jdemocker

I am new to Audi and trying to find a way to leave the car running when I get out. - to let it warm up in the winter - Any ideas would be great- Thanks

andrewmr

I'm sure it makes perfect sense in your head....

but it might help us out here if we knew a little about your car.

jdemocker

Sorry about that - 13 A8L 3.0. Once I stop the car and get out I can't figure out how to leave it running. My 750 I could lock while it was running and then open with the door handle or remote. When I get out of the Audi the car shuts off unless I leave the key in the car.

theanimala

There have been a few threads about this recently with conflicting info on some cars that allow you to get out and others that stop. I have a 2013 4.0 T that allows me to get out and the engine keeps running. Perhaps it's the 3.0 's that don't allow this?

jahummel

I have a 2016 3.0T and I just checked the owners manual. If the key is removed from the vehicle with the engine still running, it will continue to run.

MP4.2+6.0

This is actually a two part question.

The easy and definitive one: you cannot lock an Audi with a key inside. That has been the case back to the D3's. Basic design difference relative to various other cars, and designed of course so you...can't lock keys inside. Also to reduce risk of theft and subsequent joyriding if a key is in ignition or sitting on seat or console.

The other question about whether car turns off or not when exiting, separate from locking. Our Q5 does, but it's Hybrid and they don't want people leaving it in gear in electric mode and not realizing it is running. My push to start D3 W12 (that didn't let you lock key in either) can run all day and no one in seat, including if you walk away w key and it is outside vehicle (unlocked). You get a warning on screen key is out of vehicle but keeps running. If you shut it off though momentarily and, say your wife had the key in her purse and went in the mall, now you are screwed if you need to restart it and you aren't the one with the key. Same w/ Hybrid.

Finally, 2015 S8. Same as D3 W12. It keeps running with no key and only throws warning up on dash. So, relative to my S8 and OP's 3.0T--IF it is indeed true it stops when you leave vehicle--why the difference? A guess is the auto stop start system. A variant of it is in Hybrid too. It is not installed in S8's. If it does indeed stop when you exit vehicle w/ key, try disabling auto stop start if you want and see if it then keeps running on exit. May be a little trickier to test if purpose is cold warm up since presumably auto start stop does not start to engage until after car is already warmed up. Meantime on D4 S8 to tie one other scenario off, while you can exit vehicle and leave it running with key in your pocket, you cannot lock the doors. You can shut it off even if you don't have key, as with the other vehicles and generations above. Thus it works to start it, turn on defrosters, get out w/ key still in pocket and scrape off ice, snow, etc. But it is not set up to leave it running and go into Starbucks or whatever without leaving car wide open.

the_duke

With s/s enabled and conditions are met (engine temp, bat level, etc.) my car shuts off as soon as I put it in park. If i turn off s/s it will keep running.

theanimala

Good to know, I guess that's the answer! I never use s/s so that's probably why I don't have that issue.

Regarding NG locking the door while running and key is out of the car, you can just use the manual key in the door to lock it. You can also roll the window down, exit the car, reach in and lock the car, then press the auto window up. What's sucks is on my D3 it would unlock when I return upon pulling up the handle twice. Not with my D4, have to use the manual key in the door.

jdemocker

Thanks for all the great info!!! Much appreciated