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- Fig. 1 Detail of the centre console: Selector lever with interlock button
Applies to Audi A3s: with S tronic gearbox
The gearbox changes the forward gears up and down automatically.
The engine can only be started when the selector lever is in P or N. In the case of low outside temperatures (below -10 °C), the engine can only be started when the selector lever is in position P.
Driving away from a standstill
Press and hold the brake pedal.
Press and hold the interlock button (the button in the selector lever handle), set the selector lever to the desired position (e.g. D) ►Link and release the interlock button.
Wait for the gearbox to engage the gear (a slight movement can be felt).
Release the brake and press the accelerator WARNING!.
Stopping briefly
Press the brake pedal to hold the Audi A3 when stationary (for instance at traffic lights).
Do not press the accelerator.
To prevent the Audi A3 from rolling away, apply the parking brake before moving off on steep gradients WARNING!.
As soon as you accelerate as normal, the parking brake will automatically be released and the Audi A3 will start moving. Important: The door must be closed.
Stopping/parking the car
If you open the driver's door while the selector lever is not in position P, the Audi A3 can roll away. The message Shift to P, otherwise Audi A3 can roll away. Doors do not lock if lever is not in P. appears on Audi A3s with convenience key*. A buzzer will also sound.
Press and hold the brake pedal WARNING!.
Apply the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to P.
Stopping on a slope
Driving away on a slope (Audi A3s without hill hold assist* / hold assist*)
Apply the parking brake.
Once you have engaged a gear press the accelerator carefully. The parking brake will be released automatically. Important: The door must be closed.
Driving away on a slope (Audi A3s with hill hold assist*)
Once you have engaged a gear, release the footbrake and press the accelerator ►Link.
Driving away on a slope (Audi A3s with hold assist*)
Once you have engaged a gear, release the footbrake and press the accelerator ►Link.
In some situations (such as on mountain roads or when towing a trailer or caravan) it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to the manual shift programme so that the gear ratios can be selected manually to suit the driving conditions ►Link.
On level ground it is sufficient to move the selector lever to P. On a gradient the parking brake should be applied first and the selector lever should be moved to P ►Link. This reduces the load on the locking mechanism and makes it easier to move the selector lever out of position P.
- The driver should never get out of the Audi A3 when the engine is running and a gear is engaged. If you have to leave your Audi A3 while the engine is running, you must apply the parking brake and engage the parking lock P.
- If the engine is running and a gear is engaged (D/S or R) or the Audi A3 is in "tiptronic" mode, you will need to hold the car with the footbrake. Otherwise, the car will "creep" forwards as the power transmission is not fully interrupted even when the engine is idling.
- The accelerator pedal must on no account be pressed inadvertently when the Audi A3 is stationary. The Audi A3 could otherwise start moving immediately (in some cases even if the parking brake is engaged) and possibly cause an accident.
- Do not press the accelerator while selecting a gear with the Audi A3 stationary and the engine running, as this could cause an accident.
- Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving at normal speeds, as this could cause an accident.
- Before you drive down a steep gradient, reduce the speed and use "tiptronic" to select a low gear.
- Never allow the brake to drag when driving downhill and do not use the brake pedal too often or for long periods. Constant braking will cause the brakes to overheat and will considerably reduce the effectiveness of the brakes. It will increase the braking distance and could cause the brake system to fail.
- To avoid rolling back on gradients always hold the Audi A3 with the footbrake or parking brake if you have to stop.
- Never attempt to hold the Audi A3 with the clutch when stopping on a gradient. The clutch is disengaged automatically if it is overloaded and becomes too hot - accident risk! If the clutch is overloaded, the indicator lamp
will light up and a message will appear ►Link.
- When you have stopped on a gradient, do not try to stop the Audi A3 rolling back by accelerating when a gear is engaged. This could cause the automatic gearbox to overheat and become damaged. Apply the parking brake or press the brake pedal in order to prevent the Audi A3 from rolling back.
- If you allow the car to roll with the selector lever in position N with the engine switched off, the automatic gearbox will be damaged as it will not be lubricated.
- In certain driving and traffic conditions, for instance in stop-and-go traffic, if you have to pull away frequently or if the Audi A3 creeps forwards over a long distance, the gearbox can overheat and become damaged. If the warning lamp
lights up, stop the Audi A3 at the first opportunity and let the gearbox cool down ►Link. - In certain driving and traffic conditions, for instance in stop-and-go traffic, if you have to pull away frequently or if the Audi A3 creeps forwards over a long distance, the gearbox can overheat and become damaged. If the indicator lamp or the warning lamp lights up, stop the Audi A3 at the first opportunity and let the gearbox cool down ►Link.
- If you allow the car to roll with the engine switched off, the S tronic gearbox will be damaged as it will not be lubricated ►Link.
Note
For safety reasons the parking brake will only release automatically if the driver's door is closed.