Audi Q5: Indicator lights

Overview

The warning/indicator lights indicate different functions or a possible malfunction.

Fig. 8 Instrument cluster with warning/indicator lights

Your vehicle is equipped with several important warning and indicator lights to help you monitor the continued reliable operation of your vehicle.

Electromechanical steering, Dynamic steering

Electronic power control (alternative to )

Glow plug system (alternative to )

Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)

Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)

USA models: Safety systems

Canada models: Safety systems

Tire pressure monitoring system

Left turn signal

Trailer turn signal assembly

Safety belt

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

High beam

Right turn signal

USA models: Cruise control activated

Canada models: Cruise control activated

USA models: Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defective

Canada models: Anti-lock brake system (ABS) defective

USA models: Parking brake

Canada models: Parking brake

USA models: Brake malfunction

Canada models: Brake malfunction

In vehicles with adaptive cruise control additional indicator lights are displayed.

WARNING

• Failure to heed warning lights and other important vehicle information may result in serious personal injury or vehicle damage.
• Whenever stalled or stopped for repair, move the vehicle a safe distance off the road, stop the engine, and turn on the emergency flasher.
• The engine compartment of any motor vehicle is a potentially hazardous area. Before you check anything in the engine compartment, stop the engine and let it cool down. Always exercise extreme caution when working under the hood.

Tips

Many functions are monitored by the Auto­ Check system. Malfunctions or faults will be identified either with a red symbol (priority 1 - Danger!) or with a yellow symbol (priority 2 - Warning).

EPC Electronic power control

Applies to vehicles: with gasoline engine

This warning/indicator light monitors the electronic power control.

The warning/indicator light (Electronic Power Control) illuminates when you turn on the ignition as a function check.

Tips

If this warning/indicator light illuminates while you are driving, then there is a malfunction in the engine electronics. Have the malfunction corrected as soon as possible by your authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop.

Glow plug system

Applies to vehicles: with diesel engine

The control light illuminates when the glow plug system is active.

If the indicator light illuminates, the glow plug system is active. You should start the engine immediately after the indicator light switches off.

The indicator light only illuminates for approximately 1 second if the engine is warm or if the outside temperature is above 46 F (8 C).

Tips

• If the glow plug indicator light illuminates while driving, there is an engine control malfunction. The engine should be checked immediately.
• If the indicator light does not illuminate at all when switching the ignition on, there may be a malfunction in the glow plug system.

  The engine should be checked.

Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC)

If the indicator light blinks while driving, the ESC or ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation) is actively regulating.

If the indicator light turns on, the system has switched the ESC off. In this case, you can switch the ignition off and then on to switch the ESC on again. The indicator light turns off when the system is functioning fully.

If the indicator light turns on, ESC was restricted using the button.

Stabilization control (ESC/ABS): Fault! See owner's manual

If the indicator light and the ABS indicator light (USA models) ( Canada models) turn on and the message appears, the ABS or electronic differential lock is malfunctioning. This also causes the ESC to malfunction. The brakes still function with their normal power, but ABS is not active.

Drive to your authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop immediately to have the malfunction corrected.

WARNING

If the (USA models) (Canada models) brake system indicator light turns on together with the ABS and ESC indicator lights, the ABS/ESC regulating function may have failed. Functions that stabilize the vehicle are no longer available. This could cause the vehicle to swerve and increase the risk of sliding.

Drive carefully to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or other qualified workshop and have t he malfunction corrected.

Tips

For additional information on ESC and ABS.

Safety systems

The (USA models) / (Canada models) indicator light monitors the safety systems (e.g. airbags, pretensioners) and illuminates for a few seconds each time you switch the ignition on.

If the (USA models) / (Canada models) indicator light does not go out, or if it illuminates while you are driving, or if it starts to blink, then there is a malfunction somewhere in the system. If the light does not illuminate when you switch the ignition on, this also means there is a malfunction.

WARNING

If you have a malfunction in the safety systems, contact your authorized Audi dealer immediately. Otherwise the safety systems may not work properly in an accident.

Tire pressure monitoring system - telltale indicator lamp

Applies to vehicles: with tire pressure monitoring system

The warning/indicator light appears in the event of a significant loss of tire pressure or if there is a malfunction.

The indicator light illuminates to check the function when you switch on the ignition.

If the symbol remains on or blinks after you switch on the ignition, there is a loss of tire pressure or a system malfunction. If there is a system malfunction, see your authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.

Detailed information on the tire pressure monitoring system can be found.

Turn signals

The indicator tight blinks when you use either turn signal.

Whenever you use the left the right turn signal, the indicator light blinks. When you use the emergency flashers, both indicator lights flash.

If one of the turn signal light bulbs burn out, the turn signal will blink twice as fast as normal.

This does not apply, however, in towing mode. The indicator light does not flash if a turn signal is out on the trailer or the towing vehicle. Additional information on the turn signals.

Trailer turn signal assembly

Applies to vehicles: with towing hitch

The indicator light also blinks if the turn signal is operated when towing a trailer.

The indicator light blinks when the turn signal is used, if a trailer has been properly connect­ ed to the vehicle.

If one of the turn signal bulbs on the trailer is burned out or defective, the indicator light will not blink when you use the turn signals.

Tips

For vehicles with a factory installed towing hitch or a trailer hitch that was installed later according to factory specifications, the trailer turn signal assembly is actuated.

Safety belts

This warning/indicator light reminds you to put on your safety belt.

The warning/indicator light illuminates when the ignition is switched on to remind the driver and (on USA models only) any front passenger to put on the safety belt. Additionally, an audible warning tone will also sound.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL)

The Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is part of the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD II) system. The symbol lights up when the ignition is turned on and will turn off after the engine has started and has settled at a constant idle speed. This indicates that the MIL is working properly.

The warning light illuminates when there is a malfunction in the engine electronic system. Contact your authorized Audi dealer and have the malfunction corrected.

An improperly closed fuel filler cap may also cause the MIL light to illuminate (only vehicles with gasoline engine).

High beam

The warning/indicator light illuminates when the high beams are on or when you use the headlight flasher. For more information about using the high beams.

Cruise control

The (USA models) / (Canada models) warning/indicator light illuminates when the cruise control is activated.

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

This warning/indicator light monitors the ABS and the electronic differential lock (EDL).

The (USA models) / (Canada models) warning/indicator light will come on for a few seconds when the ignition is switched on. The light will go out after an automatic check sequence is completed.

There is a malfunction in the ABS when:

• The warning/indicator light does not illuminate when you switch on the ignition.
• The warning/indicator light does not go out after a few seconds.
• The warning/indicator light illuminates while driving.

The brake system will still respond even without the assistance of the ABS system. See your authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible to restore full braking performance. For more information regarding the ABS.

The ABS warning light and the brake warning light come on together. The ABS will not work and you will notice a change in braking response and performance.

Malfunction in the brake system

If the brake warning light and the ABS warning illuminate together there may be a malfunction in the ABS, and there may also be a malfunction in the brake system itself.

In the event of a malfunction in the brake system the warning/indicator light (USA models)/ (Canada models) in the instrument cluster flashes. By pressing the [SET] button, you can bring up a driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.

Malfunction in the electronic differential lock (EDL)

The EDL works together with the ABS. The ABS warning light will come on if there is a malfunction in the EDL system. See your authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.

WARNING

• If the (USA models)/ (Canada models) warning light does not go out, or if it comes on while driving, the ABS system is not working properly. The vehicle can then be stopped only with the standard brakes (without ABS). You will not have the protection ABS provides. Contact your authorized Audi dealer as soon as possible.
• If the (USA models)/ (Canada models) brake system indicator light turns on together with the ABS and ESC indicator lights, the ABS/ESC regulating function may have failed. Functions that stabilize the vehicle are no longer available. This could cause the vehicle to swerve and increase the risk of sliding. Drive carefully to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or other qualified workshop and have the malfunction corrected.

Electromechanical parking brake

The warning/indicator light monitors the electromechanical parking brake.

With the parking brake applied and the ignition turned on, the (USA models) (Canada models) warning/indicator light illuminates.

After the ignition has been turned off, the warning/indicator light continues to illuminate for about 30 seconds. If the parking brake is applied with the ignition turned off, the warning/indicator light illuminates for about 30 seconds.

The warning/indicator light will go out when the parking brake is released.

If the warning/indicator light flashes continuously after applying the parking brake, braking force is not sufficient to prevent the vehicle from rolling unintentionally. Please note the following:

• If the slope of the ground is too steep to park the vehicle, the additional drive message appears Caution: Vehicle parked too steep.
• In the event of a parking brake malfunction, the yellow : symbol appears in the instrument cluster display and the driver message Parking brake malfunction! is displayed. Have the malfunction repaired as soon as possible by an authorized Audi dealer or any other qualified workshop.

Brake system

The warning/indicator light flashes if brake fluid level is low, if there is an ABS system malfunction or a parking brake malfunction.

The (USA models) (Canada models) light illuminates when the ignition is turned on.

It goes out after the engine has been started. This indicates that the brake warning light is functioning properly.

If the brake warning light does not light up when the engine is cranking, there may be a malfunction in the electrical system. In this case, contact an authorized Audi dealer.

If the brake system warning/indicator light flashes, there is a brake system malfunction. By pressing the [set] button, you can bring up a driver message which explains the malfunction in more detail.

If the ABS fails, the ABS warning/indicator light (USA models)/ (Canada models) flashes together with the brake system warning/indicator light.

(USA models): If the warning light and the warning light illuminate together, immediately contact your authorized Audi dealer or qualified workshop to have all brake pads inspected.

When the light comes on, an audible warning signal is also given.

WARNING

• If the (USA models)/ (Canada models) brake system indicator light turns on together with the ABS and ESC indicator lights, the ABS/ESC regulating function may have failed. Functions that stabilize the vehicle are no longer available. This could cause the vehicle to swerve and increase the risk of sliding. Drive carefully to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or other qualified workshop and have the malfunction corrected.
• If the brake warning/indicator light does not go out after a few seconds and the parking brake is released, or lights up while you are driving, the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir is too low. If you believe that it is safe to do so, proceed immediately at low speed to the nearest authorized Audi dealer or qualified repair facility and have the brake system inspected.
• Always keep in mind that after several brake applications, you will need greater pressure on the brake pedal to stop your vehicle. Do not rely on strained brakes to respond with maximum stopping power in critical situations. You must allow for increased braking distances. The extra distance used up by fading brakes could lead to an accident.

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