►Audi A3 ►Setting off ◀Driving
Various features and safety functions are available for driving off, depending on the equipment in your vehicle.
Hill starting with the parking brake applied
Important: The driver s door must be closed.
To drive off more easily on a slope, apply the parking brake and drive off just as you usually would. The parking brake will be released automatically, but not until there is enough power at the wheels to make the vehicle move in the desired direction.
Hill starting with the hill hold assist
The hill hold assist function makes it easier to drive away on a slope.
Important: The driver s door must be closed and the engine must be running.
To activate the hill hold assist, press and hold the brake pedal for several seconds. The vehicle must be on a slope and facing uphill.
When you release the brake pedal the braking force will be maintained for a moment ► in order to hold the vehicle and make it easier for you to drive away.
Driving off with the hold assist
Applies to: vehicles with hold assist
The hold assist helps the driver if the vehicle is stationary for a long period or very often, for instance at traffic lights, on steep gradients or in stop-and-go traffic.
Important: The driver s door must be closed and the engine must be running.
To switch the hold assist on/off, press the button   -2- Fig. ►, ►. The LED in the button will light up or go out.
Once it detects that the vehicle has stopped, the hold assist keeps the vehicle stationary. In this case, a green indicator lamp lights up in the instrument cluster. You can now take your foot off the brake pedal.
Drive off in the normal way: the brake will be released automatically and the vehicle will start moving.
In certain situations, the hold assist transfers the job of holding the vehicle to the parking brake. As soon as the parking brake is holding the vehicle still, the warning lamp appears in the instrument cluster. In addition, the LED in the button will light up.
Driver messages in the instrument cluster display
Hold assist: unavailable
If this message appears, the hold assist is unavailable or the system requirements have not been met.
WARNING
Applies to: vehicles with hill hold assist
If you do not drive away immediately after releasing the brake pedal, or if the engine stalls, the vehicle could start to roll back. You should therefore immediately press the brake pedal or apply the parking brake.
WARNING
The intelligent technology in the hold assist* and hill hold assist functions cannot defy the laws of physics. Do not let the extra convenience afforded by the hold assist* and hill hold assist functions tempt you into taking any risks when driving – this can cause accidents.
  • The hold assist* and hill hold assist functions cannot keep the vehicle stationary in all conditions on a gradient (e.g. if the road is slippery or icy).
  • Always ensure that the vehicle is stopped properly and safely - risk of accident!
CAUTION
Switch off the hold assist* function before driving the vehicle into a car wash.
Note
Applies to: vehicles with automatic gearbox
When the hold assist* function is switched on, it stops the vehicle from creeping forwards when you take your foot off the brake pedal.
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