatic headlight range control

Your vehicle is equipped with automatic head-light range control. It reduces glare for oncoming traffic if the vehicle load changes. The headlight range adjusts automatically.

Audi adaptive light

Applies to: vehicles with Audi adaptive light

Audi adaptive light provides better visibility when driving in the dark. The lights are adapted to the road conditions based on speed, such as when driving on expressways, rural roads, at intersections, and around curves. The adaptive lights only function when the light switch is in the AUTO position and the all-weather lights are switched off.

WARNING

• Observe the safety precautions and note the limits of the assist systems, sensors, and cameras.
• Automatic headlights are only intended to assist the driver. The driver is still responsible for controlling the headlights and may need to switch them on and off manually depending on light and visibility conditions.

  For example, fog cannot be detected by the light sensors. So always switch on the low beams under these weather conditions and when driving in the dark.

Tips

• If the vehicle battery has been discharging for a while, the parking light may switch off automatically. Avoid using the parking lights for several hours.
• When using lighting equipment, the driver is responsible for adhering to any local applicable regulations while driving and when parking the vehicle.
• Only the front headlights turn on when the daytime running lights are switched on*. In vehicles in certain markets, the tail lights will also turn on.
• In cool or damp weather, the inside of the headlights, turn signals, and tail lights can fog over due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside. They will clear shortly after switching them on. This does not affect the service life of the lighting.

Turn signal and high beam lever

Fig. 43 Operating lever: switching the light functions on and off

The lever operates the turn signals, the high beams and the headlight flasher.

Turn signals

The turn signal will activate when you move the lever into a turn signal position while the ignition is switched on. The respective or indicator light will flash. The turn signal blinks three times if you tap the lever (convenience turn signal).

1. Right turn signal
2. Left turn signal

If an indicator light blinks twice as fast as usual, a turn signal bulb has failed. Carefully drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the malfunction corrected.

High beams and headlight flasher

Move the lever to the corresponding position:

3. High beams on (vehicles with High beam assistant*
4. High beams off or headlight flasher

The indicator light in the instrument cluster will turn on.

WARNING

High beams can cause glare for other drivers, which increases the risk of an accident. For this reason, only use the high beams or the headlight flasher when they will not create glare for other drivers.

High beam assistant

The high beam assistant automatically turns the high beams on or off depending on the surrounding conditions.

A camera on the rearview mirror mount can detect light sources from other road users. The high beams switch on or off automatically depending on the position of vehicles driving ahead and oncoming vehicles, the vehicle speed as well as other environmental factors and traffic conditions.

Activating high beam assistant

Requirement: the light switch must be in the AUTO position and the high beam assistant must be switched on in the MMI.

• To activate the high beam assistant, tap the lever forward (3), fig. 43. The indicator light will appear in the instrument cluster display and the high beams will be switched on or off automatically. The indicator light will turn on if the high beams are switched on.

Activating and deactivating the high beam head lights manually

If the high beams did not switch on or off as expected, you may switch them on or off manually instead:

• To activate the high beams manually, tap the lever forward (3), fig. 43. The indicator light will turn on.
• To deactivate the high beams manually, pull the lever back (4), fig. 43. The high beam assistant is deactivated.

Operating the headlight flasher

• To operate the headlight flashers, pull the lever back (4), fig. 43. If the high beam headlights are not switched on, the high beam assistant will remain activated.

WARNING

• Observe the safety precautions and note the limits of the assist systems, sensors, and cameras.
• High beam assistant is only intended to assist the driver. The driver is responsible for controlling the high beam headlights and adjusting them to match the lighting and visibility conditions.
• High beams can cause glare for other drivers, which increases the risk of an accident.

  For this reason, only use the high beams or the headlight flasher when they will not create glare for other drivers.

Tips

Adhere to any local applicable regulations when using the lighting equipment, for example in regard to reducing glare for other drivers.

The driver is always responsible for adhering to the regulations applicable in the country where the vehicle is being operated.

Adjusting the exterior lighting

You can adjust the exterior lighting separately.

The settings depend on the vehicle equipment.

• Applies to: MMI: Select on the home screen: VEHICLE > Light & Visibility > Exterior lighting.

Automatic headlights

You can adjust the following settings in the Automatic headlights menu:

Activation time - You can adjust if the headlights switch on Early, Medium, or Late based on the sensitivity of the light sensor.

High beam assistant - You can switch the high beam assistant on and off.

Entry/exit lighting

The Entry/exit lighting illuminates the area around the vehicle when the vehicle is unlocked or when the driver's door is opened while the ignition is off. The entry/exit lighting works when it is dark and the light switch is in the AUTO position.

The front and rear daytime running lights* switch on automatically each time the vehicle is unlocked regardless of how bright it is outside the vehicle.

Daytime running lights

USA models: The daytime running lights can be switched on and off.

Canada models: This function cannot be switched off. They activate automatically each time the ignition is switched on.

Emergency flashers

Fig. 44 Center console: emergency flashers

The emergency flashers help to make other drivers aware of your vehicle in dangerous situations.

• Press the (1) button to switch the emergency flashers on or off.

When the emergency flashers are turned on, the and indicator lights will flash at the same time.

You can indicate a lane change or a turn when the emergency flashers are switched on by using the turn signal lever. The emergency flashers stop temporarily.

The emergency flashers also work when the ignition is turned off.

Tips

You should switch the emergency flashers on if:

• you are the last car in a traffic jam so that all other vehicles approaching from behind can see your vehicle
• your vehicle has broken down or you are having an emergency
• your vehicle is being towed or if you are towing another vehicle

Messages

The following messages may appear depending on the vehicle equipment: If the , indicator light turns on, a bulb has failed. The displayed message indicates the cause and possible solutions. If one of the messages remains on, drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

Audi adaptive light: malfunction! See owner's manual

Adaptive light is not working. The headlights still function. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

Headlight range control: malfunction! See owner's manual

There is a malfunction in the headlight range control system, which may cause glare for other drivers. Drive to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility immediately to have the malfunction corrected.

High beam assistant: malfunction! See owner's manual

You can still switch the high beams on or off manually. Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

High beam assistant: currently unavailable.

Camera view limited due to environmental conditions

This message appears if the camera's visual field is blocked. The system will switch itself off. Try switching the systems on later.

Automatic headlights: malfunction! See owner's manual

The light/rain sensor is malfunctioning. In the AUTO light switch position, the low beams remain switched on at all times for safety reasons.

Drive immediately to an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility to have the malfunction repaired.

READ NEXT: