Audi A4: When driving

Starting to drive, stopping, and parking

Starting from a stop

• Press and hold the brake pedal.
• Start the engine.
• Select "D" or "R".
• Release the parking brake.
• Release the brake pedal. The vehicle may roll.
• Press the accelerator pedal to accelerate.

Securing the vehicle against rolling

Secure your vehicle to prevent it from rolling before exiting the vehicle.

• Set the parking brake.
• Select "P".
• 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.

If one of these measures is not possible, for example because there is no vehicle power, you must secure your vehicle against rolling using additional measures.

• Only park the vehicle on a level surface.
• Use suitable objects to block the front and rear wheels.

Set the parking brake before selecting the "P" selector lever position. This prevents too much stress from being put on the locking mechanism when parking on a steep surface.

WARNING

• Always set the parking brake when leaving your vehicle, even if for a short period of time. If the parking brake is not set, the vehicle could roll away, increasing the risk of an accident.
• Do not leave your vehicle unattended while the engine is running, because this increases the risk of an accident.
• 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 you leave the vehicle, switch the ignition off 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 accident.
• 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 puts lives at risk.
• If you do not begin driving immediately after releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle may begin to roll backward. Press the brake pedal or set the parking brake immediately.

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 backward.

The transmission can overheat, which increases the risk of damage.

Hill hold assist

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 driving without the vehicle rolling backward.

Requirement: the driver's door must be closed, the engine must be on, and the vehicle must be traveling uphill.

• To activate hill hold assist, press and hold the brake pedal for several seconds while the vehicle is stationary.

WARNING

• If you do not begin driving immediately after releasing the brake pedal, your vehicle may begin to roll backward. Press the brake pedal 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).

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