Audi Fault Lights is a condition in which a warning light or indicator appears on the instrument panel of an Audi vehicle to notify the driver of a potential problem or specific condition in the car.
As an Audi car owner, you are probably familiar with the various indicator lights on the dashboard. These lights have an essential function: to inform you about the vehicle’s condition.
One type of light that often makes Audi owners curious is fault or error indicator lights.
Overview: Audi Fault Lights
It is common for most people to panic when the lights start flashing, the bell begins buzzing, and suddenly you panic. Of course, this is a normal reaction to any change in your life that is usually harmless and has no unknowns.
Knowing the cause of the problem well and understanding it carefully can be very helpful. However, each generation and model of Audi will have slightly different dashboard warning lights.
In this case, we’ve chosen to create a comprehensive guide to one of the newest and most technologically advanced models. Below is a complete chart illustrating every warning light you might see and a thorough description of what the lights (and their accompanying messages) mean.
Although this information is taken directly from your Audi owner’s manual, it is not a replacement for your actual Audi owner’s manual. Save the guide to double-check the answers you find below.
Of course, not all of the lights listed below are “warning” lights; some are simply “indicator” lights (i.e., telling the driver that a particular system has been activated).
As a general rule, white and green lights provide these indications. A yellow warning light means action needs to be taken immediately, and a red light tells you that action needs to be taken immediately.
What Are Audi Fault Lights?
Audi fault lights are small lights illuminating an Audi car’s instrument panel when a vehicle system problem or malfunction occurs. Each light has a specific symbol or code that represents a particular problem.
Why Are Audi Fault Lights Important?
Knowing the meaning of each fault light is very important because it can help you:
- Prevent further damage:
By catching problems early, you can immediately take your car to a repair shop. - Improve safety:
Some fault lights indicate issues that could compromise driving safety, such as problems with the brakes or steering system. - Save on repair costs:
The sooner the problem is resolved, the less repairs you will have to pay.
Audi Fault Lights: 8 Most Common Audi Warning Lights Meaning Explained
Audi Fault Lights are warnings or indicator lights that appear on the instrument panel of an Audi vehicle to notify the driver of a potential problem or specific condition in the car. These lights cover various categories, such as:
- Engine Warning Light (Check Engine Light):
Indicates a problem with the vehicle’s engine, emissions, or electronic systems. - Battery or Alternator Light:
Indicates a problem with the vehicle’s charging system. - Oil Light (Oil Pressure Warning):
Indicates low oil pressure or insufficient oil quantity. - Brake System Light (Brake System Warning):
It could indicate worn brake pads, a brake system problem, or low brake fluid. - Cooling System Light (Coolant Warning):
Indicates engine overheating or low coolant level. - ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) lights:
Notifies that the ABS may be malfunctioning. - Tire Pressure Light (Tire Pressure Monitoring System – TPMS):
Indicates low tire pressure or a problem with the TPMS sensor. - Airbag Light:
Indicates potential damage to the airbag system.
Audi Fault Lights: Dashboard Warning Lights and Their Meanings
Below are examples of some of the most common dashboard indicator lights* you may find in your Audi vehicle.
Not all of these are warning lights; some indicate that a system or feature is active. On some indicator lights, a message may appear, and a warning signal may sound. Don’t ignore the flashing light, as it may require action.
General Warning Lights Explained
- Brake System:
If the BRAKE light is on and accompanied by a circular icon with an exclamation mark in the middle, the brake system is damaged. A message may also appear with more information. Still, if any of these lights come on, you must take your vehicle to an authorized Audi dealer or Service Facility such as Audi Ontario for assistance. - Brake Pads:
This light is a circle with a line on the side or text that says BRAKE WEAR, indicating that the brake pad wear limit has been reached. Take your vehicle to an Audi service center as soon as possible to have the brake pads replaced. - Center Indicator Light:
The center indicator light is the middle triangle with the exclamation mark. Check the instrument cluster display for more information when this light is on. - Cooling System:
If you see an icon resembling a thermometer above the wavy line, the coolant level may be too low, or the coolant temperature may be too high. Read the owner’s manual for the next steps. Do not continue driving if this indicator light appears, as both scenarios increase the risk of engine damage. - Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS):
This light resembles a flat tire with an exclamation point in the middle. Every Audi has a TMPS that turns on when one or more of your tires is significantly underinflated. If you see this light, check your tires immediately and increase the pressure until appropriate. Driving with underinflated tires will reduce the vehicle’s efficiency and tread life, affect the vehicle’s ability to control and stop, and even cause tire failure. Tires can lose pressure when there is a significant change in outside temperature, but it can also be the first sign of a leak.
Complete Visual Guide to Audi Dashboard Warning Lights
| Symbol | Name | Meaning |
 | Coolant Warning Light | The following messages may appear depending on the vehicle equipment: "Turn off engine and check coolant level. S e e owner's manual" The coolant level is too low. Stop driving and switch the engine off. Check the coolant level. If the coolant level is too low, add coolant. Only continue driving once the indicator light turns off. "Coolant temperature: too high. Please let engine run while vehicle is stationary" Let the engine run at idle for a few minutes to cool off, until the indicator light turns off. If the indicator light does not turn off, do not continue driving the vehicle. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance. "Coolant system: malfunction! Please turn off engine " Do not continue driving, shut the engine off, and switch the ignition off. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance. |
 | Electrical System Warning Light | Applies to: vehicles with a conventional drive system: Do not continue driving. Switch the ignition off See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance. Applies to: vehicles with mild hybrid drive: Do not continue driving. Switch the ignition off and wait a few seconds. Switch the ignition on again. If the indicator light does not turn off, switch the ignition off. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance. |
 | Brake System Warning Light | When you switch the ignition on, the indicator light turns on briefly to check the function. If the indicator light does not turn on, there is a system malfunction. If the indicator light stays on, there is a malfunction in the brake system. |
 | Distance Warning Light | At speeds above approximately 40 mph (65 km/h), this function measures the distance to the vehicle ahead as time. If the distance falls below the warning threshold and remains there, the system will warn you of the hazard with the indicator light. |
Prevention
To minimize the appearance of fault lights, you can do the following things:
- Perform routine maintenance:
It is essential to maintain the condition of your car by performing routine maintenance according to the schedule recommended by the manufacturer. - Quality fuel:
Using quality fuel according to the manufacturer’s recommendations can help maintain engine performance. - Watch for early signs:
Watch for any changes in your car’s performance, such as unusual noises or a drop in power.
How to Overcome Audi Fault Lights
When the indicator light comes on, the first thing you should do is:
- Don’t panic:
Stay calm, and don’t panic. - Consult the manual:
Your vehicle’s manual will provide more detailed information about the meaning of each indicator light. - Take the car to an authorized Audi repair shop
An authorized Audi repair shop has complete diagnostic equipment to determine the problem’s cause accurately.
Verdict
Audi fault lights are an early warning system that helps maintain your car’s condition. By understanding the meaning of each indicator light and taking appropriate action, you can prevent further damage and ensure safe driving.
This article is informative and does not replace consultation with a professional mechanic. If a warning light comes on, it is essential to check the vehicle manual to understand what it means immediately. Some lights (red) require immediate attention, while others (yellow) may only be an early warning. Sometimes, taking the car to an authorized Audi repair shop or technician for diagnosis is the best course of action. We’ll be back shortly with more information on the ESP Fault, so bookmark the Audi Car USA website for the latest Audi Guide and other future Audi updates.
FAQs: People also ask about Audi Fault Lights
Q: What does Audi drive system fault mean?
A: The notification message seen in the heads-up display is known as a drive system failure. This alert indicates that the engine is not quite stable. Usually brought on by an engine misfire, there could also be other elements causing this error message.
Q: What is the engine fault light on my Audi?
A: Should this system be malfunctioning—that example, if a catalytic converter is clogged—the Audi check engine light will turn on. If your exhaust smells bad or you find your Audi seems to have changed color, bring it into a shop for inspection.
Q: What do Audi symbols mean?
A: Audi's ring marks development and creativity; DKW stands for cleverness; Horch for luxury; Wanderer for the attitude of discovery. When combined inside the logo, numerous interpretations come to capture Audi's multifarious character.
