Audi A4 Owners Manual
Central locking systemControls / Doors and windows / Central locking system
Description
The vehicle can be locked and unlocked via the central locking system. You can use any of the following:
- • Remote control key
- • Door handles in conjunction with advanced key*
- • Lock on driver's door
- • Interior central locking switch
Unlocking one side of the vehicle only
When you lock the vehicle, the central locking system will lock the doors and the boot lid. When you unlock the vehicle, the central locking system will unlock either the driver's door only, or all the locks on the vehicle, depending on the setting you have selected on the sound system or MMI*.
Automatic locking function (Auto Lock)
The Auto Lock function locks the doors and the boot lid when the vehicle exceeds a speed of about 15 km/h.
The vehicle is unlocked again when the ignition key is removed. Alternatively, the vehicle can also be unlocked via the central locking switch or by pulling one of the inside door handles. The Auto Lock function can be switched on and off on the sound system or MMI*.
In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, the doors will be automatically unlocked to facilitate access and assistance.
Deadlock mechanism
The central locking system is combined with a deadlock mechanism. Once the vehicle has been locked from the outside, the door handles on the inside are deactivated. This makes it more difficult to break into the vehicle.
Anti-theft alarm system
If the anti-theft alarm system senses interference with the vehicle it triggers an audible and visible alarm.
The anti-theft alarm system switches on automatically when the vehicle is locked. It switches off automatically if you unlock the vehicle using the remote control.
If you unlock the vehicle by inserting the key in the driver's door, the ignition must be switched on within 15 seconds, otherwise the alarm will be triggered. On some export versions, the alarm is triggered immediately when you open a door.
To deactivate the alarm, press the unlock button on the remote control key or switch on the ignition. The alarm will also switch itself off when it comes to the end of its cycle.
Switch off the interior monitor and tow-away protection if you wish to prevent the alarm from being triggered accidentally.
Turn signals
The turn signals will flash twice when the vehicle is unlocked and once when the vehicle is locked. If the turn signals do not flash, one of the doors, the bonnet or the boot lid is still open.
Accidental lock-out
The central locking system prevents you from being locked out of the vehicle in the following situations:
- • When the driver's door is open, it cannot be locked together with the other doors by pressing the central locking switch and then closing the door ⇒ page 49.
- • On vehicles with advanced key*, the boot lid will be released again automatically if the remote control key that was last in use is left inside the boot when the boot lid is closed.
To prevent yourself from being locked out, do not lock the vehicle with the remote control key before closing the doors or boot lid. If you accidentally press the locking button on your remote control key when any of the doors (except for the driver's door) are open, then put the key down inside the car and forget to take it with you when you close the doors, you can still open the doors for about one minute before the vehicle is locked.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the deadlock mechanism is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Note
- • Never leave any valuable items in the vehicle unattended. Even a locked vehicle is not a safe.
- • If the diode on the driver's window sill lights up for about 30 seconds when the vehicle is locked, the central locking system or anti-theft alarm* is not working properly. Please have the malfunction repaired by an Audi dealer or qualified workshop.
- • The interior monitor of the anti-theft alarm* system will only function as intended if the windows and the tilting panorama roof* are closed.
Set of keys
Keys supplied with the vehicle
A Remote control key
The remote control key will lock and unlock the car and start the engine.
B Spare key
The spare key is intended for temporary use only and should be used only in an emergency. Keep it in a safe place and do not carry it on the keyring.
Replacing a key
If you should lose a key, please contact an Audi dealer. Have the remote control coding for that key deactivated. For this purpose you should bring all available keys with you. It is also important to notify your insurance company if a key has been lost.
Electronic immobiliser
The immobiliser is designed to prevent unauthorised persons from driving the vehicle. If an uncoded key is used, SAFE will appear in the mileage recorder display.
It may not be possible to start the engine with the key if there is another ignition key from a different make of vehicle on the same key ring.
Data stored on remote control key
Data related to the service and maintenance of the vehicle are stored continuously on your remote control key. Your Audi dealer can read out the data and will then be able to tell you what service work is required. This also applies to vehicles with advanced key.
Personal convenience settings
If two people use the same car regularly, it is a good idea for each person to have his or her “own” remote control key. When you switch off the ignition or lock the vehicle, your personal settings for the following convenience features are stored and assigned to the remote control key:
- • Air conditioner
- • Central locking system
- • Windows
- • parking system*
- • adaptive cruise control*
- • Audi drive select*
- • Seat memory*
The stored settings are then recalled automatically the next time the vehicle is unlocked, the doors are opened or the ignition is switched on.
WARNING
- • Always take the key with you when leaving the vehicle - even if you only intend to be gone for a short time. This is especially important if children are left in the car. They might otherwise be able to start the engine or use power-operated equipment such as the electric windows - this could lead to injuries.
- • Wait for the vehicle to come to a standstill before removing the ignition key from the lock. Otherwise the steering lock could engage suddenly, causing an accident.
Note
The function of the remote control key may be impaired by interference from other nearby radio signals (for example from a mobile telephone or TV transmitter) if these are in the same frequency range.
Indicator lamp on remote control key
The indicator lamp on the remote control key lights up when you press the buttons.
Indicator lamp on remote control key
The indicator lamp should light up once briefly when you press one of the buttons briefly. The indicator lamp should flash when you press and hold one of the buttons (convenience open/close).
If the indicator lamp does not light up, this means the battery is exhausted
and must be replaced. The instrument cluster display also shows the symbol
and the following message if the battery
Please change key battery
Replacing the battery for the remote control key
Remote control key: Removing the emergency key
Remote control key: Removing the battery carrier
– Press the release button A ⇒ fig. 32.
– Pull the emergency key B out of the remote control key.
– Press the release catch A ⇒ fig. 33 on the battery carrier and at the same time
pull the battery carrier out of the remote control key in the direction of the arrow.
– Insert the new CR 2032 battery with the “+” symbol facing downwards.
– Slide the battery carrier carefully into the remote control key.
– Insert the emergency key.
For the sake of the environment
Used batteries must be disposed of appropriately and must not be discarded with ordinary household waste.
Note
The new battery must be of the same type as the original one (CR 2032).
Removing the emergency key
Remote control key: Removing the emergency key
– Press the release button A ⇒ fig. 34.
– Pull the emergency key B out of the remote control key.
You can use the emergency key to ...
- • activate and deactivate* the front passenger's airbag.
- • lock and unlock* the glove box.
- • lock and unlock the lockable rear seat.
- • manually lock and unlock the vehicle if this is not possible using the remote control key.
Emergency release for ignition key
In the event of a malfunction in the vehicle's electrical system, it may no longer be possible to remove the ignition key.
Ignition lock with key
If you are not able to remove the ignition key because the vehicle battery has discharged (for example), remove the key as follows:
- – Press the release catch A ⇒ fig. 35 using a ball-point pen or a similar object and pull the emergency key B out of the remote control key.
- – Use the emergency key to lock the vehicle.
- – Have the vehicle's electrical system checked by a qualified workshop.
Starting the vehicle with the spare key
Glove box: Adapter for spare key
Inserting the spare key into the adapter
– Take the adapter for the spare key out of the glove box ⇒ fig. 36.
– Slide the spare key ⇒ fig. 37 all the way into the adapter. Make sure that the
Audi rings are facing upwards.
– Press the spare key in the adapter downwards until you hear it engage.
– Insert the adapter, spare key first, into the ignition lock. You should now be
able to start the engine in the usual way.
Locking and unlocking the vehicle with the remote control key
Remote control key: Control buttons
– Press the 
button to unlock the
– Press the 
button to lock the vehicle
.
button briefly to unlock
– Press the 
button for at least one
The vehicle will be locked again automatically if you do not open one of the doors, the boot lid or the bonnet within 60 seconds after unlocking the car. This function prevents the vehicle from remaining unlocked if the unlocking button is pressed by mistake.
The system will either unlock all the doors or certain doors only, depending on the settings you have chosen on the sound system or MMI*.
On vehicles with the advanced key* the selector lever must be in P, otherwise it will not be possible to lock the vehicle.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the deadlock mechanism is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Note
Do not use the remote control key when the vehicle is out of sight.
Locking and unlocking the vehicle with the advanced key
The doors and the boot lid can be locked and unlocked without handling the remote control key.
Audi advanced key: Unlocking one of the doors
Unlocking the vehicle
– Take hold of the door handle. The door will be unlocked automatically.
– Pull the door handle to open the door.
Locking the vehicle
– Move the selector lever to position P (automatic gearbox), otherwise it will
not be possible to lock the vehicle.
– Touch the sensor on the door handle once to lock the vehicle ⇒
.
The vehicle can be locked and unlocked from any of the doors. The driver's door will always be unlocked as well when the passenger's door is unlocked. The remote control key has to be within a range of about 1.5 metres of the relevant door or the boot lid. It does not matter where you carry the key, for instance whether it is in your jacket pocket or in a briefcase.
The unlocking function may be affected if the sensor area on the door handle is touched while the vehicle is being unlocked.
The locking function may be affected if you grasp the door handle while the vehicle is being locked.
Once the doors have been locked, they cannot be opened again immediately. This will enable you to check that the doors are properly closed.
The system will either unlock all the doors or one door only, depending on the settings you have chosen on the sound system or MMI*.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the deadlock mechanism is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Note
Please note the following points if the vehicle is left parked for long periods:
- • To save electrical power, the proximity sensors are switched off after a few days. You will then need to pull the door handle once to unlock the vehicle, and a second time to open it.
- • To prevent the battery from becoming discharged and thus maintain the vehicle's starting ability for as long as possible, the power management system will gradually switch off convenience functions that are not required. In this case you may not be able to unlock the vehicle with this convenience function.
Locking and unlocking the vehicle using the key
If the central locking system should fail to work, you can still lock and unlock the driver's door by turning the emergency key or spare key in the lock.
Lock on driver's door
Unlocking
– Turn the key to position A ⇒ fig. 40 to unlock the vehicle.
Locking
– Move the selector lever to position P (automatic gearbox).
– Turn the key once to position B ⇒
– If you turn the key to position B a second time within 2 seconds, this will lock
the vehicle without activating the deadlock mechanism.
In order to switch off the anti-theft alarm*, you must switch on the ignition within 15 seconds after opening the driver's door. Otherwise the alarm will be triggered.
If the central locking system should fail to work at any time, the passenger's door can be locked manually.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the deadlock mechanism is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Note
- • The central locking switch and the release button for the boot lid
will function after the ignition
is switched on. - • If the vehicle is locked with the key when the central locking system is operational, it is only possible to unlock all the doors and the boot lid centrally with the key within the next 45 seconds. After this period, the key will only unlock the driver's door.
Central locking switch
Driver's door: Central locking switch
– Press the 
button to unlock the
– Press the 
button to lock the
.
Please note the following when you use the central locking switch to lock your vehicle:
- • The doors and the boot lid cannot be opened from the outside (for safety reasons, when stopped at traffic lights, etc.).
- • The LED in the central locking switch lights up when both of the doors and the boot lid are closed and locked.
- • You can open the doors individually from the inside by pulling the inside door handle.
- • In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, doors locked from the inside will be automatically unlocked to facilitate access and assistance.
WARNING
- • The central locking switch is still operative when the ignition is switched off and will automatically lock the entire vehicle when pressed.
- • The central locking switch inside the vehicle is not operative if you lock the vehicle from the outside.
- • Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk. Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehicle.
Note
The doors and the boot lid are locked automatically when the vehicle reaches a speed of about 15 km/h (Auto Lock). You can unlock the vehicle again via the central locking switch.
Setting the central locking system
You can use the sound system or MMI* to select which doors are unlocked by the central locking system.
Display: Central locking menu
– Select: Function selector button CAR > Central locking > Unlocking single door.
In the Unlocking single door menu you can specify which doors you wish to have unlocked when you unlock the vehicle using the remote control key or the advanced key*. If you switch the Unlocking single door function on, only the driver's door will be unlocked when you press the unlocking button on the remote control key once.
You can still unlock all doors and the luggage compartment. To do so, press the unlock button twice on the remote control key.
When you lock the vehicle, the central locking system will automatically lock all the doors and the boot lid together.
If you select “Locking boot lid/tailgate” on, you can no longer open the luggage
compartment using the handle on the boot lid, fig. 46. In this case, you can open
the boot lid using the 
button on the
If you select “Retract mirrors” on, the exterior mirrors will be retracted automatically
⇒ page 70 when you press the lock button
on the remote control key.
Deactivating the interior monitor and towaway protection
Front end of the driver's door: Switches for interior monitor and tow-away protection
When the vehicle is locked, the alarm will be triggered if movements are detected in the interior (e.g. by animals) or if the vehicle's inclination is changed (e.g. during transport). You can prevent the alarm from being triggered accidentally by switching off the interior monitor and/or tow-away protection.
Deactivating interior monitor
– Press switch A, fig. 43. The diode in the switch will light up.
Deactivating tow-away protection
– Press switch B. The diode in the switch will light up.
The interior monitor and tow-away protection will be switched on again automatically the next time the vehicle is locked.
WARNING
Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the car if it is locked from the outside and the deadlock mechanism is activated: the doors and windows cannot then be opened from the inside. Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially putting lives at risk.
Locking the doors manually if the central locking fails to work
If the central locking system should fail to work at any time, each door will have to be locked separately.
Door: Locking the door manually
A mechanical locking device (only visible when the doors are open) is provided on the front passenger's door and the rear doors.
– Take the emergency key out of the remote control key.
– Pull the cap out of the opening ⇒ fig. 44.
– Insert the key in the slot inside and turn it as far as the stop to the right
(if the door is on the right side) or to the left (if the door is on the left side).
Once the door has been closed it can no longer be opened from the outside. The door can be opened from the inside by pulling the door handle. If the child-proof catch is engaged on one of the rear doors, the door can be opened by pulling the inside door handle once and then opening the door from the outside.
