Audi A5 Dashboard Warning Lights
The Audi A5 has been in production since 2007 and is now on its second generation. The Audi A5 dashboard warning lights detailed below cover both the first generation (Mk 1 2007 – 2016) and the second generation (Mk 2 2016 – present).
Warning Light Meaning: Audi pre-sense is a combination of various safety systems. The pre-sense system aims to predict an impending incident and either warn the driver or take action to stabilise the vehicle.
What to do: On the Audi A5 red or yellow warning triangle 
containing an exclamation mark illuminates along with a warning tone. The colour of the triangle dictates the the urgency of the hazard. Warning lights and tone represent the initial indication of an impending hazard for the driver to take evasive action.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 brake warning light illuminates either as a circle with exclamation mark symbol or as ‘BRAKE’ text 
. The warning light comes on for the following reasons:
• The manual parking brake is applied (if applicable). Check to ensure the parking brake is fully released.
• Warning message: Brakes: stop vehicle and check brake fluid level. In this instance, stop as soon as possible and check brake fluid levels. Only top up with brake fluid recommended by Audi.
• Warning message: Brake booster: Limited functionality. You can continue driving. Please contact service. This indicates a malfunction in the brake booster. The brake booster increases braking force in order to increase braking and stopping ability. In this instance, you can continue to drive carefully. The brake booster is still functioning but at reduced effectiveness.
• Warning message: Brakes: malfunction! Please stop vehicle safely. This indicates a malfunction in the brake booster. The system has a failure and braking ability may be significantly impaired. It’s advised to not continue driving and contact Audi service.
• Warning message: Parking Brake: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle. If the brake warning light and this message appears while stationary, try to release the parking brake. If the warning light / message stay on, contact Audi service. If the warning light comes on while driving, it indicates a fault with hill start assist or the emergency braking function. In this instance it may not be possible to apply the parking brake or release it once it has been set. Avoid parking on hills and have system serviced as soon as possible.
• If the brake warning light along with the ABS 
/ 
and the ESC light 
it indicates a fault with the ABS, ESC and braking distribution. Braking ability may be severely impaired. Avoid driving and contact Audi service.
Warning Light Meaning: This symbol illuminates on the Audi A5 indicating that the electronic parking brake has been applied. In other regions, the red ‘PARK’ symbol 
illuminates.
Flashing parking brake symbol: If the parking brake light is flashing, it indicates that brake force pressure has not built up enough to secure the vehicle. Ensure to secure the vehicle by leaving it in 1st gear for manual transmission, or select ‘P’ for automatic.
• Warning message: Parking Brake: malfunction! Please contact service. With warning light: 
This indicates a malfunction in the parking brake.
• Warning message: Parking Brake: warning! Vehicle parked too steep. Symbols: 
or 
illuminate. The brakes have overheating and there’s not enough braking force to hold the vehicle in place. Danger of vehicle rolling.
• Warning message: Parking Brake: applied. Symbols: or illuminate. First press the brake pedal and then release the parking brake.
• Warning message: Parking Brake: emergency braking. Symbols: or illuminate. This indicates the emergency braking system was triggered. If this message appears, release the parking brake. First press the brake pedal and then press the parking brake button to release it.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 cooling system is indicated by the red temperature warning light. This symbol illuminates for the following reasons:
• Warning message: Turn off engine and check coolant level. This is informing you that the coolant level is too low. If driving, pull over as soon as possible and switch off the engine. Allow engine to cool and check coolant level. Top up with engine coolant. If you are unable to add coolant, do not continue driving as there’s a high risk the engine will overheat.
• Warning message: Coolant temperature: too high. Let engine run with vehicle stationary. If driving, pull over as soon as possible, keep the engine running whilst stationary. Allow the cooling system to lower engine temperature and wait for light to go out. If the light remains on, do not continue driving.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 battery warning light comes on due to a fault with the generator / alternator or electrical charge system. The battery warning light will illuminate in red or yellow.
• Warning message: Electrical system: Malfunction! Safely stop vehicle. Stop vehicle and do not continue driving. An electrical system fault may prevent critical vehicle systems from operating correctly which may result in damage or risk to vehicle occupant safety.
• Warning message: Electrical system: Malfunction! Restart not possible. Please contact service. The yellow battery light 
also illuminates. This indicates that the vehicle battery has been disconnected from the electrical system and will no longer charge. Do not switch off the engine as you will be unable to restart. Drive immediately to an Audi workshop.
• Warning message: Electrical system: Malfunction! Please contact service. The yellow battery light also illuminates. This is due to the battery discharging. Immediately turn off any system that consumes electric and have vehicle checked immediately.
• Warning message: Electrical system: low battery charge. Battery will be charged while driving. The yellow battery light also illuminates. Engine restarting may be impaired. Low battery charge. The warning light will go off when the battery has been charged while driving.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 red engine oil light is and indication that either the engine oil level is too low or that the oil pressure is low.
What to do:
• As soon as it’s safe to do so, pull over and switch off the engine.
• Using the dipstick, check engine oil level and add oil until it reaches the maximum marker on the dipstick. After adding oil, check to ensure the warning light goes out.
• If the warning light remains on and/or the engine oil level is normal when checked, do not continue to drive and do not start the engine. Driving with low engine oil pressure will cause significant engine damage which is not covered by vehicle warranty. Contact an Audi service branch for assistance.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 low engine oil warning light illuminates in red or yellow.
What to do:
• If the red low engine oil warning light comes on, add oil immediately. Continua driving without adding oil may result in damage. Use the dipstick and add no more than the maximum level indicator.
• If the yellow low engine oil warning light comes on 
, a message will display for the amount of oil required. This should be done as soon as possible. You can continue driving.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Steering: Malfunction! Please stop vehicle. The red steering wheel and key is the Audi A5 steering lock malfunction warning light. In this situation, the ignition is unable to be switched on. Do not have the vehicle towed as it is unable to be steered.
• Warning message: Steering lock: Malfunction! Please contact service. The yellow symbol 
indicates a minor fault with the steering lock. You can continue driving.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Engine start system: Malfunction! Please contact service. The red key symbol is the Audi A5 engine start system warning light. If you’re driving, avoid switching off the ignition as you may be unable to switch it on again. Drive immediately to an Audi service centre.
• Warning message: Engine start system: Malfunction! Please contact service. This is the same warning message but with the yellow engine start system warning light. 
This also represents a fault with the engine start system. Have the fault repaired as soon as possible.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Clutch: Malfunction! Safely stop vehicle.
The red cog symbol indicates the Audi A5 clutch fault light. If the red fault light comes on, safely stop the vehicle, do not continue driving and contact an Audi service department.
• Warning message: Clutch: Malfunction! Adapt driving style. Please contact service. This message along with the yellow cog 
is less severe than the red warning light meaning that you can continue driving. Avoid heavy load on the clutch. For example, avoid excessive clutch slip when towing heavy loads or going uphill. Have system checked as soon as possible.
• Warning message: Clutch: Malfunction! You can continue driving. This message and warning light usually illuminates when the clutch has been put under heavy load. Avoid clutch slip where possible. The light will go out once the clutch is fully operable again.
Warning Light Meaning: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a combination of vehicle systems that attempt to stabilise the vehicle when traction is reaching its limits. The Audi A5 ESC warning light comes on for the following reasons:
Flashing: This means that ESC is actively engaged and attempting to stabilize the vehicle.
Steady on: This means that the system has switched ESC off. Switch the ignition off and back on again to reactivate ESC.
• Warning message: Stabilization control (ESC/ABS): Malfunction! See owner’s manual. The ESC 
warning light and the ABS / warning light turn on together along with this warning message, it indicates a malfunction in the ABS or electronic differential lock. This will also result in ESC malfunction. Normal brakes will be unaffected but without the safety ABS system. Have vehicle checked as soon as possible.
Warning Light Meaning: This is the Audi A5 airbag warning light. If it comes on and stays on or flashes, it means there’s a malfunction in a safety restraint system. There is a risk of a safety airbag / seat belt pretensioners system not activating in an accident. Have system serviced immediately.
Warning Light Meaning: This is the Audi A5 brakes overheating warning light. The following warning messages may display:
• Warning message: Brakes overheating. Please shift to D.
• Warning message: Brakes overheating. Please select a gear and follow gear recommendation.
Due to heavy load on the brakes, they are overheating. Engage a higher gear on a manual transmission and select ‘D’ on automatic transmissions. Use engine braking (allow the engine to slow the vehicle rather than using the brakes) and allow the brakes to cool.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Brake pads: Wear limit reached. You can continue driving. Please contact service. Your Audi A5 has sensors fitted inside the brake pads. When these sensors trigger a warning, only a minimal amount of brake pad is remaining. You can continue driving, but have brake pads changed as soon as possible. An alternative symbol may illuminate depending on your location: 
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Drive system: Malfunction! Please contact service. The car and spanner warning light indicates a malfunction with engine control. Restarting the engine often resolves this fault. If the warning light remains on, have it checked with diagnostics equipment.
Warning Light Meaning:
The Audi A5 maximum engine speed limiter helps to prevent the engine from overheating. Engine speed limiter is deactivated as soon as the engine temperature is no longer in the critical zone. The engine speed limiter may also be triggered by an engine control system. This is due to a malfunction where the engine speed is limited for protection reasons. Ensure you do not exceed the engine speed displayed, particularly when downshifting.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Oil level system: Malfunction! Please contact service. This warning light and message indicate the the sensor for detected engine oil level has failed.
• Warning message: Oil level sensor: oil change necessary. Please contact service. Due to frequent short drives, fuel has entered the engine oil and an engine oil change is now required. Avoid high acceleration and high engine speeds. Have oil changed immediately.
• Warning message: Oil pressure sensor: Malfunction! Please contact service. The oil pressure sensor has failed. Have system repaired as soon as possible.
Warning Light Meaning: This is the Audi A5 engine warm up light.
• Warning message: Please drive to warm up engine. This light comes on due to fuel entering the engine oil. This happens due to either low outside temperatures or frequent short drives. When the engine has reached optimal temperature the fuel in the engine oil will evaporate and the light will go out. Avoid high acceleration and high engine speeds.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Remote control key: key not detected. Is the key still in the vehicle? This message and warning light appear when the key is removed from the vehicle when the engine is running. It will not be possible to switch on the ignition or start the engine once is has been switched off if the key has been removed from the vehicle.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Remote control key: hold back of key against the designated area. There is a malfunction. Hold the key against the designated area.
Warning Light Meaning: This warning light illuminates on the Audi A5 dashboard when a loss of pressure has been detected in one or more of the tyres. Stop immediately to restore air pressure or replace wheel. When air pressures have been changed, the tyre pressure monitoring system must be reset.
Reset Audi A5 Tyre Pressure Monitor
In the infotainment system, select the MENU button and navigate to:
• Vehicle
• Service and checks
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Store tyre pressure
• Yes, store now
Faults
If the loss of pressure light flashes for approximately one minute then stays on along with the TPMS symbol 
a fault has been detected with the monitoring system. This may also affect the ABS and ESC system.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 check engine light, or malfunction indicator light (MIL) is related to an emissions fault. The light may illuminate steady or flash. Depending on the fault, you may notice increased fuel consumption and possibly the vehicle will trigger reduced power mode, otherwise known as ‘limp mode’. If the light flashes, this may indicate engine misfiring which has the potential to damage the catalytic converter. It’s only possible to repair this fault by connecting diagnostic fault readers. Have the vehicle checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Please reduce engine oil. This warning light and message indicates that too much oil has been poured into the engine. This can result in catalytic converter and engine damage. Do not start the engine as this type of damage is not covered by vehicle warranty. Arrange to have excess oil drained.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Windshield wipers: Malfunction! See owner’s manual. This symbol and message indicate a malfunction with the windshield wipers.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Vehicle lights: Malfunction! Please contact service. This warning light and message indicate a bulb or light switch has failed. The message may indicate which bulb is at fault. Warning; HID (xenon headlights) include high-voltage components and must be handled correctly.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Headlight range control: Malfunction! See owner’s manual. This indicates a fault in the Audi A5 headlight range control system. This can cause significant glare for other drivers. Have system repaired immediately.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Audi adaptive light: Malfunction! See owner’s manual. Adaptive light have malfunctioned. The headlights will still function.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Automatic headlights: Malfunction! See owner’s manual.
• Warning message: Automatic wipers: Malfunction! See owner’s manual.
This indicates that the light / rain sensor has malfunctioned. When the headlights switch is set to auto, for safety reasons, the headlights are set to low beam only. To gain high beam headlights, switch out of auto and operate the lights manually.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: All-wheel drive: Malfunction! You may continue driving. Please contact service.
• Warning message: Sport differential: Malfunction! You may continue driving. Please contact service.
In the event of all-wheel drive or sport differential malfunctioning, contact Audi service. It’s essential the correct oil is used in this repair.
• Warning message: All-wheel drive overheating. Please adapt driving style. See owner’s manual.
• Warning message: Sport differential: temperature too high. Please adapt driving style.
In this instance, driving style has resulted in overheating. Slow down until the warning light goes out.
Warning Light Meaning: The Audi A5 active lane assist system is ready to provide warnings when the symbol is green.
• Warning message: Audi active lane assist: Malfunction! See owner’s manual. When the active lane assist light is yellow 
it indicates a malfunction with the system.
• Warning message: Audi active lane assist: currently unavailable. Camera view restricted due to surroundings. See owner’s manual. This message will appear if the camera is unable to detect the surroundings. The camera field of view is obscured by dirt. Clean the windscreen.
• Warning message: Audi active lane assist: currently unavailable. See owner’s manual. This is a temporary malfunction. Switch lane assist on again later.
Warning Light Meaning: The red steering wheel and exclamation mark is the Audi A5 electromechanical steering malfunction warning light.
• Warning message: Steering: Malfunction! Please stop vehicle. The red symbol indicates the power steering has failed. Stop as soon as safely possible and contact Audi service.
• Warning message: Steering: Malfunction! You can continue driving. The yellow power steering warning light 
comes on indicating a malfunction. You can continue driving but may notice the steering wheel is harder to turn that normal. The steering wheel may also sit at an angle when driving in a straight line. Have system repaired as soon as possible.
• Warning message: Dynamic steering: correcting steering wheel position. If the dynamic steering wheel light turns on 
the system is reinitialising. This is to self-correct steering position and can often be necessary after the steering wheel has been moving when the engine is off.
Warning Light Meaning:
The key and battery symbol illuminate indicating that the remote control key battery requires replacing.
• Warning message: Remote control key: replace key battery.
For a guide on how to replace the battery, see Audi A5 key battery replacement.
Warning Light Meaning:
• Warning message: Audi side assist: Malfunction! Please contact service. This message along with the yellow warning light indicates a malfunction with side assist. If you have a white / gray warning light along with a message informing that sensor vision is restricted, ensure the sensors located on the rear corners of the vehicle
Warning Light on dash saying right side brake light not working, but have replaced new ones now working but warning light still on
Hi Gary,
Things to check are contacts in the bulb socket, faulty bulb socket / connections, wiring issue, brake switch.