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Audi A6 C6: How to Activate Electronic Parking Brake Auto Release Mode

Have you ever wished that you could set the parking brake and have it automatically release when you press the gas? It's a feature that non U.S./Canadian cars have, and it's also one you can enable in just a few minutes. Here's how.

By Brett Foote - April 22, 2016

This article applies to the Audi A6 C6 (2011-2016).

For some reason, probably having to do with the legal department, American and Canadian versions of the A6 C6 with the electronic parking brake lack the automatic release they get in Europe and Asia. But luckily, when it comes to Audi software options, features can be easily switched on and off if you have a VAG-COM cable and the corresponding diagnostic software for your laptop. The parking brake auto release function is present on ROW (Rest Of the World) Audi models. In other countries, you can set the parking brake and by simply hitting the gas it releases automatically. This is a nice little feature to have for long stoplights, or when stopped on a hill. Keep reading and we'll walk you through the easy process of activating it.

Audi A6 C6: How to Activate Electronic Parking Brake Auto Release Mode

Material Needed

  • VAG-COM diagnostic system (such as Ross-Tech)

Step 1 – Connect VAG-COM cable

Plug in the VAG-COM cable just underneath the driver's side of the dash to the left of the steering column. Plug the other end into your laptop and boot up your software.

Connect your VAG-COM cable to the purple connector under the dash
Figure 1. Connect your VAG-COM cable to the purple connector under the dash.

Step 2 – Change the auto parking brake setting

Find option 53-Parking Brake and click on it, then click on Coding and select "ROW" instead of "USA/Canada." Exit out of VAG-COM and disconnect the cable, and you're all set! You can test it out and make sure everything is working correctly by placing the transmission in drive, then setting the parking brake. When you press the gas, the parking brake should automatically disengage.

  • Navigate to option 53-Parking Brake
    Figure 2. Navigate to option 53-Parking Brake.
  • Change the parking brake setting from USA/Canada to ROM
    Figure 3. Change the parking brake setting from USA/Canada to ROM.

Pro Tip

The electronic parking brake auto release hack will only release when the transmission is in drive. It will not release if the transmission is in park.

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