2026 Audi Q3 Transmission User Guide
This blog delves into the 2026 Audi Q3 transmission, discussing sophisticated gearbox technology and driving performance. Understand the features, efficiency, and smoothness that distinguish Audi’s engineering.
Transmission positions and driving programs
The automatic gearbox changes gear according to the transmission position selected and the way the vehicle is currently being driven. When you drive at moderate speeds, the gearbox will change up early and delay the downshifts to give better fuel economy. The gearbox allows higher engine speeds for performance driving.
Transmission positions
The transmission positions are shown next to the selector lever.
- P (Park): parking lock
- R (Reverse): driving in reverse
- N (Neutral): idle
- D (Drive): driving forward
Driving programs
Various driving programs can be selected when in the “D” position. These programs influence, for example, when the transmission shifts and how the accelerator pedal responds.
The selected driving program is displayed in the instrument cluster.
- D (Drive): normal driving mode
- E (Efficiency*): Economical driving
- S (Sport): sporty driving mode
Selecting a transmission position
Requirement: the ignition must be switched on.
- Bring the vehicle to a full stop and press the brake pedal.
- Press the release button (2) on the selector lever.
- To select the nearest position, move the selector lever forward or back until you feel the first pressure point.
- To skip a position (for example, to move from “D” directly to “R”), move the selector lever past the pressure point in the desired direction.
- The label next to the selector lever for the selected gear will light up.
” N” (Neutral) selector lever position
In the “N” selector lever position, power is not transmitted to the driving wheels. Use the “N” selector lever in a car wash (with conveyor belts), for example.
If you unintentionally select “N” while driving (faster than 1 mph (2 km/h)), you can select “D” again without pressing the brake pedal.
For safety reasons, the vehicle cannot be locked when the “N” position is engaged.
Transmission position P (parking lock)
In transmission position P, the vehicle is preven-ted from rolling away by the parking lock. The parking lock is a mechanical locking mechanism for the gearbox.
If you cannot move out of transmission position P (e.g. if the vehicle has no electrical power), you may need to release the parking lock manually
Selecting the driving program
To switch between the current driving program and “S”, push the selector lever toward the rear. If you select the dynamic mode in Audi drive select*, the “S” driving program will be activated. When the ignition is switched off, the driving program may be reset to “D”’ The S driving program might not be available in the Audi drive select* offroad mode.
Warning
- Before you start driving, check if the label for the desired selector lever position next to the selector lever is lit up.
- Secure the vehicle against rolling before exiting the vehicle.
- Power is still transmitted to the wheels when the engine is running at idle. To prevent the vehicle from “creeping”, you must keep your foot on the brake in all selector lever positions (except “P” and “N”) when the engine is running.
- To reduce the risk of an accident, do not press the accelerator pedal when changing gears if the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running.
- Never select the “R” position while driving. Doing so could cause an accident.
- The vehicle can roll even if the ignition is switched off.
Note
- You do not have to press the brake pedal if you switch back and forth between D and R within one second. This allows you to rock the car backwards and forwards, e.g. to free it from snow or mud, etc.
- Audi recommends driving program D for ev-eryday use.
Manual gear selection
You can shift the gears manually when in “D” mode. The transmission must be in tiptronic mode.
Shifting with the selector lever
You can shift into manual shifting mode while the vehicle is stationary or while driving.
- To switch to manual shifting mode, tilt the selector lever toward the front passenger’s side. “M” will be displayed in the instrument cluster.
- Upshifting: push the selector lever forward +.
- Downshifting: push the selector lever toward the rear +.
- To switch back to automatic mode, tilt the selector lever toward the driver’s side.
Shifting with the shift paddles
This applies to vehicles with shift paddles
- Upshifting: press the + shift paddle .
- Downshifting: press the – shift paddle.
- Applies to: vehicles with Tiptronic transmission:
To engage the lowest possible gear for maximum acceleration, press and hold the – shift paddle. - To switch back to automatic mode, press and hold the + shift paddle or push the selector lever toward the rear.
If you stop using the shift paddles temporarily, the transmission will switch back to automatic mode. To keep shifting manually, tilt the selector lever toward the front passenger’s side.
Tips
- The transmission only allows manual shifting when the engine speed is within the permitted
range. - The transmission automatically shifts up or down before critical engine speed is reached.
- Applies to RS models: Depending on the engine, the “M” in the instrument cluster will be displayed in red font in certain situations. The manual shifting mode reacts particularly sporty in this case. When accelerating, the transmission does not automatically shift to the next gear shortly before the maximum permitted engine RPM is reached. Shift to the next highest gear at the right time.
Accelerator pedal
You can accelerate the vehicle using the accelerator pedal.
Maximum acceleration
If you press the accelerator pedal all the way down, the motor’s full power will be used and you will reach maximum acceleration, also called “kick-down”.
Warning
The driving wheels could spin and the vehicle could swerve on slick or slippery road surfaces when using kick-down, which increases the risk of an accident.
Manually releasing the parking lock
The emergency release is located under the selector lever shift gate. Only use the release if you have the necessary technical knowledge. See an authorized Audi dealer or authorized Audi Service Facility for assistance.
You will need the screwdriver from the vehicle tool kit to release it >. Use the flat side of the reversible screwdriver blade. You might also need a very long screwdriver.
Removing the shifter boot
- Secure the vehicle against rolling.
- Switch the ignition off.
- To loosen the shifter boot, carefully insert the flat side of the screwdriver sideways into the slit near the shifter boot >.
- Carefully pry the shifter boot out with the screwdriver while gripping the boot at the fold with your hand and pulling it upward and out until all four corners are released >.
- Fold the shifter boot up around the shifter knob.
- Applies to: right-hand drive vehicles: Remove the gear trim and let it hang down to the side while still connected to the cable.
Releasing the parking lock using the manual release
- Operate the emergency release >.
Attaching the shift cover
- Applies to: right-hand drive vehicles: Place the gear trim back into the shift gate.
- Clip the shift cover back into the shift gate.
Warning
- Only use the parking lock manual release if the vehicle is secured against rolling An unsecured vehicle may roll, which increases the risk of an accident.
- Only activate the manual release while on a level surface or a slight slope.
- To reduce the risk of an accident, you must not drive when the manual release is activated.
Emergency Release Operation
Depending on the version, the emergency release will be located under the shifter boot, eithert o. the lower left or to the upper right. The procedure differs depending on the version.
Emergency release at the lower left
- Press and hold the yellow release button on the side with a screwdriver.
- Now press the unlock button on the selector lever and move the selector lever to the “N” position.
Emergency release at the upper right
- Insert the screwdriver into the opening of the yellow release lever.
- Using the screwdriver, carefully pull the release lever all the way back and hold it in this position.
- Now press the unlock button on the selector lever and move the selector lever to the “N” position.
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