Does the Audi automatically turn off when locked?
3 Answers
Audi's locking function depends on the vehicle's design, and it generally does not automatically turn off. Introduction to Audi: Audi is a luxury car brand under Audi AG, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. Representing high technological standards, quality benchmarks, innovation capabilities, and classic model designs, Audi is one of the world's most successful automotive brands. The company is headquartered in Ingolstadt, Germany, and has subsidiaries in many countries, including China. It offers reasonably priced mid-to-high-end vehicles, which can be categorized into business and family models based on usage. Introduction to FAW-Volkswagen: FAW-Volkswagen Automotive Co., Ltd. is a large passenger car manufacturer jointly operated by China FAW Group Corporation, Volkswagen AG, and Audi AG.
As an Audi owner who has been driving the A6 series for several years, my practical experience confirms that locking the car does not automatically shut off the engine. The locking operation, performed either via the remote key or the in-car button, is primarily designed to secure the doors and activate the anti-theft system, aiming to protect the vehicle from being opened or stolen. However, it does not control the engine's status at all. If the engine is still running—for instance, if you forget to turn it off before exiting and locking the car—it will continue to operate without stopping. Audi's automatic start-stop feature is a separate system that can shut off the engine during stops, such as at red lights, to save fuel, but this functionality is unrelated to locking the car and relies entirely on sensors detecting driving conditions. From a design perspective, engineers have isolated these functions to prevent safety risks, such as the inability to quickly start the car in an emergency if the engine were to stop after locking. It's advisable to develop the habit of turning off the engine before locking the car, which is both fuel-efficient and safe. The Audi manual provides detailed explanations on these matters, and it's recommended for new owners to read it to avoid misunderstandings. In summary, locking the car is purely an anti-theft measure and does not affect engine operation.
I've been repairing Audi vehicles for over a decade and often encounter owners asking similar questions. Locking the car does not cause automatic engine shutdown—I'm certain of this. Audi's locking system is centralized in the anti-theft module, controlling door locks, windows, and alarms, while the engine management system operates completely separately. The auto start-stop function only activates engine shutdown under specific driving conditions like idling; the lock button doesn't provide such signal input. In actual repair cases, when customers report engine shutdown, it's usually because they forgot to turn off the engine—it's normal for the engine to keep running after locking. From a safety perspective, Audi's design ensures the engine won't shut down without reason to prevent failure to start in remote areas or emergencies. Different models like the A3 or Q5 may have configuration options, but standard factory settings won't allow locking to trigger shutdown. I recommend regularly checking vehicle settings and battery health to avoid misunderstandings. Remember, locking only secures the doors—engine control remains your manual responsibility.
