Audi Dashboard Warning Lights
Audi dashboard warning lights will differ slightly between generations and models. The lengthy graphic below depicts every warning light that you are likely to encounter on a 2017 Audi Q7, as well as a detailed explanation of what each light (and associated message) indicates. While this information was taken directly from a 2017 Q7 owner's manual, it is not a substitute for your Audi's owner's manual. Keep the handbook ready to double-check the answers below.
Central Indicator Light: Check the message in the instrument cluster for additional information.
The message Audi pre-sense and a warning tone will warn you about danger.
Brakes: stop vehicle and check brake fluid level.
Stop the vehicle and check the brake fluid level. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Brakes: malfunction! Please stop the vehicle safely.
If this message appears, there is a malfunction in the brake booster. Do not continue driving. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Parking brake: malfunction! Safely stop the vehicle. See owner’s manual.
Is the vehicle stationary? Try to release the parking brake. If you can’t, contact your Audi dealer for assistance. If you are able to release the parking brake but the indicator stays on, contact your Audi dealer for assistance. If the indicator light and message appear while driving, the hill start assist or emergency braking function may be malfunctioning. Do not set the parking brake or park on a hill. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Brake booster: restricted. You can continue driving. Please contact Service.
The brake booster is available, but its effectiveness is reduced. Drive carefully to your Audi dealer for assistance.
If the indicator light turns on, the parking brake is set. If the indicator light is blinking, the braking force has not built up enough or it has decreased. Select the “P” selector lever position to secure the vehicle.
Turn off the engine and check the coolant level. See owner’s manual.
Do not continue driving, switch the engine off, and check the coolant level. If the coolant level is too low, add coolant (refer to your owners manual). Only continue driving when the indicator light turns off.
Coolant temperature: too high. Let the engine run with the vehicle stationary.
Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to cool off, until the indicator light turns off. If it does not turn off, contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Note: Do not continue driving if this indicator light turns on, as this increases the risk of engine damage.
Turn off the engine. Oil pressure too low.
Stop the engine and do not continue driving. If the engine oil level is too low, add engine oil. Only continue driving once the indicator light turns off.
If the oil level is correct and the indicator light is still on, turn the engine off and do not continue driving. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Add oil immediately.
Add engine oil immediately (please refer to your owner’s manual for details).
Note: Add engine oil a half-quart at a time and re-check; you do not want to overfill.
Electrical System: malfunction! Safely stop the vehicle.
Do not continue driving and switch the engine off. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
The indicator light stays on until the driver’s and front passenger’s safety belts are fastened. Above a certain speed, there will also be a warning tone.
Steering: malfunction! Please stop the vehicle.
The power steering may have failed. Do not continue driving. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Steering: malfunction! Please stop the vehicle. Pay attention to the distance at the side.
The all-wheel steering may have failed. Stop the vehicle in a safe location with enough space on the sides as soon as possible. Do not continue driving. Contact us for assistance.
Steering: malfunction! Please stop the vehicle.
There is a malfunction in the electronic steering lock. You cannot turn the ignition on. Do not tow your vehicle because it cannot be steered. Contact your Audi dealer for assistance.
Engine start system: malfunction! Please contact us.
Do not switch the ignition off because you may not be able to switch it on again. Drive to German Car Depot immediately to have the malfunction corrected. If your Audi won't start, call us, and we will arrange for a tow.
Transmission: malfunction! Please stop the vehicle and shift to P.
Do not continue driving. Select the “P” selector lever position and contact us for assistance.
Warning! Hood is not locked. Stop the vehicle and check the lock.
The hood locking mechanism is not engaged correctly. Stop immediately and close the hood.
Driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control—the automatic braking is not enough to maintain a sufficient distance to a vehicle driving ahead. You must intervene.
Driver assistance
Adaptive cruise control—the automatic braking is not enough to maintain a sufficient distance to a vehicle driving ahead. You must intervene.
Air suspension: malfunction. Safely stop the vehicle. Steering and ground clearance are limited.
Due to a system malfunction, your vehicle’s ground clearance is very low at the front or rear axle. Contact German Car Depot for assistance.
Air suspension: malfunction! You can continue driving slowly. Speed limited to max. 35 mph.
There is a malfunction that can result in restricted driving stability. Drive to German Car Depot for assistance.
Air suspension: service mode. Vehicles can be moved, but handling may be impaired.
Carefully drive to German Car Depot to have the service mode deactivated.
