Audi TT Dashboard Warning Lights
The first generation (Mk 1) Audi TT was released in 1998 with the second generation (Mk 2) following in 2006. In 2014 the third generation (Mk 3) of the Audi TT was released. These Audi TT dashboard warning lights cover both the Mk 2 and Mk 3, though many of the warning lights should also apply to the Mk 1.
Dashboard warning light location will vary depending on generation and model, but the meaning of each light remains the same. These Audi TT warning lights cover all model variations.
| Symbol | Fault Description and Action |
|---|---|
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT engine speed limiter is a safety system that prevents the engine from overheating by limiting the engine speed (RPM). If this light comes on, engine RPM will be limited to what is displayed in the dashboard instrument panel. As soon as the engine is no longer at risk from overheating, the warning light goes out. Engine fault If the engine speed limiter was activated by an engine control malfunction, warning light  illuminates. This is an engine malfunction that requires diagnosis. You can continue driving, but ensure the engine RPM does not go above that displayed in the dashboard instrument panel - be cautious in particular when downshifting as this is when engine RPM increases. Have engine checked as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The low fuel indicator light comes on for the first time when there is around 7 L (1.9 gal) of fuel remaining in the tank. When the 'Please refuel immediately' message appears, the tank id almost empty. Always avoid completely running out of fuel. This can cause engine misfire which may result in engine and catalytic converter damage. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The red Audi TT oil warning light is a symptom of either: • Low engine oil level • Low engine oil pressure What to do: 1. As safely and as quickly as possible, pull over and switch off the engine. 2. Check the engine oil level. If engine oil level is normal, do not continue driving. This is now an indication of low engine oil pressure - engine lubrication system malfunction! High risk of engine damage! 3. If engine requires oil, top up as required. If warning light has gone out after adding oil, you can continue driving. Note: The Audi TT engine has reached optimal operating temperature when the engine oil temperature is between 80 °C (176 °F) and 120 °C (248 °F). If there are high engine loads and the outside temperature is high, the temperature may increase. This is not a problem providing the oil light or  do not turn on. |
| Warning Light Explained: If your Audi TT has an oil level sensor, you may receive this warning light along with the warning message: Please check oil level If this light illuminate on your dashboard, it means engine oil levels are low are require checking and topping up. You can continue driving, but check oil level as soon as possible to avoid damage. See how to check Audi TT engine oil level for further help. Note: If the oil level is normal and the warning light remains on, drive at a low engine speed to an Audi workshop. Avoid high engine load and RPM. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT oil level sensor warning light comes on along with the following messages: Oil level sensor: oil change necessary. Please contact service The warning light and message is an indication that fuel has entered the engine oil. This causes the engine oil level to rise and the oil quality to decrease. Note: Avoid decreasing the oil level by extracting oil from the engine. The effect of this will cause greater damage. Immediately contact an Audi workshop. Oil level system: malfunction! Please contact service This warning light and message means the oil level sensors has a fault. Have sensor repaired as soon as possible else it may not be possible to accurately read oil levels. Oil pressure sensor: malfunction! Please contact service This warning light and message means the oil pressure sensor has a fault. You can continue driving. Have sensor repaired as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT brake warning light comes on along with the following messages: Brakes: Malfunction! Safely stop vehicle The warning light and message is an indication of brake failure. The additional illumination of ABS  and the ESC warning light  is an indication of ABS, ESC and braking distribution failure. Braking distribution varies the amount of brake force applied to individual wheels to increase stopping ability and vehicle stability. It's advised to not continue driving and contact an Audi workshop immediately.Parking brake: Malfunction! Safely stop vehicle • If this warning light and message appear when the vehicle is stationary or after switching on the ignition, check if you can release the parking brake. If the message still appears after successfully releasing the parking brake, contact an Audi workshop as soon as possible to have the fault corrected. • If the warning light and this message appear when driving, hill start assist or the emergency brake may not be operational. This means it may not be possible to apply or release the parking brake (once it has been set). Avoid parking on slopes and have fault corrected as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: This warning light indicates that the Audi TT brake pads are wearing low. You can safely continue driving, but have brake pads renewed as soon as possible. Depending on your location, the brake pad wear warning light illuminates alongside the 'BRAKE' warning light. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT park warning light is used to inform that the parking brake has been set. This warning light may also illuminate with the following message: Parking brake: warning! Vehicle parked too steep This message and a flashing parking symbol means that the parking brakes are not able to hold the vehicle securely, possibly due to overheated brakes. Find an alternative place to park as the vehicle is likely to roll. Malfunction If the parking brake has a malfunction, warning light  will display along with the message: Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact service This means the parking brake is no longer working. Contact an Audi workshop as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT engine overheating warning light comes on along with the following messages: Turn off engine and check coolant level It's advised to safely stop as soon as possible and switch off the engine. If the engine coolant requires topping up, first allow the vehicle to sit for several minutes before adding coolant. If you see or hear steam escaping from the engine compartment, wait before the steam subsides before opening the bonnet / hood. Coolant temperature: too high. Let engine run while stationary Allowing the engine to run while stationary will alleviate engine load, but also allows the cooling system to run. Do not continue to drive until the temperature warning light goes out as this risks damaging the engine. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT airbag warning light switches on or flashes when safety systems SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) such as the airbag and the seat belt pretensioners have malfunctioned. Have system checked as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The steering wheel and key symbol indicates a electronic steering lock malfunction. The Audi TT steering lock symbol illuminates in red or yellow along with the following messages: Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle With the red steering lock warning light and message, it indicates that the ignition cannot be switched on. Note: Do not tow the vehicle as it will not be possible to steer. If the yellow steering lock malfunction warning light comes on, you can continue driving. Have vehicle checked as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The lock and key warning light indicates an engine starting system fault. This warning light illuminates on the Audi TT dashboard in red or yellow along with the following message: Warning Light Explained: Engine start system: malfunction! Please contact service This message and the red warning light indicate an ignition system fault. If you are driving, do not switch off the ignition as you will be unable to switch it back on again. Drive immediately to a Audi workshop. If the yellow warning light comes on, the ignition will still be operable but has a fault. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The red check engine warning light with a strike through it is the 'stop engine' light. It indicates a possible fault with the engine or fuel supply. If driving and the engine stops, greater force may be required to brake and steer. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The yellow or red triangle containing an exclamation mark is the Audi TT central indicator warning light. The red central indicator represents a more urgent issue that the yellow. The central indicator may illuminate alongside another warning light and a message will be displayed in the dashboard instrument display. |
 | Warning Light Explained: Various safety and stability systems form the electronic stability control (ESC) system. If the ESC warning light flashes, it means the ESC or ASR (Anti-slip Regulation) system is actively engaged and stabilising the vehicle. If the light flashes, it's recommended to slow down and drive within the limits of the vehicle. ESC malfunction A fault has been detected with the ESC system when the warning light illuminates constantly. Try restarting the engine. Thi sis often a sensor fault related to the ABS system as they share components. Stabilization control (ESC/ABS): malfunction! This message occurs along with the ESC and ABS warning light indicating a fault with the ABS system or differential lock. Brakes are still functional but without ABS. |
| Warning Light Explained: The car and spanner / wrench warning light is the Audi TT engine control malfunction warning light. You can still drive. Moderate speed and engine load and take your vehicle to an Audi workshop. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The windscreen and exclamation mark symbol is the windshield malfunction warning light. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The yellow light bulb and exclamation mark indicates a vehicle bulb failure. A message will provide details on which bulb has malfunctioned. If the warning message: Vehicle lights: malfunction! appears, it indicates a fault with the headlights or vehicle light switch. |
 | Warning Light Explained: This warning light indicates a headlight range control malfunction. This means that other road users may be affected by significant glare from your headlights. Have system repaired as soon as possible. |
 | Warning Light Explained: This dashboard warning light indicates a fault with suspension control. |
 | Warning Light Explained: This yellow warning light indicates a fault with the Audi adaptive headlights system. Adaptive headlights are a safety feature that increases visibility for the driver when traveling round corners in low light. If the adaptive headlights fail, normal headlight will continue to operate. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT red and yellow cogs that contain an exclamation mark are related to transmission faults. When accelerating hard via Launch Control, high levels of stress are exerted on transmission components. This subjects components to increased stress and wear. Warning messages include: Transmission: malfunction! Safely stop vehicle This message along with the red warning light indicates a significant transmission fault. You cannot continue driving - stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Transmission: too hot. Please stop vehicle This message along with the red warning light indicates the transmission is overheating. To prevent damage, stop as soon as possible and allow the transmission to cool. Keep the engine running at idle with the gear selector in P position. Wait for the warning light / message to go off - if they do not, do not continue driving. Transmission: malfunction! You can continue driving This message along with the yellow warning light indicate an unspecified fault with the transmission. Transmission: malfunction! You can continue driving with limited function This message along with the yellow warning light indicate a transmission fault and where emergency mode has been engaged. You may notice that some gears are unavailable. Drive immediately to an Audi workshop. Note: When emergency mode is engaged, reverse gear may be unavailable. |
 | Warning Light Explained: ABS, or anti-lock braking system integrates into normal brakes and helps to prevent the wheels from locking during heavy or emergency braking. It's not possible to steer a vehicle if the front wheels are locked which is the benefit of ABS. If the Audi TT ABS warning light comes on, the safety benefits of ABS will not be available due to a malfunction. This is normally a sensor relates issue. Note: Normal brakes will continue to work with an ABS fault. There will be an increased risk of locked wheels until the fault is fixed. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS) warning light comes on in the dashboard display to indicate if a tyre pressure is too low or due to a malfunction. The tyre pressure warning light comes on stable if a loss of pressure has been detected in one or more tyres, Repair or replace as necessary. The tyre pressure system must be reset and new values store in the infotainment system when pressure as adjusted. Malfunction A malfunction in the tyre pressure monitoring system has been detected when the warning light flashes for about 1 minute then stays on. In this instance, reset all tyre pressure and store them. If the warning light does not go out, have system checked. Resetting the tyre pressure monitoring system On the infotainment system: • Press the menu button. • Select vehicle. • Select service and checks. • Then tyre pressure monitoring. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT rear spoiler warning light illuminates when a malfunction has been detected due to the rear spoiler not extending. This can be dangerous at high speeds as it can impair the handling characteristics of the car. In this situation, do not exceed 85 mph (140 km/h). |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT battery warning light illuminates with the following messages: Electric system: malfunction! Battery is not being charged This message along with the red battery light indicates a generator / alternator fault, battery or vehicle electrical system fault. If this warning light comes on when driving, immediately switch off and unnecessary electrical equipment as this will drain the battery. Engine has risk of stalling when battery energy is depleted. Drive directly to an Audi workshop. Electric system: low battery charge. Battery will be charged while driving This message along with the yellow battery light indicates low battery charge. This may be due to a weak battery, failing generator / alternator. this may also be the result of not running the vehicle for a long period of time. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT power steering warning light may illuminate in red or yellow along with the following messages: Steering: malfunction! Please stop vehicle This message and the red warning light indicates a complete failure in the power steering system. It may become more difficult to steer the vehicle. It's advised to safely stop the vehicle and discontinue driving. Steering: malfunction! You can continue driving This message and the yellow warning light indicate a partial failure. You can continue driving, but turning the steering wheel may be more difficult that usual. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT malfunction indicator light (MIL), also known as the 'check engine light' is an emission warning. If the light comes on, it indicates excessive toxic emissions are being produced. If the warning light flashes, this may signal engine misfiring. If this is the case, there's a possibility of damage to the engine or catalytic converter. Have vehicle checked immediately. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The warning light illuminates on the Audi TT dashboard indicating a malfunction in the light / rain sensor. Automatic headlights: malfunction Due to the sensor being faulty, the automatic headlights have malfunctioned. You can use the headlights manually. Automatic wipers: malfunction Wipers will no longer work automatically. They will continue to operate manually. |
 | Warning Light Explained: This warning light indicates that the clutch is overheating. Clutch is overheating! Please stop vehicle! Pull over safely and allow the engine to idle with the gear selector set in position P. If you do not allow the clutch to cool down, damage may occur. You can continue driving when the warning light goes out. |
 | Warning Light Explained: The Audi TT EPC warning light stands for 'Electronic Power Control' and it relates to an engine electronics malfunction. Diagnostic equipment is required to locate the fault code. The electronics malfunction indicator light  is also related to an engine electronic fault. This warning light may also come on when the fuel filler cap is not properly closed. |
there is a sign coming up on my dashboard, but its not on any of the diagrams, its a 2004 1.8 tt
Hi Francis,
Sometimes you do get obscure symbols pop up. If it’s not yellow / amber and particularly if it’s not red, then it shouldn’t be anything to worry about. Can you describe the symbol?
2008 AUDI TT FWD WARNING LIGHT LOOKS LIKE A BULB WITH A X DISPLYED ACCROSSTHE SYBOL. ALL LIGHTS ARE FUNCTIONING TURN SIGNALS BRIGHT LIGHTS ARE WORKING. I CAN’T FIND A DEFINITION OF THE PROBLEM/.
JOHN E-MAIL: sancor43@aol.com Thank you
Hi John,
Have you checked all bulbs including all brake lights and number plate lights? This can also be due to a slightly loose connection in one of the bulbs.
The MIL or the check engine light has recently come on permanently on my wife’s Audi TT.It occasionally seems to lose power for a second then kicks back in . It is a yellow light . Any ideas?
Hi Kevin,
The engine warning light comes on when there’s a problem with the emissions control system. Problem is, there’s many components related to the emissions control system all the way from the fuel tank, right through to the exhaust. To get an idea of where the fault is, you’ll need to hook up a diagnostic scan tool. When the engine light comes on, a fault(s) are usually generated and stored. The scan tool reads the codes and hopefully gives you an idea on where the fault is. All auto repair workshops have these tools. The loss of power is either due to the fault directly, or the engine management system initiating reduced power mode, otherwise known as limp home mode.
I had the check engine light come on when I have had to use a lower grade of fuel. It reads as an emissions problem and I reset it. When I am able to fill the tank with 93 octane, or 91 with no ethanol, it doesn’t come on.
Just a thought.
I have a red + symbol light on right edge of my virtual cockpit
Hi Jon,
The red plus symbol on the right-side of the Audi TT virtual cockpit means there are changeable options for that particular display mode that you’re currently in. On the steering wheel, on the left-side where the thumbwheel is, press the button directly to the right of the thumbwheel to open the selection menu.