Tag: Audi

Updated Open and Start Audi A3 and Q3 video dropped on our YouTube channel

Audi logoOpen and Start Audi A3 and Q3

We recently updated our video demonstrating how to open and start Audi A3 and Q3 with a dead key fob battery. As of 2020, the models hide the key hole behind a cap at the back of the driver’s door handle, but we get you past this obstacle.

Earlier A3 and Q3 models have a visible key hole. You can find our video covering these older cars here.

Of course, starting the car assumes that the start battery is good. And if not, we will can get you inside and ready for a jump start.

We added the video to our Audi video page, which now holds now 21 videos, covering Volkswagen models as well. You can see the page here. You can also see the video on YouTube here.

Smart Keys or Intelligent Keys, or Access Keys – or whatever the manufacturer of your chooses to call them – that let you into your car and start it with just a touch use up their internal batteries at alarming rates, catching busy drivers unawares – even though the car had tried to warn you.

Our goal is to help you feel safe – and keep you moving or get you moving if at all possible – rather than leave you fretting whenever your key fob stops working. The instructions for getting into and starting most keyless start cars can be found on our pages – without roadside assistance.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/08/updated-open-and-start-audi-a3-and-q3-video-dropped-on-our-youtube-channel/

2024 New York International Auto Show Reflections

Who Showed, Who Didn’t

The 2024 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) was notable as much for who still didn’t show up as for what we found on the show floor.

Since the pandemic shut down the show for two years, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have yet to reappear. And while Mazda and Mitsubishi made appearances in ’22 and ’23, there were a no show this year. And from Fiat Chrysler — or Stellantis — only Jeep showed up with its outdoor test climb.

The value of industry trade shows was questioned in the wake of the pandemic. They are expensive to put on, requiring the movement of large numbers of people and vehicles and booth materials. There’s no EV trackevidence of Mercedes and BMW suffering from ignoring this and other trade shows.

Further evidence of a cut back in show attendance were the tiny booths set up by both Volvo and Audi. Barely room for a few car. For the second year in row, Hyundai took advantage of available floor space to make its own test track. The EV track (right) remained on the first level.

EVs in the Limelight

ID BuzzPolestar 4Elsewhere, EVs remain a focus of the show, clearly an attempt to acquaint the buying public with the shift to electric driving. Volkswagen’s ID Buzz (left) made and appearance. Polestar was at the show for the first time and brought its 2, 3, and 4 models. The Polestar 4 (right) won’t be available to order for another few months with deliveries expected in 2025.

Acura ZDXPorsche line upPorsche featured all four of its available electric line: the Tacan, Macan, Cayenne and Panamera (left), all open and available to crawl through. As always with Porsche, the styling is impeccable.

Acura brought its first EV, the ZDX (right), but kept it locked tight. Seems a bit short sighted if you’re hoping to generate interest.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2024/03/2024-new-york-international-auto-show-reflections/

EV Efficiency: Range’s Ignored Stepsister — While We Ignore MPGe

EV Efficiency

Most commonly any talk about EVs is about range. And while that’s certainly important, we want to shift the focus to fuel efficiency. And yes, there is such a thing! Click here for charging speed information.

The industry talks about kilowatts used per 100 miles, which is just so far from anyone’s experience and difficult to truly understand, unless maybe you’re an electrical engineer.

We use miles per gallon when talking about internal combustion engine or ICE cars, so how about miles per kilowatt?

We offer this as part of our continuing efforts to simplify the latest in automotive technology as much as possible. And yes, we in turn are choosing to ignore miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent (MPGe). It is a tortured stat meant to compare EVs to vehicles run on liquid fuels. It will be extinct soon enough.

The chart below is a translation primarily but not exclusively of work from ev-database.org, and I’ve linked their chart here. It’s in kilometers and the twisty kW per 100. I did a video as well that is also posted below, but here can be updated easily as improvements are made and new models are introduced. Note that our chart focuses on EVs available in North America while ev-database goes world wide and that the it can be expanded to show all entries.

ManufacturerModelBattery (kWh)Range (mi)Miles per kW (m/kW)Fleet Ave. m/kW
Renault
R552 kWh2494.84.8
Lucid
Air Pure / Touring88336-3483.8-4.03.8
Air Dream112405-4193.6-3.7
Tesla
Model 3582524.33.7
75286-3013.8-4.0
Model S95348-3573.7-3.8
Model Y582183.8
75258-2703.4-3.6
Model X95283-2953.0-3.1
Hyundai
Ioniq 6542274.23.7
74273-3083.7-4.2
Kona481863.9
652483.8
Ioniq 5541833.4
74239-2423.2-3.3
Lexus
RZ300e712663.73.6
RZ450e632003.5
Volkswagen
ID.7863233.83.5
ID.7772923.8
ID.4521773.4
ID.477249-2553.2-3.3
Honda
Prologue85273-2963.2-3.53.4
BMW
i481280-3203.5-4.03.4
672674.0
i581264-2953.3-3.6
iX65230-2363.5
71-74224-2393.2
i7102314-3233.1-3.2
iX105301-3142.9-3.0
Polestar
494348-3723.7-4.03.4
278255-2733.3-3.5
3107292-3052.7-2.9
Chevrolet
Bolt652594.03.4
Bolt EUV652473.8
Silverado2004502.3
Kia
Niro652393.73.3
e-Soul391433.7
642303.6
EV674224-2553.0-3.5
54190-3.5
EV9100280-2862.8-2.9
Nissan
Leaf391463.73.3
Leaf e+592113.6
Ariya632083.3
87252-2802.9-3.2
Porsche
Taycan models84236-2862.8-3.43.3
71230-2363.2-3.3
Macan100310-3813.1-3.8
Genesis
G80832743.33.2
GV6074227-2423.1-3.3
GV70742182.9
Volvo
EX30491743.63.2
64224-2303.5-3.6
C40662213.4
79249-2613.2-3.3
XC40662143.2
79242-2523.1-3.2
EX90107280-2892.6-2.7
Lotus
Eletre1123543.23.2
Audi
Q4 e-tron52239-2643.4-3.53.1
77177-1833.1-3.4
e-tron GT85252-2613.0-3.1
Q8 e-tron89261-2772.9-3.1
106283-3262.7-3.1
Fisker
Ocean1053263.13.1
752363.1
Acura
ZDX102288-3252.8-3.23.0
Mercedes
EQS Sedans108336-3953.1-3.72.9
EQS SUVs108301-3112.8-2.9
G-Wagon1162502.2
Ford
Mach-e91264-2982.9-3.32.9
702333.3
Lightning982302.4
1313202.4
Vinfast
VF 8882643.02.8
VF 91233232.6
Rolls Royce
Spectra1022602.62.6

The Rankings

So, I’ve ranked manufacturers by efficiency, based on the fleet average miles per kW. This is exactly what we’re used to using in ICE vehicles — fleet average miles per gallon. The miles/kW figures are derived simply by taking a vehicles range and dividing by the battery’s kWh size. Note that the numbers are rather small, which may be what drives the use of kilowatts per 100 miles, but they are still very telling.

Few models reach or exceed an efficiency of 4 miles per kilowatt. Further, those numbers are nearly all associated with smaller models and often with smaller batteries! For instance, the industry leader is Tesla’s Model 3 with the 58 kWh battery! A smaller battery weighs less and is thus more efficient, while lacking some range. The higher range Model 3 features a 75 kW battery.

*In fact a May, 2024 update finds a Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW! It now leads the list!

Overall, Lucid, Tesla and Hyundai lead with the most efficient fleets. Oddly, Kia in particular and Genesis as well fall short of their Hyundai cousins. Kia’s smaller vehicles should have it neck and neck with Hyundai, who’s offerings tend to be smaller as well.

Bigger batteries, while offering more range generally, are not a guarantee. Note that Vinfast’s VF 9 models holds a whopping 123 kWh battery, but only 323 miles in range and lands at the bottom of our list at 2.6 miles per kilowatt. This is a full 40% less efficient than the 58 kWh Tesla Model 3.

Speaking of big batteries, battery power trains are already heavier than their ICE counterparts. For example the Ford F150 Lightning weighs in at 2500 lbs more than the gas powered version. The battery alone in the upcoming Hummer is said to weigh 2900 lbs.

The hyphenated ranges and efficiencies are identical models most often with single vs dual motors. Single motor variants are always more efficient. In some cases there are adjustments that up the horse power as well, which then cuts into efficiency.

Note who’s missing from this list: Toyota/Lexus (since added)! Honda/Acura (since added). Mazda. Subaru (missed this one)! Stellantis (at work in Europe). Even those we’ve added remain well behind a changing landscape…

So we’ll keep an eye on that landscape. Expect to see battery chemistries get more efficient and to see weight reductions, also adding efficiency.

We also expect to see faster and faster charge rates — which is also an upcoming topic.

Updates:

  • 8/21/23, Acura introduces a ZDX EV, but comes in near the bottom. Big battery, low average efficiency.
  • 12/21/23, Rolls Royce Spectra added. Also a big battery and landed at the very bottom of the list…
  • 1/21/24,  Two Lexus models added. Just above the middle on the list.
  • 2/3/24,  Porsche Macan added, which moved the brand average from 3.2 to 3.3 m/kW.
  • 5/21/24,  Renault R5, available only in Europe, a small car with a small battery, comes in at 4.8 m/kW!
  • 5/21/24, Honda intros the Prologue with an 85 kWh battery and nearly 300 miles of range.
  • 5/22/25, the Mercedes adds the G-Wagon and drops fleet efficiency from 3.1 to 2.9.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2023/07/ev-efficiency-ranges-ignored-stepsister/

Audi Dashboard Symbols and Warning Lights

Audi Symbols

So, what is that light on your dashboard? What follows is easily the most complete list available of symbols and warnings that may appear in and on your car’s dashboard or instrument cluster.

The following are warning lights and indicators found in vehicles built by Audi. Click the link to the right of each one to learn more.

How They Are Presented

They are roughly ordered by importance, which tends to be by color (red, amber, yellow, orange, green, blue, gray), but there are nearly 130 of them, so be patient!

Need the symbols for another manufacturer? Click here!

Serious trouble or fault indicators
Charging System Trouble Indicator SymbolCharge system trouble indicator -- click for more
Brake Trouble IndicatorBrake trouble indicators -- click for moreBrake Temperature IndicatorBrake Trouble Indicator Canada
Park Brake IndicatorPark brake indicator -- click for more
Oil Trouble Indicator SymbolOil warning lights -- click for moreLow oil pressure indicatorLow Oil Level Symbol
Engine Oil Level SensorMore oil warning lights -- click for moreEngine Oil level Minimum Indicator
Temperature Warning Light SymbolEngine temperature indicators -- click for moreEngine arm up indicator
EPC Indicator SymbolElectronic power control or engine speed control indicators -- click for moreElectronic Power Control
Common and routine indicators
Seat Belt Reminder SymbolSeat belt reminders -- click for moreRear seat unoccupied indicator#colspan#
SRS Air Bag Indicator SymbolAir bag warning indicator -- click for moreAir Bag Indicator Symbol
Security Lock IndicatorSecurity indicator -- click for more
Door Ajar Warning IndicatorDoor, hood or trunk lid ajar indicator -- click for moreHood ajar indicator
Frost Warning IndicatorFrost warning indicator -- click for more
Low Coolant IndicatorLow coolant warning indicator -- click for more
Low Fuel IndicatorLow fuel indicator -- click for more
Windshield Washer Fluid Low IndicatorLow windshield washer fluid indicators -- click for moreWasher fluid low indicator
Trouble and fault indicators
Master Warning SymbolMaster warning light -- click for more
Loose wheel indicatorLoose wheel warning indicator -- click for more
Park brake malfunctionPark brake trouble indicator -- click for more
Brake Pad Wear Warning SymbolLow brake pad indicator -- click for more
Door malfunction indicatorDriver's door malfunction indicator -- click for more
Malfunction Indicator SymbolEngine malfunction indicator -- click for moreCheck engine light
Check Gas Cap IndicatorCheck gas cap indicator -- click for moreCheck Gas Cap Indicator
Slip Control Off IndicatorStability control off indicators -- click for moreESC OFF indicatorStability control indicator
Dynamic Traction Control IndicatorDynamic traction control indicator -- click for more
Drivetrain Trouble IndicatorTransmission or drivetrain trouble indicator -- click for more
Steering Trouble IndicatorSteering trouble indicator -- click for more
Steering Lock IndicatorSteering lock indicator -- click for more
Engine Start System FaultEngine start system fault indicators -- click for moreEngine Start Symbol Fault 2Engine start system
Low Fob BatteryLow key battery indicator -- click for more
Tire Pressure Monitor SymbolTire pressure monitor indicator -- click for moreTPMS Malfunction Indicator
ABS Trouble Indicator CanadaAnti-lock brake system fault indicator -- click for moreABS Trouble Indicator US
Suspension fault indicatorSuspension fault indicator -- click for more
Wiper failure indicatorWindshield wiper fault indicator -- click for more
Light or rain sensor fault indicatorRain sensor fault indicator -- click for more
Convertible Top IndicatorPower top trouble light -- click for more
SOS IndicatorSOS feature malfunction indicator -- click for more
Emergency assist indicatorEmergency assist indicators -- click for moreEmergency assist fault
Child safety lock malfunctionChild safety lock malfunction -- click for moreChild safety lock malfunction
Driver assist and accessory system indicators
start stop indicatorAuto start stop indicators -- click for moreStart stop indicatorStart stop fault indicator
Night Vision Pedestrian WarningNight vision assist indicators -- click for moreNight Vision Animal Warning
Night vision on indicatorMore night vision assist indicators -- click for moreNight vision fault indicator
Traffic sign recognition fault indicatorTraffic sign recognition fault indicator -- click for more
Audi presense fault indicatorAudi pre-sense fault indicators -- click for moreAudi pre sense fault indicator
Blind spot or side assist faultAudi side assist malfunction indicator -- click for more
Lane keeping indicatorActive lane assist indicators -- click for moreLane Departure Symbol
Congestion AssistCongestion assist indicators -- click for more
Distance warning indicatorDistance warning indicator -- click for moreDistance warning indicator
Cross traffic assist indicatorCross traffic alert indicator -- click for more
Predictive Efficiency AssistPredictive efficiency assist indicators -- click for moreEfficiency assist exit
Efficiency assist circleMore predictive efficiency assist indicators -- click for moreEfficiency assist intersection
Adaptive Cruise ControlAdaptive cruise control indicators -- click for moreCurve speed adaptCollision warning indicator
Cruise Control Indicator SymbolCruise control indicators -- click for moreCruise Control Indicator
Speed warning indicatorSpeed warning indicator -- click for more
Suspension MalfunctionSuspension control indicators -- click for moreActive Suspension Warning
Sport Differential WarningSport differential warning indicator -- click for more
Parking Assistance SymbolPark distance control -- click for morePark assist offPark assist failure
Electric and hybrid vehicle indicators
EV system fault indicator High voltage (EV) system fault indicators -- click for moreEV System Indicator
EV mode indicatorEV or hybrid mode indicators -- click for moreHybrid mode standbyEV mode unavailable indicator
Combustion engine operation indicatorMore EV or hybrid mode indicators -- click for moreBattery hold indicator
Automatic hybrid operation indicatorAnd still more EV or hybrid mode indicators -- click for moreAutomatic hybrid operation
Charge cord connectedEV charging indicators -- click for moreCharging Indicator Symbol
Power Limitation IndicatorPower limitation indicator -- click for more
Low Battery WarningLow charge warning -- click for more
Pedestrian Sound IndicatorExternal sound fault indicator -- click for more
Diesel indicators
Glow Plug Indicator SymbolGlow plug indicator -- click for more
Diesel Particulate Filter symbolDiesel particulate filter -- click for more
AdBlue Maintenance IndicatorAdBlue indicators -- click for moreAdBlue fill indicator
Lighting indicators
Headlamp outLamp out indicator -- click for more
Adaptive headlamp faultAdaptive headlamp system fault -- click for more
Headlight Levelling System WarningHeadlamp leveling fault indicator -- click for more
Light or rain sensor fault indicatorAutomatic headlamp dimmer fault -- click for more
Fog Lamp Indicator SymbolFog lamps activated-- click for more
Tail Light Indicator CanadaPark lamps on indicator -- click for more
Turn Signal IndicatorTurn signal indicator -- click for more
Automatic high beamsAuto headlamp dimmer indicator -- click for more
High Beam On IndicatorHigh beam indicator -- click for more

Models examined include the A1, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q7, Q8, RS, S3, S4, S5, and TT.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2020/02/audi-warning-lights-and-symbols/

Audi Pre-sense Fault Indicators

Pre-sense Fault

Audi presense fault indicatorAudi pre sense fault indicatorThese are Pre-sense Fault Indicator symbols exclusive to the Audi brand. It is seen either as the front of a car inside a circle and brackets with a star at the top in red or It appears as a broken circle with a triangle and exclamation point as part of the circle and the outline of a car inside in yellow/amber. Either may mean something as serious as a failure requiring service – likely in red – or as simple as a dirty sensor, so it makes sense to start with a car wash! The fault will not impact normal driving functions.

  • Before continuing, are you sure one of these is your symbol?? If yes, then read on below.
  • Otherwise, you can return to our main Picture Symbols page and scan again!

Pre-sense detects collision hazards around the car and initiates specific safety measures. A given vehicle may have only front, front and rear or 360° options.

If a problem is identified, the system may intervene with the Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC) system in the event of a skid. If a collision is imminent, the system warns the driver with visual, acoustic and haptic warnings and, if necessary, it will provide braking assistance to reduce vehicle speed or even a full brake application to avoid the collision. The system would then pretension the seat belts to reduce the driver or front passenger forward or lateral movements; close the side windows and sliding sunroof; and finally activate the hazard lights.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2020/02/audi-pre-sense-fault-indicator/

Does Your Owner’s Manual Have a Troubleshooting Guide?

How Deep Is Your Owner’s Manual?

We’ve done a couple of owner’s manual rants and got to thinking about where the average driver might look in their respective manual if they ran into trouble, specifically with dead or dying key fobs.

So, we examined a sampling of owner’s manuals from BMW and Mini, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, including Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac, Honda and Acura, Kia and Hyundai, Land Rover and Jaguar, Mazda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan and Infiniti, Subaru, Toyota and Lexus, Volkswagen and Audi and Volvo. And since we are adding this commentary, you can probably guess the results.

Mazda chapterSo lets set some parameters. Our first thought is to look for Troubleshooting chapter. So, result #1 is that not a single one of these 25 manufacturers have a chapter with this title. Only 3, Mazda (right), Toyota and Lexus, even use the word Trouble. Emergency, Roadside or Breakdown are most likely to be found, and this is a pretty short hurdle. VW raises the hurdle, with a Do It Yourself chapter that includes flat tires and dead batteries, etc. that tend to be found in the Breakdown chapters from other manufacturers.

To Index or Not to Index

Next, we looked to see if there was an index to resort to. Several, BMW, Land Rover, and Ford, for instance, have no indexes at all. So if someone out there is from these companies, please consider adding that in. On the other hand, the indexes we did find were no help at all with dead key fobs.

IndexSo, back to the our troubleshooting-like chapters. Once inside, only Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus and Subaru got this right! Setting aside for a moment the fact that the owner’s manual is most likely inside the car and the driver locked outside, at least if the driver manages to get the car open, he or she will be able to get started.

The Honda and Acura chapters point to an issue with the key fob being weak. This may not be immediately obvious to the operator, but it would be a likely spot to check out if the car wasn’t responding.

Subaru chapterSubaru (right), Lexus and Toyota chapters point directly to pages with solutions to issues with the electronic keys. Again, it may not be obvious to the driver that the key fob is the problem, but these manufacturers come the closest to nailing the problem. Titling the sections using something like what to do if the car does not respond to the electronic key would come closest to replicating exactly what the driver is experiencing.

Absolutely none of the other manufacturers point directly to the electronic keys in anything remotely like a troubleshooting chapter. To be clear, they all have the solutions shown, but the driver is left to contend with 400, 500 or 600 pages of information to get to what they need.

So for all of them, walk a mile in your customers shoes and try to think like someone who simply doesn’t understand what is wrong. Then make a Troubleshooting chapter and forget the clever titles like Handling the Unexpected or Volkswagens do it yourself chapter, which is where they keep breakdown assistance.

The closer your cars get to being rolling computers, the more relevant an actual Troubleshooting chapter will be to your customers.

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

Permanent link to this article: https://dashboardsymbols.com/2018/12/does-your-owners-manual-have-a-troubleshooting-guide/

Start a Volkswagen or Audi with a Dead Key Fob

How to Start a Volkswagen or Audi with a Dead Key Fob

Starting Your Volkswagen or Audi

Audi SlotEarly Audi models use a slot in the dashboard but do not use a Start/Stop button. The fob itself is pushed to start or stop the car. If the key fob battery is dead, the vehicle will already recognize the fob when inserted.

Audi and Volkswagen models that use the Start/Stop button and have a slot in the dashboard, as shown, insert the fob into the dashboard slot and press it to start while depressing the brake pedal as if the fob were the Start/Stop button. The actual Start/Stop ignition button is disabled.

Radiating KeyIn models that do not feature a slot for the fob, look for the symbol of a key with lines radiating from it, as shown. It will be to the right of the steering column on the dashboard (Audi) or on the right side of the steering column itself (VW).

In the latest Audi Q7, the symbol is just in front of the center console storage area. Touch the tip or the back of the fob to the symbol – or in the case of Q7 simply drop the fob on the symbol – and press the Start/Stop button while depressing the brake pedal, all at the same time.

Audi A5 Q5 start markIn 2018, the mark is moved to the driver’s side cup holder in the Audi A5 and Q5. This is also true of the A3 and Q3 beginning about 2021. The all electric eTron GT uses this mark as well. The mark is smaller and shaded and so a bit difficult to see. As with the Q7, the key fob can be dropped into the cup holder, and starting the car becomes a one hand (and one foot) operation. Press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake. It took two tries to before the key fob was recognized in our test car, but it did work.

A5 Bavk up spotHowever, in 2019, the A5 now has the mark at the front of the center console storage area, as shown to the right. Again the key fob can be dropped onto the spot, and starting the car needs only a single hand (and foot). Press the Start/Stop button while stepping on the brake. Our test car started first time in this case.

Audi new slotThe new (2019) Q8, and now the Q7, also has the marking in a cup holder. It is the front one in this case. However, we noted a slot between the cup holders adjacent to the 12 volt power outlet and shaped very much like the key fob, Sure enough, the fob was recognized when placed inside the slot.

eTron back up markModels are now being electrified. The e-tron GT uses the front cup as in the images above. However, the original e-tron and e-tron Sportback the mark is found in front of the of the cup holders (right). We have not had access to all electric models, but a back up location will likely be found in or near the cup holders.

Audi A4, S4 key fob markBy 2023, the A4 and S4 models sport the mark on the center console, just in front of the console storage area.

All this is to say that there will be a mark somewhere in all Audi and VW models, and in all likelihood if it is not found on the dashboard or the side of the steering column, it is most likely to be found somewhere on the console area.

ID4 mark2ID4 mark1The mark in Volkswagen’s new ID4 EV, the mark is moved to the front area of the center console. This follows the trend in Audi models. Originally, the front area is for storage and has removeable spacers. We found the mark by removing the front spacer (first image). Later, the same area was converted to cup holders. The mark is found in the first cup holder (closest to the driver) (second image).

Use Brake IndicatorNote: If you have made an attempt to start the vehicle without success, there may be residual pressure in the brake system and a new warning light may appear (left) or text message to Step on the Brake. Press the brake pedal very, very hard when trying to start the vehicle again to be sure that the release switch behind the pedal is engaged. Or wait a few minutes and try again.

Click here for video help with VW and Audi models and key fobs.

… Return to Part I: Getting In

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Remember that only proper service and repair procedures will ensure the safe and reliable operation of your car. In addition, proper safety procedures and precautions, such as the  use of safety goggles, the right tools and the equipment should be followed at all times to eliminate the possibility of personal injury or improper service which could damage the vehicle or compromise its safety.

These posts are for information sharing purposes only, and should not be used in lieu of an OEM service manual or factory authorized service procedure. We are not in the auto repair business nor do we publish automotive service manuals. Nothing we include on these pages and posts has been reviewed, approved or authorized by any vehicle manufacturer.

Technology is always changing and what is current and accurate today may be literally out-of-date and inaccurate tomorrow. And when it comes to the current state of flux in the auto industry, nothing is more true.

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