- Fig. 1 Instrument cluster: Selector lever positions
The current selector lever position and the current gear are shown in the instrument cluster display.
P – Parking lock
When the selector lever is in this position, the driven wheels are locked mechanically. The parking lock must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary WARNING!.
The interlock button (the button in the selector lever handle) must be pressed in and the brake pedal must be depressed before moving the selector lever either in or out of position P. The lever can only be moved out of position P when the ignition is on.
R – Reverse gear
Reverse gear must only be engaged when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is idling WARNING!.
To move the selector lever to position R, press in the interlock button and at the same time press the brake pedal. Depending on the model, one or two reversing lights will come on in selector lever position R (when ignition is switched on).
N – Neutral
In this position, the gearbox is in neutral WARNING!. The car can roll away even if the ignition is switched off.
D/S – Drive/Sport (standard position for driving forwards)
In selector lever position D/S, the gearbox can be operated in either the standard drive mode (D) or in sport mode (S). To select sport mode (S), briefly pull the selector lever back. The gearbox will switch back to drive mode (D) if you pull the selector lever again. The selected driving mode is shown in the instrument cluster display.
In the standard drive mode (D), the gearbox automatically selects the best gear ratio. This depends on the engine load, the road speed and the dynamic gear control program (DCP).
Select sport mode (S) if you wish to take full advantage of the car's performance. This setting makes use of the engine's maximum power output. When accelerating the gear shifts will be noticeable.
Press the brake pedal when moving the selector lever from N to D/S if the vehicle is stationary or at speeds below 5 km/h WARNING!.
In some situations (such as on mountain roads or when towing a trailer or caravan) it can be advantageous to switch temporarily to tiptronic mode Link, so that the gear ratios can be selected manually to suit the driving conditions.
E – Efficiency*
In efficiency mode Link, the gearbox selects the next gear at lower engine speeds. Earlier upshifts give improved fuel economy because the full power reserves of the engine are not used.
In this mode, an E is shown on the instrument cluster display instead of a D.
- Never move the selector lever to R or P when driving, as this could cause an accident.
- In all selector lever positions except P the vehicle must always be held with the foot brake when the engine is running. This is because an automatic gearbox still transmits power even at idling speed, and the vehicle tends to "creep". The throttle must on no account be opened inadvertently (for instance by hand from the engine compartment) when a gear is engaged with the vehicle stationary. The vehicle could otherwise start moving immediately (in some cases even if the parking brake is engaged) and possibly cause an accident.
- To avoid accidents, apply the parking brake and put the selector lever in position P before opening the bonnet and working on the vehicle with the engine running. Please observe the important safety warnings Link.
Note
- Audi drive select: You can select the sport program for gear changes by activating the dynamic mode. The instrument cluster display will show S instead of D.
- If the lever is moved accidentally to N when driving, release the accelerator and let the engine speed drop to idling before selecting D/S again.
- It is not possible to move the selector lever out of position P if the electrical power supply fails. In this case, the selector lever can be released manually Link.