2011 AUDI A6 Owners Manual

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- Depress the spring catch on the hook and re lease it from
the anchorage .
0 Note
If you leave the child restra int with the tether strap firmly insta lled
for several days, th is could leave a mark on the upho lstery on the seat
cus hion and backrest in the area where the tether strap was insta lled.
Th e upho lstery wou ld also be perma nent ly stretched a round the
tether strap. This applies espec ially to leather seats .•
Using tether straps on rearward-facing
child restraints
Currently, few rear-fac ing c hild restrai nt systems come w it h a t ether.
Please read and heed the c hild restraint system manufacturer's
instructions carefully to determine how to proper ly install the tether .
& WARNING
A child in a rearward-facing child safety seat installed on the front
pa ssenger s eat w ill be seriously injured and can be killed if the
front airbag inflates· even with an Advanced Airbag System.
• The inflat ing airbag w ill hit the child safety seat or infant
c arrier with great for ce and will sma sh the child safety seat and
c hild against the backrest, center armrest , or door.
• A tight tether
or other strap on a rearward -facing child
restraint attached to the front passenger seat can put too much
pre ssure on the weight-mat in the sea t and regi ster a heavier
weight
in the Advan ced Airbag System. The heavier weight regis­
tered can make the sy stem work as though an adult were on the
seat and deploy the Advan ced A irbag when it mu st be suppressed
causing ser ious or even fatal injury to the child.
• If you must install a rearward facing child safety seat on the
front passenger seat becau se of exceptional circum stances and
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation
& WARNING
(co ntinued )
the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light does not come on and stay on,
imm ediately install the rear -facing child safety s eat in a rear
seating position and have the airbag system inspected by your
Audi dealer. •
Additional Information
Sources of information about child
restraints and their use
Th ere are a numbe r of sources o f addi tional in forma tion abo ut child
restra int select ion, installation and use:
N HTSA adv ises that the best chi ld safety seat is the one that f its your
child and fits in your vehicle, a nd that you w ill use cor rectly and
cons istent ly .
Tr y before you buy!
U.S National H ighway Traffic Safety Administration
Tel. : 1-888-3 27- 4236 (T TY: 1-800- 424-91S3)
www.nhtsa.gov
Nat ional SAFE KIDS Campaign
Tel. : (20 2) 662 -060 0
www.safekids .org
Safety BeltSafe U .S.A
Tel. : (800) 745 -SAF E (English)
T el. : (80 0) 74 7-SA NO (Sp anish)
www.carseat.org
Transport Canada Information Centre
T el. : 1 ( 80 0) 333 -037 1 or ca ll 1 (613 ) 99 8-86 16 if you are i n the
O ttawa area
www.tc .gc .ca/roadsafety
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

.. Child Safety
Audi Customer CARE
Tel.: (800) 822 -2834 •

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Controls and equip­
ment Safety first Vehicle operation
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

Intelligent technology
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Intelligent technology
Notice about data recorded by
vehicle control modules
Your vehicle is not equipped with an Event Data Recorder (EDR),
installed by some manufacturers for the express purpose of
capturing data for retrieva l after an accident or crash event. ED R's are
sometimes called "crash recorders".
Some state laws restrict the retrieval or downloading of data stored
by ED R's that were installed in a vehicle for the express purpose of
retrieving data after an accident or crash event without the owner's
consent.
Although your vehicle is not equipped with an EDR, it is equipped w ith
a number of electronic control modu les for various vehicle systems
such as, for example, engine function, emission control, as well as for
the airbags and safety belts.
T hese electronic contro l modules also record vehicle-re lated data
during normal vehicle operation for diagnostic and repair purposes .
Th e recording capacity of the e lectronic control modu les is limited to
data (no sound is recorded) and only a sma ll amount of data is actu­
ally recorded over a very limited period of time and stored when a
system fault or other condition is sensed by a control unit. Some of
the data then stored may relate to vehicle speed, direction, braking
as well as restraint system use and performance in the event of a
crash or other condition. Stored data can only be read and down­
loaded with special equipment.
Electronic Stabilization Program
(ESP)
General information
The ESP improves the vehicle stability.
l, I
Fig. 201 Center
console with ESP
switch
ESP is des igned to help you maintain vehicle control in s ituations
where the car approaches the limits of "grip", especia lly when accel­
erat ing and cornering. ESP reduces the risk of skidd ing and imp roves
stability under all road conditions.
Th e system operates across the entire speed range in combination
with the ABS system. If the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) malfunc­
tions, the ESP will also shut down.
How the system works
The Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL)
and the Anti-Slip Regulation System (ASR) are integrated in the elec­
tronic stabilizatio n pro gram. In addition to the data provided by
these funct ions, the ESP control unit requires additional measure­
ment data provided by high performance sensors. The rotational
speed of the vehicle about its vertical axis, veh icle acceleration in the ...

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fore-and-aft and lateral directions, the brake pressure and the
steering angle are all measured.
The direction in which the driver wishes to travel is determined with
the aid of the steering angle and vehicle speed and is continually
compared with the actual behavior of the vehicle. If the two do not
match, for example , when the vehicle starts hydroplaning on a wet
road, ESP will automatically brake the appropriate wheel to correct
the problem.
The vehicle is then stabilized by the forces acting on the wheel during
braking. If the vehicle is
oversteering (rear tends to skid out of the
turn), the brakes are mainly applied on the wheel that is on the
outside of the curve. In the case of a vehicle that is
understeering
(tendency to slide out of the curve), the brakes are applied at the rear
wheel that is on the inside of the curve. An acoustic signal indicates
when ESP brake application cuts in =>
&.
The system operates across the entire speed range in combination
with the ABS system=>
page 246. If the Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS) malfunctions, the ESP will be out of action as well.
Activating
When you turn on the engine, ESP will automatically be activated and
will perform a self-test . As soon as the test is completed, the system
is in normal operating mode.
You can activate a deactivated ESP or deactivated ESP/ ASR if required
by pressing the=>
page 242, fig. 201 button. When they are acti­
vated, the message
ESP/ASR on appears briefly in the display .
Deactivating
The ESP should normally be activated all the time. If necessary , you
can deactivate Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) or the Electronic Stabiliza­
tion Program (ESP) by pressing the button =>
page 242, fig. 201.
• Deactivating ASR: Tap the but ton . In certain excep tional situa­
tions (e.g. driving with tire chains) , the Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) can
be deactivated=>
page 244 . The message ASR off appears in the
display as well.
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation •
Deactivating ESP/ASR
Press the button for more than 3 seconds .
With the ESP/ASR deactivated, the ESP check light comes on, see
=>
page 14. The message ESP switched off appears in the display as
well.
& WARNING
The Electronic Stabilization Program is nevertheless subject to the laws of physics. It is particularly important to pay attention to
this fact on wet and slippery roads. It is therefore important that
you always adapt your driving to the condition of the road and traffic conditions. Do not allow the increased safety provided by
the Electronic Stabilization Program system to lull you into
accepting additional safety risks. •
Electronic differential lock (EDL)
The electronic differential lock monitors the rotational
speed of the drive wheels.
General notes
The electronic differential lock (EDL) helps the car to start moving,
accelerate and climb a gradient on surfaces providing poor or almost
no grip . Without EDL, this would be difficult, if not impossible .
How the system works
The EDL operates automatically . It monitors the rotational speed of
the drive wheels on an axle with the help of the ABS sensors
=>
page 246 . If a noticeable difference in rotational speed between
the drive wheels on one axle is detected (e.g. on slippery ground
on
one side),
the spinning wheel is braked, thereby transferring power to
the othe r drive wheel or wheels (all-wheel drive). This is done up to a
speed of about 60 mph (100 km/h) . Noises from the brake system
signal that wheel spin is being controlled.
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Driv ing off
When driving off, always be sure to keep road conditions in mind as
you acce lerate. If one d rive w heel spins because it is on a surface with
less grip, gradua lly inc rease the press ure on the accelerator pedal
un til the car sta rts to move .
Overheating of brakes
To prevent the disc brake of the braked wheel from overheating if
subjected to excessive loads o n this whee l, t he EDL cuts out tem po­
ra rily. The vehicle rema ins operat iona l a nd be haves in the same way
as a ve hicle wit hout EDL.
As soon as the bra ke has coo le d down , ED L swit ches on again au to­
matically.
& WARNING
• When accelerating on slippery surfaces , such as on i ce or snow ,
alway s be careful when depre ssing the accelerator pedal. Even
with the EDL work ing , the drive wheels can spin and reduce your
ability to control your car. Risk of crash!
• The increased safety afforded by EDL does not mean that you
can take safety ri sks . Always adapt your driving style to the road
conditions and traffic situation.
(I) Tips
If a fa ult occurs i n the ABS, the EDL is also not f unct io ni ng . This is
indic ated by t he A BS war ning ligh t=>
page 17.
Anti-Slip Regulation System (ASR)
The Anti- S lip Re gula tio n Sy stem preven ts the dr iven
w heels from spin ning w hen t he car is accelerating .
General notes
The Anti-S lip Reg ulation Sys tem (AS R) is in tegr ate d in the ele ctroni c
stabilization program (ESP) . When the ve hicle starts up and acceler­
at es, the whee ls are p reven ted from sp inning by adjust ing t he engine
power to match the amount of grip avai lable from the road surface.
How the system works
ASR performs automatically, i.e. witho ut the driver 's intervent ion.
W ith the a id of t he ABS sensors=>
page 246, ASR moni to rs the speed
of the dr iven wheels. If the wheels start to spin , th e engine torque is
redu ced a utomatically unti l the t ires find enou gh gr ip to lock onto
the road surface. T he system is active across the entire speed range .
Th e ASR works in conjunction with the ABS. If a malfunction sho uld
occ ur in th e ABS, th e AS R w ill also be out of action.
Activating
The ESP is automatically activated whe n the engine is started and it
performs a se lf-test. You can act ivate a deact ivate d ASR if required by
press ing the=>
pag e 242, fig. 201 button. Whe n it is act ivated, t he
message
ESP/ASR on appears briefly in t he disp lay. Vehicles with
front-wheel d rive a dea ct iva te d ASR a uto mat icall y re-ac tiva tes i tself
at a speed of 40 mp h (70 km/h) .
Deactivating
You can deact ivate t he ASR if required by pressing t he button (for less
t han 3 se conds) =>
page 242, fig . 2 0 1. Wi th the ASR dea ct ivated, the
ESP check light comes on, see=>
page 14. The message ASR off
appe ars i n the di sp la y as wel l. On vehicles wi th fro nt-whee l dr ive:
deactivation is possible only up to 30 mph (SO km/h) for safety
reas ons. Vehi cles w ith all -wheel drive: the AS R can be deac tivated at
any speed. ..

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The ASR should normally be activated all the time . Only in certain
except ional situations when some slip is desirable does it make sense
to deactivate the ASR. Examples:
• when driving with tire chains
• when driving in deep snow or on loose ground and
• when rocking the vehicle loose after it has become stuck.
When the abnormal s ituation is over, you should activate the ASR
again .
& WARNING
The increased safety afforded by ASR does not mean that you can
take safety risks. Always adapt your driving style to the road
conditions and traffic situation.
[I] Tips
To ensure that the ASR works properly, all four whee ls must be fitted
with ident ical tires . Any differences in rolling radius of the tir es can
cause the system to reduce engine power when this is not desired.
See also=>
page 307, "New tires and replacing tires and wheels". •
Braking
General information
What affects braking efficiency?
Operating conditions and driving habits
The brakes on today's automob iles are still subject to wear ,
depending largely on operating conditions and driving habits=>& .
On vehicles that are either driven mostly in stop-and-go city traffic or
are driven hard, the brake pads should be checked by your authorized
Aud i dealer more often than specified in the
Warranty & Mainte-
Controls and equip­ ment Safety first Vehicle operation nance booklet.
Failure to have your brake pads
inspected can result
in reduced brake performance .
On steep slopes, you should use the brak ing effect of the engine . This
way, you prevent unnecessary wear on the brake system. If you must
use your brakes, do not hold the brakes down continuously. Pump the
brakes at intervals.
Noises may occur when brak ing depending on the speed , braking
force and outside cond it ions such as temperature and humidity.
Moisture or road salt
If you are driving faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) and the windshield
wipers are on, the brake pads will briefly touch the brake discs in
regular intervals so as to improve reaction t ime when braking on wet
surfaces. You, the driver, will not notice anything.
Under certain cond it ions, for example , when driving through water or
very heavy rain, or even after washing your vehicle, the braking effect
can be reduced due to moisture (or in freezing conditions ice) on the
brake pads. A few careful brake applications should dry off the brake
pads or remove any ice coatings.
The effectiveness of the brakes can be reduced when the vehicle is driven on a sa lt-covered road and the brakes are not used. Here too,
you should clean off accumulated salt coating from brake discs and
pads with a few careful applications of the brake=>& .
Corrosion
There may be a tendency for dirt to build up on the brake pads and
corrosion to form on the discs if the car is not dr iven regularly or only
for short trips with little use of the brakes.
If the brakes are not used frequently, or if corrosion has formed on
the discs, it is advisable to clean off the pads and discs by braking
fi rm ly a few times from a moderately high speed=>& .
Faults in the brake system
If you should notice a sudden increase in brake pedal travel, then one
of the two brake circuits may have failed=>& . .,
Vehicle care Do-it-yourself service Technical data

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Low brake fluid l evel
Ma lf u nctions can occ ur in the brake system if the brake fluid level is
too low . T he brake flu id level is monitored e lec tron ically .
Brake lining wear statu s
Brake lining wear may be checked by visua l inspection of the condi­
t ion of t he brake pads through the open ings in the whee l. If neces ­
sary, the wheel may be removed fo r thi s inspection~
page 320,
"Changing a whee l".
& WARNING
• You should p erform braking maneuvers for the purpo se of
cleaning the brake system only if road condit ions permit. Other
road u sers must not be put at risk - you may cau se an accident!
• Befo re descending a steep grade, reduce speed and sh ift t rans ­
mission into a lower gear or lower driving range. Do not ride the
brakes or hold the pedal down too long or too often. Th is could
cause the brake s to get hot and diminish braking efficiency.
• Do not "ride the b rakes " by resting your foot on the pedal when
you do not intend to brake. Thi s may cau se the brakes to overheat ,
premature wear and increased stopping distance.
• Under certain climatic and operating condition s such as
passing through water, driving in heavy rain or after washing the
vehicle, the effectiveness of the brake s can be reduced. In winter ,
ice can accumulate on the brake pads , linings, discs and drums.
Carefully apply brakes for a test. Brake s will dry and ice coating s
will be cleaned off after a few careful brake applications.
• Driving for an extended period of time on salt-covered roads
without using your brakes can also affect brak ing efficiency. Clean
off accumulated salt co ating from brake disc s and pads with a few
careful brake applications.
• If you damage the front spoiler , or if you in stall a different
spoiler , be sure the air flow to the front brakes is not obst ructed.
Otherwi se the brake system could overheat reducing the effective­
ness of the entire brake system .
& WARNING (c on tinued )
• Failure of one brake circuit will impair the braking capability
resulting in an increa sed stopping di stance. Avoid driving the
vehicle and have it towed to the nearest Audi dealer or qualified
workshop. •
Brake booster
The brake booster adds extra brakin g po wer.
Th e bra ke booster wor ks with vacuu m pressure which is created on ly
when the eng ine is running ~& .
& WARNING
• Never let the vehicle roll to a stop with the engine shut off.
• If the brake booster is not working , for e xample when towing
y our vehicle , or be cause the brake booster has somehow been
damaged , the brake pedal must be pressed considerably harder to
make up for the lack of boo ster assistance. •
Functioning of Anti-Lock Brake System
(ABS)
AB S prevents the wh eels from locking up under braking .
The ABS co ntrib utes effe ctive ly to ve hicl e con tro l s in ce i t preven ts t he
wheels from
locking when the brakes are applied . This means that the
vehicle remains steerable and is less likely to s kid.
With ABS you do not need to pump the brake. Just hold the brake
pedal down.
However, do not expect t he A BS to sho rten b raking di stan ce u nder all
circumstances. W hen driving on grave l or on newly fa llen snow on top
of icy s urfaces, braking distance may be even longer, therefore, under .,_