Description

Audi A5 Training Manual – Factory Electronics and Driver Assist Systems

I’ve seen too many guys in my shop try to diagnose an electrical gremlin on an Audi A5 without understanding how the control units talk to each other. They start swapping parts, blow a fuse, and then come to me with a fried module and a bill that eats up their profit. This Audi A5 Training Manual (Self-Study Programme 393) is not a repair manual – it’s a 56-page factory document that teaches you how the convenience electronics and driver assist systems work together. You need that foundational knowledge before you touch a multimeter.

I’m Mike Callahan. I’ve been turning wrenches for 28 years, ASE Master, running a 6-bay shop in San Antonio. When I get a job that involves the A5’s Advanced Key or the lane change assistant, I pull this training manual off the shelf. It shows me the network architecture – infotainment CAN bus vs. MOST bus – so I know which signals I should be seeing. Without that, you’re guessing.

Audi A5 Networking Self-Study Programme covers similar ground, but this one digs into the control unit locations and the convenience system central control unit. Audi A5 Networking Training Manual SSP 395 is a companion piece. Audi A5 Self-Study Programme 392 Service Training might cover the powertrain. Together they give you the full picture.

Networking: Infotainment CAN vs. MOST Bus

Page 4 starts with the networking overview. You get two variants: vehicles with infotainment CAN bus (page 4) and vehicles with MOST bus (page 6). The difference matters when you’re diagnosing a dead radio or a door module that won’t respond. The manual lays out the topology so you know which control unit is the gateway. I’ve seen aftermarket diagrams that got it wrong – stuffed a 2-wire CAN into a MOST system and fried the optical loop. Stick to this factory source.

Installation Locations of the Control Units

Page 8 gives you the physical locations. When you need to pull the door control unit (page 14) or the seat control unit (page 16), you’d better know where it lives. This isn’t a generic list – it’s an Audi-specific map. The convenience system central control unit lives where the manual says. I’ve wasted an hour once hunting for it on a 2008 A5 because a third-party manual said “left kick panel.” Factory manual said “behind glove box.” Guess which was right.

Advanced Key and Electronic Ignition Lock

The new ignition key on the A5 is a push-to-start unit. Forget the old turning key. The manual explains the electronic ignition lock (page 26) and the ignition key (page 27) in detail. There’s an emergency key inside for mechanical unlock. If you don’t know that and you force the lock cylinder, you’re looking at a new steering column lock (page 31). Page 26 has the removal sequence for the electronic ignition lock – not a torque spec, but a removal sequence. That’s the kind of info you pay for.

The Advanced Key system (page 34) uses RFID and multiple antennas. The manual shows the adaption channels (page 24) for personalisation – things like memory seats and mirror positions. If you’re coding a replacement key, you need the Immobiliser V section (page 42). It explains the transponder communication. Automotive Industry Overview might give you background on RFID, but this manual gives you the Audi-specific implementation.

Driver Assist Systems: Parking and Lane Change

Park assist control unit (page 48) and rear-view camera control unit (page 51) – these are the acoustic parking system and the “Audi Parking System Advanced.” The lane change assistant control unit (page 52) uses radar modules in the rear bumper. The manual tells you the diagnostic access – which pins to probe, what data bus it uses. A DIYer who tries to install an aftermarket lane change module without this manual will likely short something. I’ve seen it.

The Panorama tilt sunroof (page 46) and HomeLink garage door opener (page 45) are covered too. The anti-theft alarm system (page 44) shows the tilt sensor and interior monitoring. Every system is linked back to the central convenience unit.

Audience Fit: Who Needs This Training Manual?

If you own a 2008-2010 Audi A5 and want to understand how the electronics work before you poke around, this is your blueprint. DIYers doing a radio upgrade, adding folding mirrors, or diagnosing a dead battery from a parasitic drain – you need to know which control units stay awake. The manual explains power management and sleep mode. Beginners should read this cover to cover before opening a door panel. It’s 56 pages – that’s an afternoon of reading that saves you weekends of headache.

Source Validity: Factory Training vs. Aftermarket

This is Self-Study Programme 393 from Audi Service Training. It’s not a reprint, not a third-party compilation. It’s the same PDF Audi gives its own techs. I’ve been burned by aftermarket manuals that have wrong pinouts or omit the security access procedures. This one has the official Audi pagination and references. The note on page 3 says it’s not a repair manual – use current technical literature for repairs. But it gives you the system understanding that a repair manual assumes you already have.

FAQ

Is this the same as an Audi A5 repair manual?

No. This is a training manual (Self-Study Programme) – it teaches how the systems work, not step-by-step repair procedures. Use it alongside a factory repair manual for full coverage.

Does it cover the 2009 Audi A5 with the 3.2L engine?

It covers all A5 models from the introduction (2007-2008) – the electronics and driver assist systems are largely shared. The training manual references the A5 generation that includes the 3.2 and 2.0T. Page 2 mentions the new ignition key and optional systems.

What torque specifications are included?

None. This manual is about electronics and system function, not mechanical torque. For torque specs, you need the factory repair manual. I’d look at Manual Transmission torque values if you were working on the drivetrain, but this manual doesn’t cover that.

Can I use this to reprogram the key fob?

It explains the immobiliser and key programming process conceptually, but for actual coding you’ll need diagnostic hardware and dealer-level access. Use it to understand what happens when you program a key.

If you’re serious about working on an Audi A5’s electronics without causing damage, get the factory training information. Access the factory manual and read the Immobiliser V section before you touch the ignition lock. That alone could save you the cost of a new steering column.