2018 S5 Tips & Tricks

[IJB1959]

There is a lot the S5 does that you never knew unless you have studied the manual (aka encyclopaedia) in detail. Here is what I have discovered so far, but some may know this already and want to add more........

Download Audi MMI Connect & mobile to your smartphone to remote lock & unlock, use car finder, and other useful info.
The seat bolsters 'firm up' on corners using Google maps whist driving. [Edit] Apparently it has to be 'enabled' via OBD.
In the summer, hold down the unlock button on the key fob and all the windows will open, hold down lock button to close.
Push the volume button left or right to change tracks on media
Push the volume button down to cancel any radio traffic alert, press to mute radio, media etc
You can program the * button on the steering wheel to change drive select
You can watch videos on the MMI screen by selecting the correct format on the SD card (not whilst driving I hope!!)

Edited by IJB1959 on Saturday 18th March 11:41

Edited by IJB1959 on Tuesday 21st March 14:53

[IJB1959]

18ME said:

This should be a great thread as we all get to know the car a little better.

Do the bolsters firm up on their own when corning? as I haven't noticed this yet but not driven it much or pushed it too much yet. I did have a play with the message seats yesterday morning and preferred the wave function to the other settings.

Yes, Google maps tell the seats there is a corner!

[IJB1959]

Ved said:

Is this mentioned in the owners manual? Just curious if it's the same on my S4 that's being built.

Not sure, was told about it by Audi dealer then tried it out....pretty cool.

[IJB1959]

Ved said:

I downloaded the manual and can't seem to see anything in there but it's a great idea Roll on May...

Me neither, but it is there (albeit subtle). They probably do not mention it as you cannot turn it on or off, and is just part of the system. Would imagine the S4 has it as well as it is the same interior.

[IJB1959]

Another thing I have discovered which could have nasty consequences if you forget:
If you park the car and do not press P on the shifter, the car will not lock when you press the lock button although you may think it had (without looking at the indicator flash to tell you when you walk away). There are no lock/unlock beeps to tell you other than the indicator flashes. You can enable this via the OBD though, so I am deffo going to do this.

[IJB1959]

Frankstar123 said:

Here's a good one (probably works better in summer). Lock your car. Leave it for 2 hours then come back and the boot has a good chance to be open......

Have you resolved this yet or is it a one off mystery???

[IJB1959]

TomScrut said:

The B7 RS4 did it based on steering movements IIRC. Or was it the C6 RS6? Can't remember. But given it knows how to look ahead to corners (as the matrix LEDs do this) it is not a ridiculous jump to say it does it. But one would expect it to be well publicised. Its the sort of feature all the marketing BS will be keen to blab about.

Well, all I can say chaps is mine does. Could not find anything in the manual about it though. I was skeptical at first, but tried it with my hand as I cornered and it does firm up...not obviously noticeable though. When I picked the car up I was met by the new Audi Marketing Director who had just popped over from Switzerland (I live very close to VW/Audi UK HQ), and he was blabbing on about this feature for ages, but I wasn't that interested and just wanted to drive the car away. Could be something very new I suppose?

[IJB1959]

Ok, back to the bolster anomaly. I spoke to my dealer contact about this out of curiosity. He says this was enabled via the OBD VAGCOM system for my feedback/thoughts on collection whist their marketing guy was there, but is not a 'common' or published feature for the S5 as this may be a standard feature on the RS5. Well, if that is the case what on earth else is not bloody 'enabled' then'????

[IJB1959]

Frankstar123 said:

So dealer reckons closing the boot via key fob can only be done with convenience pack / key. However there's no convenience pack / key option on the S5 Sportsback configuration page. There's an option on the A5 page. And it doesn't explain how i was able to do it for a couple of days and for it to stop working exactly the same time I found my car parked up with the boot open.

See my post above...could be a clue there.

[IJB1959]

Frankstar123 said:

TomScrut said:

Frankstar123 said:

TomScrut said:

Frankstar123 said:

Eh they are saying their demo S5 doesn't close the boot with the key fob. I've definitely done this with mine because I was teasing the kids with it saying it was voice automated....

They don't think its a coupe do they?

Does the coupe not do it? Can anyone on here confirm that their S5 sportback new model closes the boot with the keyfob after opening with key fob or internal button?

I feel like i'm going mad....

This is what I was getting at....

silentbrown said:

Coupe has "Electric boot lid release" while sportback has "Power operated tailgate". You see the same distinction between S4 saloon vs Avant.

For information. Have just tried my SB to save your sanity. The boot opens with the key fob, but will NOT close with the key fob although there is a 'clicking' noise when the boot is open and the button is pressed again. I think this is just it unlatching mechanism again though.

Cheers. The manual says it does it if you have convenience key. But its not an option on the Audi site for a convenience key. Only an option for gesture boot opening with ya foot.

[IJB1959]

IJB1959 said:

If it did work before then there must be one of those elusive 'options' to enable it then. Up until now must have been a software glitch.

[IJB1959]

NSS89 said:

Does anybody have a full list of VCDS options that can be enabled/disabled? I've found the below for the B8 but I'm assuming there'll be a few more for the B9.


Enable Hidden menu in MMI

Adjust bluetooth microphone sensitivity
Adjust Back-up Camera Picture
Change MMI 3G splashscreen
Disable After-wipe of windscreen wipers
Disable amber corner lights
Disable amber side markers
Disable Key warning (keyless models)
Disable LED 'wink' on turn signal - pre-facelift
Disable LED 'wink' on turn signal - facelift
Dim LED 'wink' on turn signal
Disable bulb error message with LED reverse lights installed
Disable "Lights are on" warning
Disable NAV & Phone warning messages while entering data at speed
Disable Seatbelt Chime
Disable soundaktuator (speaker on face lifts)
Enable Adaptive brake lights
Enable Ambient Interior Lighting Control
Enable Optic rear parking for cars without front parking sensors
Enable Automatic Gear selection shown in DIS
Enable Automatic Hill Hold Assist 'lite'
Enable Auxiliary ventilation
Enable Battery meter *does not appear to work on facelift cars with MMI 3G+ HDD Navigation*
Enable DIS with Efficiency Program
Enable Double Disarm Beep
Enable Drivers Memory Seat
Enable DRL Selectable via MMI
Enable DRL
Enable Audi Drive Select without the buttons
Enable Euro parking lights that turn on signal at night
Enable interior lighting option
Enable fog lamp to come on for the same side as that turn signal
Enable Front Turn Signals as Parking lights
Enable Gauge Test/Needle Sweep
Enable Horn confirmation on locking
Enable Import CDs to MMI's HD
Enable Independent Fogs control with high beams
Enable Lap Timer
Enable LEDs remain bright for parking lights
Enable Rear Tail Lights on with DRLs
Enable Release Parking Brake without putting foot on Brake
Enable Release Parking Brake without putting seatbelt
Enable Remote Operation windows&sunroof
Enable Reverse mirror tilt
Enable Speed on chorus, concert or symphony display
Enable ‘Tourist’ Mode – Headlight Convertor (MMI 2G)
Enable TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System)
Enable Video in Motion on MMI
Set Audi parking system - Switch OFF Speed
Set Custom ADS settings
Set Headlight washer - cycles
Set Headlight washer - duration
Adjust Consumption in DIS
Adjust LED Brightness
Change Language
Activate SDS for cabriolet
Change fuel tank characteristics
To increase radio play time after car is turned off

No, not yet. I have VAG-COM & cable for the B8. For B9 you need the latest ROSS-TECH software and OBD cable. With the B8 kit you can only read very basic stuff, but enable/disable options are not labelled only coded.

[IJB1959]

TDI Tuning box......The story starts here.

OK, so the TDI tuning box arrived today (was told it would be yesterday).
See pic below as to what you get in the box. One gripe was that there were harness fitting instructions, but no instructions on what the + & - buttons and corresponding LED's were for on the tuning box. A quick phone call to TDI and subsequent email resolved that as they forgot to attach that part with the install instructions. Buttons 1 to 7 increase the BHP from 382bhp a max of 408bhp. 4 is the default setting. Will post more pics on installation, then on the performance and the difference it makes.

[IJB1959]

adyzaky said:

Looking forward to the updates for the Tunning box.

Got a quote for ABT's piggy back ECU which they say can't be detected and doesn't leave any TD1 flags in the OEM ECU, but costs £2k plus VAT.

The TDI box apparently does not give any TD1 flags either, but I will double check this with VAG-COM just to make sure. ABT's box is massively expensive, but as I understand it, it has to have some minor engine hardware changes included as well.

[IJB1959]

adyzaky said:

A possible alternative from DTUK, who are pretty well known too. 0-60 looks ver promising, also like the extra torques.

Got this email when i queried anything for the B9 S5.

Hello Adnan.
I’m currently running the system on our owN b9 s4, were expecting 400/410ps and 580/610nm


we have timed the car using timing equipment and launch control and have achieved a 0-60 time of 3.72 seconds..

we should have dyno figures within the next 2/3 weeks after our “road testing” phase is completed.

no traces of any kind once removed, and the kit is going to be around £575 inc vat

Sounds like another good alternative. If anyone buys one please review as well.

[IJB1959]

Electronicpants said:

<Looks at people getting their car detailed>

"That's ridiculous, getting a new car detailed"

<now has car booked for a detail>



<looks at posts about tuning boxes>

"That's ridiculous, surley the cars fast enough"

<Is now seriously considering one>

I really need to stay off this Audi forum, it's costing me money!

Well observed!

When ever we buy a new toy isn't it always the case that it costs us more in the end? Starts with a denial, sees the evidence, then oooh, I want that as well. I think were all a bit guilty of that sometimes. I had doubts about detailing a brand new car, never said too much about it though, but when I saw the result I wish I had done it on delivery.

[IJB1959]

dufflecoat said:

Interesting to hear about the TDI box as well.

www.racechip.co.uk are my preference, B9 S4/S5 boxes still in dev last time I engquired.

I would have preferred the RaceChip as I used one before and it worked great. Let's see if the TDI is any good as well.

[IJB1959]

simonwhite2000 said:

The JB1 for my Golf R didnt increase my premium at all. The insurance company asked how much power increased by (40-50 bhp) and they came back to say it would not increase the premium.

mine neither when I had a RaceChip on an SLK. I was with Swinton at the time.

[IJB1959]

jacobyoung74 said:

Happens all the time to me... tell me to insert a sim card and then works a few minuted later. Audi said it's a known issue and they are working on it. They tried doing full resets but no good. I have switched of the satellite view so it doesn't keep popping up with error messages.

That's not good. I haven't tried putting a SIM in yet, so I now know what to expect when I do.

[IJB1959]

jacobyoung74 said:

It's based on the internal sim and audi connect. Not a sim card that I put in.

It only pops up messages if you are using Google earth or try and access audi connect when it can't find the sim. Unsure if it is linked to signal or if it is a different reason.

The a3 courtesy car that had the internal sim also had the same issue however my a4 with internal sim doesn't suffer the same

Ah, ok, not suffered this issue yet then.....Had it for 3 weeks already & no problems to note.